Nobody warns you how much a decent tool kit actually costs. You start your apprenticeship, get handed a list of “essentials,” and suddenly you’re staring down hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars of gear before you’ve earned enough to cover it. It’s one of the biggest financial shocks of starting a trade.
The good news: there’s a real gap between “buy everything brand new on day one” and “turn up with a busted second-hand kit that lets you down.” This guide covers the practical options in between — trade pricing, sale timing, ex-demo stock, second-hand marketplaces, battery ecosystems, and what an employer might owe towards tools. None of it is about which brand to buy — it’s about spreading the cost, not buying the same thing twice, and knowing where it’s not worth cutting corners.
The short version (TL;DR)
- Check your award first — some (including the Building and Construction General On-site Award) build in a tool allowance for classifications required to supply their own tools.
- Major retailers (Bunnings, Total Tools, Sydney Tools and others) run trade or apprentice-specific accounts below shelf price — usually free to set up.
- EOFY (June) is a genuine seasonal sale period across Australian tool retailers — worth timing big purchases around.
- Ex-demo and refurbished tools can be a legitimate saving, provided warranty and condition are checked first.
- Second-hand marketplaces work well for hand tools and storage — but safety gear (hard hats, harnesses, eye/ear/respiratory protection) is generally a “buy new” category.
- Picking one cordless battery platform early avoids paying for multiple chargers and batteries down the track.
- “Buy once, cry once” versus a cheap starter tool is a genuine trade-off, not a blanket rule.
Start with what your award might already owe you
Before spending anything, it’s worth checking whether your award includes a tool allowance — a payment on top of wages meant to help cover supplying and maintaining your own tools. The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms the Building and Construction General On-Site Award includes tool allowances for certain classifications (some carpentry, joinery and stonemasonry-related roles) required to provide their own tools of trade.
The exact figure moves over time. As one reference point, the tool allowance for some classifications under this award sat at $38.60 per week as at 1 July 2025 — and the Fair Work Commission’s 2026 Annual Wage Review lifted modern award minimum rates by 4.75% from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, so current figures will differ. Rather than trust a number printed here, check the exact current entitlement via the free P.A.C.T. (Pay and Conditions Tool). It’s also worth a straightforward conversation with an employer about who supplies what — some provide tools or an allowance above the minimum, others expect apprentices to supply their own kit from day one.
Trade accounts and apprentice pricing
Most major Australian tool and hardware retailers run a trade account or rewards program that sits below general retail pricing, and several extend a version to apprentices specifically, not just qualified tradespeople with an ABN. Bunnings, for example, runs a PowerPass Apprentice card apprentices can sign up for using an apprenticeship registration number rather than a business number. Total Tools and Sydney Tools run their own trade and rewards programs too, alongside apprentice-focused deals from individual tool brands. Programs vary and change over time, so check current eligibility and terms directly — signing up generally costs nothing.
Time big purchases around EOFY
End of financial year (EOFY), typically through June, is a well-established sales period across Australian tool retailers — Bunnings, Total Tools, Sydney Tools and others regularly run EOFY promotions and clearance pricing in the lead-up to 30 June. For a big-ticket item that isn’t needed urgently, holding off for the next EOFY (or another known sale period like Black Friday) is a common way tradies time larger purchases. This guide is written in July 2026, so the most recent EOFY sale has just passed — worth factoring into planning for non-urgent buys.
Ex-demo and refurbished tools
Ex-demo tools (used briefly in-store or at trade shows) and manufacturer-refurbished tools are often discounted against new stock and can be a genuine way to save on higher-cost items. The trade-off is usually warranty length and cosmetic condition, so it’s worth checking what warranty applies, what condition the tool is actually in, and whether it’s sold through an authorised retailer rather than an unofficial reseller. Details vary between retailers, so check specifics rather than assuming “refurbished” always means the same thing.
Second-hand: what’s commonly fine, what’s usually not
Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, trade Facebook groups and liquidation or auction sites are all commonly used for cheaper tools, and plenty of legitimate bargains turn up. Hand tools, tool storage, ladders and trestles, and sometimes power tool bodies (sold without batteries, since battery health is hard to judge second-hand) are generally lower-risk second-hand buys, as wear is usually visible.
PPE is generally treated differently. Safe Work Australia’s guidance is clear that whoever provides PPE — even via an allowance — carries a duty to ensure it fits properly and actually protects the wearer. Items like hard hats, harnesses, eye protection, hearing protection and respirators can degrade from UV exposure, impact damage or wear in ways that aren’t obvious from a photo, and many have manufacturer-specified lifespans. PPE is widely treated as a “buy new” category, though specifics depend on the item and its condition.
Pick a battery platform and stick with it
Cordless tools lock you into whichever battery platform you buy first — Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt, Ryobi and other brands each run separate battery and charger systems that aren’t interchangeable. Buying across multiple brands often means buying multiple chargers and battery sets too. Many tradies settle on one platform early and buy “bare tools” (tool only, no battery or charger) once batteries and a charger are already owned, since bare-tool pricing is usually cheaper than a full kit. Which platform suits best comes down to what’s needed for the trade and personal preference — there’s no universally “correct” ecosystem.
“Buy once, cry once” vs a cheap starter kit
There’s a long-running debate between “buy once, cry once” (paying more upfront for a tool built to last) and a cheaper starter version to get going now. Neither is automatically right — it depends on the tool. Something used constantly, all day, is often where spending more upfront pays off through durability. Something used occasionally, or likely to be upgraded as skills develop, is often a reasonable place to start cheap. Weighing usage frequency against the cost of a mid-job failure is one way to decide, case by case.
Frequently asked questions
Do apprentices actually get money for tools, or is that just for qualified tradies?
It depends on the award and classification. Some awards include a tool allowance for apprentices required to provide their own tools, others structure it differently. Checking the specific award via P.A.C.T. is the reliable way to find out.
Is it worth getting a trade account before I’m actually qualified?
Several trade accounts, including at least one major retailer’s apprentice-specific program, are open to apprentices using an apprenticeship registration number rather than an ABN. Terms vary by retailer and change over time, so checking directly is worthwhile.
Is buying second-hand power tools a bad idea in general?
Not necessarily — tool bodies, hand tools and non-safety-critical items are commonly bought second-hand without issue, provided they’re checked and tested where possible. The bigger caution generally applies to PPE, where wear and expiry aren’t always visible.
Should I buy all my tools in one big shop or spread it out?
Both approaches are used for different reasons. Spreading purchases around sale periods can reduce total cost, while an upfront shop suits someone who needs a full kit ready for day one. It depends on cash flow and how urgently each tool is needed.
This guide is general information only — not financial, legal or tax advice. Amounts and rules change and vary by state and situation. Always confirm with the official sources linked above or a registered professional before making decisions. Information correct as at July 2026.
Official sources: Fair Work Ombudsman — Allowances in the Building and Construction Award, Fair Work Ombudsman — Building and Construction Award (MA000020) summary, Fair Work Ombudsman — P.A.C.T. Pay and Conditions Tool, Fair Work Ombudsman — Annual Wage Review, Safe Work Australia — Personal protective equipment (PPE) overview, Bunnings Trade — PowerPass Apprentice.