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School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Home >Courses >School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

So what are School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships?

School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) offer the ability to combine a senior secondary program with:

  • part-time employment,
  • training towards a nationally accredited qualification,
  • continuing your school education.

Advantages of undertaking an SBAT

By undertaking an SBAT while completing a senior secondary program, you may:

Incorporate training and work into your learning

Get a jumpstart on your career and earn money

Gain valuable hands-on skills in your chosen field

"My time at GOTAFE has greatly improved my knowledge of the career I wish to pursue. I worked on our family farm for my school-based apprenticeship during years 11-12 which is also where I grew up and my love for animals and farming started. I was still able to attend school and work while studying. The course delivery was very thorough and well presented. I cannot recommend GOTAFE enough to those wanting to have a future in Agriculture."

- Erin Mumford, School-Based Apprentice in Certificate III Agriculture (AHC30116)

Erin Mumford School-Based Apprentice holding lamb on farm

The difference between a School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship

Apprenticeships

  • Full-time apprenticeships take between 3-4 years depending on the qualification. Your SBAT will be part-time, once you leave school you can vary your SBAT to a full-time apprenticeship to continue within your trade to complete the qualification.
  • A school-based apprentice works with their employer and school to decide the best day during the school week to attend the workplace. This will be at least 1 day a week.
  • Learning occurs on-the-job with the employer as well as off-the-job when apprentices attend timetabled blocks of training at GOTAFE. This may be for a full week or during school holidays.
  • Apprenticeships are available in trade areas such as building and construction, commercial cookery and baking, automotive, engineering, hairdressing, and more.
  • Qualification levels for school-based apprenticeships are most commonly at a Certificate III and above level.

Traineeships

  • Traineeships generally take between 1-2 years to complete depending on the qualification.
  • School-based trainees work with their employer and school to decide the best day during the school week to attend the workplace. This will be at least 1 day a week.
  • Learning occurs in the workplace with the employer. GOTAFE trainers will schedule regular visits to the workplace to work with trainees.
  • Traineeships are available in service areas such as business, community, health, childcare, education support, hair and beauty, hospitality, and more.
  • Qualification levels for school-based traineeships are most commonly at a Certificate II, III, and above level.

How to start your SBAT journey

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1.

Find an employer

Find an employer or Group Training Organisation (GTO) that will agree to take you on as a school-based apprentice or trainee.

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2.

Arrange the contract

Your employer will then make contact with an Australian Apprentice Support Network provider (AASN) who will arrange the contract between yourself and your employer. This will then be forwarded on to the State Training Authority the VRQA (Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority) for approval and to make it official.

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3.

Join up with an RTO

When the contract is approved information is forwarded on to a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) which is what GOTAFE is! From there we will welcome you to GOTAFE to continue your journey.

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4.

Continue attending school and training

Don’t forget school attendance is still required so you need to be organised and go to work as well as school as per your timetable (an SBAT requires a commitment of at least one day a week of employment and/or structured VET training).

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5.

Go forth and conquer!

Fulfill your work, training, and study requirements and receive a nationally recognised qualification.

More information on SBATs

When undertaking a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship you are training in a nationally accredited course, meaning it meets a number of quality assurance requirements and you’ll come away with a recognised qualification at the end of your training.

Here are some helpful links to visit for more information:

Read our 2025 SBAT guide
Horticulture School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Home schooled students

Please note students who are currently enrolled in home schooling are not eligible to undertake a School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship. SBATs can only be done as part of a senior secondary program delivered by a registered senior secondary provider.

Home schooled students may undertake a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship. These arrangements are at an individual student’s discretion, please speak with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.

Search for an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider

Additional support for apprentices

Additional support when you become an apprentice is available through the Victorian Government's Apprenticeship Support Officer program.

Apprenticeship Support Officers (ASOs) help registered apprentices and their employers get the most out of the apprenticeship system. They’re part of a Victorian Government initiative to keep more apprentices in jobs and help more people complete their training. You can read more about how an ASO can support you throughout your apprenticeship here