Before you start a sheet metal apprenticeship, the first question is usually simple: what’s the pay actually like? Here’s the plain-English version for 2026.
Which award covers you?
Most sheet metal apprentices are covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 (award code MA000010), which sets minimum pay and conditions across engineering and metal trades. A Modern Award is the legal floor on your wage regardless of employer; a registered enterprise agreement (EBA) would take precedence if your employer has one.
How apprentice pay is worked out
Apprentice wages are a percentage of the qualified tradesperson’s rate, over a typical four-year apprenticeship, usually structured in stages (Stage 1 through Stage 4) rather than simple calendar years. As an indicative guide only, expect a noticeably lower share in Stage 1 climbing toward the full rate by Stage 4 — exact figures are published by the Fair Work Ombudsman and usually change on 1 July each year, so we point you to the source rather than quote a number that can go stale.
Year 12 and adult apprentices
Completing Year 12 can lift your starting percentage compared to leaving school earlier. If you start as an adult apprentice (generally 21+), you’re usually entitled to a higher minimum than a school-leaver — worth confirming before you sign your training contract.
What else you get paid
- Tool and site allowances depending on the workshop and job conditions
- Penalty rates for overtime, weekends and public holidays
- Superannuation on top of your wage
- Paid time to attend TAFE in most arrangements
How to check your correct rate
Don’t rely on a mate’s guess or a random figure (including this one). Use the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Calculator at fairwork.gov.au — enter your award, apprentice stage and age and it returns the current legal minimum. If your pay doesn’t add up, Fair Work has a free helpline and can look into underpayment.
The bottom line
A sheet metal apprenticeship means a few years on lower, stage-based pay in exchange for a precision trade used across construction, manufacturing and HVAC ductwork. Your wage climbs each stage toward the full qualified rate. Know how the percentages work and check them against the correct award so you start on the right money.
General information only — not financial or legal advice. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman and your award for exact rates.
What a sheet metal apprentice earns
Sheet metal work sits under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award (MA000010), in the engineering stream. These are the Fair Work minimums:
| Stage | Hourly | Weekly (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice — stage 1 | $14.97 | $568.86 |
| Apprentice — stage 2 | $17.95 | $682.10 |
| Apprentice — stage 3 | $22.44 | $852.72 |
| Apprentice — stage 4 | $26.33 | $1,000.54 |
These are the general manufacturing stream rates for a full-time apprentice who started after 1 January 2014 and did not complete Year 12, including the tool allowance, as at 3 August 2026. Completing Year 12 and starting as an adult apprentice both lift these figures, so check your own on the Fair Work Pay Calculator.
If your work is on construction sites — roof plumbing, ducting installation, architectural metalwork fitted on site — the construction award may apply instead, and it generally pays more. Check which award your training contract names.
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