Start your career journey with a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship

What are the benefits?

A SAT will help you to build practical skills in an adult learning environment, you’ll work alongside skilled professionals or tradespeople, and make a valuable connection with an employer.

SATs are designed to fit around your high school studies and you can earn while you’re working and learning.

Successful completion of a SAT can lead to direct entry to a related TAFE Queensland course (additional entry requirements may apply). It can also contribute to your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or add credits to your Queensland Certificate of Education (for eligible courses). Your SAT may also lead directly to full-time employment once you have graduated from high school.

Can I undertake a SAT?

Before you start your SAT journey, you need to check your eligibility. You must be enrolled in Years 10, 11 or 12 and there may be other entry requirements depending on your chosen course. It’s important that your school is prepared to support you on your journey as well.

How does the SAT journey begin?

Before you can get started, there are four key stakeholders involved in your school-based apprenticeship or traineeship: your school, your employer, the Queensland government (DTET) and your supervising registered training organisation (TAFE Queensland).

1. School: You'll need to gain approval from your school. They will work with your employer (or GTO) and TAFE Queensland to create your training schedule. In order to fit your SAT around your school studies, some of your paid employment and/or training will become part of your school timetable.
2. Employer: Once you've chosen your course, you will need to find an employer you can complete your apprenticeship or traineeship through. An employer can be found through your family or friends, by contacting businesses directly, using internet job search engines such as Seek, or going through a Group Training Organisation (GTO). A GTO will help you arrange your training and place you with a number of different host employers (instead of just one) where you will gain your on-the-job skills.
3. Queensland Government: They oversee the funding and compliance of your SAT.
4. TAFE Queensland: TAFE Queensland is your Supervising Registered Training Organisation and will help provide you with the knowledge, skills and training to drive you towards your career destination. 

How much will I earn during a SAT?

One of the best parts about the SAT journey is that you will get paid to gain the skills and experience to hit top gear in your future career.

As a school-based trainee or apprentice, your employer pays your wages while also paying for your education and training. How much you'll get paid will vary depending on the award you're employed under. You must be paid at least the minimum wage for your award for any time spent working for your employer. 

What SATs are available with TAFE Queensland?

TAFE Queensland offer training for SATs in a wide variety of careers. From aged care and allied health, beauty and hairdressing, community services to hospitality and cookery. You can also get hands-on experience in trade careers such as civil construction, automotive and engineering. Check out a list of courses available below. Interested in course that isn’t listed? Most certificate programs are able to be commenced as a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. Talk to our team to find out more.