This information is only relevant to employers and employees in the WA state industrial relations system – sole traders, unincorporated partnerships, unincorporated trusts and some incorporated or not for profit organisations. Find out more on the Guide to who is in the WA state system page.

If you operate or are employed by a Pty Ltd business – you can find information on this topic on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

About this page

• This page outlines how to find the correct pay rates for state system employees who are undertaking an apprenticeship registered with the Apprenticeship Office at the Department of Training and Workforce Development. 
• If the employee is undertaking a registered traineeship, please visit the Pay rates for trainees page.

About apprenticeships

Apprenticeships can be undertaken on a full time or part time basis. Casual workers are not eligible to enter into a training contract for an apprenticeship.

An employer is required to pay an apprentice for time spent at TAFE (or other off the job training) as normal working hours. An employer is not required to pay TAFE fees on behalf of the apprentice.

The Apprenticeship Office at the Department of Training and Workforce Development can provide information about:

• assessment and registration of a training contract
• obligations under a training contract
• completion of a training contract
• variations to a training contract (including cancellation, suspension or termination of the contract)

The pay rate for an apprentice will depend on the term (length) of the apprenticeship and which year of the apprenticeship the apprentice is currently undertaking.  

An adult apprentice (21 years of age or older) must be paid the minimum pay rate for adult apprentices, or the apprentice pay rate for the relevant year of their apprenticeship, whichever is higher.

Arrangements in WA awards for apprentices

In the state industrial relations system, WA awards cover many industries and occupations. Wageline has WA award summaries of the most common WA awards.

The pay rate for an apprentice will depend on the term (length) of the apprenticeship and which year of the apprenticeship the apprentice is currently undertaking.

An adult apprentice (21 years of age or older) must be paid the minimum pay rate for adult apprentices, or the apprentice pay rate for the relevant year of their apprenticeship, whichever is higher.

Award free apprentices

If an apprentice is award free, they are to be paid the minimum rate of pay for an award free apprentice. The minimum rate will vary depending on the term (length) of the apprenticeship and which year the apprentice is currently undertaking. The minimum rates for apprentices are outlined below.

Award free apprentices are entitled to annual leave, sick and carer’s leave and other leave and employment entitlements that apply to award free employees. The Award free employees minimum pay rates and entitlements summary provides an overview of employment conditions for award free employees.

Minimum rates of pay for award free apprentices

The 2022 State Wage Order issued by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission in June 2022 granted an increase in minimum pay rates effective from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2022.

The award free apprentice pay rates for 4 year, 3.5 year, 3 year and 2 year apprenticeships are outlined below.

An apprentice (21 years of age or older) must be paid the adult apprentice rate or the appropriate rate for the year of the apprenticeship if that is higher.