Department of Trade, Employment and Training
Electrical Machine Repair
Apprenticeship
This qualification provides competencies to overhaul and repair motor, transformer and control gear including rewinding.
It is strongly recommended that the Exemplar or Ready Skills system is utilised for the recording of all "on-the-job" experience once the training contract has been registered with the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET).
It is strongly recommended that the Exemplar or Ready Skills system is utilised for the recording of all "on-the-job" experience once the training contract has been registered with the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET).
Contract mode
Full Time
Nominal term
48 months
Probation period
90 days
Implementation date
01/12/2025
ANZSCO
Electrician (General)
Qld declaration date
10/11/2025
Duration & probation details
Nominal Term - all apprenticeships have this timeframe on the contract.
Expected Duration - some apprenticeships include this amount of time it's reasonably expected someone could become competent and complete their Apprenticeship.
Apprentice's Training Plans are developed using the Expected Duration timeframe rather than the contract's Nominal Term.
Full-time
Yes
Part-time
Yes
Casual
No
School-based
Yes
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Casual NOT PERMITTED in Queensland
- School-based
The lodgment of a second training contract where one of the training contracts is full-time will be reviewed by the Department to determine if each of the parties to each training contract can meet their obligations. There must be a clear separation between the training and employment requirements for each training contract and must not be replicated through the one occupation only.
Part-time Electrotechnology apprenticeships may be considered so long as they substantially fulfil the requirements in the part-time criteria below.
Students in years 11 and 12 may be considered eligible to enter a school-based apprenticeship in Electrotechnology qualifications, so long as they substantially fulfil the requirements in the school-based criteria below.
- Training arrangements must be a minimum of 2 weeks, with a maximum of 4 weeks "off the job" release or the equivalent in an alternative format (for example, day release);
- The apprentice has completed the industry recognised minimum educational requirement, which constitutes the equivalent of year 10 with passes in a recognised course in English, Maths and Science; and
- The minimum direct supervision requirements are met, in accordance with the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013, section 279, (QLD); and
- The appropriate facilities and range of work can be provided by the employer, in accordance with the Further Education and Training Act 2014, section 56, (QLD); and
- Review relevant information relating to electrical apprentices on the Work Safe website.
- The signed commitment that upon completion of the part-time component the employer will articulate the apprentice into a full time apprenticeship..
Criteria for School-based apprenticeships in Electrotechnology qualifications
- The school based apprentice must complete the industry recognised minimum educational requirement, which constitutes the equivalent of year 10 with passes in a recognised course in English, Maths and Science.
- The minimum direct supervision requirements are met, in accordance with the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013, section 279, (QLD); and
- Maximum off-the-job (at college) training is 8 weeks (40 days) starting in year 11 over the next two years as a school-based electrical apprentice. This is reduced proportionally to 4 weeks (20 days) if commencing the start of year 12, (pro-rata for periods if less than this value), and
- No more than 20 days maximum off-the-job training (at college) is to be completed for each 12 month period of the school based apprenticeship, and
- No less than 10 days minimum off-the-job training (at college) is to be completed for each 12 month period of the school based apprenticeship, and
- The school-based apprentice will be in the workplace (on-the-job) a total of 600 hours (80 days) undertaking paid employment, for each year of the school-based apprenticeship, (while not exceeding a combined yearly total of 100 days ON and OFF the job), and
- The appropriate facilities and range of work can be provided by the employer, in accordance with the Further Education and Training Act 2014, section 56, (QLD); and
- The signed commitment that upon completion of the school based component the employer will articulate the apprentice into a full time apprenticeship.
- It is appropriate to review relevant information similar to Safety In The Workplace on the DTETwebsite.
Other requirements for school-based:
Conversion upon leaving school
Upon signing a training contract for school-based apprentices and trainees, employers are committing to convert their school-based apprentices or trainees to full-time at the point where the student completes schooling in year 12 or earlier. The Department undertakes annual conversion of school-based training contracts when students complete year 12 at the end of each year, unless informed otherwise. Please contact Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210 for further information.
Delivery of training to school-based apprentices
Limits have been imposed on the amount of institutional training which may be delivered to school-based apprentices, based on the nominal term of a full time training contract. The limit for this apprenticeship in a school-based mode is a maximum of 33.3% of the competencies.
Upon signing a training contract for school-based apprentices and trainees, employers are committing to convert their school-based apprentices or trainees to full-time at the point where the student completes schooling in year 12 or earlier. The Department undertakes annual conversion of school-based training contracts when students complete year 12 at the end of each year, unless informed otherwise. Please contact Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210 for further information.
Delivery of training to school-based apprentices
Limits have been imposed on the amount of institutional training which may be delivered to school-based apprentices, based on the nominal term of a full time training contract. The limit for this apprenticeship in a school-based mode is a maximum of 33.3% of the competencies.
Funded Apprenticeship or Traineeship
No
The Queensland Government funds Skills Assure suppliers (SRTOs) for the provision of services to eligible apprentices and trainees.
For more information, please visit the department's Apprenticeships and Traineeships website.
Minimum education standard
See Notes
Completion of Year 10 is recommended for entry under full-time arrangements.
For entry under part-time or school-based arrangements note specific criteria outlined above under Available Contract Modes.
For entry under part-time or school-based arrangements note specific criteria outlined above under Available Contract Modes.
Minimum entry age
15
This industry has a minimum entry age of 15 years.
Entry requirements
As a general rule, only Australian citizens and New Zealand citizens who have entered Australia on a valid passport have unrestricted rights to employment in Australia.
Visa holders may engage in apprenticeships or traineeships provided their work rights allows this, based on information and advice provided by the Australian Government.
Visa holders may engage in apprenticeships or traineeships provided their work rights allows this, based on information and advice provided by the Australian Government.
Specific Supervision requirements
Section 279 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 states the following requirements for the supervision of a 'training person'.
A 'training person' means a person who is undertaking, but has not finished an apprenticeship under the Further Education and Training Act 2014, in a calling that requires the person to perform electrical work.
279 Duties of person conducting a business or undertaking about supervising training person
(1) A person conducting a business or undertaking that employs a training person who has not finished 6 months of the person’s apprenticeship or training program must ensure the training person does not work -
(a) in the immediate vicinity of a live high voltage exposed part; or
(b) where there is a risk the training person could come into contact with a live low voltage exposed part.
Maximum penalty - 40 penalty units.
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply to a training person performing duties as a safety observer if -
(a) the training person is a safety observer and has been capable of being a safety observer for at least 1 year immediately before the start of the training person’s apprenticeship or training program; and
(b) the person conducting a business or undertaking keeps a written record of the assessment mentioned in schedule 9, definition safety observer, paragraph (c) for the training person.
(3) A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that a training person who performs electrical work is supervised at all times by a licensed electrical worker licensed to perform the work.
Maximum penalty - 40 penalty units.
(4) The level of supervision required under subsection (3) must be appropriate, having regard to -
(a) the type of electrical work performed; and
(b) the adequacy of the training person’s training; and
(c) the competency of the training person.
The level of supervision requirements align with the Departments general requirements for supervision.
General Supervision requirements
Please refer to the Declaration policy, table 15 for the requirements on supervision.
Modified supervision arrangements available: NO
Employers are required to provide, or arrange to provide the facilities, range of work, supervision and training as detailed in the training plan.
Qualified person for apprenticeships
1. A person who has satisfactorily completed an apprenticeship in the apprentice's calling in Australia, and is the holder of a completion certificate issued under an Act, or
2. A person who holds a certificate of recognition issued under an Australian Act, certifying the person has the necessary skills and knowledge in the calling, or
3. An Australian tradesperson in the apprentice's calling, as defined under a specific industrial instrument, or
4. A New Zealand tradesperson in the apprentice's calling whose occupation may be recognised under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (Queensland) Act 2003, or
5. A person who holds a relevant qualification in the apprenticeship calling, or
6. A person individually, or persons collectively, who has/have documented competence (i.e. a testamur/qualification and associated record of results or a statement of attainment as recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework, achieved through an RPL or training pathway) in all the competencies the employer is required to provide training for under the apprentice's training plan.
And, where a worker is required to have a licence to practice the calling/occupation, the qualified person holds a current workers licence.
While there is no set ratio required for the number of supervisors to apprentices or trainees it is generally accepted for apprenticeships there is one supervisor to each apprentice, this may be relaxed as an apprentice gains skills and experience or where an apprentice commences with existing skills and experience.
Adequate supervision of apprentices and trainees cannot solely be provided from an offsite location by electronic means. Electronic means include, but are not limited to, telephones, radios and webcams.
Licensing requirements - An electrical licenced outcome is a result of this program.
Section 279 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 states the following requirements for the supervision of a 'training person'.
A 'training person' means a person who is undertaking, but has not finished an apprenticeship under the Further Education and Training Act 2014, in a calling that requires the person to perform electrical work.
279 Duties of person conducting a business or undertaking about supervising training person
(1) A person conducting a business or undertaking that employs a training person who has not finished 6 months of the person’s apprenticeship or training program must ensure the training person does not work -
(a) in the immediate vicinity of a live high voltage exposed part; or
(b) where there is a risk the training person could come into contact with a live low voltage exposed part.
Maximum penalty - 40 penalty units.
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply to a training person performing duties as a safety observer if -
(a) the training person is a safety observer and has been capable of being a safety observer for at least 1 year immediately before the start of the training person’s apprenticeship or training program; and
(b) the person conducting a business or undertaking keeps a written record of the assessment mentioned in schedule 9, definition safety observer, paragraph (c) for the training person.
(3) A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that a training person who performs electrical work is supervised at all times by a licensed electrical worker licensed to perform the work.
Maximum penalty - 40 penalty units.
(4) The level of supervision required under subsection (3) must be appropriate, having regard to -
(a) the type of electrical work performed; and
(b) the adequacy of the training person’s training; and
(c) the competency of the training person.
The level of supervision requirements align with the Departments general requirements for supervision.
General Supervision requirements
Please refer to the Declaration policy, table 15 for the requirements on supervision.
Modified supervision arrangements available: NO
Employers are required to provide, or arrange to provide the facilities, range of work, supervision and training as detailed in the training plan.
Qualified person for apprenticeships
1. A person who has satisfactorily completed an apprenticeship in the apprentice's calling in Australia, and is the holder of a completion certificate issued under an Act, or
2. A person who holds a certificate of recognition issued under an Australian Act, certifying the person has the necessary skills and knowledge in the calling, or
3. An Australian tradesperson in the apprentice's calling, as defined under a specific industrial instrument, or
4. A New Zealand tradesperson in the apprentice's calling whose occupation may be recognised under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (Queensland) Act 2003, or
5. A person who holds a relevant qualification in the apprenticeship calling, or
6. A person individually, or persons collectively, who has/have documented competence (i.e. a testamur/qualification and associated record of results or a statement of attainment as recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework, achieved through an RPL or training pathway) in all the competencies the employer is required to provide training for under the apprentice's training plan.
And, where a worker is required to have a licence to practice the calling/occupation, the qualified person holds a current workers licence.
While there is no set ratio required for the number of supervisors to apprentices or trainees it is generally accepted for apprenticeships there is one supervisor to each apprentice, this may be relaxed as an apprentice gains skills and experience or where an apprentice commences with existing skills and experience.
Adequate supervision of apprentices and trainees cannot solely be provided from an offsite location by electronic means. Electronic means include, but are not limited to, telephones, radios and webcams.
Licensing requirements - An electrical licenced outcome is a result of this program.
Declaration Policy
This Policy outlines the regulatory requirements for parties involved in the training to ensure that the apprentice or trainee receives quality training as agreed under the training plan.
Norfolk Island Policy
Specific amendments to the Declaration Policy for apprenticeships and Traineeships on Norfolk Island.
School-based Policy
This policy sets out the requirements specific to school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) in Queensland and on Norfolk Island.
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Restricted callings
Restrictions apply to the rights of employers to appoint staff under the age of 18 to certain jobs, or "callings".
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Industrial relations
Industrial relations protect apprentices' rights, ensure fair wages, resolve disputes, and promote safe, supportive workplaces.
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User Choice in Qld
The User Choice program provides a public funding contribution towards the cost of training and assessment for eligible Queensland apprentices and trainees.
Last Updated: May 2026