The short answer
Changing an apprenticeship training provider can be possible without starting the apprentice’s learning from scratch. First confirm the requirements in your state, the apprentice’s agreement, the new provider’s capacity and the treatment of completed units. Plan the handover before cancelling existing arrangements.
Start with what needs to work better
An employer may be looking for training that fits the roster, clearer progress reporting, more reliable trainer access or less recurring travel. Turn that into a written brief: what is the current qualification, how far has the apprentice progressed, what work is available, and what support does the operation need?
Whether you are considering a move from Aviation Australia, a TAFE or another RTO, focus on the proposed service and remaining training. Ask Sigma to assess the actual arrangement.
Six checks for a useful handover
- Confirm the qualification and contract
Identify the qualification code, stream, registered training contract and the parties who need to agree to a provider change.
- Collect the training record
Request the statement of attainment or transcript, Training Plan, progress record and relevant practical evidence.
- Review completed and remaining work
Ask the new provider to confirm credit for recognised units and what further assessment or training is needed.
- Check the workplace
Confirm task coverage, equipment, supervision and the time the apprentice will have for learning.
- Agree fees and delivery
Get the funding position, remaining fees, trainer contact, visits and reporting arrangements in writing.
- Complete the change process
Follow the state or territory process, settle the handover dates and agree who maintains support during the transition.
Queensland permits an SRTO to be replaced when the apprentice or trainee and employer agree, using its prescribed process. Other jurisdictions have their own requirements. Start with the Queensland change-of-SRTO guidance or your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for the relevant state steps.
Do completed units transfer?
Formal unit results are different from attendance, partly completed activities or an exam mark. Provide the actual transcript or statement of attainment so the receiving RTO can check the unit and its status. Where recognised credit applies, that learning should not need to be repeated. Other experience or partial progress may need an RPL or gap assessment.
ASQA’s student guide to credit transfer and RPL explains the distinction. Keep practical records available for review too; a smooth administrative transfer does not itself resolve a missing practical competency.
Engineers training engineers
Training that stays connected to the operation.
Sigma’s workplace model combines planned visits, regular technical sessions and individual progress reviews. Apprentices learn with the aircraft, maintenance data and supervision available at their workplace.
What should an employer compare between providers?
| Area | Ask this |
|---|---|
| Workplace coverage | Can the provider support the aircraft, systems and trade stream we need? What exposure must be arranged elsewhere? |
| Trainer access | Who helps the apprentice between visits, and how are questions and assessment feedback handled? |
| Progress | How will we see completed units, upcoming work and issues requiring supervisor action? |
| Travel | Which activities require the apprentice to leave the workplace? Are recurring campus blocks compulsory? |
| Assessment | How are knowledge and practical competence assessed, and how are CASA exams treated where included? |
| Fees | What remains payable after credit, what is included, and what could add to the price? |
Sigma’s fee-for-service apprentice offering does not require mandatory recurring block release. That still leaves a real obligation to provide learning time, supervision and relevant practical work. Our training cost comparison shows how to budget for different delivery arrangements without counting paid time twice.
Will the existing funding follow the apprentice?
Do not assume it will. Eligibility, approved providers, qualification scope and the transition arrangements must be checked before committing. In Queensland, start with Sigma’s funded employer pathway and published fees and funding information. In other states, review the fee-for-service offer and confirm any available support separately.
If a Group Training Organisation employs the apprentice, include it in the discussion. A host business, GTO and RTO have different responsibilities. Our employer support page explains the GTO option and other ways Sigma can help operators recruit and support apprentices.
Use the handover to agree on a visible next step
Ask the apprentice what is holding up progress, agree on the next assessment or practical task, and give the supervisor a clear role in supporting it. A written plan is useful only when the apprentice and employer can act on it. For engineers further into their careers, our training-based retention approach connects the next qualification, category or aircraft type with a longer-term role.
Questions we hear from engineers
Can an apprentice ask to change provider?
The apprentice should be involved in the decision. Confirm the employer’s agreement and the jurisdiction’s process; a provider change is separate from changing employer.
Should we cancel before asking Sigma for a proposal?
Arrange the review and confirm acceptance, credit, fees and changeover dates first. That helps avoid gaps in training and uncertainty about the remaining work.
Your next step
Tell us what your apprentice training needs to deliver.
Include your state, current qualification and provider, number of apprentices, workplace capability and what you want to improve. We can review the arrangement and prepare the next steps.
Reviewed 31 October 2026. Course details and regulatory requirements can change. Use the linked course information and current regulator guidance when planning your pathway.
