AN120684 – Plumbers and Gasfitters (State) Consolidated Award

8. TOOL ALLOWANCE - APPRENTICES

(i) Apprentices shall be paid each week a tool allowance as set out in Item 16 of Table 2 - Other Rates and Allowances, of Part B - Monetary Rates, provided that where the employer supplies the apprentice with all necessary tools to use in his/her trade (such tools to remain the property of the employer), the provisions of this subclause shall not apply.

(ii) An employer may, by agreement with the apprentice's parent or guardian, elect to provide the apprentice with a kit of tools and, subject to establishing the value of the tools at the time of so providing, deduct the tool allowance until the cost of tools is reimbursed. In the event of an apprentice being dismissed or leaving his/her employment before the cost of the tool kit has been reimbursed the employer shall be entitled to:

(1) deduct from any wages due to the apprentice the remaining cost of the tool kit; or

(2) by agreement retain the tools at the originally nominated value to the amount still owing.

Provided further that where a tool allowance is paid to apprentices the employer may, from time to time, inspect tools provided by an apprentice and if not satisfied that reasonable tools are being provided and kept in serviceable condition, having regard to the quantum of tool allowance paid, may furnish or render serviceable such tools and deduct the cost thereof from the tool allowance payments thereafter becoming due.

(iii) Any question arising out of the provisions of this clause shall be referred to the Industrial Committee for determination.