What Does It Really Cost to Take On an Apprentice in QLD and NSW? A 2026 Employer Guide
Taking on an apprentice often costs less than business owners expect. You pay a training wage while they learn, but in both Queensland and New South Wales, the formal training itself is government subsidised for eligible apprentices, and financial incentives may be available to help with the early costs.
This guide walks through the costs involved in hiring an apprentice in QLD and NSW, what tends to be covered, and where the real expense usually sits. One quick heads up before we start: this is general information to help you plan, not financial or legal advice. Funding, wages and incentives change over time and depend on your situation, so we have pointed you to the official sources to confirm the current details.
The short version: what an apprentice costs you
When you employ an apprentice, your costs generally fall into four areas:
- Wages. You pay an award-based training wage. It is lower than a fully qualified worker and rises each year as the apprentice progresses.
- Training fees. The cost of the nationally recognised qualification. In QLD and NSW this is subsidised by the state government, and for eligible apprentices it can be fully covered.
- On costs. Superannuation, workers' compensation, and the basics like tools and PPE.
- Supervision. Time from your qualified staff to mentor the apprentice on the job.
Set against that, you gain a productive team member who is learning your business from the ground up, with a qualified tradesperson at the end of it.
How much do you pay an apprentice?
Apprentice wages are set by the relevant modern award for the trade. The exact figure depends on the industry, the stage of the apprenticeship, the apprentice's age, and whether they are school-based or an adult apprentice.
A few general points:
- Wages start below the qualified rate and step up each year of the apprenticeship.
- Adult apprentices, generally those 21 and over when they start, usually attract higher minimum rates than junior apprentices.
- School-based apprentices are generally paid for the hours they work around their studies.
Because award rates are reviewed every year, the most reliable way to budget is to check the current figures for your trade using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.
Who pays for the training itself?
This is where many employers are pleasantly surprised. The delivery of the qualification, the part your registered training organisation (RTO) handles, is subsidised by the state in both QLD and NSW, and for eligible apprentices it may be fully covered.
- In Queensland, apprenticeship training is government subsidised, and eligible apprentices under 25 in high priority qualifications may have their training fees fully covered under the state's Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s initiative. Eligibility, qualification lists and dates apply.
- In New South Wales, apprenticeship training is subsidised under the Smart and Skilled program, and apprenticeships are currently fee-free for eligible qualifications, so neither the employer nor the apprentice pays the course fee. Eligibility and dates apply.
These programs have eligibility rules and change from time to time, so the safest step is to confirm the current position for your apprentice with your RTO or your state training authority before you commit. A good RTO will check eligibility for you first.
Are there incentives for employers?
Often, yes. On top of subsidised training, financial support may be available to employers through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System. What you can access, and how much, depends on the trade, the apprentice and your circumstances, and the amounts and rules are reviewed regularly.
Rather than rely on a headline figure that may have changed, the simplest approach is to have your eligibility checked for you. An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider, or your RTO, can tell you exactly what your business qualifies for at the time you hire.
Queensland and New South Wales at a glance
| What to check | Queensland | New South Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Training cost | Government subsidised | Government subsidised under Smart and Skilled |
| Fee-free option | May be fully covered for eligible under 25s in priority qualifications | Currently fee free for eligible apprenticeship qualifications |
| Wage setting | Relevant modern award | Relevant modern award |
| Employer incentives | May be available via the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System | May be available via the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System |
| Where to confirm | Your state training authority and your RTO | Your state training authority and your RTO |
Both states sit under the same federal incentive system, so the main difference is the state funding program your RTO enrols the apprentice under. Because eligibility and dates change, treat the table as a starting point and confirm the current details before you budget.
The cost most employers never plan for: non-completion
Here is the risk that outweighs any wage. National data shows that a large share of apprentices who start do not finish, and a half-trained apprentice who leaves is the most expensive outcome of all. You have carried the wages, the supervision and the disruption, with no qualified tradesperson to show for it.
This is why the training provider you choose matters so much. At Axial Training, apprentice completion sits at 82.5%, well above the national average, supported by one-on-one trainer support and a Learning Enhancement program built to keep apprentices engaged and on track. A provider that helps your apprentice finish protects everything you have already invested.
How to keep your apprentice costs down
A few decisions make a real difference to what an apprentice ends up costing you:
- Check funding eligibility up front. Confirm what training subsidies your apprentice qualifies for before they start, so there are no surprises.
- Ask about incentives early. Have your eligibility for employer incentives checked at the point of hiring, not after.
- Choose an RTO that comes to you. Workplace-based training means less time off the tools and less lost productivity. Axial delivers training at your workplace across QLD and NSW.
- Back completion, not just enrolment. The cheapest apprentice is the one who finishes, so choose a provider with strong support and completion rates.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay an apprentice while they are training? Yes. Apprentices are employees and are paid an award-based training wage for their working hours. The wage is lower than a qualified worker and increases each year of the apprenticeship. Current rates for each trade are on the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.
Is apprenticeship training free in QLD and NSW? For eligible apprentices, the training delivered by the RTO is heavily subsidised and can be fully covered through Queensland's funding programs and New South Wales' Smart and Skilled. Eligibility and dates apply, so your RTO can confirm the current position before enrolment.
Are there government incentives for hiring an apprentice? Financial support may be available to employers through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System, depending on the trade, the apprentice and your circumstances. Because the amounts and rules change, the best step is to have your eligibility checked by an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider or your RTO.
Can I switch my apprentice to a different training provider? Yes. You can move your apprentice to a new RTO during the apprenticeship, and a good provider will handle the paperwork and coordinate the changeover so your apprentice keeps progressing.
Does the trainer come to my workplace? With Axial, yes. Training is delivered in your workplace across Queensland and New South Wales, which keeps your apprentice on the tools and reduces downtime.
A quick note on accuracy
Apprentice wages, training subsidies and government incentives change from time to time and depend on your specific circumstances. The details above are general information current at the time of writing, and not financial or legal advice. For the current position, check the Fair Work Ombudsman for wages, your state training authority for funding, and an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for incentives, or talk to the team at Axial and we will point you in the right direction.
Ready to take on an apprentice the smart way?
Axial Training has been developing skilled tradespeople across Queensland and New South Wales since 1997. Our funded, workplace-based apprenticeships come with the one-on-one support that helps apprentices stay engaged and complete, so you end up with the qualified tradesperson you set out to train.
Talk to our team about funding, eligibility and getting started. Call 1300 135 008 or enquire online today.
