There is nothing better than getting the apprenticeship you want. But no matter how excited you are to start the job, it pays to pay close attention to your employment terms and conditions.

Workplace Health & Safety
Your employer has a legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of all workers including yourself. Likewise you have a responsibility to follow instructions, and to be mindful of your own safely and that of others.

Full-Time Work
Full-time work requires you to work 38 hours per week and receive wages and other employment conditions identified in your award or agreement. Most apprentices work full-time, with one day out of five typically utilised for paid off-the-job training. Your times and hours of off-the-job training will be set by agreement between your employer, your training provider and yourself.

Work Hours
The award working week in the building industry is 38 hours Monday to Friday. Ordinary working hours are between 7.00am and 6.00pm. Most employers start at 7.00am and finish at 3.30pm. Employees are entitled to a paid rest period of 10 minutes taken between 9.00am and 10.00am and an unpaid meal break (not less than 30 minutes) taken between 12pm and 1.00pm.

Overtime
If you work more than the prescribed number of hours per day (usually 8) you are entitled to be paid overtime. If you are under 18 years of age you cannot be required to work overtime if you choose not to. Overtime is paid for at the rate of

Award Allowances
These are additional payments made to you beyond the minimum award wage, typically if you undertake certain tasks such as using your own tools or performing work under adverse conditions. Common types of allowances include:
i. Industry allowance (paid to most workers to compensate for adverse conditions associated with construction work);
ii. Meal allowance (a payment if you work overtime which compensates you for the cost of a meal);
iii. Shift allowance (compensates you for working during non-standard hours);
iv. Tool allowance;
v. Fares and travel allowance;