GTOs help businesses take on apprentices and trainees
GTOs employ apprentices and trainees and place them with host businesses who provide work and on-job training.
GTOs take care of employer responsibilities such as recruitment, managing apprentice wages, superannuation and leave. The GTO supports apprentices and host employers throughout the apprenticeship.
How to become a GTO
You need to be registered as an employer of apprentices and trainees in South Australia, have a permanent physical presence here, and show you comply with the National Standards for Group Training Organisations.
GTOs take care of employer responsibilities such as recruitment, managing apprentice wages, superannuation and leave. The GTO supports apprentices and host employers throughout the apprenticeship.
In addition to the requirement to hold registration under the South Australian Skills Act 2008 (SA), an applicant for National Standards registration in South Australia must also be able to demonstrate:
- Employment of trainees and/or apprentices for a minimum period of 12 months, either in South Australia or interstate. For interstate applicants, employment history will be verified with the relevant State Training Authority.
- Evidence of corporate and financial viability, supported by an independent financial viability check organised by Skills SA, based on GTO certified financial information.
Funding for GTOs is also available to organisations that have achieved recognition under the National Standards.
Read the National Standards for GTOs Registration Guide South Australia.
You can apply to become a GTO through the online form at the bottom of this page.
To complete the application you will need to provide;
- GTO Strategic Plan/Business Plan
- Evidence showing governance arrangements
- Evidence of industry partnerships
For more information, read the National Standards for GTOs Registration Guide.
We will organise a meeting with you to explain registration requirements, funding opportunities and next steps.
For further information about funding opportunities, GTOs are encouraged to contact DSD.GroupTraining@sa.gov.au.
You need to participate in our compliance audit by first submitting the National Standards for GTOs Compliance Report Audit Template.
When your audit report has been submitted, we review your self-assessment against the National Standards for GTOs through a desktop audit, site visit, and interviews with apprentices, trainees and host employers.
For further information or help to start your application, call the Infoline on 1800 673 097 or email DSD.GroupTraining@sa.gov.au to make an appointment.
GTOs that have achieved recognition under the National Standards may attract SA Government funding through programs such as:
- South Australian Group Training Program (SAGTP), a program that supports the provision of pastoral care arrangements apprentices and trainees for targeted groups; and
- Group Training Organisation Boost (GTO Boost), to support GTOs, apprentices and host employers for a period of 12 months with a focus on under-represented cohort groups, retention and engagement, and new apprenticeship opportunities across all industries, by providing:
- Charge-Out Rate Reduction funding, enabling GTOs to offer a reduced charge-out rate of $100.00 per week per apprentice or trainee for a period of 12 months.
- Group Training Organisation Support (Payroll Tax Assistance) Program (GTO Support), a program that provides eligible GTOs with funds commensurate with the Payroll Tax liability incurred by the GTO for apprentices and trainees.
The current SAGTP and GTO Boost Guidelines are available in our Toolkit.
For further information about funding opportunities, GTOs are encouraged to contact DSD.GroupTraining@sa.gov.au.