Probation

Apprenticeships and traineeships have set probationary periods under the training contract, which gives you and your apprentice or trainee time to work together before deciding to commit to each other until the end of the contract.

Probationary periods are usually 90 days for apprenticeships and 30–90 days for traineeships. They can be extended up to 6 months past the apprenticeship's or traineeship's start date.

This guide outlines the purpose, duration and processes for making changes to a probationary period, including how to dismiss your apprentice or trainee during their probationary period.

Probationary periods

Each apprenticeship and traineeship has a set probationary period under the training contract.

This gives you time to:

work together with your apprentice or trainee
assess their work ethic, reliability and potential to succeed in the apprenticeship or traineeship
decide whether to commit to the rest of the apprenticeship or traineeship.

Duration

Probationary periods are usually:

90 days for apprenticeships
30–90 days for traineeships

They are included as part of the 'total nominal term' of the training contract.

They apply from the start date of the apprenticeship or traineeship.

They apply to full-time, part-time and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Different types of probation

The probationary period of the training contract may differ from the employment probationary period which is contained in a modern award or industrial agreement.

Completing the probationary period

Once the probationary period has ended, you and your apprentice or trainee are contracted to each other until the end of the training contract.

Make changes to the probationary period

You can:

Extend probationary period

If you and your apprentice or trainee need more time to assess the compatibility and suitability of the apprenticeship or traineeship, you can apply to extend the probationary period.

You must not extend it more than 6 months past the start date of the apprenticeship or traineeship.

Step 1: Apply for the extension at least 14 days before the end of the probationary period to your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider, using Form ATF-036.

Download Form ATF-036: Extension of probationary period of a registered training contract

Step 2: Provide the following:

reason(s) for the extension
revised end date of the probationary period.

Step 3: If approved, the decision will be made within 7 days and you'll be notified in writing.

End employment during probationary period

Whether a training contract has been signed or not, you can end an apprenticeship or traineeship any time during the probationary period.

Step 1: Notify your apprentice or trainee in writing.

Step 2: Notify them of the end date, making sure it is no later than the original end date of the probationary period.

Step 3: Notify your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider, or us, within 7 days of the apprenticeship or traineeship ending.