How to start a mature age apprenticeship in Australia

There’s no upper age limit for an apprenticeship in Australia. Plenty of people start one in their 20s, 30s, 40s or later, often after years in another job. A mature age apprenticeship lets you earn a wage while you train for a recognised qualification, and adult apprentices are usually paid more than younger ones.

In this guide we’ll cover how adult apprentice pay works and what government support available, as well as how to find an employer and use your existing skills to finish sooner. We’ll also look at reasons why employers can benefit from taking on mature age apprentices.

What is a mature age apprenticeship?

A mature age apprenticeship is the same as any other apprenticeship. You sign a training contract with an employer, work and learn on the job, and complete formal training with a registered training organisation. At the end, you get a nationally recognised qualification.

The main difference is pay. Under many awards, you’re an adult apprentice if you’re 21 or older when you start, and adult apprentices usually get higher minimum pay rates than junior apprentices.

Apprenticeships cover far more than the building trades. You can do an apprenticeship or traineeship in areas like health, community services, early learning, hospitality, business and IT, as well as construction, automotive and electrical work. Traineeships are usually shorter than apprenticeships and cover a wider range of industries.

If you’re weighing up a bigger move, our guide to changing careers at any age walks through how to plan it.

How adult apprentice pay works

Your pay is set by the award or enterprise agreement that covers your job. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that many awards define an adult apprentice as someone who starts their apprenticeship at 21 or older.

Here’s how it works in practice:

• Your age when you start is what counts. If you start at 20 and turn 21 partway through, you generally stay on the junior apprentice rates
• Adult rates are higher from day one. Under many awards, a first year adult apprentice earns noticeably more than a first year junior apprentice
• Pay increases as you progress. Rates usually rise each year or stage of the apprenticeship
• Some awards protect existing employees. If you start an apprenticeship with your current employer, some awards stop your pay from dropping

Adult apprentice rates are still usually lower than a qualified tradesperson’s pay, so plan your budget for the training years. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides list the current minimum rates for adult apprentices under each award.

Government support and incentives for mature age apprenticeships

The Australian Government’s apprenticeship incentives focus on occupations on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List. Support depends on the occupation, not your age. For apprenticeships starting between 1 January and 31 December 2026, the main payments are:

Other support includes:

• Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans: interest-free loans for apprentices in priority occupations to help with everyday costs, with a discount if you complete your apprenticeship
• Living Away From Home Allowance: extra support if you have to move to take up an apprenticeship
• State and territory support: many states offer their own subsidised training, travel help or tool allowances, so check with your state training authority

Incentive settings change regularly, so confirm what you’re eligible for before you sign up.

Use your existing skills to finish sooner

If you’ve already worked in the industry, even in an unqualified or labouring role, you may not need to start from the beginning. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) lets your training organisation assess what you already know and count it towards your qualification.

RPL can shorten your apprenticeship and reduce the time you spend on lower apprentice rates. Gather evidence before you enrol, such as references, photos of your work, payslips and any tickets or short courses you’ve completed. Then ask your training organisation how RPL works for your qualification.

Skills from other jobs count too. Managing customers, working safely or leading a team won’t replace trade training, but they make you a stronger apprentice and a more attractive candidate.

How to find an employer as a mature age apprentice

Finding an employer is often the hardest part, especially when you’re changing careers. These steps can help.

• Contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider. These free, government-funded services help match apprentices with employers and handle the paperwork. You can search for a provider or call 1800 020 108
• Try a group training organisation. Group training organisations employ apprentices and place them with host businesses, which can suit employers who aren’t sure about taking on an apprentice themselves
• Approach employers directly. Small and medium businesses often hire apprentices without advertising. Call or visit, explain why you want the trade and what you bring
• Lead with your strengths. Reliability, a driver licence, work history and life experience can set you apart from younger applicants
• Consider a part-time apprenticeship. Some employers and industries offer part-time apprenticeships, which can help if you have family commitments
• Talk to your current employer. If your workplace employs qualified staff in the trade you’re interested in, ask whether they’d consider taking you on as an apprentice

If a trade is the direction you’re leaning, our guide to the highest paying trades in Australia shows how pay compares once you’re qualified, and you can browse trades and services jobs for current roles.

Is a mature age apprenticeship right for you?

An apprenticeship takes commitment. Most take three to four years, and the first year or two can mean a pay cut compared with your current job. On the other hand, you’ll earn while you learn and finish with a qualification that can open up better pay and the option to work for yourself.

Before you decide, think about:

• Whether your budget can handle apprentice pay for the first few years
• The physical demands of the job, if it’s a hands-on trade
• Whether you’re comfortable learning alongside younger apprentices and taking direction
• How the qualification fits with where you want to be in five or ten years

For employers: taking on a mature age apprentice

Mature age apprentices can bring a lot to a business. Many have work experience and established habits around reliability and safety, and some already hold a driver licence or other tickets. They’re often clear about why they’ve chosen the trade, which can help with completion.

There are a few things to plan for:

• Adult apprentice wages are higher than junior rates under most awards, so factor this into your budget
• Incentives depend on the occupation, not the apprentice’s age. If the role is on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List, you may be eligible for the employer incentives above
• Recognition of prior learning can shorten the apprenticeship for an experienced worker, which brings forward the point where they’re fully qualified

An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can help you check eligibility, sign the training contract and claim any incentives. When you’re ready to recruit, post an apprenticeship job on Workinitiatives.

Find an apprenticeship

When you’re ready, search apprenticeship jobs on Workinitiatives to find employers hiring apprentices and trainees across Australia.

Sources

• What makes an employee an adult apprentice?, Fair Work Ombudsman
• Pay guides, Fair Work Ombudsman
• Apprenticeship support, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
• Key Apprenticeship Program, Apprenticeship Support Australia
• Changes to apprenticeship incentives for employers, Ai Group (2026 incentive amounts)
• Search for an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider, Australian Apprenticeships