Accredited courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
© 2026 StudySelect. All Rights Reserved.Qualification Level
Accredited courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
© 2026 StudySelect. All Rights Reserved.A Construction Apprentice takes part in a hands-on training program in Australia’s building and construction industry. The program combines paid work with formal study toward a Certificate III trade qualification. Programs run for 3 to 4 years, with the trade chosen before starting. Common trades include carpentry (CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry), bricklaying, plumbing, and painting.
The apprentice is employed under the Building and Construction On-site Award 2020. Pay grows with each year of training. In Year 1, a junior apprentice earns around $33,000 per year. By Year 4, this grows to about $54,000 per year (Fair Work Ombudsman, 2025). Training is done at a TAFE or RTO through block release. A training contract ties the apprentice, employer, and state training body together.
A Certificate III must be finished before applying for a trade licence. Licence rules vary by trade and state. The VBA (Victoria), QBCC (Queensland), and similar bodies in each state run the licensing process. Entry is simple: most employers want Year 10 and a White Card.
Australia’s building pipeline is big and growing. Master Builders Australia sees $1.38 trillion in work over the five years to 2028-29. There is high demand for new apprentices in home and commercial building alike. Around 94.8% of trade completers are in work at the end of their training (NCVER, 2025).
Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.
