School-based versus part-time apprenticeships and traineeships

School students can combine work and training with school, by undertaking a school-based or part-time apprenticeship or traineeship through a fee-for-service arrangement with an external registered training organisation (RTO).

School-based

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs):

• must impact the student’s school timetable (e.g. by dropping a subject to attend work or training during school hours)
• require the school’s support to ensure the arrangement aligns with the student’s education and career goals
• exempt students from paying student contribution fees (required to be charged by the training organisation for full-time and part-time apprentices and trainees).

Learn about eligibility and requirements for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Part-time

Part-time apprenticeships and traineeships are not supported for school students under the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET) government-funding.

However, students may consider undertaking the training through a fee-for-service arrangement with an external registered training organisation (RTO). This option allows students to complete the training without using their government-funded entitlement under VETiS 2026, preserving their eligibility for future subsidised training after school.

Part-time apprenticeships and traineeships:

• are done outside school hours (e.g. by working/training after school and/or at weekends)
• don't impact the student's school timetable (but may impact on school life)
• don't rely on a school's support.

Students need to pay fees set by the registered training organisation.

Find out more about part-time apprenticeships and traineeships.

Converting from school-based to part-time

School students can convert from school-based to part-time if they:

• are excluded (expelled) from school, so no longer meet the requirements of a school-based arrangement
• have completed or left school and are no longer a school student.

School-based apprenticeships cannot be completed while at school and not all school-based traineeships are intended to be completed while at school.

There are a number of reasons why school-based trainees may not complete their traineeship prior to completing school. Common reasons include:

• the minimum paid employment days required for a school-based traineeship to be completed being greater than 100 days
• the school-based trainee starting the traineeship later in Year 11 or in Year 12
• the school-based trainee having not met all the requirements for completion of the traineeship by the end of Year 12.

When signing-up to a SAT arrangement, the parties undertake to convert to full-time or part-time training arrangements if the SAT has not been completed when the apprentice or trainee leaves school.