How to Ask for a Pay Rise as an Apprentice
Asking for a pay rise can feel nerve-racking, especially when you're still learning the ropes. But before we go any further, let’s get one thing straight — make sure you're already being paid at least the minimum wage for your trade type and apprentice year level. If you’re not, that’s not a raise issue — that’s a Fair Work issue, and you should raise it immediately with your boss or check it yourself on the Fair Work website.
Start by Understanding Your Value
Alright, so you're chasing a pay rise — good on ya. But before you go in swinging, it’s important to see things from your boss’s side of the fence. Employers, generally speaking, pay more to those who bring more value. That value comes in the form of reliability, competence, responsibility, initiative, and being someone they can trust on site. If you're serious about earning more, you’ve got to start ticking those boxes consistently.
Timing Matters: Don’t Ask Too Soon
If you want to make asking for a raise a regular thing in your career — which you should — make sure you're not asking every few months. A good rule of thumb is to only bring it up every 6–12 months, and only when you’ve genuinely earned the conversation. That means you've been going above and beyond for at least a few months before you ask.
What Your Boss Is Thinking
When an employer considers a pay rise, here’s what they’re usually thinking:
Has this apprentice been reliable and trustworthy?
Are they respectful, punctual, and representing the values I want on my job site?
Have they taken on feedback and improved?
Are they stepping up without being asked?
Have they taken on responsibilities outside their normal scope?
Step Up First, Then Ask
That last one’s key. The fastest way to increase your value — and in turn, your pay — is to take on more responsibility than you’re paid for. Show you’re keen. Don’t just do what’s required — look for how you can make the site or business run smoother. Can you save time for your boss? Can you reduce errors or defects? Can you help deliver a better experience for clients? Can you upsell something small to increase the value of a job?
If you start to become someone your boss can’t run the day without, you’re not just a first-year apprentice anymore — you’re a key part of the operation. And if they’re switched on, they’ll want to keep you around.
Example Script: How to Bring It Up
Here’s an example of how a pay rise conversation might go down:
“Hey boss, I just wanted to have a quick word when you’ve got a moment. Over the last 6 months, I’ve been stepping up and taking on more responsibility, like [insert examples — could be managing a small task, prepping the ute, overseeing a handover, etc.]. I’m super committed to continuing to grow and back the business wherever I can.
I was wondering if you’d be open to a small pay rise based on the performance and responsibilities I’ve taken on. I believe [$X increase or total hourly amount] is fair based on what I’ve been doing, and I’m keen to keep learning and taking on more. Does that seem fair to you?”
Now here’s the clever bit — by asking “Do you think that’s fair?” you’re inviting them to either agree (which is hard to say no to if they know you’ve been performing) or explain why not (which gives you a chance to improve and ask again later).
That line puts the onus back on them to assess your value. And if you’ve genuinely been stepping up, showing up early, staying late, and taking pressure off your boss — odds are they’ll agree and say yes.
Consistency Is Key
But remember — you’ve got to back it up. You can’t just be on time for a week and expect a raise. You need to build a track record of showing up, learning fast, taking responsibility, and supporting your team.
So before you ask, do the work. Add value. Be the one they trust with more. Then when you ask — do it respectfully, directly, and with confidence.
The pay rise will come, and when it does, it’ll mean more because you earned it.
