- Minister for Education and Training
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills the Hon Karen Andrews has expressed disappointment after a campaign revealed some businesses are not paying their apprentices properly.
The Fair Work Ombudsman released the finding of its National Apprenticeship Campaign which included 822 business being audited over two years.
The results of the campaign found that 32 per cent of audited businesses had failed to pay their apprentices correctly and 22 per cent did not comply with record-keeping and payslip requirements.
“There are no excuses for businesses not paying their workers properly, particularly apprentices,” Minister Andrews said.
“It is also disappointing that the Government’s hard work to reverse the decline in apprenticeships could be undermined by businesses not doing the right thing.
“I call on all employers to check their records and ensure that all employees, especially apprentices are paid in accordance with their proper entitlements,” Minister Andrews said.
The Department of Education and Training supported the campaign by conducting information sessions with the Australian Apprenticeships Support Network (AASN) providers, to highlight tools and resources the Fair Work Ombudsman provides for apprentices and employers.
The Turnbull Government is always working to assist apprentices within the workplace with initiatives like the recently released smartphone app, Record my Hours.
This helps apprentices keep an accurate work diary and export this data to their employer to resolve any misunderstandings that might arise around working hours.
Employers and employees can also refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to determine pay rates and check entitlements.
“I would encourage all apprentices to make the most of these tools and make sure they are certain of their entitlements within the workplace” said Minister Andrews.