Free resources for Australian trade apprentices — calculators, guides and tools to help you through your apprenticeship and into your trade career.
A trade apprenticeship in Australia combines on-the-job training with formal study through a TAFE or registered training organisation. Apprenticeships typically take 3–4 years to complete, depending on the trade. You earn while you learn, with wages increasing each year as you progress through your competencies.
Electrician
4 years — includes licensing through the electrical regulator in your state
Plumber
4 years — includes licensing and specialised endorsements (gas, drainage, roofing)
Carpenter
3–4 years — covers formwork, framing, finishing and construction
Tiler
3–4 years — includes waterproofing certification
Painter
3–4 years — covers surface preparation, coatings and specialty finishes
Air conditioning & refrigeration mechanic
4 years — includes electrical and refrigeration licensing
Your apprenticeship is a mix of practical work on site and structured learning. In your first year, you will focus on basic skills, safety and tool handling. By your second and third years, you will take on more complex tasks with less supervision. Your final year is about refining your skills and preparing for licensing. You will also complete off-the-job training at TAFE, typically in blocks of one week every few months.
Keep a logbook of tasks and hours — your state licensing body will want evidence
Ask questions — tradespeople respect apprentices who want to learn
Look after your tools — quality tools last longer and make your work better
Understand quoting and costs early — it will help you when you go out on your own
Stay on top of your TAFE assignments — falling behind creates unnecessary stress
Network with other apprentices and trades — connections lead to future opportunities
Trade Up is FMN's free gamified learning hub built specifically for Australian trade apprentices. It helps you learn tradie terminology, test your knowledge and level up your skills — all from your phone, between jobs or on your lunch break.
Trade Up Dictionary
Learn tradie terminology with bite-sized definitions you can swipe through
Daily Challenges & Flashcards
Test your knowledge across your trade with daily questions and flashcard decks
Site Situations
Practice responding to real-world scenarios you will face on site
Toolie Wisdom Cards
Quick tips and trade wisdom from Toolie, the FMN mascot
Missions & Achievements
Complete learning missions and earn achievements as you progress
Level Progression
Level up from Apprentice I to Head Foreman as you complete challenges
Trade Up is available free inside the FMN app. Open the Apprentice Hub to start learning, or explore our free tradie tools while you are here.
Skip the manual work
Most trade apprenticeships in Australia take 3–4 years to complete. Electricians and plumbers typically complete 4-year apprenticeships, while carpenters, tilers and painters take 3–4 years. The exact duration depends on how quickly you complete your competency requirements.
First-year apprentice wages vary by trade and award. Under the modern award system, apprentices are paid a percentage of the qualified tradesperson rate — typically starting around 50–55% in the first year and increasing each year as you progress. Check your relevant modern award on the Fair Work Commission website for exact current rates.
Yes, most apprenticeships require structured off-the-job training through a TAFE or registered training organisation (RTO). This is usually delivered in block releases — one week every few months — or one day per week during the TAFE semester.
Yes. FMN offers free calculators and resources that apprentices can use to learn about quoting, estimating and job costs. The Apprentice Hub inside the FMN app provides additional learning resources, tradie terminology guides and interactive tools.