While you're placed with host employers through Squad, your employment relationship is with Squad. Host employers provide the workplace where you gain on-the-job experience and training under Squad's guidance. You will be under Squad's payroll.

Squad places its employees with businesses that are called ‘Host Employers’ as they are ‘hosting’ you in their workplace. Throughout your employment with Squad you may sometimes work with more than one Host Employer. This provides you with an opportunity to work in different environments, locations and on different equipment, thus improving the quality of employment opportunities, training and experience. We will not place you with a Host employer who is not compliant with our standards or government legislation – you’re in safe hands with Squad.

If you are under 18 at the time of commencing employment with Squad you will need a parent or legal guardian to also sign your training and employment contract, it is a great idea to get them to also speak to your mentor.

A Training Contract is a registration with the relevant state training authority that outlines your apprenticeship or traineeship. It ensures structured training and may end upon completion, but Squad can assist in finding further employment.

AASN stands for Australian Apprenticeship Support Networks, a program by the Commonwealth Government supporting employers, apprentices, and trainees during apprenticeships or traineeships.

Probation periods vary based on your role and training contract. It's a time for mutual assessment of suitability. Notice periods apply, as outlined in the relevant standards or agreements.

Wages are paid according to the applicable Award or agreement and transferred to your nominated bank account. You'll receive payslips after each payment, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements.

We pay many employees under many awards. The majority of our awards fall under the following Fairwork legislation.

Employees must be paid weekly and before the end of the workday on Thursdays.

To ensure that we remain compliant and are able to attend to issues that occasionally arise we process pays on Tuesday's and Wednesday's.

The reasons that we do this are many, but mainly:

• this gives the Host Employers time to authorise timesheets
• it allows our team time to follow up GT Employees and Host employers
• public holidays occasionally get in the way
• the banks occasionally have processing issues
• the Squad bank authority processors may not meet a deadline
• Technology can interfere - Astute processing, no internet 

Although we cannot control or influence an individual's financial circumstances we can encourage all employees to schedule loan repayments and direct debits for a Friday.

You can check where your timesheet is up to by logging into your Astute profile. We recommend you do this first.

Check with your approver/supervisor to see if they have approved your timesheet.  Or have you changed bank accounts and updated your Astute profile?

If you are still unsure then please give your Squad team member a call.

Squad forwards Pay As You Go (PAYG) tax to the Australian Tax Office on your behalf based on the information provided in your tax declaration.

Approved overtime should be recorded on your timesheet for proper payment at the appropriate rate as per your award or agreement.

Squad ensures the minimum superannuation contribution is made on your behalf in line with legislation. Your super fund secures your future, and queries can be directed to us.

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to sick leave, but evidence may be required for absences. Contact your Squad Representative and host employer promptly for clarification.

You're entitled to annual leave as per the National Employment Standards, with plans coordinated between you, Squad, and your host employer.

Each party has responsibilities ensuring your safety, training, and support in the workplace, including adherence to workplace policies, supervision, and completion of training plans. Please see your Induction Handbook for further information, our you can contact your mentor to discuss further.

Safety protocols are crucial, and understanding site-specific rules is essential. Your Squad Representative will guide you, and additional information will be provided during induction.

One of the benefits of being employed by Squad is that you are employed by a Group Training Organisation, not your host employer. This allows Squad to utilise their network of trade and business clients in the region, to help assist getting you back to work promptly.

Apprentices and trainees may work for more than one host employer during their apprenticeship or traineeship. This provides a “safety net” during periods of work shortages and enables you to gain additional experience in other businesses, whilst still completing your qualification.

Your host will always have the right to return you to Squad at their discretion. In situations where you are returned for reasons other than poor work performance or violation of your employment contract Squad will endeavour to place you with another host employer suited to you.

WHAT SQUAD WILL DO –

• Your Squad Representative will contact current businesses in your field of trade to find a possible placement.
• Squad will also contact potential employers through other marketing sources such as chambers, TAFE contacts and telemarketing.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO –

• Update your resume! You will need to provide the updated copy of this to your Squad Representative, but you should also have copies ready to hand out to prospective employers you may meet. Spread the word.
• Contact as many people in your trade as possible. Please keep a list of these contacts to give to your Squad Representative for follow up.
• Talk to your TAFE teacher, as they may also be able to put you in contact with interested employers.
• It is recommended that you continue to attend TAFE. This will ensure that you are up to date with the training requirements of your apprenticeship and will help you to be placed with another host employer.
• Recommend early intervention strategies and training requirements as required

You MUST NOT commence work with another employer without consulting your Squad Representative first.

If you feel that the service you’ve received does not meet your expectations, you have the right to make a complaint. All complaints and feedback are kept confidential.

If you want to make a complaint:

1. Talk to your Squad Representative about your concerns.
2. If you’re not satisfied with their response, ask for the name of their Manager or Supervisor and speak to them.
3. If this is not satisfactory, contact the People and Safety team on 1300 784 787 or by emailing complaints@squad.org.au 
4. Further details about our policy and procedure can be found at www.squad.org.au