SERVICES | APPRENTICES
Wage Rates
In the first instance you should check with your Plumbers’ Union delegate to see the apprentice rates in the EBA 6. Note that mature age apprentices over 21 should go onto the 3rd year rate after completing probation.
If your company is not on an EBA, your wages will be covered either by a State Award or Federal Award - see list on this web site or contact the Plumbers Union.
Training & Entitlements
All apprentices should have a signed contract with your employer and the Australian Apprenticeship Centre. This will also set out your training plan and your training provider (generally TAFE or JIST).
For further information on training, allowances, including tools see:
• The Australian Apprenticeship website
www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au.
• State Government funding and incentives
www.trainandemploy.qld.gov
Also a summary of incentives and information for apprentices is
available on the
• Be Constructive web site
www.beconstructive.com.au
Your employer must also provide you a tool kit, to a minimum value once you have completed your probation. For more information phone the Plumbers Union.
Apprentice Rights
You may and are encouraged to join the Queensland Plumbers Union – it is your future. Apprentice membership fees are currently $52 per 6 months.
Do not be bullied, call your Union and seek advice.
In Queensland Plumbing and Sprinkler Fitter apprentices do a 4 year apprenticeship.
Once an apprentice Plumber satisfactorily completes the apprenticeship they are entitled to apply for an Interim Gasfitting License from the Department of Mines and Energy (Ph3239 6888) and a Provisional Plumbing License and a Drainers License from the Plumbers and Drainers Board (Ph 3235 4149) The interim gas and provisional plumbing licenses when issued enable the holder to work as an employee only.
Sprinkler fitting apprentices need to apply to the Plumbers and Drainers Board (Ph 3235 4149) for a Restricted Water Plumbers license – Fire Protection (hydrants and hose reels, commercial and industrial, domestic and residential) to be able to work as an employee.
To be able to work as a contractor substantial additional studies are required before full licenses can be applied for. When a full license is held application can then be made to the Building Services Authority for a contractors license.
For further information contact the union office.
Your Tools
The Plumbers Union continues to receive enquiries from apprentices who have not received the tools to which they are entitled. The following is a summary of what, in general, should be provided.
As a plumbing apprentice after you have completed your 3 month probation you should receive a tool kit to the value of $800. Your employer should be contacted by the ‘Tools For Your Trade’ administrators who check on your employment and will then provide an $800 voucher to your employer. The apprentice with the employer can then purchase the tool kit from a registered provider. For the first 9 months the tools are technically owned by the employers, after which time they then become the property of the apprentice.
AND
As part of your conditions of employment apprentice plumbers are to receive tools each year to the retail value of $600. These tools are to be supplied within a three month period after the probationary period, or within 6 months, whichever occurs first. For second, third and fourth years the tools are to be supplied within 3 months of the anniversary of your apprenticeship commencement date.
Your employer may also elect to provide you with the whole of your 4 year allocation, i.e. $2400 worth of tools after the first 3 months, but if you leave your apprenticeship at any time during the 4 years you may have to return the tools that you have not yet qualified for or the cash equivalent.
These tools are the property of the apprentice and must be available for use at work. No leaving them at home or at a mates place.
There is a saying that a tradie is only as good as their tools. Learning to look after your tools is an important part of your trade training and work as a plumber. Firstly make sure you label your new tools to identify them, often with a stripe of paint, get your name etched on or stamp your initials. Make sure you have a secure tool box and lock your tools up when not in use. If your company is working under the Enterprise Agreement there are arrangements if your tools are stolen or damaged, so do check with your union delegate if this happens. But you must take care to secure your tools as directed by your employer. (Clause 32.3 EBA5). You may have to replace any tools that you lose through not securing them properly.
For More info: Contact Plumbers Union - if you are not a member join up now.
See also:
www.apprenticeshipsinfo.qld.gov.au
www.australia.gov.au/australianapprenticeships
(QIRC, Work Place Relations Act 1997, Supply of Tools to Apprentices)
New Incentive Payment for Apprentices
Apprentice Incentive Payments from the Federal Government to Australian apprentice plumbers will change from Jan 2010. (this does not include Sprinkler fitting at this time)
Please contact Plumbers Union for further information.
In the first instance you should check with your Plumbers’ Union delegate to see the apprentice rates in the EBA 6. Note that mature age apprentices over 21 should go onto the 3rd year rate after completing probation.
If your company is not on an EBA, your wages will be covered either by a State Award or Federal Award - see list on this web site or contact the Plumbers Union.
Training & Entitlements
All apprentices should have a signed contract with your employer and the Australian Apprenticeship Centre. This will also set out your training plan and your training provider (generally TAFE or JIST).
For further information on training, allowances, including tools see:
• The Australian Apprenticeship website
www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au.
• State Government funding and incentives
www.trainandemploy.qld.gov
Also a summary of incentives and information for apprentices is
available on the
• Be Constructive web site
www.beconstructive.com.au
Your employer must also provide you a tool kit, to a minimum value once you have completed your probation. For more information phone the Plumbers Union.
Apprentice Rights
You may and are encouraged to join the Queensland Plumbers Union – it is your future. Apprentice membership fees are currently $52 per 6 months.
Do not be bullied, call your Union and seek advice.
Licensing:
In Queensland Plumbing and Sprinkler Fitter apprentices do a 4 year apprenticeship.
Once an apprentice Plumber satisfactorily completes the apprenticeship they are entitled to apply for an Interim Gasfitting License from the Department of Mines and Energy (Ph3239 6888) and a Provisional Plumbing License and a Drainers License from the Plumbers and Drainers Board (Ph 3235 4149) The interim gas and provisional plumbing licenses when issued enable the holder to work as an employee only.
Sprinkler fitting apprentices need to apply to the Plumbers and Drainers Board (Ph 3235 4149) for a Restricted Water Plumbers license – Fire Protection (hydrants and hose reels, commercial and industrial, domestic and residential) to be able to work as an employee.
To be able to work as a contractor substantial additional studies are required before full licenses can be applied for. When a full license is held application can then be made to the Building Services Authority for a contractors license.
For further information contact the union office.
Your Tools
The Plumbers Union continues to receive enquiries from apprentices who have not received the tools to which they are entitled. The following is a summary of what, in general, should be provided.
Tools For Your Trade:
As a plumbing apprentice after you have completed your 3 month probation you should receive a tool kit to the value of $800. Your employer should be contacted by the ‘Tools For Your Trade’ administrators who check on your employment and will then provide an $800 voucher to your employer. The apprentice with the employer can then purchase the tool kit from a registered provider. For the first 9 months the tools are technically owned by the employers, after which time they then become the property of the apprentice.
AND
Supply of Tools to Apprentices:
As part of your conditions of employment apprentice plumbers are to receive tools each year to the retail value of $600. These tools are to be supplied within a three month period after the probationary period, or within 6 months, whichever occurs first. For second, third and fourth years the tools are to be supplied within 3 months of the anniversary of your apprenticeship commencement date.
Your employer may also elect to provide you with the whole of your 4 year allocation, i.e. $2400 worth of tools after the first 3 months, but if you leave your apprenticeship at any time during the 4 years you may have to return the tools that you have not yet qualified for or the cash equivalent.
These tools are the property of the apprentice and must be available for use at work. No leaving them at home or at a mates place.
Looking After Your Tools:
There is a saying that a tradie is only as good as their tools. Learning to look after your tools is an important part of your trade training and work as a plumber. Firstly make sure you label your new tools to identify them, often with a stripe of paint, get your name etched on or stamp your initials. Make sure you have a secure tool box and lock your tools up when not in use. If your company is working under the Enterprise Agreement there are arrangements if your tools are stolen or damaged, so do check with your union delegate if this happens. But you must take care to secure your tools as directed by your employer. (Clause 32.3 EBA5). You may have to replace any tools that you lose through not securing them properly.
For More info: Contact Plumbers Union - if you are not a member join up now.
See also:
www.apprenticeshipsinfo.qld.gov.au
www.australia.gov.au/australianapprenticeships
(QIRC, Work Place Relations Act 1997, Supply of Tools to Apprentices)
New Incentive Payment for Apprentices
APPRENTICE ALERT $$$$$$
Apprentice Incentive Payments from the Federal Government to Australian apprentice plumbers will change from Jan 2010. (this does not include Sprinkler fitting at this time)
These payments replace the previous ‘Tools For Your Trade’ Initiative, ‘Support for Mid-Career Apprentices” “apprentice wage top up” and Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarships. All apprentices who were receiving these payments prior to 1/1/2010 will get the new payments as they fall due.
There will now be 5 tax exempt payments over the period of the apprenticeship.
$800 after 3 months
$800 after 12 months
$800 after 24 months
$700 after 36 months
$700 upon successful completion.
There are no longer any age restrictions on these payments.
The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission’s Supply of Tools to Apprentices - Order will also continue as an entitlement for most plumbing apprentices. (An additional $600 for annual supply of tools).
For further detailed information:
Employment transitional arrangements, including wages and the Queensland Tools Order, contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94
Eligibility for the new Australian Government Incentive payments, contact your Australian Apprenticeship Centre
For queries in relation to training matters, including the training contract, contact the Queensland Government’s Training Customer Contact Centre on 1800 210 210
