Disability support for apprentices and trainees
If you experience a disability, you may be entitled to workplace, training and assessment adjustments that make your apprenticeship or traineeship fairer.
Types of adjustments
Workplace, training and assessment adjustments can include:
- adapted computer equipment
- software programs which magnify, read out text or recognise voice
- training in equipment or software
- mentoring
- sign language interpreters, note takers or scribes
- one-on-one tutorials
- specialist support workers.
When to organise disability support
You should organise your support as soon as possible so that your:
- adjustments and services can be set up before you start
- adjustments and support services area listed in your training plan
- employer and training organisation have enough time to adjust.
How your training organisation can help
Your training organisation can support you directly by:
- discussing which skills and abilities you'll need for the apprenticeship or traineeship
- adjusting their training methods to suit your disability
- pairing you with a disability support officer, if applicable.
How your employer can help
If eligible, your employer is entitled to funding from the Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) program to provide you with workplace:
- tutorials
- interpreting
- mentoring services.
You can also apply to the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) to help pay for work-related adjustments.
How your AASN provider can help
Your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider is the best person to ask about access to disability support services.