How to Deal With Problems

Most apprentices and trainees enjoy their training but sometimes problems do occur. If you are experiencing a problem the best thing to do is to seek advice. 

Help with common problems

• I am not happy with my training
• I am being harassed or discriminated against
• I think I am being underpaid
• I think my workplace might be unsafe
• My employer says my work is not good enough
• I want to  terminate my training contract
• I need to attend a proceeding

I am not happy with my training

I am being harassed or discriminated against

Remember: harassment or discrimination is wrong, often illegal, and you don't have to put up with it. The best thing you can do is talk to someone about it. These people can help:

• your Apprenticeship Field Officer (AFO)
• student counsellors at TAFE or your training provider
• your employer, manager or a work mate you think may be able to help
• your family and friends
• your trade union
• Job Watch - a community legal centre specialising in Victorian employment and training law

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I think I am being underpaid

If you have a dispute with your employer over wages:

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I think my workplace might be unsafe

No one should work in unsafe or dangerous conditions. For more information on workplace safety and to find a contact person:

• visit the 'WorkSafe Victoria' website, or
• contact your trade union

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My employer says my work is not good enough

I want to terminate my training contract

There may be times when either an apprentice or their employer would like to terminate their training Contract. This decision should not be made solely by one party. Both the apprentice and their employer need to mutually consent to terminating the contract.

What is meant by Mutual Consent?

Mutual Consent only applies to apprenticeships and describes any agreement made by an apprentice and their employer as part of an apprenticeship training contract. The agreement may be to vary, extend or cancel their existing contract.

Mutual consent makes sure that an agreement can be reached and the training contract made without external influences or obligations, either positive or negative.

To ensure that there is mutual consent when terminating a training contact, both the apprentice and employer must:

• download the guide below
• send a written submission or complete a request to mutually cancel the training contract to the Victorian Skills Commission. (Your Apprenticeship Field Officer will help you process this).

If mutual consent cannot be reached,contact your Apprenticeship Field Officer or Call the Victorian Apprenticeship Administration Information Line on 1300 722 603.

Download the guide

Mutual Consent (PDF - 364KB)A guide that provides apprentices and their employers advice on what mutual consent is and what procedures to follow.

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I need to attend a proceeding

As in any working relationship, questions or disagreements can sometimes arise between an apprentice and their employer during the training contract period.

A proceeding gives both the apprentice and their employer a way of resolving any differences or issues they may have, by giving each of them an equal opportunity to have their say.

Both parties put forward their point of view to an independent third party delegate who then decides on how best to resolve the dispute, based on the circumstances.

All decisions made at a proceeding are in accordance with the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, Part 5.5 Clause 5.5.17.

Download the guide

Apprenticeship Disputes: Your Guide to Proceedings (PDF - 232KB)A guide that provides advice on the dispute resolution process for apprentices and their employers.

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