Hiring your first apprentice in Western Sydney? What to sort out before payday
If you run a building business in Campbelltown and your first apprentice starts on Monday, you’ll need more than their bank details by Friday. Who’s registering the apprenticeship? Which pay rate applies? And how will you record a day at TAFE?
Get the training paperwork moving
Contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider. They’ll help you and your apprentice complete the training contract and lodge it with Training Services NSW for approval. Confirm the award or agreement that applies and use Fair Work’s apprentice pay guidance to check the rate. Don’t assume every first-year apprentice is paid the same.
Record the TAFE day on the timesheet
If your full-time apprentice spends four days on site and one at trade school, that training day counts as paid time. Record it separately so it doesn’t get missed when you run payroll. Check the award for allowances and any training costs you need to reimburse.
Set up the pay run before Friday
If this is your first employee, register for PAYG withholding and set up Single Touch Payroll. Check your apprentice’s super eligibility, particularly if they’re under 18. For eligible employees, Payday Super applies, so allow for the super contribution when you work out what needs to be in the bank on payday.
Arrange NSW workers compensation cover before they start. The small employer exemption doesn’t apply when you employ an apprentice.