Thinking of starting a career in building and construction?

You’ve come to the right place.

Apprenticeships start careers

Master Builders is here to help you become a quality apprentice of trainee. There has never been a better time to start or continue your apprenticeship or traineeship. Building & Construction is Australia’s 2nd largest industry and 3rd largest employer. *

Did you know 1 in 10 people in Australia are employed in the construction industry?

Take your place in one of Australia’s largest industries and become a Master Builders apprentice. Within our building community, you will be supported by our team of industry experts to help you throughout your apprenticeship. With Master Builders you have options.

What is the difference between an apprenticeship and a traineeship?

A traineeship is a structured program that combines employment and training allowing trainees to earn while they learn. Distinct from apprenticeships, which are often associated with trades, traineeships cover a broader range of industries and occupations from business and finance to healthcare and IT. Traineeship are usually shorter in duration than apprenticeships and are typically over one to two years.

*Master Builders Australia

What you need to get started

The most important place to start an apprenticeship is choosing a trade. This isn’t always an easy choice to make as there are so many options available to you. Actions that may assist your decision making include:

Read inspring stories from our apprentices here. Or watch their videos on YouTube.

Which trade is right for me?

Not sure what trade is right for you? 

We can help you choose your trade. Each trade offers something different.  Each trade teaches you different skills.  And each trade has a different pathway. 

Where can yourtrade qualification lead you?

Your trade can lead you on a career pathway to being a licensed builder or into a management role. Click below to see the suggested career pathway.

Landscape Gardening

Shop Fitting

Plumbing

Roof Plumbing

Wall & Floor Tiling

Painter & Decorator

Cabinet Making

Carpentry

Bricklaying

The Benefits

The benefits of an apprenticeship or traineeship

Earn while you learn
Receive a nationally recognised qualification
Receive structured training that can be on-the-job, off-the-job, or a combination of both
Gain recognition for existing skills and prior experience
Flexible options - full-time, part-time, or school-based apprenticeship and traineeship
Provides solid skills and knowledge base that forms a great foundation for multiple career pathways

Commercial Vs Residential

Commercial

Working as an apprentice on a commercial site, you will be a key player in the construction of high end complex commercial or industrial builds alongside multiple different contractors. You will be involved in fit outs, formwork, interior/exterior wall construction and partition and ceiling installation. Additionally, you will work with non-wood materials such as steel, concrete, fiberglass and plastic. You will obtain the ability to operate standard carpentry tools, machinery and other specialised fit for purpose equipment. 

Residential

A residential site has people who specialise in new-home or renovation construction. Working as an apprentice on a residential site, you would be involved in framing and finishing exterior walls, roofing, and decking as well as setting floors and building stairs. Residential housing usually has between one and four residential units. This includes a single-family home, a townhouse, mobile home, or a multiplex building.

Why Choose Master Builders?

Frequently Asked Questions

If you can not find what you are looking for, contact us with a specific question.
Most work sites are not near any form of public transport, so it is important that you have your own form of transportation. You could be working at 1 job site for 3 months or 12 months or you could be working across multiple job sites. While a drivers licence is not mandatory, it is more difficult to find suitable employment for apprentices that do not have a drivers licence or access to their own form of transportation. We prefer to match our apprentice with Host Employers where there is a project being built in a 40km radius of where they live to reduce travel times.
To be considered for an Apprenticeship or Traineeship position with Master Builders, all Candidates must apply online for an Apprenticeship or Traineeship via the Master Builders website (https://mbagto.jobreadygateway.com.au/users/sign_in ) or have successfully completed a Master Builders Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Candidates will be asked to register their application online, this will include completing contact details, sociocultural demographics, details about the preferred occupations the candidate is interested in, previous school level and qualifications and licences held, and other job/industry relevant questions.  Candidates will also be required to upload a resume, a copy of their White Card (General Construction Induction Card) and identification documents. Master Builders will undertake an initial evaluation of online applications that are received to determine potential suitability and matching with existing vacancies. Candidates will be contracted to advise if they are successful in progressing to the next stage in the application process.
Australian Apprentices are entitled to receive wages and conditions under an appropriate award, approved enterprise agreement, or national minimum wage and National Employment Standards. Your Award will cover:
  • Base rates of pay, including piecework rates
  • Types of employment (e.g. full-time, part-time, casual)
  • Overtime and penalty rates
  • Work arrangements (e.g. rosters, variations to working hours)
  • Annualised wage or salary arrangements
  • Allowances (e.g. travel allowances)
  • Leave, leave loading and taking leave
  • Superannuation
  • Procedures for consultation, representation, and dispute settlement
  • Outworkers
  • An industry-specific redundancy scheme
Details of the relevant award conditions are provided in the table below.
Award Covers
Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2020 (MA000020) https://awardviewer.fwo.gov.au/award/show/MA000020
  • Carpentry
  • Bricklaying
  • Joiner
  • Formwork/Falsework
  • Plasterer
  • Landscaper
  • Painter
  • Plant Mechanic
  • Metal Fabricator
  • Waterproof Traineeship
Plumbing and Fire Sprinkler Award 2020 (MA000036) http://awardviewer.fwo.gov.au/award/show/MA000036
  • Plumber
  • Roof Plumber
Joinery and Building Trades Award 2020 (MA000029) http://awardviewer.fwo.gov.au/award/show/MA000029
  • Shop Fitter
Clerks – Private Sector Award 2020 (MA000002) http://awardviewer.fwo.gov.au/award/show/MA000002
  • Business Services – Business Certificate III
  • Business Services – IV
Timber Industry Award 2020 (MA000071) http://awardviewer.fwo.gov.au/award/show/MA000071
  • Cabinet Maker
  • Furniture
  • Timber Trainee
Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 (MA000010) http://awardviewer.fwo.gov.au/award/show/MA000010
  • Wood Machinist
Once working, you will receive a pay slip that includes details such as the period of employment to which the pay relates, the hours worked (including any overtime), gross pay, tax deducted, other deductions and net pay. The Fair Work Ombudsman also has a great tool called PayCheck. It helps you to calculate the base rates of pay for a particular job.
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) allow senior high school students to commence an apprenticeship or traineeship while at school. School-based apprentices undertake the first stage of their apprenticeship training before the end of the HSC year. School-based trainees complete their traineeship by the end of their HSC year. SBATs work part-time. Both the on-the-job and off-the-job training undertaken by school-based apprentices/trainees contributes to their HSC. Typically, a school-based apprentice undertakes a two-year HSC program, which will result in the apprentice completing the first year of their trade qualification. After completing the HSC, the apprentice will have between 2 and 3 years of full-time employment as an apprentice, depending on the qualification. For construction, while at school, the school-based apprentice must complete a minimum of 144 days of paid employment. The days must be completed by 31 December of the HSC Year. The days of employment each week or term may vary and will be dependent on the Apprentice/Trainee, the Host Employer, and the School. SBATs may complete the work requirement of their school-based apprenticeship during school time, after school, on weekends, during school holidays, and if required, after the HSC examinations (until the 31 December of the year they will complete their HSC). Master Builders will liaise with the Apprentice/Trainee, the Host Employer and the School to determine an appropriate arrangement for on-the-job training and formal RTO training delivery and assessment. Employment terms and conditions for SBAT Apprentices/Trainees are subject to the provisions of the relevant Award conditions. See https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/students/career-and-study-pathways/school-based-apprenticeships-and-traineeships/getting-started/sbat-faq  for more information on school-based apprenticeships/traineeships
An Australian Apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn. It combines paid work with study so that you gain real-work skills and a formal qualification. An apprenticeship is usually three and a half to four years in duration and is your pathway to becoming a qualified trades person. As an apprentice, you will work for an employer who teaches you the skills needed to start your careers.  While working for your employer you will:
  • Be paid to learn
  • Gain on-the-job skills and experience
  • Study with a training provide and gain a qualification
  • Be able to access financial support
You can undertake an Australian Apprenticeship as a school leaver, if you are an adult re-entering the workforce or simply just looking for a career change. You can even begin an Australian Apprenticeship while finishing secondary school under a school-based apprenticeship arrangement. Note: If you are under 18 years old you will need approval from a parent or legal guardian.
Here are just some of the reasons why an apprenticeship pathway might be right for you
  • Earn while you learn
  • Achieve a nationally recognised qualification
  • Become a qualified tradesperson
  • Great work-life balance
  • Flexible options to suit your lifestyle
  • Practical hands-on experience
  • Your learning is skills based, not academic
  • Industry growth and job security
  • No student loans

Register Interest

Pre-Apprenticeship Training Programs are held at the Master Builders Education Centre in Norwest.

Master Builders Programs

Thank you for your interest in our Master Builders Programs. By filling out this online form a Master Builders recruitment team member will respond within 48 hours.

School Leaver Apprenticeship Program

Thank you for your interest in our Master Builders Programs. By filling out this online form a Master Builders recruitment team member will respond within 48 hours.
Name(Required)

Register Your Interest to Offer Work Experience Opportunities

Name
Type of Work(Required)
Size of Company
Do you Currently Employ Apprentices(Required)
Have you had Work experience students in the past?(Required)
Reason for your interest in work experience placements?(Required)
Preferred Time of Year(Required)
Are You a Member of Master Builders Association?(Required)

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Definitions

This document outlines the direct debit arrangements between Master Builders Association of NSW Pty Ltd, ABN 11 074 397 532 (MBANSW) and you.

MBANSW is the registered Group Training Organisation and Apprenticeship Services arm of Master Builders Association of New South Wales, ABN 96 550 042 906 (Master Builders)

“You”, “your” and “Host Employer” refer to you, your company and business nominated in the table below.

This document outlines the direct debit arrangements between MBANSW and you.

Direct Debit Terms and Conditions

  • Your nominated account or credit card will be debited weekly for hosting a MBAS or MBAS+ apprentice or trainee.
  • The first debit to your account will occur within 7 working days of the MBAS or MBAS+ apprentice or trainee commencing their placement with your business.
  • If an invoice payment is due on a non-business day, it will be debited from your account on the following business day.
  • Host Employer account information held by MBANSW will be kept confidential. Please note that some information is provided to the MBANSW financial institution to initiate the debit to your nominated account.
  • MBANSW will give you a minimum of 14 days’ notice in writing of changes to these Terms and Conditions.
  • If you wish to make changes to this arrangement, please contact MBANSW on (02) 8586 3533.

Your responsibility in this arrangement

  • Ensure that your nominated account can accept direct debits (your financial institution can confirm this).
  • Ensure there are sufficient cleared funds in the nominated account on the drawing date.
  • Advise MBANSW in writing if the nominated account is transferred or closed.


Please note that if your payment is dishonoured by your financial institution, a re-draw will take place within 7 days.

Any transaction fees payable by MBANSW in respect to a dishonoured payment will be added to your account.

Enquiries

Please direct all enquiries to MBAS (02) 8586 3533 or apprenticeship@mbansw.asn.au;

Please include your phone and email address.

I/We authorise MBANSW to arrange for funds to be debited from my/our nominated account at the financial institution identified below.

This authority to direct debit will remain in place in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.