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Unfortunately, it is legal for some employers operating under the federal workplace relations system to make signing an Australian Workplace Agreement contingent on you getting a traineeship place.
An AWA is an agreement between an employer and an individual worker setting out terms and conditions of employment. It is also a secret document that is not vetted by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission – the independent industrial tribunal.
If you’re faces with an AWA, you need to make sure you are not agreeing to wages and conditions that are inferior to what you would get under the National Training Wage Award or state vocational education and training laws.
The National Training Wage Award provides training rates for almost all types of traineeships that you can complete. Your other conditions of employment are then set by the industry award that applies to other employees working in the same occupation or industry. Apprentice wages are regulated through the relevant industry award or agreement.
If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or guardian must also sign and approve the AWA as well as your training agreement or contract of training. You should think this over very carefully and ask for all information about your wages, conditions and training to be provided before signing.
Check with your union if you’re a member of call the ACTU Helpline on 1300 362 223.
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