How Apprentice Wages Are Set
Apprentices are not paid the adult minimum wage. Each modern award sets an apprentice wage as a percentage of its tradesperson rate, usually $1,119.10 a week (for 2026-27), and the percentage steps up each year. A first-year apprentice is typically on 50% (55% if they finished Year 12), and by fourth year it is 82% to 95%, depending on the trade. Because the National Minimum Wage order does not bind apprentice rates under a training contract, a first-year apprentice can lawfully earn less than $26.44 an hour. Many employers pay more, and enterprise agreements often do.
Three details change the number on a payslip. Year 12 matters in most trades: finishing it lifts the first two years by five percentage points. Allowances matter too: electrical and plumbing apprentice rates already include them, but in building and construction, automotive, hairdressing and cookery the tables show the wage only, with tool and industry allowances added on top. And stage progression can be by calendar year or, where the award allows, by completing training competencies earlier.
First-Year Apprentice Pay by Trade
| Trade | Year 12: hourly | No Year 12: hourly | Allowances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical (apprentice electrician) | $17.97 | $16.39 | Included |
| Plumbing and mechanical services | $18.11 | $16.56 | Included |
| Building and construction (carpentry and other on-site trades) | $16.20 | $14.73 | Extra |
| Automotive repair (motor mechanic) | $16.20 | $14.73 | Extra |
| Hairdressing | $16.20 | $14.73 | Extra |
| Beauty therapy | $16.20 | $14.73 | Extra |
| Commercial cookery (apprentice chef) | $16.20 | Same | Extra |
| Manufacturing and engineering (boilermaker, fabrication) | $16.20 | $14.73 | Extra |
| Meat industry (apprentice butcher) | $16.20 | $14.73 | Extra |
Award minimums in force from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, read from the Fair Work Commission’s consolidated awards on 5 October 2026. “Included” means the hourly rate already contains the all-purpose allowances; “Extra” means they are payable on top. Do not compare the two groups like for like.
Electrical (apprentice electrician) Apprentice Pay Rates
Apprentice electricians employed by electrical contractors under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020.
| Year | Year 12: hourly | Year 12: weekly | No Year 12: hourly | No Year 12: weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $17.97 | $682.75 | $16.39 | $622.71 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $21.13 | $802.83 | $19.55 | $742.79 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $22.71 | $862.87 | $22.71 | $862.87 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $26.50 | $1,006.97 | $26.50 | $1,006.97 |
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 [MA000025], cl 16.4 and Schedule B.4. Percentage of the grade 5 wage plus the full tool allowance and the same percentage of the industry and electrician's licence allowances (all purposes). The hourly rate is Schedule B.4 exactly.
Adult apprentices (started over 21):
| Adult apprentice | Hourly minimum | Weekly minimum (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $25.87 | $982.95 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $28.90 | $1,098.29 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $28.90 | $1,098.29 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $28.90 | $1,098.29 |
- Adult apprentices who started on or after 1 January 2014: 80% of grade 5 in year 1, then at least the grade 1 rate (cl 16.4(b)).
- School-based apprentices, trainees and apprentices who started before 1 January 2014 are paid under separate award schedules that are not modelled here.
- Fuller detail for qualified workers: Electrical pay rates.
Plumbing and mechanical services Apprentice Pay Rates
Apprentice plumbers, mechanical services and irrigation installers under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 (sprinkler fitting apprentices have their own Schedule E.2.2 rates, not shown).
| Year | Year 12: hourly | Year 12: weekly | No Year 12: hourly | No Year 12: weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $18.11 | $688.01 | $16.56 | $629.23 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $21.20 | $805.57 | $19.65 | $746.79 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $22.75 | $864.35 | $22.75 | $864.35 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $28.93 | $1,099.48 | $28.93 | $1,099.48 |
Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 [MA000036], cl 18.2(c) and Schedule E.2.1. Percentage of the tradesperson level 1 weekly rate plus the full industry allowance and the relevant percentage of the tool and plumbing trade allowances (all purposes). Hourly is Schedule E.2.1 exactly; weekly is the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide figure.
- The 1st-year rate is 50% (55% if the apprentice completed Year 12) of the tradesperson rate and allowances; 4th year is 90%.
- Adult apprentice rates in this award are the greater of the federal minimum wage plus the industry allowance and the apprentice rate (cl 18.3(b)), so they are not tabulated.
- School-based apprentices, trainees and apprentices who started before 1 January 2014 are paid under separate award schedules that are not modelled here.
- Year-by-year detail, allowances and take-home: Apprentice Plumber Pay.
- Fuller detail for qualified workers: Plumbing and mechanical services pay rates.
Building and construction (carpentry and other on-site trades) Apprentice Pay Rates
Apprentices working on building and construction sites under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, which includes carpentry apprentices.
| Year | Year 12: hourly | Year 12: weekly | No Year 12: hourly | No Year 12: weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $16.20 | $615.51 | $14.73 | $559.55 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $19.14 | $727.42 | $17.67 | $671.46 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $22.09 | $839.33 | $22.09 | $839.33 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $26.51 | $1,007.19 | $26.51 | $1,007.19 |
Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 [MA000020], cl 19.7(b)(i). Percentage of the cl 19.1 CW3 standard rate ($1,119.10 a week) only. The award adds the tool allowance (cl 21.1), the industry allowance (cl 22) and any other applicable allowance on top, for all purposes (cl 19.7(c)), so the real minimum is higher than the figure shown.
- Four-year term, started on or after 1 January 2014. A three-year term uses 55%, 75% and 90% (cl 19.7(b)(i)(B)) and is not tabulated.
- Stage 2 to 4 can start earlier than 12 months if the apprentice completes the training plan competencies sooner (competency-based progression, cl 19.7(b)(i)(A)).
- Weekly-hire employees. Daily-hire employees get a loaded hourly rate (cl 19.3).
- School-based apprentices, trainees and apprentices who started before 1 January 2014 are paid under separate award schedules that are not modelled here.
- Year-by-year detail, allowances and take-home: Apprentice Carpenter Pay.
- Year-by-year detail, allowances and take-home: Apprentice Bricklayer Pay.
- Year-by-year detail, allowances and take-home: Apprentice Painter Pay.
- Fuller detail for qualified workers: Building and construction pay rates.
Automotive repair (motor mechanic) Apprentice Pay Rates
Apprentices in the vehicle repair, services and retail (RS&R) sector under the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020, including motor mechanics.
| Year | Year 12: hourly | Year 12: weekly | No Year 12: hourly | No Year 12: weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $16.20 | $615.51 | $14.73 | $559.55 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $19.14 | $727.42 | $17.67 | $671.46 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $22.09 | $839.33 | $22.09 | $839.33 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $25.92 | $984.81 | $25.92 | $984.81 |
Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 [MA000089], cl 16.9(b), 16.10(b) and Schedule B.5 to B.6. Percentage of the RS&R Level R6 (tradesperson) weekly rate of $1,119.10, before allowances. Junior apprentices are under 21 when they start; adult apprentices are over 21 (cl 16.9, 16.10).
Adult apprentices (started over 21):
| Adult apprentice | Hourly minimum | Weekly minimum (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $23.56 | $895.28 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $25.74 | $978.10 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $26.44 | $1,004.90 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $27.08 | $1,029.10 |
- A tool allowance applies to tradespeople and is reduced for apprentices (cl 19.6); it is not in these figures.
- Adult apprentices cannot have their pay cut if they were already employed in the vehicle industry before starting (cl 16.10(c)).
- School-based apprentices, trainees and apprentices who started before 1 January 2014 are paid under separate award schedules that are not modelled here.
- Year-by-year detail, allowances and take-home: Apprentice Mechanic Pay.
- Fuller detail for qualified workers: Automotive repair pay rates.
Hairdressing Apprentice Pay Rates
Hairdressing apprentices under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (Table 6 and Table 7).
| Year | Year 12: hourly | Year 12: weekly | No Year 12: hourly | No Year 12: weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $16.20 | $615.51 | $14.73 | $559.55 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $19.14 | $727.42 | $17.67 | $671.46 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $22.68 | $861.71 | $22.68 | $861.71 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $26.51 | $1,007.19 | $26.51 | $1,007.19 |
Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 [MA000005], cl 18.1 (Tables 6 and 7). Percentage of the level 3 standard weekly rate ($1,119.10). Weekly and hourly are as the award prints them.
- A first-year adult apprentice (not an existing employee) gets at least the greater of 80% of the standard rate and the first-year table rate (cl 18.4(a)); later years depend on the award's lowest classification rate, so adult rates are not tabulated.
- School-based apprentices, trainees and apprentices who started before 1 January 2014 are paid under separate award schedules that are not modelled here.
- Year-by-year detail, allowances and take-home: Apprentice Hairdresser Pay.
- Fuller detail for qualified workers: Hairdressing pay rates.
Beauty therapy Apprentice Pay Rates
Beauty therapy apprentices under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (Table 8 and Table 9).
| Year | Year 12: hourly | Year 12: weekly | No Year 12: hourly | No Year 12: weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $16.20 | $615.51 | $14.73 | $559.55 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $19.14 | $727.42 | $17.67 | $671.46 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $23.56 | $895.28 | $23.56 | $895.28 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $26.51 | $1,007.19 | $26.51 | $1,007.19 |
Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 [MA000005], cl 18.2 (Tables 8 and 9). Percentage of the level 3 standard weekly rate ($1,119.10). Weekly and hourly are as the award prints them.
- School-based apprentices, trainees and apprentices who started before 1 January 2014 are paid under separate award schedules that are not modelled here.
- Fuller detail for qualified workers: Beauty therapy pay rates.
Commercial cookery (apprentice chef) Apprentice Pay Rates
Apprentice cooks in hotels, pubs, clubs and similar venues under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (junior apprentices in a trade other than the waiting trade).
| Year | Hourly minimum | Weekly minimum (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $16.20 | $615.51 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $19.14 | $727.42 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $23.56 | $895.28 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $27.98 | $1,063.15 |
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 [MA000009], cl 19.1(b) (Table 7). Percentage of the standard weekly rate ($1,119.10; the award divides by 38 for the hourly rate). The award does not split rates by Year 12 completion.
- A cook or apprentice cook who must supply their own tools gets $2.03 a day (up to $9.94 a week), which is not in these figures (cl 26.5(a)).
- Apprentices who reach the proficiency standard on all three occasions are paid the standard hourly rate for the whole of 4th year (cl 19.3).
- Adult apprentice rules (cl 19.5) and the Restaurant Industry Award's equivalent rates are not tabulated.
- School-based apprentices, trainees and apprentices who started before 1 January 2014 are paid under separate award schedules that are not modelled here.
- Year-by-year detail, allowances and take-home: Apprentice Chef Pay.
- Fuller detail for qualified workers: Commercial cookery pay rates.
Manufacturing and engineering (boilermaker, fabrication) Apprentice Pay Rates
Apprentices in engineering and manufacturing trades, including the Engineering Tradesperson (Fabrication) apprenticeship that boilermakers and metal fabricators do, under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020.
| Year | Year 12: hourly | Year 12: weekly | No Year 12: hourly | No Year 12: weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $16.20 | $615.51 | $14.73 | $559.55 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $19.14 | $727.42 | $17.67 | $671.46 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $22.09 | $839.33 | $22.09 | $839.33 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $27.08 | $1,029.10 | $25.92 | $984.81 |
Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 [MA000010], cl 21.6 and cl 22. Percentage of the C10/V5 trades rate ($1,119.10 a week), or the named classification rate where the award uses one, before allowances. Weekly and hourly are as the award prints them.
Adult apprentices (started over 21):
| Adult apprentice | Hourly minimum | Weekly minimum (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $23.56 | $895.28 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $25.74 | $978.10 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $26.44 | $1,004.90 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $27.08 | $1,029.10 |
- 4th year for an apprentice who completed Year 12 is the C12/V3 rate of $1,029.10 a week, not 88% (cl 21.6).
- A tool allowance applies on the same percentage basis as column 1 of cl 21.6 (cl 30.2(c)(v)); it is not in these figures.
- School-based apprentices, trainees and apprentices who started before 1 January 2014 are paid under separate award schedules that are not modelled here.
- Year-by-year detail, allowances and take-home: Apprentice Boilermaker Pay.
- Fuller detail for qualified workers: Manufacturing and engineering pay rates.
Meat industry (apprentice butcher) Apprentice Pay Rates
Apprentice butchers and meat tradespeople in meat retail (butcher shops), processing and manufacturing establishments under the Meat Industry Award 2020.
| Year | Year 12: hourly | Year 12: weekly | No Year 12: hourly | No Year 12: weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $16.20 | $615.51 | $14.73 | $559.55 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $19.14 | $727.42 | $17.67 | $671.46 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $25.03 | $951.24 | $25.03 | $951.24 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $27.98 | $1,063.15 | $27.98 | $1,063.15 |
Meat Industry Award 2020 [MA000059], cl 16.3(a)(ii) and 16.4. Percentage of the MI 7 weekly rate ($1,119.10) before allowances. The award prints percentages, so weekly is the percentage rounded to the cent and hourly is weekly divided by 38.
Adult apprentices (started over 21):
| Adult apprentice | Hourly minimum | Weekly minimum (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year (stage 1) | $23.56 | $895.28 |
| 2nd year (stage 2) | $25.74 | $978.10 |
| 3rd year (stage 3) | $25.74 | $978.10 |
| 4th year (stage 4) | $27.98 | $1,063.15 |
- Adult apprentices who started on or after 1 January 2014: at least 80% of MI 7 in the first year, then at least the lowest adult classification rate (MI 1) or the year rate, whichever is greater (cl 16.4).
- Allowances (for example for cold work or for tools) are not in these figures.
- School-based apprentices, trainees and apprentices who started before 1 January 2014 are paid under separate award schedules that are not modelled here.
- Year-by-year detail, allowances and take-home: Apprentice Butcher Pay.
What an Apprentice Takes Home
Apprentices pay the same income tax as everyone else, and with a first-year income the tax is small. As an arithmetic illustration, a first-year carpentry apprentice who completed Year 12 and is paid exactly the award wage of $16.20 an hour for 38 hours a week, all year, has about $32,011 gross, and the 2026-27 resident rates (including the low income offset and the Medicare levy) leave roughly $581.52 a week after tax, before allowances or overtime. Use the calculator above for your own trade and year, the take-home pay calculator for any wage, and weekly pay calculator to convert between pay periods.
When an Apprentice’s Pay Goes Up
- Each stage. The wage steps up at the start of each year, or earlier when competency-based progression applies and the apprentice completes enough of the training plan (for example, 25% of competencies for stage 2 in the building award).
- Each 1 July. Every award minimum rises with the Annual Wage Review decision, from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July.
- Overtime and penalties. Awards pay these as a percentage of the apprentice’s hourly rate. In the Electrical award, for instance, overtime is 150% for the first two hours and 200% after, Sunday 200% and public holidays 250%. An apprentice under 18 cannot be required to work overtime or shiftwork.
- Training time. Time at training required by the training contract counts as time worked and is paid in the awards read for this page.
How to Check Your Apprentice Wage
- Find your award: look at your training contract, employer, or the pay guide at fairwork.gov.au. The trade is not always the deciding factor, and an enterprise agreement can replace the award.
- Work out your year of apprenticeship and whether you completed Year 12.
- Read the minimum for that year and add any allowances your trade’s award requires.
- Compare it with the hourly rate on your payslip. If it is lower, ask your employer to explain, then contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.
Not all apprenticeships are on this page. Awards for other trades were not checked, and pre-2014 apprentices, school-based apprentices and trainees have separate schedules. See award pay rates, junior pay rates for the age-based rates that apply to workers who aren’t apprentices, and first job pay guide.
Related Calculators and Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Apprentice pay questions and answers
How much do apprentices get paid in Australia?
It depends on the trade's award and the year of the apprenticeship. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the first-year minimums across the trades on this page run from $14.73 to $18.11 an hour, rising to between $25.92 and $28.93 in fourth year. Those are award minimums, so employers and enterprise agreements can pay more, and the electrical and plumbing figures include allowances that the other trades add on top.
Do apprentices get paid minimum wage?
No. Apprentice wages are set by the award as a percentage of the qualified tradesperson's rate, which is why a first-year apprentice can lawfully be paid less than the adult National Minimum Wage of $26.44 an hour. The National Minimum Wage order does not bind apprentice rates under a training contract.
What is a first-year apprentice carpenter paid in 2026?
Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award a first-year apprentice who completed Year 12 must be paid at least $16.20 an hour ($615.51 a week, 55% of the $1,119.10 standard rate), or $14.73 an hour ($559.55) if they did not complete Year 12. The award adds the $41.22 carpenter tool allowance and the industry allowance on top for all purposes, so on a general building site the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide puts the first-year minimum with Year 12 at $19.05 an hour ($723.88 a week).
What is a first-year apprentice chef paid?
Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award, a first-year apprentice cook must be paid at least $16.20 an hour, which is $615.51 a week for a 38-hour week (55% of the standard rate). This award does not split rates by Year 12 completion. An apprentice who has to supply their own tools also gets $2.03 a day, up to $9.94 a week.
What is a first-year apprentice electrician paid?
Under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award, a first-year apprentice who completed Year 12 must be paid at least $17.97 an hour, or $16.39 an hour without Year 12. Those figures already include the tool, industry and electrician's licence allowances.
Does finishing Year 12 change an apprentice's pay?
In most of these awards, yes. An apprentice who completed Year 12 starts at 55% of the standard rate instead of 50% in first year and 65% instead of 60% in second year, and the rates meet again in third year in carpentry, automotive, plumbing and hairdressing. The Hospitality Award's cook rates do not split by Year 12.
When does an apprentice get a pay rise?
Apprentices move up a stage each year of the apprenticeship or, where the award allows competency-based progression, when they complete a set share of their training units, whichever is earlier. The 1 July wage review also lifts every award minimum from the first full pay period on or after 1 July, and employers and enterprise agreements can pay more at any time.
What do adult apprentices get paid?
Adult apprentices, who start over 21, get higher minimums in some awards. In the Electrical award it is 80% of the grade 5 rate in first year, then at least the grade 1 rate. In the Vehicle Repair award it is 80% of the tradesperson rate in first year, then fixed weekly rates for later years. An employee who becomes an adult apprentice with the same employer cannot have their rate cut. The other trades on this page have adult rules that are not tabulated.
Do apprentices get paid for TAFE or training?
Time spent at training required by the training contract counts as time worked and is paid under the awards read for this page (for example the Electrical, Building and Hospitality awards). Several awards also make the employer reimburse required training fees. Check the apprentice clauses of your own award.
How much tax does an apprentice pay?
Apprentices are taxed like other employees. The first $18,200 of income a year is tax-free for residents, then 15% to $45,000, so a first-year apprentice on the award minimum pays little income tax and the low income tax offset can cancel the rest. Use the calculator on this page to see the estimated take-home pay for your trade and year.
Which trades are not on this page?
Awards for other trades (for example bricklayers outside the building award, roof tilers, horticulture and retail) were not checked for this page, so no rate is shown. Apprentices who started before 1 January 2014, school-based apprentices, trainees and apprentices on enterprise agreements are also not covered. Check your pay guide at fairwork.gov.au.
How we worked this out▼
Every rate is the minimum printed in the award’s apprentice clause or schedule, or the award’s percentage applied to its reference rate ($1,119.10 a week) and rounded to the cent; hourly is the award’s published figure or weekly divided by 38. The calculator multiplies the hourly minimum by your hours, then by 52 for a full year, and takes tax from the site’s 2026-27 resident rates with the low income offset and the Medicare levy (private hospital cover, no HELP debt).
Scope: apprentices who started on or after 1 January 2014 on a 4-year term, junior rates for every trade shown and adult rates for Electrical, Automotive, Manufacturing and Meat. Junior rates for the Manufacturing (boilermaker) and Meat Industry (butcher) awards were added on 5 October 2026 and read from the awards. Not shown because they were not checked or depend on individual circumstances: other trades’ awards, 3-year terms, pre-2014 apprentices, school-based apprentices, trainees, Plumbing, Building, Hair and Beauty and Hospitality adult rules, and enterprise agreements. General information, not advice.
Sources & References
- 1
- 2Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 [MA000036]: apprentice rates— Fair Work Commission
- 3Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 [MA000020]: apprentice rates— Fair Work Commission
- 4Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 [MA000089]: apprentice rates— Fair Work Commission
- 5Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 [MA000005]: apprentice rates— Fair Work Commission
- 6Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 [MA000009]: apprentice rates— Fair Work Commission
- 7
- 8Meat Industry Award 2020 [MA000059]: apprentice rates— Fair Work Commission
- 9Pay guides for modern awards— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 10Annual Wage Review 2025-26 decision [2026] FWCFB 3500— Fair Work Commission
Last verified: 5 October 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Anita Bell
AuthorFounder & Senior Bookkeeper
Accountancy degree (2015); certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One
Anita Bell earned her accountancy degree in 2015 and has worked as a senior bookkeeper with Prime Bookkeeping for over 5 years. This built her skills in Australian and New Zealand tax legislation and industry regulations. She is certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One, and works with payroll and rostering software including Gusto, Deputy, Tsheets and KeyPay. She has strong experience in hospitality, building and construction, financial services, real estate, ecommerce, and medical and health services.
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