Apprentices
I have changed employers, will this affect my CITB number?
If any of your details change, including changing employers, you will need to renew your CITB number to update this information.
What can I get with my CITB number?
Your CITB number will give you access to up to $3,000 in short course training fee subsidies, each financial year.
You may also be eligible to apply for the Tool Voucher and the Career Driven program.
I have just started an apprenticeship, how do I sign up with CITB?
You will need to apply for a CITB number or if you have had a CITB number before you will need to renew it. Please ensure you select the apprentice option and have you employer ABN ready, as you will need to enter this into your application.
Where can I find information around my wages and rights at work?
Fair Work Ombudsmen are there to help you understand your rights and responsibilities at work. Their website has information on pay & wages, leave, starting employment, employment conditions and workplace problems. Additionally, there are free tools and resources available.
Who is required to pay for trade school fees?
Reimbursement of training costs is the responsibility of the employer.
Training fees and textbook costs need to be reimbursed within:
- 6 months of starting the apprenticeship or a stage of the apprenticeship (eg. start of second year) or;
- 3 months of starting training with the training organisation (whichever is later).
This information is within the following awards:
- Building and Construction General On-site Award [MA000020]
- Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award [MA000025]
- Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award [MA000036]
Where can I get support throughout my apprenticeship?
The Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) is your first point of contact for all queries about apprenticeships.
AASNs give personalised advice and support services from pre-commencement to completion of your apprenticeship.
Courses
What if the training doesn’t go ahead?
We understand that circumstances change, and you might not proceed with approved training, or the course / activity might be cancelled.
If that is the case, the training provider you enrolled with can remove your claim from our system, and the subsidy will return to your CITB account. You can check the balance of your account at MyCITB.
How much funding I can receive?
With an approved CITB number, you can access up to $3,000 worth of subsidies each financial year.
How much does CITB subsidise per course?
CITB subsidise a minimum of 60% of the course fee (depending on the cost by each training provider).
The Board will regularly review funding allocations to ensure we promote and adequately subsidise priority training for the industry.
Who delivers the training?
CITB Endorsed Training Providers (ETPs) deliver the training directly.
Does CITB deliver training?
No, CITB does not deliver training.
CITB provides funding for training and other workforce development activities, for eligible construction workers, apprentices and students.
Explore available courses approved for CITB subsidies and view course details via the ‘courses’ section of our website.
If you wish to enrol in a course that has been approved for CITB subsidies, you can do so independently or you can follow the links on our site, where you’ll be taken to the training provider’s website or enrolment page.
What if I cannot find the course I am looking for?
If you have performed a course search on our website and cannot find your course of interest you can contact us during business hours to check your information with us. Otherwise, the course may not be funded by us.
Employers
How do I know if my business is registered with CITB?
Get in contact with us to check If your business is registered with CITB.
How will I know when I am due for a CITB claim?
When you are due for a claim from CITB, you will always receive an email notification letting you know to log into your Employer Dashboard.
How do I get my new apprentice registered for CITB funding?
When taking on a new apprentice, get them to apply for a CITB number. If they have had a CITB number before they will need to renew it. In both cases, ensure they select the apprentice option and enter your ABN in the employer details section.
My apprentice already has a CITB number, why can't I see them on my dashboard?
You will need your apprentice to renew their CITB number via the CITB website, ensure they select the apprentice option and enter in your ABN in the employer details section. This will link them to your business in our system for claiming.
Am I responsible for paying my apprentices Trade School fees?
Yes. This is set out in the Building and Construction, Electrotechnology and Plumbing awards. For further information visit fair work. It is also a condition of funding if you are claiming the Apprentice Training Support (ATS) funding from CITB that you are paying for your apprentices trade school fees.
Can my apprentices’ complete other short courses while they are in training?
Yes, apprentices can undertake any of the short courses offered by CITB and receive up to $3,000 in subsidies.
Levies
Who benefits and where does the money go?
Levies collected by the CITB are re-injected back into the construction industry to:
- Provide training to skilled workers within the industry, to further enhance and develop their skills through a network of endorsed training providers
- Promote increased productivity, career opportunities, personal satisfaction and occupational health and safety within the industry
- Ensure the SA construction workforce is up-to-date with the latest technologies and construction techniques
- Support the training of construction apprentices and trainees
- Avoid skill shortages
- Implement and manage a wide range of other programs to encourage the uptake of training in the SA building and construction industry
- Perform research into training and personnel needs within the industry
Some key benefits are:
Students
- doorways2construction VET program
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) packs
- Driving lessons
- Subsidised course fees
Apprentices and Employers
- Apprentice incentives (e.g., work equipment vouchers)
- On and off job employer funding
- Funding for various equality and diversity initiatives
Construction Workers
- Short course subsidised training
- tradie2trainer program
- Ensure the South Australian public is serviced by quality tradespeople.
Do I need to keep records?
Per Regulation 11 of the Construction Industry Training Fund Regulations 2021:
If you are a project owner, you must keep records for a period of 5 years from the commencement of work.
What professional fees need to be included?
The levy is payable in relation to professional fees for any activity that involves the close oversight, supervision, management or monitoring of the performance of the building and construction work and includes:
- Project management fees
- Construction fees
- Building consultancy fees
- Onsite engineers fees
- Overseers etc.
The levy is not payable in relation to professional fees for any activity that is of a preliminary nature and not directly associated with the close oversight, supervision, management or monitoring of the performance of building and construction work. This includes:
- Concept Design fees
- Feasibility studies
- Building design fees
- Planning fees
- Seeking planning approval fees
- Seeking building rules consent
- Quantity surveying
- Engineering design etc.
What if there is no contract in place for the building and construction work, or I am doing the work myself?
If the work is not carried out under a contract, then a reasonable market price for the work on the assumption that all of the following are included as components of that work:
- The value of labour, necessary services and fees (including professional fees) payable in relation to the work; and
- The value of building or construction materials; and
- The value of any prescribed components that are to be installed as part of, or in association with, the work, this includes Fixtures, fittings including plant and equipment (there are exclusions for some types of plant and equipment, please contact us for clarification); and
- A reasonable allocation for a profit margin; and
- The value of any overheads; and any other component prescribed by regulations (i.e. GST)
What if there is more than one contract for the building and construction works?
If work is carried out under a contract or series of contracts, then the levy is paid on the total contract value as long as it includes:
- Labour, services, fees (including professional fees)
- Building or construction materials
- Fixtures, fittings including plant and equipment (there are exclusions for some types of plant and equipment, please contact us for clarification)
- A reasonable allocation of profit margin
- The value of any overheads
- Any other component prescribed by regulations (GST)
If the work is not carried out under a contract, then a reasonable market value for all the items listed above. See Schedule 1 for further details.
Do I need to do anything upon project completion?
Section 26 of the CITF Act requires a project owner to notify the Board of the actual value of the building or construction work, no later than three months after project completion.
- If the total value of the works has increased by $50,000 or more the project owner will need to pay an additional levy amount.
- If the value of the works has decreased by $50,000 or more the project owner may be entitled to a refund.
CITB automatically sends reminders to project owners to assess the final value of projects, via email 60 days after the project completion date. CITB refers to this as the ‘Statement of Completion’ (SOC) process.
What if the project owner changes, i.e. changed builder?
Email or call CITB on 1800 739 839 to let us know the new owner’s details and we will confirm the transfer and change the project owner in our system.
What if the land or property is sold, can I get the levy refunded?
If the land and/or property is sold with the development approved plans, then the CITF levy is still current and no refund is available – the levy becomes part of the sale to the new owner, this applies irrespective of whether the plans are intended to be used or not.
Email or call CITB on 1800 739 839 to let us know the new owner’s details and we will confirm the transfer and change the project owner in our system.
If the land and/or property is sold without development plans, then you can apply for a levy refund.
When am I entitled to a refund?
You may be eligible for a levy refund if your construction project:
- Was cancelled or didn’t go ahead
- Levy lodgement or payment was duplicated
- Completed value has decreased by $50,000 or more
If you meet any of the above criteria please email our Levy Support team with ‘Refund’ and your ‘Project ID number’ in the subject line.
A Refund Application Form requires the following supporting documentation:
- Development application (DA) withdrawn/cancelled on the PlanSA portal (link). Please provide Application ID number or advise CITB if DA has Lapsed; or Confirmation from local council confirming withdrawal of building approval (email/letter) This is only applies to applications made prior to March 2021.
- Levy Notice or Receipt of both duplicated lodgements or payment information showing the duplicate payment
- Suitable documentation that confirms the projects final completion value and how the sum of projects final value was reached for e.g. Invoices.
What if the project changes or is cancelled?
If you are no longer proceeding with a project you may be entitled to a refund.
Email us noting your Project ID and we will send you a CITB Levy Refund Application Form.
The application form requires the following supporting documentation:
- Confirmation from PlanSA or local council confirming withdrawal of building approval (email/letter)
- Reason for cancellation.
Is GST included in the levy calculation?
The value of any GST payable is to be included as a component of the estimated value of building or construction work.
Per CITF Regulation 2021, section 16.
Note: GST is not payable on the levy amount
Is the levy paid on Development Cost?
The levy is paid on the total value of ‘Building or Construction Work’ as defined by the Act, Schedule 1 and Schedule 1A.
Development cost and ‘Building or Construction Work’ estimated project value for CITB purposes value can be different.
For example, the CITF Act includes demolition costs and fit-out costs for fixed furniture & fittings.
Where do I pay the levy?
You can lodge and pay the levy online.
Payments can be made quickly and securely online with your credit card, electronic funds transfer or BPAY.
Note: if you pay by credit card an instant levy receipt is emailed to you, other payment methods take approx. 2 days to clear the bank before the levy receipt is issued.
How is the levy calculated?
The levy is calculated on the estimated project value of building or construction works greater than $40,000 (inc.GST).
The levy is applied at 0.25% of the estimated project value.
In any other case an estimate of the reasonable market price for the work is levied at 0.25%. Use our Levy Calculator to estimate the amount payable.
Who pays the levy?
The levy is paid by the project owner.
Project owner is the person/organisation engaged to carry out or cause to be carried out all or substantially all of the building or construction work associated with a particular project (at the time of building approval). The project owner is often the ‘head contractor’.
In any other case, it is the person/organisation for whose direct benefit the building or construction work exists on its completion i.e. the property owner.
MyCITB
I have moved interstate – can I still use my CITB number?
No, we only partner with South Australian based Training Providers.
My CITB number was previously approved, but I have received a notification that it’s now declined. What happened?
There are a few reasons you may have been declined:
- If a CITB number has been ‘on hold’ for 3 months, the CITB number will automatically be declined. If you are still living in SA and working in the SA building and construction industry, you can renew your CITB number online
- If you have renewed your CITB number and are no longer living in SA or working in the SA building and construction industry, you are no longer eligible for a CITB number.
Why is my CITB number on hold?
There are a few reasons why your CITB number is put on hold:
- We are waiting on confirmation of your training contract
- A previous employer has notified us that your details have changed
- A training provider has notified us that your details have changed
- Your details are deemed to be incorrect, or your application is incomplete
- We are waiting on confirmation of your employment
- Your employer is not registered with CITB.
If your CITB number is put on hold you, will receive a notification to provide further detail.
How long does my CITB number last for?
CITB Numbers expire at different times, based on your approval status.
Construction Workers:
Are approved for four years before they will automatically expire, unless renewed.
Apprentices:
Are approved for the term of the apprenticeship. On completion, a reminder will be sent to renew.
Students:
Are approved for one year in year 11, and can renew in year 12 for another year (if completing an Advanced Skills Cluster).
What is the eligibility criteria for a CITB Number?
Broadly, you must be living in South Australia and be working in South Australia’s building and construction industry. Please refer to our eligibility policy for definitions of ‘building and construction’ and specific requirements for a CITB number.