Australian Apprenticeships include both apprenticeships and traineeships which combine practical work with structured learning and lead to a nationally recognised qualification. The ACT Government provide funding for apprenticeships and traineeships. A full list of the qualificatios they fund can be found online at ACT Qualifications Register. Skills Canberra manages funding for Australian Apprenticeships and a variety of programs related to the VET, higher education and adult community education sectors.
Australian Early Childhood College has approval to deliver traineeships in the ACT under our Training Initiative Funding Agreement. The following qualifications have been nominated and appear on the ACT qualifications register:
- CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Eligibilty
Skills Canberra releases information regarding the eligibility required to enter into an ACT training contract. Your eligibilty for a traineeship will be based upon information around employment status, age, citizenship, previous training experience, work location and weekly hours. To determine eligibility it is essential you speak to your employer. If you are unemployed and this is a pathway you would like to explore you can call our head office on 02 4822 7109 and we can provide background information for you. Employers and Managers are very welcome to call and we will provide any support available to us.
Fees and charges for Australian Apprenticeships
In the ACT RTOs are required to charge participants a fee for administration costs upon enrolment of the participant into an Australian Apprenticeship our cost is $350 per enrolment. These fees are set by Australian Early Childhood College and can be paid in instalments. In some cases students may be exempt from paying fees, there is a formal process in place to support the assessment of student eligibility for the waiving of fees and charges. Please contact our finance department on (02) 4822 7109 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please read our ACT Fee Structure Trainees for more information. See also our Fees and Refunds Policy.
Selecting an Australian Apprenticeship Network Provider (ANP)
In order to be a trainee in the ACT and to be eligible for funding, you must hold a contract with an employer, this is supported and managed by an ANP. ANPs are contracted by the Australian Government to provide free information and advice to employers, apprentices and trainees.
Previously students and employers have selected an ANP that operated in their region. The ACT has one organisation providing these services from 1 February 2020. Sarina Russo Apprenticeships is now the one-stop shop for anyone interested in commencing an Australian Apprenticeship in the ACT. Sarina Russo are receiving sign up requests by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phoning 1300 178 776.
More information about ANPs and their role can be found here.
Enrolment process
The enrolment process requires a number of steps which must be completed, including:
- eligibility assessment
- an initial skills assessment
- recognition of prior learning assessment
- training plan negotiation and development
For more details see our ACT enrolment page.
Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer
Students may be eligible for RPL or Credit Transfer. For more information on how to apply for this please see our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers page or contact us.
Suspending or cancelling training
Students are able to suspend or cancel their training if they wish to do so. Please contact the main office on 02 4822 7109 to find out how to do this.
Consumer protection information
We will ensure all students and potential students are well informed of their rights as consumers and given a clear avenue for complaint. Please refer to the following documents and links for further information or contact our main office on 02 4822 7109 for further information.
Australian Early Childhood College policies and procedures
- Code of Practice
- Access and Equity Policy
- Client Services Policy
- Privacy Policy
- Fees and Refunds Policy
- Appeals Policy
- Client Appeals Form
- Complaints Policy
- Client Complaints Form
Support and assistance for students
Australian Early Childhood College offers a variety of support for students including training and assessment resources, as well as assistance and advice for studying, or confidential personal support for students experiencing situations that make study difficult.
- Being a Recognition First student
- Student resources
- Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) information
- Personal support
Completion Payment
Trainees who successfully complete their qualification may be eligible for a completion payment of $300 from the ACT Government for up to one (1) year after successful completion.
To be eligible for the completion payment you need to meet the following criteria:
- you must not have completed 50% or more of your qualification through recognition of prior learning (RPL) or credit transfer
- you must complete and return a student completion survey
- you must add or confirm your bank account details through the AVETARS student portal
From 1 January 2019 if you have completed more than 50% of the units in your qualification through credit transfer as a result of changing Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and/or qualification or you commenced a training contract with a new employer within the same qualification you may be eligible for the completion payment.
For more information regarding the completion payment please contact Skills Canberra on 02 6205 8555.
Contact details
