Trade Apprenticeship for Foreigners
Trade apprenticeship in Australia
What is an apprenticeship?
Generally, during the apprenticeship, you will work on the job under your supervisor at your place of work for 4 days per week, as well as off the job with an education provider for 1 day per week.
You are paid throughout the 4-year apprenticeship and your pay increases every year. The government usually pays part of your wage your employer and part of your fees to your education provider.
Unfortunately, foreigners cannot work a traditional 4-year apprenticeship in Australia, as you cannot obtain a work visa to do so. However, there are still options available to learn a trade in Australia.
Can international students learn a trade in Australia?
Fortunately, there is an option for international students who would like to learn a trade in Australia. Students can study a 1 or 2-year course in their trade at an education provider and receive the same qualification as an Australian who undertakes a 4-year apprenticeship.
How does it work?
Students can enrol to study many trade courses in Australia including: carpentry, automotive mechanical, automotive electrical, joinery, boat building, chef, electrical instrumentation, cabinet maker, engineering fabrication and trade, air conditioning and refrigeration, bricklaying, plastering, heavy diesel commercial mechanic and many more.
The main difference is that international students attend classes the majority of the time and have limited vocational placements with Australian employers.
What is a vocational placement?
A Vocational Placement is required for most trade courses, and generally involves 360 hours of experience on a real-life worksite. This sees students acquiring practical, hands on training to compliment their class studies.
Australians who undertake an apprenticeship or international students who learn a trade receive the same qualification when finished. So an international student who goes to TAFE QLD and studies the Certificate III in Carpentry for 2 years will have an equal qualification to an Australian who does an apprenticeship for 4 years. Both will hold the same certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
In case you don’t find an answer to your question, feel free to consult with one of our agents.
What if I find an employer who will take me on as an apprentice?
Can I undertake a trade apprenticeship on a training and research visa (Subclass 402) ?
Can Australian permanent residents undertake a trade apprenticeship?
Can I work when I am studying?
Can I stay and work in Australia when I finish my course?
If you undertake a 2-year trade course in Australia, then you may be eligible for the graduate work visa afterwards. More info can be found here, or feel free to contact Pathway to Aus directly to learn more.
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In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.
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