16. Minimum rates

[Varied by PR720159, PR718877, PR729317, PR733854, PR740742, PR762168, PR773945, PR786597, PR799339]

16.1 Adult rates

[16.1 varied by PR718877, PR729317, PR740742, PR762168, PR773945, PR786597, PR799339 ppc 01Jul26]

An employer must pay adult employees the following minimum rates for ordinary hours worked by the employee:

Employee classification | Minimum weekly rate(full-time employee) | Minimum hourly rate

| $ | $

MI 1 | 978.10 | 25.74

MI 2 | 1004.90 | 26.44

MI 3 | 1010.90 | 26.60

MI 4 | 1034.60 | 27.23

MI 5 | 1052.90 | 27.71

MI 6 | 1074.50 | 28.28

MI 7 | 1119.10 | 29.45

MI 8 | 1160.20 | 30.53

NOTE: See Schedule B—Summary of Hourly Rates of Pay for a summary of hourly rates of pay including overtime and penalty rates.

16.2 Junior rates

(a) Junior employees will be paid the percentage of the applicable adult weekly rate (or in the case of part-time or casual employees, the hourly rate) for their classification as follows:

Age | % of adult rate

Under 17 years | 50

17 years | 60

18 years | 75

19 years | 85

16.3 Apprentice rates

(a) Minimum rates for apprentices

(i) The minimum award rates for apprentices completing a 4 stage or year apprenticeship and who commenced before 1 January 2014 are the following percentages of the minimum weekly rate of MI 7:

Stage or year of apprenticeship | % of MI 7

1 | 50

2 | 60

3 | 85

4 | 95

(ii) The minimum award rates for apprentices completing a 4 stage or year apprenticeship and who commenced on or after 1 January 2014 are the following percentages of the minimum weekly rate of MI 7:

Stage or year of apprenticeship | % of MI 7 for apprentices who have not completed year 12 | % of MI 7 for apprentices who have completed year 12

1 | 50 | 55

2 | 60 | 65

3 | 85 | 85

4 | 95 | 95

16.4 Adult apprentice rates

(a) The minimum award rates for adult apprentices who commenced on or after 1 January 2014 and are in the first stage or year of their apprenticeship must be 80% of the minimum rate for MI 7, or the rate prescribed by clause 16.3(a) for the relevant year of the apprenticeship, whichever is greater.

(b) The minimum award rates for adult apprentices who commenced on or after 1 January 2014 and are in the second and subsequent stages or years of their apprenticeship must be the rate for the lowest adult classification in clause 16.1, or the rate prescribed by clause 16.3(a) for the relevant year of the apprenticeship, whichever is greater.

[16.4(c) varied by PR733854 from 27Sep21]

(c) A person employed by an employer under this award immediately prior to entering into a training agreement as an adult apprentice with that employer must not suffer a reduction in their minimum wage by virtue of entering into the training agreement, provided that the person has been an employee in that enterprise for at least 6 months as a full-time employee or 12 months as a part-time or regular casual employee immediately prior to commencing the apprenticeship. For the purpose only of fixing a minimum wage, the adult apprentice must continue to receive the minimum wage that applies to the classification specified in clause 16.1 in which the adult apprentice was engaged immediately prior to entering into the training agreement.

16.5 Apprentice conditions of employment

(a) The terms of this award apply to apprentices in the meat industry except where otherwise stated. Apprentices may be engaged in trades or occupations that are defined and provided for in Schedule A—Classification Definitions where such trades or occupations are declared or recognised by an apprenticeship authority. There is no such declaration or recognition for a trade qualified Slaughterer as defined.

(b) For the purposes of clause 16.5 herein, apprenticeship authority means a State or Territory training authority with the responsibility for the apprenticeship.

(c) In any State in which any statute or regulation relating to apprentices is in force, that statute and regulation will operate in that State provided that the provisions of the statute or regulation are not inconsistent with this award in which case the provisions of this award will apply.

(d) An apprentice may be engaged under a training agreement approved by the relevant apprenticeship authority, provided the qualification outcome specified in the training agreement is consistent with that established for the vocation in the training package.

(e) Apprenticeships under this award are competency based. The actual time taken to complete an apprenticeship will therefore vary depending upon factors such as the intensity of training and the variety of work experience and any additional requirements set out in this award.

(f) The nominal period of the apprenticeship is up to 4 years, however this period may be varied as follows:

(i) to make up for lost time as set out in clause 16.5(q); and/or

(ii) with the approval of the relevant State or Territory apprenticeship authority, to recognise prior learning including vocational education and training in school, pre-apprenticeship programs and other prior learning, the nominal period may be shortened to reflect the proportion of the competencies already acquired; and/or

(iii) it may be extended by up to 6 months in Stage 3 and 12 months in Stage 4 in the apprenticeship where required to complete the competencies.

(g) Notwithstanding the nominal period, the apprenticeship may be completed in a shorter period when:

(i) the qualification specified in the training agreement is successfully completed; and

(ii) the apprentice has the necessary practical experience to achieve competency in the skills covered by the training agreement, provided that the determination as to whether this condition has been met must be by agreement between the registered training organisation, the employer and the apprentice and where there is a disagreement concerning this matter the matter may be referred to the relevant state/territory apprenticeship authority for determination; and

(iii) the requirements of the relevant state/territory apprenticeship authority with respect to demonstration of competency and any minimum necessary work experience requirements are met; and

(iv) with respect to trades where there are additional licensing or regulatory requirements under State legislation or this award, when these requirements are met.

(h) An apprenticeship may be cancelled or suspended only in accordance with the requirements of the training agreement and the requirements of State legislation and the apprenticeship authority.

(i) The probationary period of an apprentice is as set out in the training agreement or contract of apprenticeship consistent with the requirement of the apprenticeship authority and with State legislation but must not exceed 3 months.

(j) Time spent by an apprentice in attending any training and/or assessment specified in, or associated with, the training contract is to be regarded as time worked for the employer for the purposes of calculating the apprentice’s wages and determining the apprentice’s employment conditions. Clause 16.5 operates subject to the provisions of Schedule D—School-based Apprenticeships.

(k) No apprentice will, except in an emergency, work or be required to work overtime or shiftwork at times which would prevent their attendance at training consistent with their training contract.

(l) The ordinary hours of employment of apprentices in each enterprise are not to exceed those of the relevant tradesperson.

(m) The minimum rates applying to apprentices under this award are dealt with in clauses 16.3 and 16.4 and no apprentice is to work under a system of payment by results.

(n) An apprentice is entitled to be released from work without loss of continuity of employment and to payment of the appropriate wages for any training and assessment specified in, or associated with, the training contract.

(o) The nominal period of the apprenticeship is extended by an additional day for each day of absence during each year of the apprenticeship, except in respect of absences due to annual leave or long service leave.

(p) Periods of paid personal/carer leave which total ten or less days in any apprenticeship year do not extend the nominal period of the apprenticeship.

(q) Except where the apprentice meets the competency requirements to progress to the next stage as set out in clause 16.9 the following year of their apprenticeship does not commence until the additional days have been worked. However, any time that has been worked by the apprentice in excess of their ordinary hours must be credited to the apprentice when calculating the amount of additional time that needs to be worked in the relevant year.

16.6 Payment of Travel Costs, Fees and Text Books

(a) Where an apprentice is required to attend block release training for training identified in or associated with their training contract, and such training requires an overnight stay, the employer must pay for the excess reasonable travel costs incurred by the apprentice in the course of travelling to and from such training. Provided that clause 16.6 will not apply where the apprentice could attend an alternative Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and the use of the more distant RTO is not agreed between the employer and the apprentice.

(b) For the purposes of clause 16.6(a) excess reasonable travel costs include the total costs of reasonable transportation (including transportation of tools where required), accommodation costs incurred while travelling (where necessary) and reasonable expenses incurred while travelling, including meals, which exceed those incurred in travelling to and from work. For the purposes of clause 16.6, excess travel costs do not include payment for travelling time or expenses incurred while not travelling to and from block release training.

(c) The amount payable by an employer under clause 16.6(a) may be reduced by an amount the apprentice is eligible to receive for travel costs to attend block release training under a Government apprentice assistance scheme. This will only apply if an apprentice has either received such assistance or their employer has advised them in writing of the availability of such assistance.

(d) All training fees charged by an RTO for prescribed courses and the cost of all prescribed textbooks (excluding those textbooks which are available in the employer’s technical library) for the apprenticeship, which are paid by an apprentice, shall be reimbursed by the employer within 6 months of the commencement of the apprenticeship or the relevant stage of the apprenticeship, or within 3 months of the commencement of the training provided by the RTO, whichever is the later, unless there is unsatisfactory progress.

(e) An employer may meet its obligations under clause 16.6(d) by paying any fees and/or cost of textbooks directly to the RTO.

16.7 Competency based progression

(a) For the purpose of competency based wage progression in clauses 16.3 and 16.4 an apprentice will be paid at the relevant wage rate for the next stage of their apprenticeship if:

(i) competency has been achieved in the relevant proportion of the total units of competency specified in clause 16.9 for that stage of the apprenticeship. The units of competency which are included in the relevant proportion must be consistent with any requirements in the training plan; and

(ii) any requirements of the relevant State/Territory apprenticeship authority and any additional requirements of the relevant training package with respect to the demonstration of competency and any minimum necessary work experience requirements are met; and

(iii) either:

 the Registered Training Organisation (RTO), the employer and the apprentice agree that the abovementioned requirements have been met; or

 the employer has been provided with written advice that the RTO has assessed that the apprentice meets the abovementioned requirements in respect to all the relevant units of competency and the employer has not advised the RTO and the apprentice of any disagreement with that assessment within 21 days of receipt of the advice.

(b) If the employer disagrees with the assessment of the RTO referred to in the second dot point in clause 16.7(a)(iii) above, and the dispute cannot be resolved by agreement between the RTO, the employer and the apprentice, the matter may be referred to the relevant State/Territory apprenticeship authority for determination. If the matter is not capable of being dealt with by such authority it may be dealt with in accordance with the dispute resolution clause in this award. For the avoidance of doubt, disputes concerning other apprenticeship progression provisions of this award may be dealt with in accordance with the dispute resolution clause.

(c) For the purposes of clause 16.7, the training package containing the qualification specified in the contract of training for the apprenticeship sets out the assessment requirements for the attainment of the units of competency that make up the qualification. The definition of “competency” utilised for the purpose of the training packages and for the purpose of clause 16.7 is the consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments.

(d) The apprentice will be paid the wage rate referred to in clause 16.7(a) from the first full pay period to commence on or after the date on which an agreement or determination is reached in accordance with clause 16.7(a)(iii) or on a date as determined under the dispute resolution process in clause 16.7(b).

16.8 Minimum wages

The minimum wages for an apprentice are as set out in the following table, provided that progression through the stages set out in this table is in accordance with clause 16.9.

Stage of apprenticeship | % of MI7 for apprentices who have not completed year 12 | % of MI7 for apprentices who have completed year 12

Stage 1 | 50 | 55

Stage 2 | 60 | 65

Stage 3 | 85 | 85

Stage 4 | 95 | 95

16.9 Conditions for progression through each stage

The conditions for progression to each stage are set out in the following table:

Stage of apprenticeship entry, exit and progression requirements

Stage 1

Entry

Nil entry requirements

Exit

There is no exit point at this stage

Stage 2

Entry

An apprentice enters Stage 2:

 on attainment of 25% of the total competency points for the relevant AQF Certificate III qualification specified in the training plan; or

 12 months after commencing the apprenticeship, subject to clause 16.5(o);

whichever is earlier.

Exit

There is no exit point at this stage

Stage 3

Entry

An apprentice enters Stage 3:

 on attainment of 50% of the total competency points for the relevant AQF Certificate III qualification specified in the training plan; or

 12 months after commencing Stage 2, subject to clause 16.5(o);

whichever is earlier.

Exit

There is no exit point at this stage

Stage 4

Entry

An apprentice enters Stage 4:

 on attainment of 75% of the total competency points for the relevant AQF Certificate III qualification specified in the training plan; or

 12 months after commencing Stage 3, subject to clause 16.5(o);

whichever is earlier.

Exit

Upon the attainment of 100% of the total competency points for the relevant AQF Certificate III qualification specified in the training plan and subject to clauses 16.5(e), 16.5(f), 16.5(g) and 16.5(o), an apprentice will exit with the relevant AQF Certificate III qualification.

16.10 Higher duties

(a) An employee required to perform the duties of a position at a higher classification level for 2 hours or longer, must be paid, for all work done on that day or shift, the rate applicable for that higher level.

(b) If the work at the higher classification level is for less than 2 hours, the employee will be paid for 2 hours at the higher rate and the balance of their working time will be paid at the rate of the employee’s ordinary classification.

16.11 National training wage

[16.11(a) varied by PR720159 ppc 18Jun20]

(a) Schedule E to the Miscellaneous Award 2020 sets out minimum wage rates and conditions for employees undertaking traineeships.

[16.11(b) varied by PR720159 ppc 18Jun20, PR718877, PR729317, PR740742, PR762168, PR773945, PR786597, PR799339 ppc 01Jul26]

(b) This award incorporates the terms of Schedule E to the Miscellaneous Award 2020 as at 1 July 2026 Provided that any reference to “this award” in Schedule E to the Miscellaneous Award 2020 is to be read as referring to the Meat Industry Award 2020 and not the Miscellaneous Award 2020.

16.12 School based apprentices

For school-based apprentices, see Schedule D—School-based Apprenticeships.

16.13 Supported wage system

For employees who because of the effects of a disability are eligible for a supported wage, see Schedule E—Supported Wage System.

Schedule E—National Training Wage

[Varied by PR718922, PR729365, PR740790, PR743459, PR762213, PR773993, PR786643, PR799384]

E.1 Definitions

E.1.1 In this schedule:

adult trainee means a trainee who would qualify for the highest minimum wage in wage level A, B or C if covered by that wage level.

approved training, in relation to a trainee, means the training specified in the training contract of the trainee.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) means the national framework for qualifications in post-compulsory education and training.

relevant Ministers means the Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers responsible for vocational education and training.

relevant State or Territory training authority means a body in the relevant State or Territory that has power to approve traineeships, and to register training contracts, under the relevant State or Territory vocational education and training legislation.

relevant State or Territory vocational education and training legislation means the following or any successor legislation:

Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 (NSW);

Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic);

Training and Skills Development Act 2008 (SA);

Training and Skills Development Act 2016 (NT);

Training and Tertiary Education Act 2003 (ACT);

Training and Workforce Development Act 2013 (Tas);

Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 (WA);

Further Education and Training Act 2014 (Qld).

trainee means an employee undertaking a traineeship under a training contract.

traineeship means a system of training that:

(a) has been approved by the relevant State or Territory training authority; and

(b) meets the requirements of a training package developed by the relevant Skills Service Organisation and endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee; and

(c) leads to an AQF certificate level qualification.

training contract means an agreement for a traineeship made between an employer and an employee that is registered by the relevant State or Territory training authority.

training package means the competency standards and associated assessment guidelines for an AQF certificate level qualification that have been endorsed for an industry or enterprise by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee and placed on the National Training Information Service with the approval of the relevant Ministers, and includes any relevant replacement training package.

wage level A, B or C, see clause E.4.

Year 10 includes any year before Year 10.

E.1.2 A reference in this schedule to out of school refers only to periods out of school beyond Year 10 as at 1 January in each year and is taken to:

(a) include any period of schooling beyond Year 10 that was not part of, or did not contribute to, a completed year of schooling; and

(b) include any period during which a trainee repeats, in whole or part, a year of schooling beyond Year 10; and

(c) not include any period during a calendar year after the completion during that year of a year of schooling.

E.2 Coverage

E.2.1 Subject to clauses E.2.2 to E.2.5, this schedule applies to an employee covered by this award who is undertaking a traineeship and whose training package and AQF certificate level are allocated to a wage level by clause E.6 or by clause E.4.4.

E.2.2 This schedule only applies to AQF Certificate Level IV traineeships for which a relevant AQF Certificate Level III traineeship is listed in clause E.6.

E.2.3 This schedule does not apply to:

(a) the apprenticeship system; or

(b) qualifications not identified in training packages; or

(c) qualifications in training packages that are not identified as appropriate for a traineeship.

E.2.4 If this schedule is inconsistent with other provisions of this award relating to traineeships, the other provisions prevail.

E.2.5 This schedule ceases to apply to an employee at the end of the traineeship.

E.3 Types of traineeship

The following types of traineeship are available:

E.3.1 A full-time traineeship based on 38 ordinary hours per week, with 20% of those hours being approved training;

E.3.2 A part-time traineeship based on fewer than 38 ordinary hours per week, with 20% of those hours being approved training provided:

(a) wholly on the job; or

(b) partly on the job and partly off the job; or

(c) wholly off the job.

E.4 Minimum rates

[E.4 substituted by PR718922, PR729365, PR740790, PR762213, PR773993, PR786643, PR799384 ppc 01Jul26]

E.4.1 Minimum weekly rates for full-time traineeships

(a) Wage level A

The minimum rate for a full-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate levels are allocated to wage level A by clause E.6.1 is the weekly rate specified in Column 2 of Table 1—Wage level A minimum weekly rate for full-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship) according to the highest year of schooling completed by the trainee specified in that column and the experience level of the trainee specified in Column 1.

Table 1—Wage level A minimum weekly rate for full-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship)

Column 1 Experience level of trainee | Column 2 Highest year of schooling completed

| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12

| per week | per week | per week

| $ | $ | $

School leaver | 432.30 | 476.00 | 566.20

Plus 1 year out of school | 476.00 | 566.20 | 658.90

Plus 2 years out of school | 566.20 | 658.90 | 766.80

Plus 3 years out of school | 658.90 | 766.80 | 877.80

Plus 4 years out of school | 766.80 | 877.80 |

Plus 5 or more years out of school | 877.80 | |

NOTE: See clause E.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause E.4.1(a).

(b) Wage level B

The minimum rate for a full-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate levels are allocated to wage level B by clause E.6.2 or by clause E.4.4 is the weekly rate specified in Column 2 of Table 2—Wage level B minimum weekly rate for full-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship) according to the highest year of schooling completed by the trainee specified in that column and the experience level of the trainee specified in Column 1.

Table 2—Wage level B minimum weekly rate for full-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship)

Column 1 Experience level of trainee | Column 2 Highest year of schooling completed

| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12

| per week | per week | per week

| $ | $ | $

School leaver | 432.30 | 476.00 | 551.70

Plus 1 year out of school | 476.00 | 551.70 | 634.70

Plus 2 years out of school | 551.70 | 634.70 | 744.40

Plus 3 years out of school | 634.70 | 744.40 | 848.90

Plus 4 years out of school | 744.40 | 848.90 |

Plus 5 or more years out of school | 848.90 | |

NOTE: See clause E.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause E.4.1(b).

(c) Wage level C

The minimum rate for a full-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate levels are allocated to wage level C by clause E.6.3 is the weekly rate specified in Column 2 of Table 3—Wage level C minimum weekly rate for full-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship) according to the highest year of schooling completed by the trainee specified in that column and the experience level of the trainee specified in Column 1.

Table 3—Wage level C minimum weekly rate for full-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship)

Column 1 Experience level of trainee | Column 2 Highest year of schooling completed

| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12

| per week | per week | per week

| $ | $ | $

School leaver | 432.30 | 476.00 | 551.70

Plus 1 year out of school | 476.00 | 551.70 | 623.90

Plus 2 years out of school | 551.70 | 623.90 | 697.00

Plus 3 years out of school | 623.90 | 697.00 | 776.40

Plus 4 years out of school | 697.00 | 776.40 |

Plus 5 or more years out of school | 776.40 | |

NOTE: See clause E.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause E.4.1(c).

(d) AQF Certificate Level IV traineeships

(i) The minimum rate for a full-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship is the minimum rate for the relevant full-time AQF Certificate Level III traineeship increased by 3.8%.

(ii) The minimum rate for a full-time adult trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship is the weekly rate specified in Column 2 or 3 of Table 4—Minimum weekly rate for full-time adult trainees (AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship) according to the year of the traineeship specified in those columns and the relevant wage level for the relevant AQF Certificate Level III traineeship specified in Column 1.

Table 4—Minimum weekly rate for full-time adult trainees (AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship)

Column 1 Wage level | Column 2 First year of traineeship | Column 3 Second and subsequent years of traineeship

| per week | per week

| $ | $

A | 911.10 | 945.70

B | 881.20 | 914.70

C | 805.90 | 836.40

NOTE: See clause E.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause E.4.1(d).

E.4.2 Minimum hourly rates for part-time traineeships

(a) Wage level A

The minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate levels are allocated to wage level A by clause E.6.1 is the hourly rate specified in Column 2 of Table 5—Wage level A minimum hourly rate for part-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship) according to the highest year of schooling completed by the trainee specified in that column and the experience level of the trainee specified in Column 1.

Table 5—Wage level A minimum hourly rate for part-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship)

Column 1 Experience level of trainee | Column 2 Highest year of schooling completed

| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12

| per hour | per hour | per hour

| $ | $ | $

School leaver | 14.21 | 15.66 | 18.61

Plus 1 year out of school | 15.66 | 18.61 | 21.67

Plus 2 years out of school | 18.61 | 21.67 | 25.21

Plus 3 years out of school | 21.67 | 25.21 | 28.88

Plus 4 years out of school | 25.21 | 28.88 |

Plus 5 or more years out of school | 28.88 | |

NOTE: See clause E.4.2(f) for calculating the actual minimum wage. See also clause E.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause E.4.2(a).

(b) Wage level B

The minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate levels are allocated to wage level B by clause E.6.2 or by clause E.4.4 is the hourly rate specified in Column 2 of Table 6—Wage level B minimum hourly rate for part-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship) according to the highest year of schooling completed by the trainee specified in that column and the experience level of the trainee specified in Column 1.

Table 6—Wage level B minimum hourly rate for part-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship)

Column 1 Experience level of trainee | Column 2 Highest year of schooling completed

| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12

| per hour | per hour | per hour

| $ | $ | $

School leaver | 14.21 | 15.66 | 18.16

Plus 1 year out of school | 15.66 | 18.16 | 20.88

Plus 2 years out of school | 18.16 | 20.88 | 24.49

Plus 3 years out of school | 20.88 | 24.49 | 27.93

Plus 4 years out of school | 24.49 | 27.93 |

Plus 5 or more years out of school | 27.93 | |

NOTE: See clause E.4.2(f) for calculating the actual minimum wage. See also clause E.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause E.4.2(b).

(c) Wage level C

The minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate levels are allocated to wage level C by clause E.6.3 is the hourly rate specified in Column 2 of Table 7—Wage level C minimum hourly rate for part-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship) according to the highest year of schooling completed by the trainee specified in that column and the experience level of the trainee specified in Column 1.

Table 7—Wage level C minimum hourly rate for part-time trainees (AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship)

Column 1 Experience level of trainee | Column 2 Highest year of schooling completed

| Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12

| per hour | per hour | per hour

| $ | $ | $

School leaver | 14.21 | 15.66 | 18.16

Plus 1 year out of school | 15.66 | 18.16 | 20.51

Plus 2 years out of school | 18.16 | 20.51 | 22.93

Plus 3 years out of school | 20.51 | 22.93 | 25.53

Plus 4 years out of school | 22.93 | 25.53 |

Plus 5 or more years out of school | 25.53 | |

NOTE: See clause E.4.2(f) for calculating the actual minimum wage. See also clause E.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause E.4.2(c).

(d) School-based traineeships

The minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee who works ordinary hours and is undertaking a school-based AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate levels are allocated to wage levels A, B or C by clause E.6 or by clause E.4.4 is the hourly rate in Column 1 or 2 of Table 8—Minimum hourly rate for part-time trainees (school-based AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship) according to the year of schooling of the trainee.

Table 8—Minimum hourly rate for part-time trainees (school-based AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship)

Column 1 Year 11 or lower | Column 2 Year 12

per hour | per hour

$ | $

14.21 | 15.66

NOTE: See clause E.4.2(f) for calculating the actual minimum wage. See also clause E.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause E.4.2(d).

(e) AQF Certificate Level IV traineeships

(i) The minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship is the minimum hourly rate for the relevant part-time AQF Certificate Level III traineeship increased by 3.8%.

(ii) The minimum hourly rate for a part-time adult trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship is the hourly rate in Column 2 or 3 of Table 9—Minimum hourly rate for part-time adult trainees (AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship), according to the year of the traineeship specified in those columns and the relevant wage level for the relevant AQF Certificate Level III traineeship specified in Column 1.

Table 9—Minimum hourly rate for part-time adult trainees (AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship)

Column 1 Wage level | Column 2 First year of traineeship | Column 3 Second and subsequent years of traineeship

| per hour | per hour

| $ | $

A | 29.98 | 31.1

B | 28.99 | 30.08

C | 26.51 | 27.52

NOTE: See clause E.4.2(f) for calculating the actual minimum wage. See also clause E.4.3 for other minimum wage provisions that affect clause E.4.2(e).

(f) Calculating the actual minimum wage

(i) If fewer than 38 (or an average of 38) ordinary hours of work per week is considered full-time at the workplace by the employer, the appropriate minimum hourly rate for a part-time trainee is obtained by multiplying the relevant minimum hourly rate in clauses E.4.2(a) to E.4.2(e) by 38 and then dividing the figure obtained by the full-time ordinary hours of work per week.

(ii) If the approved training for a part-time traineeship is provided wholly off-the-job by a registered training organisation, for example at school or at TAFE, the relevant minimum hourly rate in clauses E.4.2(a) to E.4.2(e) applies to each ordinary hour worked by the trainee.

(iii) If the approved training for a part-time traineeship is undertaken solely on-the-job or partly on-the-job and partly off-the-job, the relevant minimum hourly rate in clauses E.4.2(a) to E.4.2(e) minus 20% applies to each ordinary hour worked by the trainee.

E.4.3 Other minimum wage provisions

[E.4.3(a) varied by PR743459 ppc 11Jul22]

(a) Clause E.4.3 applies despite anything to the contrary in clause E.4.2 or E.4.4.

(b) An employee who was employed by an employer immediately before becoming a trainee with that employer must not suffer a reduction in their minimum rate of pay because of becoming a trainee.

(c) For the purpose of determining whether a trainee has suffered a reduction as mentioned in clause E.4.3(b), casual loadings are to be disregarded.

(d) If a qualification is converted from an AQF Certificate Level II to an AQF Certificate Level III traineeship, or from an AQF Certificate Level III to an AQF Certificate Level IV traineeship, then the trainee must be paid the next highest minimum wage provided in this schedule, if a higher minimum wage is provided for the new AQF certificate level.

E.4.4 Default wage rate

The minimum wage for a trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate level are not allocated to a wage level by clause E.6 is the relevant minimum wage under this schedule for a trainee undertaking an AQF Certificate to Level I–III traineeship whose training package and AQF certificate level are allocated to wage level B.

E.5 Employment conditions

E.5.1 A trainee undertaking a school-based traineeship may agree to be paid an additional loading of 25% on all ordinary hours worked instead of being paid annual leave, paid personal/carer’s leave, paid compassionate leave and paid absence on public holidays. However, if the trainee works on a public holiday, the public holiday provisions of this award apply.

E.5.2 A trainee is entitled to be released from work without loss of pay and without loss of continuity of employment to attend any training and assessment specified in, or associated with, the training contract.

E.5.3 Time spent by a trainee, other than a trainee undertaking a school-based traineeship, in attending any training and assessment specified in, or associated with, the training contract is to be regarded as time worked for the employer for the purposes of calculating the trainee’s wages and determining the trainee’s employment conditions.

E.5.4 The time to be included for the purpose of calculating the wages for part-time trainees whose approved training is wholly off-the-job is determined by clauses E.4.2(f)(ii) and E.4.2(f)(iii) and not by clause E.5.3.

E.5.5 Subject to clause E.2.4, this award applies to a trainee in the same way that it applies to an employee who is not a trainee except as otherwise expressly provided by this schedule.

E.6 Allocation of traineeships to wage levels

The wage levels applying to training packages and their AQF certificate levels are:

E.6.1 Wage level A

Training package | AQF certificate level

Aeroskills | II

Aviation | I, II, III

Beauty | III

Business Services | I, II, III

Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining | I, II, III

Civil Construction | III

Coal Training Package | II, III

Community Services | II, III

Construction, Plumbing and Services Integrated Framework | I, II, III

Correctional Services | II, III

Drilling | II, III

Electricity Supply Industry—Generation Sector | II, III (III in Western Australia only)

Electricity Supply Industry—Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector | II

Electrotechnology | I, II, III(III in Western Australia only)

Financial Services | I, II, III

Floristry | III

Food Processing Industry | III

Gas Industry | III

Information and Communications Technology | I, II, III

Laboratory Operations | II, III

Local Government (other than Operational Works Cert I and II) | I, II, III

Manufactured Mineral Products | III

Manufacturing | I, II, III

Maritime | I, II, III

Metal and Engineering (Technical) | II, III

Metalliferous Mining | II, III

Museum, Library and Library/Information Services | II, III

Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking | III

Public Safety | III

Public Sector | II, III

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industries | III

Retail Services (including wholesale and Community pharmacy) | III

Telecommunications | II, III

Textiles, Clothing and Footwear | III

Tourism, Hospitality and Events | I, II, III

Training and Assessment | III

Transport and Logistics | III

Water Industry (Utilities) | III

E.6.2 Wage level B

Training package | AQF certificate level

Animal Care and Management | I, II, III

Asset Maintenance | I, II, III

Australian Meat Industry | I, II, III

Automotive Industry Manufacturing | II, III

Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair | I, II, III

Beauty | II

Caravan Industry | II, III

Civil Construction | I

Community Recreation Industry | III

Entertainment | I, II, III

Extractive Industries | II, III

Fitness Industry | III

Floristry | II

Food Processing Industry | I, II

Forest and Forest Products Industry | I, II, III

Furnishing | I, II, III

Gas Industry | I, II

Golf Clubs and Facilities | II, III

Health | II, III

Local Government (Operational Works) | I, II

Manufactured Mineral Products | I, II

Metal and Engineering (Production) | II, III

Outdoor Recreation Industry | I, II, III

Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking | II

Printing and Graphic Arts | II, III

Property Services | I, II, III

Public Safety | I, II

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industries | I, II

Retail Services | I, II

Screen and Media | I, II, III

Sport Industry | II, III

Sugar Milling | I, II, III

Textiles, Clothing and Footwear | I, II

Transport and Logistics | I, II

Visual Arts, Craft and Design | I, II, III

Water Industry | I, II

E.6.3 Wage level C

Training package | AQF certificate level

Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management | I, II, III

Funeral Services | I, II, III

Music | I, II, III

Racing Industry | I, II, III

Rural Production | I, II, III

Seafood Industry | I, II, III