The 1000 NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program
The NSW Government commitment to employ an additional 1000 apprentices and trainees across NSW Government agencies and State Owned Corporations over three years, until 30 June 2026.
Round Two of the Program will support up to 440 additional apprenticeship and traineeship roles.
Looking for a new career?
Applications are now open.
The NSW Government is offering exciting apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities for individuals eager to grow in their chosen fields.
You could:
- earn and learn on the job
- access excellent career opportunities and industry experience
- gain support from highly experienced and skilled industry professionals
- build hands-on, practical experience
- earn nationally recognised qualifications.
Meet some of our current government trainees
Meet NSW government trainees
Apprentice and trainee pay rates
Apprenticeship and traineeship earnings:
All apprentices and trainees must be employed under an appropriate award or industrial arrangement.
Below is the example of a trainee who is paid under the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2022) Award.
Industry/Skill Level A (Arts Administration, Business (Office Admin), Clerical Admin, Communications (call centres), Financial Services, Information Technology, Public Admin, Sports and Recreation.
Wage effective 01/07/2023 *Subject to change
| Year 12 - Highest Year of Schooling Completed | Weekly wage |
|---|---|
| School Leaver | 473.40 |
| Plus 1 year out of school | 552.10 |
| Plus 2 years | 640.50 |
| Plus 3 years | 732.70 |
| School Based Traineeship - per hour | 14.07 |
For more on rates and entitlements for apprentices and trainees see:
- Education.NSW - What should I be paid? (nsw.gov.au)
- Apprentice and trainee pay rates - Fair Work Ombudsman
- Trainee entitlements - Fair Work Ombudsman
- Apprentice entitlements -Fair Work Ombudsman
- NSW State Awards - NSW Office Industrial Relations
Also see Roles and responsibilities of apprentices and trainees
How to apply
For Jobseekers
If you are seeking a full-time apprenticeship and traineeship opportunity in the NSW public sector, please Apply Now and/or go to iworkfor.nsw.gov.au or your favourite job search engine for additional positions.
Information for NSW public sector employers only
The program will position the NSW public sector as a leader in the employment of apprentices and trainees, and directly play a role in addressing skills shortages across NSW.
The long-term policy aim is to build capacity within NSW Government agencies and State Owned Corporations to utilise apprenticeships and traineeships as an alternative recruitment pathway to meet their skills needs.
How it will be delivered.
This initiative will be delivered by supporting NSW Government agencies and State-Owned Corporations to hire additional apprentices and trainees through a range of activities including:
- Direct funding support for NSW Government and State-Owned Corporations to employ the additional apprentices and trainees.
- Specialised support for NSW government agencies and State Owned Corporations unfamiliar with recruiting and supporting apprentices and trainees.
- Pre-employment training where required, to develop a pool of suitable apprentice or trainee candidates for referral to roles within NSW public sector agencies.
- Training for staff who supervise apprentices and trainees to improve quality of supervision and workplace training and assessment.
- Training for apprentices and trainees to prepare them to apply for ongoing roles as they come to the end of their apprenticeship or traineeship.
- Alternative Trade Pathways Training where required, to increase the number of qualified tradespeople within NSW Government departments and State Owned Corporations. This will improve the capacity of organisations to employ apprentices.
- Supervisor Workshops for workplace supervisors to be upskilled to better manage apprentices and trainees in their workplace.
Why you should look at traineeships to meet your staff skills needs
Trainee Explainer for Employers
Round three applications
Employer applications for FY2025/26 are targeted to open in May 2025.
How to participate in the program:
NSW Government agencies and State Owned Corporations can seek more information on the support available to employ an apprentice or trainee by contacting 1000nswgovtaandt@det.nsw.edu.au.