A traineeship combines paid employment with a nationally recognised VET qualification, delivered by a Registered Training Organisation while you work. Here's every industry sector and role CareerNest currently supports, and what each pathway involves.
Employer and trainee register a formal traineeship with the relevant state training authority.
Paid on-the-job work is combined with structured training delivered by an RTO, on-site or block release.
The RTO assesses on-the-job performance against the qualification's units of competency.
Trainee receives a nationally recognised AQF qualification and progresses into the role or further study.
Qualifications sit on the Australian Qualifications Framework and are recognised across all states and territories.
Trainees are employed under the relevant Modern Award for the whole duration of the traineeship.
Many streams attract employer incentives and subsidised or fee-free training places, depending on state and occupation.
Several streams feed directly into skills assessments, sponsorship pathways, or higher AQF study.
Jump to a sector, or open each one for qualification codes, AQF levels, duration and career relevance.
| Role / Title | Qualification | AQF Level | Duration | Core tasks | Career / visa relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aged Care Support Worker / Personal Care Assistant Aged Care Support |
Cert III in Individual Support (Ageing) (CHC33021) | AQF Level 3 | 12 - 24 Months | Direct personal care, mobility & transfer support, infection control, daily living assistance, reporting & documentation | High regional demand; Employer-sponsored pathways (482 Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement / DAMA) |
Disability Support Worker / NDIS Direct Support Worker Disability Support |
Cert III / IV in Disability / Individual Support (CHC33021 / CHC43121) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 24 Months | Assisting with NDIS plan goals, life skills training, community access, behavioral support, client advocacy | Critical shortage occupation across metro & regional Australia; DAMA & designated regional agreements |
Early Childhood Educator / Assistant Room Leader Early Childhood Education |
Cert III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) / Diploma (CHC50121) | AQF Level 3 / 5 | 12 - 24 Months | Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) delivery, developmental observation, health & safety, parent engagement | Diploma level leads to ANZSCO 421111 (Child Care Centre Manager pathways / ACECQA skill assessment) |
Allied Health Assistant (Physio / OT / Speech) Allied Health Assistance |
Cert III / IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33021 / HLT43021) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Implementing therapeutic exercise programs, equipment sanitization, mobility rehabilitation support, patient record upkeep | Hospital & outpatient clinic employment; pathway to Bachelor allied health disciplines |
Dental Assistant / Clinical Chairside Assistant Dental Assisting |
Cert III in Dental Assisting (HLT35021) | AQF Level 3 | 12 - 18 Months | Chairside assisting, autoclave sterilization & infection control, dental radiography assistance, patient charting | Standard dental clinic operations; high steady private sector demand |
Mental Health Support Worker / Youth Case Assistant Mental Health & Youth Work |
Cert IV in Mental Health (CHC43315) / Youth Work (CHC40421) | AQF Level 4 | 12 - 24 Months | Crisis intervention, trauma-informed support, community outreach, client advocacy, case management notes | Regional and community health initiatives; State sponsorship under community worker streams |
| Role / Title | Qualification | AQF Level | Duration | Core tasks | Career / visa relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Business Administration Clerk / Office Coordinator Business Administration |
Cert III / IV in Business (BSB30120 / BSB40120) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Office workflow coordination, document control, meeting minutes, client liaison, CRM database administration | Universal foundation for corporate operations, office management, and business analytics |
Medical Receptionist / Clinic Administrator Medical Administration |
Cert III in Business (Medical Administration) (BSB30120) | AQF Level 3 | 12 Months | Medical software (Best Practice/MedicalDirector), patient billing & Medicare claiming, triage reception, HIPAA/privacy compliance | High demand in GP practices, specialist clinics, and public healthcare networks |
Bookkeeper / Accounts Payable & Receivable Clerk Accounting & Bookkeeping |
Cert IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping (FNS40222) | AQF Level 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Bank reconciliations, general ledger entries, payroll processing, accounts payable/receivable, BAS preparation assistance | Pathway to Registered BAS Agent / Tax Agent Board registration; foundation for Diploma/Degree Accounting |
Human Resources Assistant / People & Culture Coordinator Human Resources |
Cert IV in Human Resource Management (BSB40420) | AQF Level 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Recruitment coordination, candidate screening, employee onboarding/offboarding, HRIS maintenance, training records | Corporate People & Culture progression; pathways to HR Officer / Advisor roles |
Project Administration Assistant / PMO Coordinator Project Administration |
Cert IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920) | AQF Level 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Project schedule monitoring, risk/issue registers, milestone reports, stakeholder coordination, resource allocation tracking | In-demand across construction, infrastructure, and tech project management offices |
| Role / Title | Qualification | AQF Level | Duration | Core tasks | Career / visa relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Warehouse Operator / Inventory Controller Warehousing Operations |
Cert III in Warehousing Operations (TLI30321) | AQF Level 3 | 12 - 18 Months | Forklift operation, ERP barcode scanning, stock rotation (FIFO), pick-pack-dispatch, freight loading & manifests | Critical logistics hubs, e-commerce fulfillment centers, and port distribution |
Logistics Coordinator / Dispatch Officer Supply Chain Operations |
Cert III / IV in Supply Chain Operations (TLI30321 / TLI40321) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Fleet routing, freight consignment tracking, transport compliance, customs clearance paperwork, freight rate tracking | National freight corridors, transport operations management, supply chain analysis |
Purchasing Officer / Procurement Assistant Procurement & Purchasing |
Cert IV in Procurement and Contracting (PSP40616) | AQF Level 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Purchase order processing, vendor evaluation, contract compliance, supply delivery monitoring, tender administration | Mining, manufacturing, and state government purchasing procurement teams |
| Role / Title | Qualification | AQF Level | Duration | Core tasks | Career / visa relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IT Helpdesk Technician / Service Desk Analyst IT Support Services |
Cert III / IV in Information Technology (ICT30120 / ICT40120) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Tier-1 ticketing, hardware setup & staging, Active Directory / Microsoft 365 administration, LAN troubleshooting | MSP tech support desks, foundation for network engineering and systems administration |
Cyber Security Operations Technician / Junior SOC Analyst Cyber Security Operations |
Cert IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC / 22334VIC) | AQF Level 4 | 12 - 24 Months | Security log monitoring (SIEM), vulnerability scanning, phishing defense, patch management verification, endpoint configuration | High-priority national shortage sector; pathways to enterprise security analyst roles |
Digital Content Assistant / Media Coordinator Digital Media & Content |
Cert III / IV in Screen and Media (CUA31020 / CUA41220) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Video/audio editing (Premiere/After Effects), social media scheduling, digital marketing asset production, CMS web updating | Marketing agencies, corporate communications, and digital production studios |
IT Systems Administrator Cyber Security Operations |
Diploma of Information Technology (ICT50220) | AQF Level 5 | 12 - 24 Months | Network configuration & administration, cloud infrastructure maintenance, tier-2/3 technical escalation, systems security, database administration, and user access management. | Direct pathway to enterprise network addministration, ICT systems support, and high demand IT service management roles |
| Role / Title | Qualification | AQF Level | Duration | Core tasks | Career / visa relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Civil Plant Operator (Excavator / Roller / Skid Steer) Civil Plant Operations |
Cert III in Civil Construction Plant Operations (RII30820) | AQF Level 3 | 18 - 24 Months | Operating heavy mobile plant, trenching, earthmoving, site drainage, pre-start checks, civil WHS compliance | Major civil infrastructure projects, roadworks, rail projects, and regional mining operations |
Road Worker / Civil Bitumen Operator Road Construction & Maintenance |
Cert III in Civil Construction (Road Construction) (RII30920) | AQF Level 3 | 18 - 24 Months | Asphalt paving, subgrade preparation, drainage pipe installation, traffic control, concrete kerb & channel work | State & council road infrastructure authorities and tier-1 civil contractors |
Water / Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Water Industry Operations |
Cert III / IV in Water Industry Operations (NWP30219 / NWP40120) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 18 - 24 Months | Water purification monitoring, chemical dosing, pump maintenance, wastewater testing, SCADA telemetry checks | Regional and metropolitan water utility authorities; essential public infrastructure |
| Role / Title | Qualification | AQF Level | Duration | Core tasks | Career / visa relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Horticultural Technician / Orchard & Nursery Supervisor Production Horticulture |
Cert III in Horticulture (AHC30716 / AHC30720) | AQF Level 3 | 12 - 24 Months | Automated irrigation management, soil nutrition, pest & weed chemical spraying, pruning, greenhouse crop cultivation | Assessed by VETASSESS (ANZSCO 362611 / 121211); strong regional migration (491/494) |
Conservation Field Officer / Bushland Regenerator Conservation & Land Management |
Cert III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management (AHC31421) | AQF Level 3 | 12 - 24 Months | Bush regeneration, weed eradication, soil erosion mitigation, flora & fauna surveys, revegetation planting | National parks, catchment management authorities, and eco-restoration contractors |
Animal Care Technician / Pet Groomer / Boarding Attendant Animal Care & Grooming |
Cert III in Animal Care Services (ACM30121) | AQF Level 3 | 12 - 18 Months | Animal handling & health triage, kennel/shelter sanitation, grooming procedures, nutrition administration, behavioral monitoring | Veterinary nursing pathways, animal welfare shelters, and commercial pet boarding enterprises |
Agricultural Field Hand / Livestock Operations Assistant Broadacre & Livestock Agriculture |
Cert III in Agriculture (AHC30116 / AHC30122) | AQF Level 3 | 12 - 24 Months | Tractor & GPS implement operations, livestock muster & drafting, fencing, pasture management, grain harvesting | Regional Australia; designated area migration (DAMA) & farm manager progression |
| Role / Title | Qualification | AQF Level | Duration | Core tasks | Career / visa relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Food & Beverage Supervisor / Hospitality Operations Lead Front of House Hospitality |
Cert III / IV in Hospitality (SIT30622 / SIT40422) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Floor service supervision, RSA compliance, cellar & beverage management, POS reconciliation, staff briefing | Direct pathway to Hotel/Motel/Restaurant Manager roles (ANZSCO 141311 / 141111) |
Hotel Front Desk Supervisor / Guest Service Agent Hotel Front Office & Guest Services |
Cert III / IV in Hospitality / Tourism (SIT30122 / SIT40122) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 18 Months | PMS software (Opera/Fidelio), reservation management, guest issue escalation, concierge logistics, night audit | International hotel chains and resorts; pathways to Hospitality Manager |
Retail Store Supervisor / Department Team Leader Retail Management |
Cert III / IV in Retail (SIR30216 / SIR40316) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Store visual merchandising, inventory replenishment, daily cash takings balancing, customer dispute handling, shift team leadership | Supermarket chains, department stores, and specialty retail management |
| Role / Title | Qualification | AQF Level | Duration | Core tasks | Career / visa relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Sector Administration Officer / Regulatory Clerk Government Administration |
Cert III / IV in Government (PSP30116 / PSP40116) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Regulatory file management, public policy inquiries, Freedom of Information (FOI) triage, compliance records | State and federal government statutory bodies and regulatory authorities |
Correctional Officer / Custodial Assistant Correctional Practice |
Cert III in Correctional Practice (CSC30120) | AQF Level 3 | 12 - 18 Months | Inmate safety & containment, facility security searches, offender escort, incident reporting, dynamic security operations | Government department prisons and private custodial facilities |
Pest Management Technician / Termite Inspector Urban Pest Management |
Cert III in Urban Pest Management (CPP30119) | AQF Level 3 | 12 - 18 Months | Pest activity inspection, chemical application, termite barrier installation, thermal camera inspections, compliance logs | State licensing qualification; pathway to licensed Pest Management Contractor / Business Operator |
Commercial Cleaning Supervisor / Site Services Lead Commercial Cleaning & Facilities |
Cert III / IV in Cleaning Operations (CPP30320 / CPP40421) | AQF Level 3 / 4 | 12 - 18 Months | Infection control procedures, chemical dilution & safety (SDS), automated floor machine operation, site team rostering, QA audits | Healthcare, pharmaceutical, and high-spec corporate facility maintenance contracts |