Recent campaign revealed that more than half of the 822 audited businesses were not paying their apprentices properly. 

National Apprenticeship Campaign ran by the Fair Work Ombudsman revealed that 32 per cent of the audited businesses failed to pay their apprentices correctly. Moreover, 22 per cent did not comply with the record-keeping and payslip requirements. 

Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills the Hon Karen Andrews has expressed her disappointment with the recent campaign outcomes.  

“There are no excuses for businesses not paying their workers properly, particularly apprentices,” Minister Andrews said. 

“I call on all employers to check their records and ensure that all employees, especially apprentices are paid in accordance with their proper entitlements,” she added. 

Apprentices in Australia can take different measures to ensure proper payment and its methods. 

“Record my Hours” app has been released to assist apprentices in recording their hours of work through their smartphone. 

It helps apprentices to keep an accurate work diary, and the data may be exported to employers for proper payment and to resolve misunderstandings. 

Apprentices also has access to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to check their entitlements and determine proper pay rates. 

“I would encourage all apprentices to make the most of these tools and make sure they are certain of their entitlements within the workplace,” Minister Andrews said.