Jeff Heard
Mobile: 0439 005 855
Email: apprenticeship.support@education.vic.gov.au
Your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP) is your first point of call for any queries regarding your apprenticeship or traineeship. There are four Generalist ACAP's available in Victoria:
Our Apprenticeship Support Officer (ASO) offers free and confidential advice, guidance, mentoring and support including a range of referrals to literacy and numeracy services, drug and alcohol counselling and mental health practitioners, if needed, to keep you on track and safe through your trade apprenticeship.
The ASO can also help in navigating other support services such as the Fair Work Ombudsman and WorkSafe. The Student Wellbeing Team can help you with any issues you may be facing with study and life, plus we have doctors who visit Warrnambool and Sherwood Park regularly.
Victorian Apprenticeship Field Services (VFAS) check in with you to see how your apprenticeship or traineeship is progressing.
At our campuses, you have access to a student lounge with free tea and coffee, plus microwaves and other cooking equipment. We have a cafeteria at our Warrnambool campus which serves up a range of healthy and delicious meals.
For those who have to travel, Deakin University offers short stay accommodation at Sherwood Park, which is a short walk from our Sherwood Park campus or there is a train service to the Warrnambool City Centre. Click here to find out more.
Portland has a range of caravan parks a short walk from our campus which provides affordable options.
The payment of your training fees depends on the industrial award under which you are employed and your employment agreement. Speak to your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP) to find out more.
Trade Support Loans and Training Support Payments for eligible Australian apprentices can help with the costs of living and learning while undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship, find out more here.
Some of the other initiatives currently available across Victoria include:
Contact your ACAP for information on Living Away from Home Allowance and car registration. Also contact Centrelink when you commence your work contract to see what you may be eligible for. You need to provide any concession cards on enrolment.
The apprentice Employee Assistance Program offers apprentices and trainees in Victoria with free, confidential short-term counselling and coaching for a range of health and wellbeing matters. No doctor's referral is needed. Support is delivered by an independent partner. Find out more here.
Any questions about your apprenticeship should be directed to your ACAP.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has a great tool called Pay Calculator. It helps you to calculate the base rates of pay for a particular job. It also has information about pay and conditions, and entitlements. Your situation will be unique so make sure you check your relevant award.
Superannuation is money set aside over your lifetime to provide for your retirement and is generally paid by your employer. The superannuation guarantee hotline (13 10 20) provides free information and referral on matters relating to superannuation.
WorkSafe Victoria has some good information about workplace safety and what to do if you get injured in the workplace. Find out more about claims.
The Victorian Registrations and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) registers and monitors apprenticeships and traineeships in Victoria. It protects the interests of employers, apprentices and trainees in ensuring quality training is delivered with nationally recognised outcomes.
The VRQA write to both you and your employer confirming that the apprenticeship is completed when:
