Benefits to Your Local Government
By taking on a trainee, you are investing in the development of your future workforce.
New employees quickly learn the foundations of Local Government and become skilled assets.
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Shape the Future of Local Government
Whether you're an employer looking to add value to your organisation by creating a traineeship position, or someone eager to start a rewarding career, a traineeship offers significant benefits.
What is a traineeship?
A traineeship is a structured training program that combines paid employment with formal education, allowing individuals to gain a nationally recognised qualification while working in their chosen field.
What types of traineeships are available under Jobs and Skills WA
There are currently two types of traineeships available:
| New Entrant Traineeship | School Based Traineeship |
Certificate III in Local Government | Yes | Yes |
Diploma of Local Government | Yes | No |
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Traineeship opportunities for new Local Government Officers
Traineeships are an ideal solution for new employees in Local Government, bringing practical skills, structured learning, and innovative ideas to your workplace.
Why choose a traineeship?
Free Support Available
The Australian Apprenticeship Support Networks offer free mentoring and financial incentives for eligible employees. Trainees are supported throughout their program by Trainers and Assessors and a dedicated Student Support Officer with regular feedback, encouragement and supervisor communication.
Traineeships are funded through Jobs and Skills WA
The Department of Training and Workforce Development subsidises traineeships through Jobs and Skills WA, enabling eligible Western Australians to study a nationally recognised qualification at significantly reduced costs.
Investing in Local Talent
A traineeship fosters individual and community prosperity. By supporting career prospects in Local Government, you are retaining local talent within your community. Trainees are often more motivated and invested in their roles, appreciating the career development provided.
Easy Access via our Virtual Classroom
WALGA delivers all programs through our Virtual Classroom, ensuring easy access across all of WA.
How to apply?
- Contact WALGA Training for an initial chat.
- Contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider
- Register the Training Contract with the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD)
- Finalise enrolment with WALGA
Support is available at every stage of the process.
FAQs - General traineeship
Traineeships are designed for non-trade qualifications and generally take between 12-24 months to complete, depending on if it is a Certificate III or Diploma level qualification.
Training includes both on‑the‑job training and formal study, integrated into your employment. WALGA Training delivers the training via a virtual classroom, making it easy for students across the region to access the formal Off the Job training component.
Traineeships are open to people of all ages.
Training includes both on‑the‑job training and formal study, integrated into your employment. WALGA Training delivers the training via a virtual classroom, making it easy for students across the region to access the formal Off the Job training component.
Traineeships are open to people of all ages.
Traineeships offer a range of benefits for employers including:
- Financial incentives from State and Commonwealth governments
- Increased employee loyalty and engagement
- Structured career development pathways from entry-level through to advanced roles in Local Government
- Improved job satisfaction and higher retention rates
- Employees trained to current industry best-practice standards
Traineeships are available to:
- New Employees, defined as a person who starts their employment with an employer under a training contract, or has been employed with the same employer for less than 3 months full-time or less than 12 months permanent part-time/casual, or a combination equivalent to more than 3 months full-time.
- The Certificate III in Local Government is also available as a School-Based Traineeship.
Having a supportive environment is key to success and should include:
- Blocking time to attend scheduled training sessions and access to suitable quiet room, a laptop or PC with audio and video capability
- Clarify when and where additional study requirements should be completed
- Providing access to systems, policies and procedures and other workplace documents Offering mentoring and guidance to support related study topics and how they apply to work
- Rotate the Trainee through different Departments
This support helps ensure learning is practical and immediately valuable to the organisation.
The employer needs to contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider to determine eligibility and to nominate WALGA as their Training Provider. The Provider will register the Trainee on the WA Apprenticeship Management System (WAAMS).
Employers will also need to register themselves on WAAMS to manage variations and process incentive payments. For more information on how to start the registration process, please visit www.apprenticeships.gov.au.
Employers will also need to register themselves on WAAMS to manage variations and process incentive payments. For more information on how to start the registration process, please visit www.apprenticeships.gov.au.
Trainees who have been deemed eligible via an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider are funded through Jobs & Skills WA. In addition, a registered Trainee must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD).
Eligibility criteria for a subsidised training place:
- you have left school;
- your primary place of residence is in Western Australia and you are:
- An Australian citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia;
- Holders of a sub-class 309, 444, 785, 790, or 820 visa;
- Secondary holders of a temporary visa of sub-class 457; and
- Holders of a Bridging Visa E (subclasses 050 and 051) where the visa holder has made a valid application for a visa of subclass 785 or 790.
- A Secondary School Student undertaking a School Based Traineeship
The following enrolment categories will not be funded:
Persons whose primary place of residence is not in Western Australia;
- Residents of Christmas Island or Cocos Island;
- Persons who are neither Australian citizens nor permanent residents of Australia unless they are holders of approved Visa subclasses described in the Fees and Charges Policy;
- Prisoners;
- Secondary School Students except students undertaking a school-based Traineeship;
- Persons under 15 years of age.
Persons and dependents of persons holding:
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A pensioner concession card;
- A repatriation health benefits card issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; or a Health Care Card;
- Persons and dependents of persons in receipt of the Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY;
- Persons and dependents of persons who are inmates of a custodial institution;
- Secondary school-aged persons, not enrolled at school
FAQs - Certificate III in Local Government
The standard course duration is 12 months. Training is delivered across four study terms, aligned with standard school terms. For school-based trainees, the duration may vary depending on the intake group and the specific arrangements agreed with the school.
School-Based Trainees are required to work an average of 7.6 hours per week over 52 weeks; in addition, they must attend weekly classes with WALGA Training and complete self-directed study and assessments, with all traineeship commitments undertaken alongside their regular school studies.
FAQs - Diploma of Local Government
The standard course duration is 18 months. Training is delivered across five (5) study blocks, which vary in duration and are not always aligned with standard school terms.
For the Diploma, you will attend a weekly live virtual classroom session every Thursday from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm. In addition to this class time, you should allow approximately 10–12 hours per week for independent study. This includes reading and reviewing course materials, completing assessments, and preparing for upcoming sessions.
Yes. You can choose to pay for your own course fees and payments are scheduled in line with course milestones. Payment dates are listed in the Letter of Offer. WALGA cannot accept more than $1,500.00 at one pay due to regulatory requirements to protect student fees paid in advance.
A Letter of Offer is a formal document issued by WALGA to confirm that you have been accepted into the course. It outlines the key details of your enrolment, including:
- The course you have been accepted into
- Your proposed start date and study commitments
- Any fees, payment arrangements, or funding information
- Important terms and conditions related to your enrolment
Once you review and accept the Letter of Offer, your place in the course is secured. It serves as your official agreement with WALGA and marks the final step before training commences.
This qualification is delivered through scheduled weekly classes, and a self‑paced option is not available.
Training is delivered through live, trainer‑led virtual classroom sessions via ZOOM, allowing you to participate from your workplace or another suitable location. We recommend that you book a quiet room or study area, with access to a laptop or PC, a camera and audio capabilities with a reliable Wi-Fi connection. Each participant will receive a unique login to our designated Student Portal (aXcelerate), where they can access all learning resources, ZOOM access and their assessment tasks.
Yes. Even if you are funding your own enrolment in the course, you must still obtain approval from your manager, supervisor, HR or CEO before commencing the course. Manager approval ensures you have the necessary support, access, and workplace opportunities to successfully complete the qualification.
This approval is essential for a number of reasons including:
- You will need time away from work to attend the scheduled ZOOM classes.
- You may require access to organisational documents, systems, or procedures to complete assessments.
- Some assessment activities involve role plays or workplace tasks that require participation from colleagues or supervisors.
Credit Transfer (CT) applies when you have previously completed the same unit of competency as part of another qualification. You may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). To apply, you will need to provide valid proof of your previous achievement, such as a Statement of Attainment, a qualification Certificate, or a USI transcript.
Once this evidence is provided and verified, WALGA Training will grant you credit for that unit. This means you will not need to repeat the unit, and there will be no additional cost charged to you.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that evaluates a student’s existing skills and knowledge. The RPL process implemented by WALGA Training is based on assessment only, meaning students are not required to attend face-to-face classes. Instead, students must complete the relevant assessments for each unit by providing evidence gathered from their workplace that demonstrates their competency. This excludes any learning resources or access to trainer-led classes. It does include assessment marking and feedback of assessments.
Fee‑for‑Service and Traineeships are two different enrolment pathways for completing the LGA30120 Certificate III in Local Government:
Fee‑for‑Service
- You (or your organisation) pay the full course fees directly.
- There is no government funding attached.
- Suitable for employees who want to complete the qualification independently of traineeship arrangements.
- Workplace approval is still required, as you will need time for classes, assessments, and access to workplace documents.
- Generally, for those who have been employed in Local Government for more than 3 months full time or 12 months part time.
The LGA30120 Certificate III in Local Government is designed for Local Government Officers who are working at a Local Government.
Unfortunately, members of the public cannot enrol. In line with WALGA policy, our nationally recognised training (NRT) qualifications are only available to our Local Government Members only.
