Policy
This policy sets out the requirements for schools to run and manage school-based apprenticeships and traineeships for secondary school students.
Summary
- School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) are available to secondary school students and TAFE non-school provider students who are in year 10, 11 or 12, over 15 years old and enrolled in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), including the VCE Vocational Major, or the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC).
- An SBAT enables students to commence an apprenticeship or traineeship while enrolled in school completing the VCE, VCE Vocational Major or VPC.
- The minimum number of employment and training hours for SBAT arrangements is 13 hours per week and must include a minimum 7 hours per week of paid employment and 6 hours per week of training. This requirement is calculated as an average for 3 periods of 4 months in the year.
- SBATs must be established through a training contract between the employer and the apprentice or trainee.
- Head Start is a program of support for SBATs which is available across all Victorian government secondary schools.
- Head Start staff support students to do an SBAT while completing their senior schooling. Head Start staff also support schools and employers to maximise the benefits of SBATs.
- Schools must comply with this policy and the guidance on the Guidance tab.
Details
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) are available to secondary school students and TAFE non-school provider students who are in year 10, 11 or 12, over 15 years old and enrolled in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), including the VCE Vocational Major, or the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC).
SBATs offer students the option of combining:
- part-time employment
- school
- training.
SBATs are available to secondary school students and TAFE non-school provider students who are:
- over 15 years old
- enrolled in Years 10, 11 or 12
- Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Non-citizens may be eligible under certain circumstances. Refer to Eligibility for non-citizens in certain in the guidance on Student eligibility and readiness.
An SBAT runs under a training contract between a student and an employer. The training contract and training plan are registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority . The SBAT training must lead to a nationally recognised VET qualification.
- An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP) will facilitate the signing and registration of the training contract. The training contract is a legally binding contract registered with the VRQA.
- The SBAT training plan is developed by the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and endorsed by the school. Submission of the school endorsed training plan is required for the apprenticeship or traineeship to be registered as an SBAT.
- SBATs are regulated by the .
The vocational training components of SBATs also contribute credit towards a student’s VCE, including the VCE Vocational Major, or VPC. Guidance on VET in the VCE, VCE VM or VPC can be accessed via the .
Many students move on to a full-time contract with their employer after leaving school, while others choose to continue their education and training at an RTO or university.
Head Start support for apprenticeships and traineeships
Head Start provides support to students in Victorian government schools to undertake a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.
Head Start is available in all government schools to support all SBATs.
Head Start aims to help students to:
- be safe in the workplace
- complete their secondary school certificate
- transition into full time employment once completing school.
Further information about the Head Start program is available on the Resources tab and at: Head Start apprenticeships and .
Part-time apprenticeships and traineeships
Students may opt to undertake a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship that is not school based. These arrangements are undertaken outside of school hours and do not integrate with the school timetable. These arrangements do not require school endorsement. The employer and the student are responsible for fulfilling training contract requirements associated with the part-time apprenticeship or traineeship. These arrangements are at an individual student’s discretion and do not attract targeted VET funding subsidies.
Schools are recommended to encourage students to consult their school, parent or carer prior to entering into a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship training contract. VET training completed during a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship will still provide credit towards the VCE, VCE VM or if it is recorded on the Victorian Assessment Software System (VASS).
Given the importance of encouraging all students to complete year 12, career advisers are expected to work with students to identify all pathway options. This includes exploring the benefits of a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship as opposed to a part-time arrangement.
Definitions
Apprenticeships
Structured training arrangements of usually 3 or 4 years’ duration (full-time). The training combines practical experience in paid employment with off-the-job training with an RTO. Apprenticeships mostly provide training in a skilled trade such as building and construction, hairdressing, cooking, electrical and automotive.
Child Safe Standards
Compulsory minimum standards for organisations which provide services for children, to ensure they are well prepared to keep children and young people safe and protect them from abuse. Ministerial Order 1359 – Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the risk of child abuse in schools provides the framework for child safety in schools, including workplace learning environments.
Head Start
Head Start is a program of support for SBATs which is available across all Victorian government secondary schools. Head Start school-based staff support the student in the SBAT and engage regularly with the employer, school, RTO and other stakeholders.
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs)
Apprenticeships and traineeships available to secondary school students and TAFE non-school provider students who are over 15 years old and enrolled in years 10, 11 or 12.
Traineeships
Structured training arrangements of usually 1 to 2 years’ duration (full-time) which combine paid employment and off-the-job training with an RTO. Traineeships are available in various vocational areas and cover a much wider range of occupations than apprenticeships.
Related policies
- Child Safe Standards
- Purchasing Secondary Courses and Vocational Training from External Providers
- School Community Work
- Structured Workplace Learning
- VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate Delivered by Registered External Providers (formerly Community VCAL)
- VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate Provision
- Vocational Education and Training Delivered to School Students
- Vocational Education and Training Delivered to School Students (Reference 143 of the Student Resource Package Guide)
- Work Experience
Relevant legislation
Reviewed 02 April 2025