Establishment and variation of apprenticeships

The establishment and variation of apprenticeships process

The process for the establishment and variation of apprenticeships (Class A and B qualifications) is overseen and endorsed by the State Training Board. Apprenticeship in this context means any employment based training scheme, whether termed an apprenticeship, traineeship, cadetship or internship.

Section 60C of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 allows the Minister to establish or vary apprenticeships and traineeships based on the advice from the State Training Board. The Board, the Department of Training and Workforce Development, the Minister for Training; Water; Youth and the Western Australian industry training councils all play key roles in the establishment and variation of apprenticeships.

To establish an apprenticeship or vary an existing apprenticeship in WA, a proponent will need to submit a Notice of intent to the Board. The proponent may be an individual business/employer, employer or industry group, union, registered training organisation, industry training council, the Board, the Minister, or other stakeholder.

Class A – This qualification can only be achieved by entering into an employment-based training contract with an employer; ie the qualification is delivered predominantly through employment based training undertaken with an employer. A training plan is drawn up between the employer, registered training organisation and the apprentice/trainee that sets out the ratio of on and off the job training.

Class B – This allows a qualification to be achieved either by entering into an employment-based training contract with an employer or through institutional delivery; ie the qualification is delivery predominantly through classroom/online training with some practical experience in a workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions.

1683871315

Guidelines

The State Training Board endorsed new guidelines for the establishment and variation of apprenticeships on 18 August 2022.

These new guidelines are effective for all new applications from 19 August 2022.

For full details on the process, or assistance with lodging your proposal, please look through the guidelines document. 

View or download the Guidelines for the establishment and variation of apprenticeships, version 2.4.

The State Training Board has developed a Guidance Note, endorsed on 20 October 2022, which includes a threshold for establishing Class A qualifications, and guidance on the use of the term 'apprentice'.

 

1668494129

Register of Class A and B qualifications

Under the VET Act, the Department of Training and Workforce Development must keep and make available to the public a register of Class A and B qualifications. The register includes:

  • the Class A and Class B qualifications;
  • any conditions applicable to those qualifications; and
  • any requirement applicable to training contracts for those qualifications.

The Register of Class and B qualifications is available from the Department of Training and Workforce Development website.

Penalties

Penalties may apply to a registered training provider or an employer who does not comply with the classification of a qualification.

1501041478

Overview of the process

This flowchart outlines the steps in the process for the establishment and variation of apprenticeships (Class A and Class B qualifications).

Select each of the steps to find out more.

Proposal created

A new apprenticeship* or change/s to an existing apprenticeship is proposed.

*Apprenticeship means any employment based training scheme whether termed an apprenticeship, traineeship, cadetship or internship.

Proposal lodged

The proposal is lodged with the State Training Board.

ITC consultation

The relevant training council/s must consult with employers, unions, and other stakeholders in accordance with the State Training Board’s Guidelines for the establishment and variation of apprenticeships.

STB consideration

(Delegated to the Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee)

The Board considers the proposal and may consult with other stakeholders, including the Department, as required. The Board makes recommendation/s to the Minister. Matters considered include:

1. Qualification to be classified (Class A or B – whether a training contract only, or not)

2. Type of apprenticeship (whether the person will be called apprentice, trainee, cadet or intern)

3. Occupation/title of apprenticeship

4. Nominal duration

5. Part-time arrangements (if applicable)

6. School-based arrangements (if applicable)

7. Any special conditions (eg pre-entry requirements) 

Minister seeks advice

The Minister seeks the advice of the State Training Board.

Recommendations to Minister

Recommendations are made to the Minister.

Minister consideration and decision

The Minister considers the Board’s recommendation and approves or rejects the proposal. The Minister may use his/her initiative to establish or vary an apprenticeship; however, must seek the advice of the Board who will make a recommendation following consultation with industry in the prescribed manner.

Decision published

The Minister’s decision is published in the Government Gazette.

Listing and notifications

The apprenticeship is listed on the public register and the State Training Board website, and affected parties are notified of the outcome.

Please note: If a proposal is rejected at any stage, the proponent will be notified. Otherwise, notification will occur at the end of the process.

1501727399

Lodging a Notice of intent

To establish a new classification or vary an existing one, a proponent must lodge a Notice of intent with the Office of the State Training Board using one of our four online forms. Please use a separate form for each establishment or variation request.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require assistance with this process.

To propose a new classification, use the Notice of intent – Establishment form.

To propose a variation to an existing qualification, use the Notice of intent – Variation (vary) form.

To propose the transfer of an existing qualification, use the Notice of intent – Variation (transfer) form.

To propose the removal of an existing qualification, use the Notice of intent – Variation (remove) form.

1500944316

Current proposals

The following proposals are currently being considered by the State Training Board. If you have questions about a proposal, please contact us by email or telephone.

A proposal goes through several stages, as indicated in the status column of the table. These stages are explained at the end of the table.

Qualification / Type of apprenticeship Proponent Relevant training council Notice of intent Reason Date lodged Status Comments
CPC Shed Erection Mr Bruce James Construction Training Council Establishment - Class A apprenticeship Industry need 23/05/23 On hold  
CHC42221 Certificate IV in Housing Ms Kathryn Moorey Community Skills WA Establishment - Class B traineeship Industry need 08/05/23 Consultation underway  
CPC30320 Certificate III in Concreting Mr Lorenzo Multari Construction Training Council Variation of nominal duration - Class B apprenticeship Industry need 09/05/23 Consultation underway  
AUR30220 Certificate III in Bicycle Operations Mr Peter Bourke Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive Training Council Establishment - Class B traineeship Industry need 27/03/23 Consultation underway  
HLT31120 Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport Ms Susan Walshe, Community Skills WA Community Skills WA Establishment - Class B traineeship Industry need 28/9/22

Consideration by EVAC

 
AUR32721 Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology Mr Jason Cullen, Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive Training Council Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive Training Council Establishment - Class A apprenticeship Industry need 23/8/22 Awaiting decision by Minister  
10983NAT Certificate III in Outside School Hours Care Ms Kylie Brannelly Community Skills WA Establishment - Class B traineeship Industry need 29/7/22 Consultation underway  
SHB30516 Certificate III in Barbering Ms Liz Maher, Taylorweir N/A Variation - Class A to Class B Industry need 27/6/22 Awaiting decision by Minister  
SHB30416 Certificate III in Hairdressing Ms Liz Maher, Taylorweir N/A Variation - Restricted Class B to Class B Industry need 27/6/2022 Awaiting decision by Minister  
TLI31216/TLI31221 Certificate III in Driving Operations Mr Ron Horne, Australian Industry Standards Logistics & Defence Skills Council Variation - Class B to Class A, type and nominal duration Industry need 4/2/2022 Consultation underway  
SHB50321 - Diploma of Cosmetic Tattooing Ms Christine Comans N/A Establishment - Class B traineeship Industry need 4/4/2022 Consideration by EVAC  
1685325216

Proposal status

Consultation underway

The proponent and the relevant industry training council(s) are consulting with industry on the proposal and developing their submission for lodgement with the Board.

Department response

The Department of Training and Workforce Development is preparing its response/report on the implications and risks relating to the proponent's proposal.

Review by Office of the State Training Board

The OSTB is reviewing the written submission(s) to ensure that they comply with the guidelines and that all relevant information is available for the Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee to consider.

Consideration by EVAC 

The reports from the industry training council, the proponent and the Department are currently being considered by the Establishment and Variations of Apprenticeships Committee.

Awaiting decision by Minister 

The proposal is currently with the Minister for Education and Training in accordance with section 60C of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996.

1498982892

Completed proposals

Proposals completed since January 2021.

Qualification / Type of apprenticeship Proponent Relevant training council Notice of intent Reason Date lodged Outcome
SIT30522 Certificate III in Events Ms Melissa Harkins, FutureNow - Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council FutureNow - Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council Variation of name - Class B traineeship Industry need 03/11/22 Approved by Minister 22/5/23
SIT30222 Certificate III in Travel Ms Melissa Harkins, FutureNow - Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council FutureNow - Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council

Variation of name - Class B traineeship

Industry need 03/11/22 Approved by Minister 22/5/23
Averaging of Part Time Hours Department of Training and Workforce Development - Variation to general conditions on Register of Class A and B Qualifications Policy Dec 2022 Approved by Minister 22/3/23
HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting Caroline Thompson, Community Skills WA Community Skills WA Variation to nominal duration Industry need 27/4/22 Approved by Minister 10/1/23
FNS50322 Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management Mr Dan Walsh, Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia Financial, Administrative and Professional Services Training Council Establish Class B traineeship Industry need 10/8/22 Approved by Minister 12/1/23
CPP30221 Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information Services Allan Jones, Financial, Administrative and Professional Services Training Council Financial, Administrative and Professional Services Training Council Establish Class B traineeship Industry need 6/5/2022 Approved by Minister 3/11/22
UET30721 Certificate III in ESI - Rail Traction Mr Shane Eeles Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive Training Council Establish Class A apprenticeship Industry need 18/8/22 Withdrawn 23/9/22
SIR40216 Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy Dispensary Mr Michael Taremba, Logistics & Defence Skills Council Logistics & Defence Skills Council Establish Class B Traineeship Industry need 1/4/22 Approved by Minister 5/9/22
52890WA Certificate II in Community Health and Wellbeing Ms Caroline Thompson, Community Skills WA Community Skills WA Establish Class B Traineeship Industry need 28/4/22 Approved by Minister 21/8/22
CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Ms Caroline Thompson, Community Skills WA Community Skills WA Establish Class B traineeship Industry need 22/6/2022 Approved by Minister 21/8/22
MEM Qualifications  Mr Jason Cullen, Chief Executive Officer, Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive Training Council Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive Training Council Variations and establishments as a result of training package updates Training package update 8/10/2021 Approved by Minister 29/6/2022 

AHC30820 Certificate III in Arboriculture

Mr Dave Adams, the Tree Guild Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council Variation - title, nominal duration, school based arrangements Industry need 1/11/2021 Approved by Minister 28/4/22

22334VIC Certificate IV in Cyber Security

ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology

ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology

ICT40120 Certificate IV in Information Technology

ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology

Mr Glyn East, Australia Information Industry Association

FutureNow - Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council

Utilities Engineering Electrical and Automotive Training Council

Establishments and variations Industry need 9/09/2021 Approved by Minister 16/3/22
TLI40218 Certificate IV in Mobile Crane Operations Anthony Grosser, Tadano Australia Logistics & Defence Skills Council Variation to restricted Class B traineeship Industry need 1/9/20 Approved by Minister on 2/5/22
AHC32419 Certificate III in Irrigation Technology Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council Variation - nominal duration and school based delivery arrangements Industry need and school sector request 4/1/2021 Approved by Minister 21/12/21
FBP30517 Certificate III in Baking

Mr Michael Burgess

South Metropolitan TAFE

Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council Variation - nominal duration Industry need 15/05/2021 Withdrawn 11/2/2022
MEM31215/MEM31219 Certificate III in Engineering - Industrial Electrician Ms Kathy Hoare, Department of Training and Workforce Development Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive Training Council Variation - add a condition Industry need 11/03/2020

Addition of condition and update to MEM31219.

Approved by Minister on 7/12/2021.

RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction Ms Karyn Grant, Civil Contractors Federation Western Australia Construction Training Council Variation - increase nominal duration & update to Class A apprenticeship Industry need 8/1/2020

Increase to nominal duration & change to Class B apprenticeship.

Approved by Minister on 29/08/2021 

RII31615 Certficate III in Trenchless Technology Ms Karyn Grant, Civil Contractors Federation Western Australia Construction Training Council Variation - increase nominal duration & update to Class A apprenticeship Industry need 8/1/2020

Increase to nominal duration & change to Class B apprenticeship.

Approved by Minister on 29/08/2021

RII30815 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations Ms Karyn Grant, Civil Contractors Federation Western Australia Construction Training Council Variation - increase nominal duration & update to Class A apprenticeship Industry need 8/1/2020

Increase to nominal duration & change to Class B apprenticeship.

Approved by Minister on 29/08/2021

AHC31116 Certificate III in Production Nursery Kay Gerard, Chief Executive Officer, Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council

Variation - name change

Industry need 4/01/2021 Approved by Minister on 22/08/2021
52864WA Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways

Jillian Dielesen, Chief Executive Officer, Logistics and Defence Skills Council

Jason Cullen, Chief Executive Officer, Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive Training Council

Logistics and Defence Skills Council

Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive Training Council

Establishment - Class B Industry need 26/02/2021

Approved by Minister on 18/04/2021

 

TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment Caroline Thompson, Executive Director, CommunitySkills WA CommunitySkills WA Establishment - Class B Industry need 9/10/20 Not approved by Minister on 6/04/2021

 

Bulk gazettals of prescribed VET qualifications can be found in the Classification of prescribed VET qualifications document.

For a consolidated list of all proposals that have been considered by the Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee between 2009 and 2020, please view EVAC 2009 to 2020. If you need to view industry training council submissions received by EVAC, please contact us.

1685063236

Applications resulting from training package updates

A streamlined process has been developed to simplify EVAC applications for replacement Class A or B apprenticeships and traineeships that result from national training package updates. Qualifications deemed equivalent and qualifications that are deemed to be non-equivalent but still having the same occupation outcome can undergo this expedited process. This process is considered to meet the legislative requirements under the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 and associated Regulations.

The same occupational outcome is defined as “where any of the national or state ANZSCO or secondary ANZSCO codes assigned to the replacement qualification are the same as for the original qualification.”

1549862781
Page last updated July 07, 2017