For Employers & Training Partners
Workplace Traineeships That Develop Your Team
River Oak College is a registered RTO delivering nationally recognised traineeships in Business, Leadership, and Government, supporting your people while they work.
Enquire about a traineeship Workplace training options0
Qualifications available
via traineeship pathway
0
Qualification Levels,
Certificate to Advanced Diploma
1:1
Trainer assigned to every
trainee throughout the qualification
River Oak College
Earn while you learn
River Oak College offers nationally recognised Traineeships, a structured pathway that allows individuals to work and study simultaneously; gaining formal qualifications while building hands-on industry experience. Traineeships bridge the gap between classroom and workplace, creating capable, job-ready graduates who are valued from day one.
For Employers
Develop your workforce
A Traineeship lets your employees earn a nationally recognised qualification while continuing to work, building real skills in your real workplace, at no disruption to operations. Structured financial incentives are available in most states and territories.
For Individuals
Launch your career
Traineeships enable you to study a formal AQF qualification, gain hands-on workplace experience, and earn an income, all at the same time. No need to choose between studying and working. You can graduate with credentials that employers recognise from day one.
What Is a Traineeship?
A traineeship is a formal, structured training arrangement that combines paid employment with studying towards a nationally recognised qualification. In plain terms: your employee works, studies, and can earn a qualification, all at the same time.
Available to New and Existing Employees
Traineeships are not just for new hires. You can formalise the skills of an employee who has been with you for years, or enrol a new team member as part of their onboarding. Both pathways are legitimate and supported.
Traineeships are available to both full-time and part-time employees and are supported by state and territory governments across Australia.
River Oak College can refer you to an Apprentice Connect Provider (ACP) in your region who can assist with setting up the arrangement at no cost to you or your employee.
Nationally Recognised Under the AQF
Qualifications completed through a traineeship carry the same AQF standing as those completed through full study. Your employee receives a nationally recognised qualification recognised by employers, licensing bodies, universities, and other educational institutions across Australia.
All qualifications are issued by River Oak College under RTO 46425, regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
How a Traineeship Works
Three parties are involved in every traineeship arrangement, which is supported by an Apprentice Connect Provider (ACP). Each has a defined role, set out in a formal Training Contract registered with the relevant state or territory training authority.
Party One
The Trainee
- Employed by the host workplace
- Works in their role while progressing through the qualification
- Assigned a named trainer and assessor from day one
Party Two
The Employer
- Provides a suitable workplace
- Employs the trainee and supports on-the-job learning
- Allows time for any off-the-job training required under the Training Contract
Party Three
River Oak College
- Delivers training and assessment
- Assigns an individual trainer and assessor to each trainee
- Appoints a dedicated academic and student support advisor
- Monitors progress and provides feedback to the trainee and employer
- Provides access to various wellbeing and study support
- Issues the qualification on completion
The Training Contract
A legal Training Contract between all three parties is registered with the relevant state or territory training authority. It sets out the qualification, the duration of the traineeship, and the obligations of each party. Apprentice Connect Providers (ACPs) assist with preparing and lodging the contract at no cost to the employer or trainee.
What River Oak College Does During a Traineeship
Unlike providers that deliver group-based training to cohorts, River Oak College works individually with every trainee throughout the arrangement. Your employee is not a number in a class.
Understand the Workplace
The assigned trainer takes time to understand the trainee's actual work environment, so assessment tasks are contextualised to what they genuinely do.
Maximise Learning Opportunities
Real learning happens in the workplace. The trainer identifies day-to-day duties that directly satisfy qualification requirements, reducing the need for off-site activity.
Support the Supervisor
Workplace supervisors are supported in understanding how to recognise and contribute to the trainee's skill development as part of normal work.
Monitor and Communicate
Progress is monitored regularly. Both the trainee and the employer receive timely feedback and are kept informed throughout the life of the Training Contract.
Training is delivered through a combination of online learning via our accessible and user-friendly purpose-built online learning portal, and scheduled contact sessions, flexible enough to suit any workplace arrangement or location.
Apprentice Connect Providers (ACPs)
You don't need to navigate Training Contracts, state authority requirements, or government incentive paperwork on your own. That's what Apprentice Connect Providers are for.
Government-Funded Support, at No Cost to You
Apprentice Connect Providers (ACPs) are organisations funded by the Australian Government to deliver a range of free services that support both employers and trainees throughout a traineeship arrangement.
River Oak College works closely alongside ACPs, relevant state training authorities, and industry bodies to ensure every traineeship arrangement runs smoothly from start to finish. Your trainer at River Oak College can provide a referral to an ACP or assist you in identifying the appropriate provider in your region.
ACP services are free of charge to both employers and trainees.
What ACPs Can Assist With
- Preparing and lodging the Training Contract with the relevant state or territory authority
- Explaining the rights and responsibilities of trainees and employers
- Providing ongoing support and guidance throughout the life of the training arrangement
- Assisting with variations or cancellations to Training Contracts where circumstances change
- Providing information about financial incentives and government support available to employers
All ACP services are provided free of charge
Course fees apply and are to be paid directly to River Oak College.
Benefits for Employers
Traineeships are one of the most cost-effective workforce development strategies available to Australian employers. Here is what you gain.
Payroll Tax Incentives
Employers who engage registered trainees may be eligible for payroll tax exemptions or concessions under their state or territory legislation. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, visit your state Revenue Office for current eligibility and rates.
Workforce Development
Traineeships build genuine, nationally recognised skills within your team, not generic training that doesn't stick. Qualification content is contextualised to your workplace by the trainee's named trainer.
Staff Retention
Employees who are invested in and supported tend to stay. A traineeship is a tangible commitment to a team member's development that builds loyalty and engagement.
Minimal Disruption
The trainee works while they study. There is no need to backfill roles for extended periods. Off-the-job training requirements are built around your operational needs.
Available to New and Existing Staff
Use a traineeship to upskill a long-serving employee or onboard a new team member with a qualification as part of their entry. Both approaches may be fully supported.
One RTO, One Point of Contact
River Oak College is a small, agile team. You deal with people, not a call centre. Your account is managed directly, and questions are answered by the people delivering the training.
Payroll Tax Note
Specific concession rates and eligibility criteria for payroll tax incentives vary by state and territory and are subject to legislative change. Employers should visit the website of the State or Territory Department responsible for revenue for the most current information. River Oak College or your ACP can assist you in identifying the right resource for your jurisdiction.
The percentage shown for each state is the standard payroll tax rate employers ordinarily pay on all wages. Traineeship concessions, exemptions, or rebates reduce or eliminate this liability on eligible trainee wages , see each state's notes for what applies.
State-by-State Overview
The below is correct as at 6 May 2026. Please liaise directly with the relevant State Revenue Office for current rates and eligibility.
NSW
5.45%
Payroll tax rebate available for new entrant trainees. Eligibility and rebate amount determined by Revenue NSW.
VIC
4.85%
Full exemption for out-of-trade trainees only. No exemption for brand-new trainees entering a new trade or vocation.
QLD
4.75%
Trainee wages are fully exempt from payroll tax for the duration of the training contract.
WA
5.5%
Trainee wages are not exempt. Eligible employers may claim a lump-sum offset of up to $4,250. Contact RevenueWA for eligibility.
SA · NT · ACT · TAS
Varies
Concessions and exemptions apply in some jurisdictions. Contact your state or territory Revenue Office for current rates and eligibility.
27 Qualifications Available Under a Traineeship
River Oak College offers 27 qualifications that can be completed under a traineeship arrangement, spanning Business, Leadership, HR, Marketing, Project Management, WHS, and Government. Contact us to confirm suitability for your workplace.
BSB20120
Certificate II in Workplace Skills
Cert IIBSB30120
Certificate III in Business
Cert IIIBSB30220
Certificate III in Entrepreneurship & New Business
Cert IIIBSB40120
Certificate IV in Business
Cert IVBSB40320
Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship & New Business
Cert IVBSB40420
Certificate IV in Human Resource Management
Cert IVBSB40520
Certificate IV in Leadership & Management
Cert IVBSB40820
Certificate IV in Marketing & Communication
Cert IVBSB50120
Diploma of Business
DiplomaBSB50320
Diploma of Human Resource Management
DiplomaBSB50420
Diploma of Leadership & Management
DiplomaBSB50620
Diploma of Marketing & Communication
DiplomaBSB50820
Diploma of Project Management
DiplomaBSB60320
Advanced Diploma of Human Resource Management
Adv DiplomaBSB60420
Advanced Diploma of Leadership & Management
Adv DiplomaBSB60520
Advanced Diploma of Marketing & Communication
Adv DiplomaBSB50920
Diploma of Quality Auditing
DiplomaBSB30719
Certificate III in Work Health & Safety
Cert IIIBSB41419
Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety
Cert IVBSB51319
Diploma of Work Health & Safety
DiplomaPSP40122
Certificate IV in Government
Cert IVPSP50122
Diploma of Government
DiplomaPSP60122
Advanced Diploma of Government
Adv DiplomaCUA20620
Certificate II in Music
Cert IICUA30920
Certificate III in Music
Cert IIICHC41215
Certificate IV in Career Development
Cert IVContact us to confirm which qualifications are currently approved for traineeship delivery in your state or territory and to discuss suitability for your workplace.
Who We Work With
River Oak College works with government departments, health sector organisations, corporate businesses, and schools across Australia. We are a small, agile RTO, easy to work with, responsive, and focused on outcomes for your people.
What Our Students Say
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Ready to set up a traineeship arrangement?
Contact our team to confirm which qualifications are available for your industry, discuss the enrolment process, or get a referral to an Apprentice Connect Provider in your region.
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27 qualifications , traineeship delivery available now
Enquire about a traineeship