Dog Trainer Academy

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Traineeships

Earn while you Learn

Trainees get paid while gaining valuable skills and qualifications, combining work experience with formal training.

Government-Funded Training

Through the state funding programs, eligible trainees receive subsidised training, reducing or eliminating course costs.

Hands-On Industry Experience

Trainees develop real-world skills by working in a professional environment, increasing their employability.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Completing a traineeship can open doors to higher-level qualifications, promotions, and long-term career growth.

Nationally Recognised Qualification

Trainees earn a formal qualification that is recognised across Australia, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.

What is a Traineeship ?

A traineeship is a great way to start or advance your career while gaining a nationally recognised qualification. It combines paid employment with structured training, so you can earn while you learn. Trainees are employed under a formal training contract and follow a training plan that sets out the qualification, units, and timeframes. This means that everything you learn on the job is supported by professional training from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), giving you both practical experience and formal skills.

Traineeships usually run for one to two years, depending on the industry, the qualification level, and your own progress. Many people complete their training faster if they already have experience or transferable skills. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer can also reduce the amount of training time needed. Employers benefit from traineeships as well, as they can develop skilled staff who are trained specifically for their workplace needs, often with the support of government subsidies and incentives.

How Traineeships work

Traineeships are designed to balance both work and study, giving students the opportunity to learn in a real workplace while completing a nationally recognised qualification. When you begin a traineeship, you are employed under a formal training contract with your employer. This contract outlines the responsibilities of the trainee, the employer, and the training provider, ensuring that everyone understands their role in supporting your learning journey. A training plan is then developed, which details the qualification you will be working towards, the units of study you need to complete, and the timeframe for your training.

Unlike traditional study pathways, a traineeship allows you to earn while you learn. You are paid for your work and at the same time gain practical skills that directly apply to your role. The structured training component, delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), complements the hands-on experience you gain in the workplace. This combination ensures that your learning is practical, relevant, and immediately useful in your chosen industry.

Traineeships typically take one to two years to complete, depending on the qualification and the needs of the workplace. Some students may complete their training faster if they already have relevant experience or if they receive Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or credit transfers for units they have previously studied. This flexibility allows the program to be tailored to the individual trainee and the requirements of their employer.

Support is also available throughout the traineeship. Training providers and employers work together to guide you through your qualification, and additional assistance can be provided for literacy, numeracy, or other learning needs if required. Employers benefit by building a workforce that is trained to meet their specific needs, while trainees benefit from the opportunity to grow their skills and confidence in a supportive environment.

NSW Funded Traineeships

In New South Wales, traineeships are funded under the Smart and Skilled program, which continues to provide subsidies for approved qualifications from 1 July 2025. This program ensures that students undertaking a registered traineeship contract have their formal training heavily subsidised, keeping the cost of study affordable. Many trainees will also remain eligible for fee-free training, depending on their personal circumstances and whether their course qualifies under government support initiatives.

To be eligible, trainees must be employed in NSW under a registered training contract and be completing a qualification that is on the NSW Skills List. The funding structure is designed to reduce financial barriers for students while ensuring training is aligned with the state’s workforce needs. For students, this means the opportunity to complete a nationally recognised qualification at little or no cost. For employers, it creates a skilled workforce with training that directly matches industry requirements.

  • Funded through the Smart and Skilled program from 1 July 2025.
  • Training costs are heavily subsidised by the NSW Government.
  • Many trainees are eligible for fee-free training.
  • Must have a registered traineeship contract in NSW.
  • Qualification must appear on the NSW Skills List.
  • Designed to reduce costs for students while supporting workforce priorities.
  • Must be 15 years or older and no longer in school (with some exceptions for home-schooled students).
  • Must live or work in NSW, or be an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander person in certain border areas.
  • Must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, a humanitarian visa holder, or in a partner visa scenario consistent with policy.
  • Must have a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI).
  • For the traineeship (Entitlement Apprenticeships and Traineeships) stream: you must have a registered NSW apprenticeship or traineeship contract and be doing a qualification listed on the NSW Skills List.
  • Previous qualifications do not necessarily disqualify you from accessing subsidised training up to Certificate III.

Through the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program, eligible students can complete a traineeship with heavily subsidised training costs. This means you can earn while you learn, gaining valuable workplace experience while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

At the National Skills Training Institute (Dog Trainer Academy), we offer the following qualifications under NSW Government funded traineeships:

  • ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training – Dog Trainer


These traineeships combine hands-on workplace training with structured study, helping you build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in the animal care and grooming industry. With government support reducing the cost of study, it’s one of the most affordable ways to start your career.

NSW Smart and Skilled Website – https://skills.education.nsw.gov.au/

NSW Smart and Skilled Fee Administration Policy – Fee Administration Policy

NSW Smart and Skilled Student Eligibility Policy – Student Eligibility Policy

NSW Smart and Skilled Consumer Protection Strategy – Consumer Protection Strategy

Explore the Traineeship Funded Qualifications

ACM40322
Certificate IV
Animal Behaviour & Training

Explore the Course

Employers of Trainees

Employing a trainee is a rewarding opportunity for both your business and the wider industry. By taking on a trainee, you are not only helping someone gain valuable skills and a nationally recognised qualification, but you are also shaping the future workforce in your field. Traineeships provide a balance of formal study and on-the-job learning, meaning your trainee develops the practical skills your workplace needs while contributing as a paid employee.

For employers, a traineeship is more than just training someone new — it is a partnership that can strengthen your team. Trainees often bring enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and a strong desire to learn, while government funding programs reduce the cost of training. This makes employing a trainee an affordable way to build loyal, skilled staff who understand your workplace from the ground up.

By working with the National Skills Training Institute, you’ll have the support of an experienced Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Together, we create a training plan that matches your business needs while ensuring your trainee develops the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to succeed in the industry.

Bringing a trainee into your workplace allows you to help shape the next generation of skilled professionals in the animal care and grooming industry. Instead of hiring someone fully qualified, you can grow someone in your own environment, with your processes and standards from Day 1.
For your business, this means: you get fresh energy, you build loyalty, and you have a chance to mould skills specific to your operations. Government funding and subsidies also help reduce the cost burden of training.

A successful traineeship is a win-win: your trainee gains hands-on experience and a nationally recognised qualification, and your business benefits from having a motivated learner who is invested in becoming a strong team member.

When you employ a trainee, you enter into a training contract registered with the relevant state authority. This is a legal arrangement between you, the trainee, and sometimes the training provider. The contract outlines expectations, rights, and responsibilities.

Your trainee will spend part of their time working with you—learning everyday tasks, contributing to your operations—and part of their time in structured training with us (NSTI). Together, you and NSTI will develop a training plan that clearly maps out the modules or units to be covered, in which order, and when. This ensures the training is aligned with what your business does and needs.

You’ll also play a mentoring and support role. That means offering guidance, supervision, feedback, and opportunities to practice what the trainee is learning. The more engaged you are, the better the trainee gains skills and confidence.

Under Queensland’s Career Start program (or equivalent state-based schemes), the government pays most of the cost of the formal training component. As an employer, your contributions may be minimal or even nil, depending on the arrangements and incentives available.

You should work with NSTI to ensure your trainee’s qualification is eligible, your RTO is approved, and the training contract is properly registered. Any co-contribution fees for the trainee are their responsibility (unless they qualify for concessions or exemptions).

In many cases, employing a trainee can be more cost-effective than hiring someone fully trained. You get the chance to build their skills, reduce recruitment costs, and receive a dedication that comes from investing in someone’s growth.

Many employers and job seekers wonder about the difference between traineeships and apprenticeships. While both involve structured workplace training, they have distinct differences in duration, industry focus, and career pathways.

Apprenticeships:

  • Industry Focus: Traditional trade-based occupations (e.g., electricians, plumbers, carpenters, mechanics).
  • Duration: Typically 3-4 years.
  • Training: Combines on-the-job training with formal study at a TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
  • Outcome: Leads to a trade qualification (Certificate III or higher) and often requires licensing to work independently.

 

Traineeships:

  • Industry Focus: Non-trade occupations like animal care, business, retail, IT, and hospitality.
  • Duration: Usually 12-24 months.
  • Training: Mix of workplace experience and structured training through an RTO.
  • Outcome: Results in a Certificate II, III, or IV qualification, helping employees gain industry-relevant skills.

When hiring a trainee, employers must:

  • Provide a safe and supportive workplace.
  • Ensure trainees receive adequate supervision.
  • Allow time for off-the-job training with an RTO.
  • Comply with Fair Work Australia conditions, including minimum wages.
  • Keep records of training progress and workplace assessments.

Can an existing employee become a trainee? Yes! You can upskill current employees through a traineeship, provided they meet eligibility criteria.

What happens if a trainee leaves before completion? If a trainee leaves early, you may still be eligible for partial incentives. The training contract may be transferred to another employer.

Do I have to pay for the RTO training? The NSW Government subsidises training costs under Smart and Skilled. The level of subsidy depends on the qualification and trainee eligibility.

How do I find the right RTO for my business? Visit Training Services NSW to search for approved training providers.

Is there a probation period for trainees? Yes, trainees typically have a probation period (e.g., 30-90 days) where either party can terminate the contract.

Can I hire more than one trainee at a time? Yes, businesses can hire multiple trainees as long as they can provide the necessary training and supervision.