The Fair Work Ombudsman has just commenced an education and compliance campaign focusing on apprentices.

The campaign will comprise a minimum of 700 audits of employers nationally and will check compliance with minimum employment entitlements and provide advice on the range of tools available to assist employers with their workplace relations obligations.

The campaign will focus on the following trades:

• Automotive

- Mechanic, including light vehicle, heavy vehicle and motorcycle

- Vehicle body, including panel beating, painting

- Auto Electrician

• Electrical Services

- Electrician (electrical contracting)

- Electronic Equipment Technician

• Manufacturing

- Metal trades (fabrication) including welder, boilermaker, sheet metal

- Metal trades (mechanical) including fitter/turner and refrigeration/air-conditioning mechanic

- Joiner & Cabinetmaker

- Shopfitter

- Furniture making and finishing

• Meat Industry - Butchers

• Retail trades – Bakers, Pastrycooks

• Hairdressing

Employers included in this campaign will be audited against the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009, the Fair Work Regulations and the applicable industrial instrument, namely:

• Record-keeping;

• Pay slips;

• Ordinary rates of pay;

• Penalty rates/Overtime; and

• Allowances/Loadings

In addition, the campaign will provide advice on contemporary issues including: 

• Payment for time spent in off-the-job training, and where applicable

• Competency based progression

• Reimbursement for training fees as per the recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) Full Bench decision

Further information can be found at www.fairwork.gov.au/apprentices

Click here to view the media release on the campaign.