Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) (Apprenticeship)

As an apprentice, you will be paid while you gain job-specific training and experience. It will set you up for a great career and you'll play a part in creating the next generation of products and services.

You’ll earn a salary while working towards an internationally recognised qualification. You will be supported by your peers, colleagues and university, and have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects with people who are leaders in their field.

You will graduate an experienced Software Engineer.

You will be on a fixed term contract for the five-year duration of your apprenticeship.  In your final year, your employer will have a discussion with you about becoming a full-time permanent employee after you have completed your apprenticeship.

The following employers participated in the program for the 2025 intake:

• BAE Systems Australia
• Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC)
• Consunet

Yes, you can. However, if you’ve already achieved qualifications at the same or higher level in a similar discipline, this program may not benefit you. There are a range of other opportunities, including graduate programs, for qualified and passionate people that you can explore here: Computer Science & Information Technology – Information for Australian Students

Prior study may be taken into consideration and is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

No matter what happens, the courses that you have completed in your apprenticeship degree will be recognised in the on-campus version of the Software Engineering degree.

Your apprenticeship is underpinned by a formal Training Contract that can only be changed by mutual agreement of the apprentice and the employer.  All variations must be approved by the South Australian Government (Traineeship and Apprenticeship Services) before any changes come into effect.

If you or your employer want to terminate the Training Contract and you want to continue in the apprenticeship, you can apply to another provider to continue your apprenticeship with one of the other host employers.  You will need to sign a new Training Contract and begin a new probationary period.  Alternately, you can enrol in Adelaide University’s on-campus Software Engineering program with credit for courses already completed.

If you fail a course, you will need to make new study arrangements with your host employer and Adelaide University.  You and your host employer may also need to submit an application to the South Australian Government to vary the length of your Training Contract.

The Training Contract is the legally binding and formal agreement between the host employer and apprentice.  It sets out key obligations of both the apprentice and employer, training and supervision requirements (e.g. specifying the qualification), duration of the training and probationary period.  If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must also sign the Training Contract.

A Training Plan is an official government document that is agreed by you, your employer and Adelaide University and sets out the courses you will study, the hours you can spend at university for study, and your study time release patterns. You can find a sample Higher Education Training Plan at the bottom of this webpage.

Student tuition fees will be covered by employers, and you will also receive an apprentice salary.

All apprentices will be paid at the award rate.  The specific award will depend on their organisation.  The current cohort of apprentices are paid in line with the rates outlined in the Miscellaneous Award (2020).