Perth Apprenticeships: How to Find and Apply for One
An apprenticeship is a paid job combined with formal training, not a course you complete first and hope will lead to work later. The most direct starting point is to search current apprenticeships in Perth, approach employers and group training organisations, and contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for the formal setup.
Last fact-checked: 27 August 2026. Fees, wage rates and regulatory requirements can change. Follow the linked government source before paying or applying.
WA apprenticeship activity has fallen from its 2022 peak
2021 40,385
2022 44,060
2023 40,950
2024 38,880
2025 35,760
NCVER, contracts in training at 31 December, all occupations. The 2025 total was 8.0% below 2024 and 18.8% below the 2022 peak. Cancellations can include people who later recommence with another employer.
The decline does not mean there are no opportunities. NCVER reported that trade commencements improved across all jurisdictions between the December quarters of 2024 and 2025, with WA among the strongest percentage increases. It does mean candidates should use more than one channel and apply throughout the year rather than waiting for a single “apprenticeship season”.
Four ways to find a Perth apprenticeship
- Apply to a direct employer. Search advertised roles and approach businesses that employ the occupation you want. Tailor the application to the work, not just the qualification.
- Use a Group Training Organisation (GTO). The GTO employs the apprentice and places them with host employers. This can create continuity where one small business cannot provide the full range of training.
- Contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider. This is a free national service and a required participant in setting up the formal apprenticeship and training contract.
- Complete a relevant pre-apprenticeship where it solves a real gap. It can demonstrate commitment and basic skills, but it is not an employment guarantee. Check fees and outcomes before enrolling.
What the formal process looks like
| Stage | Who is involved | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Find the occupation and employer | Candidate, direct employer or GTO | A genuine paid position |
| Contact a provider | Apprentice Connect Australia Provider | Eligibility guidance and sign-up support |
| Sign training contract | Apprentice, employer, provider and parent/guardian where required | A legally binding employment and training arrangement |
| Select training provider | Employer, apprentice and provider | Registered off-the-job training linked to the qualification |
| Work and train | Employer, RTO and apprentice | Paid experience plus progress toward a nationally recognised qualification |
Build an application around evidence
Most first-year applicants cannot offer years of trade experience. Employers can still assess reliability, safety awareness, practical interest and the ability to learn. Use a one- or two-page resume and include evidence such as:
- school subjects, VET units or a relevant pre-apprenticeship;
- work experience, volunteering or projects involving tools, customers or physical work;
- a driver's licence and reliable transport where the role starts early or moves between sites;
- required safety credentials, but only when they are relevant;
- two referees who can speak about attendance, effort and behaviour.
For construction pathways, compare Perth trade and construction jobs. For heavy mechanical, electrical and resources pathways, monitor mining jobs across WA as well as metropolitan workshops and contractors. Do not assume an entry-level mine role is automatically an apprenticeship.
Pay, costs and incentives
Apprentice wages depend on the applicable modern award, WA award, enterprise agreement, occupation, age, year or stage and whether the person finished Year 12. Use the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool or Wageline after identifying which industrial relations system applies. A generic “first-year apprentice rate” quoted without those inputs may be wrong.
Incentives also change and may apply to specific occupations or cohorts. Use the official Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Explorer and ask the Apprentice Connect provider to assess eligibility. Do not choose an occupation solely because an advertisement mentions a payment.
What the outcomes evidence says
NCVER's 2025 outcomes survey covered 24,291 apprentices and trainees who trained during 2024. Employment-related reasons were the main motivation for 56.2% of completers and 60.3% of non-completers. The most common individual reason was wanting to work in that type of job. That supports a practical application strategy: show why the occupation fits you, not simply why you want any paid training position.