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Training and traineeships

‘Approved classifications’ under the Public Service Classification Rules 2000 (the Classification Rules) include the following training classifications:

Graduate APS
Cadet APS
Cadet APS (Research Scientist)
Trainee APS (Administrative)
Trainee APS (Technical)
Apprentice APS (Trades).

The duties of a training classification must include a requirement to undergo training.

The Public Service Act 1999 (the Act) does not impose any requirements on the length of training to be undertaken. This may be determined by the employing agency after considering factors such as:

the nature of the training duties that are assigned
whether the training is part of a particular prescribed scheme or training package
if the training is covered by an award or training agreement with a registered training provider
any relevant agency agreement provisions.

An agency head may engage a person as an ongoing APS employee in an ongoing training classification. In accordance with clause 4.2 of the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 1999, the opportunity to apply for such employment must have been open to all eligible members of the community.

On successful completion of training determined by the agency head, the trainee must be allocated an appropriate operational classification as listed in Schedule 2 of the Classification Rules. This is not a promotion.

A trainee’s employment can be terminated for failure to satisfactorily complete an entry-level training course under subsection 29(3)(e) of the Act.

The Public Service Regulations 1999 (the Regulations) also provide for an agency head to engage a person on a non-ongoing basis for a specified term or for the duration of a specified task to undertake a training scheme for the purpose of gaining skills and experience (regulation 3.5(4)) or a qualification/accreditation (regulation 3.5(5)) or to provide required occupational experience (regulation 3.5(6)). Such non-ongoing engagements do not result in ongoing employment upon successful completion of training.

An agency head may choose to use an approved APS-wide scheme (for example Aboriginal Employment Development Policy or the Australian Traineeship System) as set out in the Prime Minister's Public Service Directions 1999, or may approve an agency-specific scheme (regulation 3.3 of the Regulations) that meets the agency’s particular requirements. The approval of any specific training scheme must be notified in the APS Employment Gazette.