1. The “Fair Work” Rule: No More Apprentice Pay
The biggest financial shift for JRP participants in 2026 is their classification. Since you hold a Certificate III or IV, you are no longer an apprentice.
- The Minimum Floor: Your employer must pay you according to the National Modern Award for your industry. For most trades, this is the Building and Construction General On-site Award or the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award.
- Qualified vs. Unqualified: You should be paid at least at the Trade Level 1 (C10) or equivalent, which in 2026 sits significantly higher than the national minimum wage.
- Market Salary Rate: If your employer has other Australian workers doing the same job, they must pay you the same “Market Salary Rate.”
2. 2026 Average Earnings by Trade (Step 2: JRE)
While you complete your 1,725 hours of paid employment, your earnings will vary by location and specialization. In 2026, “Trades Assistants” (the common entry-level title for JRP) are seeing a major wage boost due to labor shortages.
| Trade Occupation | Avg. Hourly Rate (2026) | Est. Annual Salary (38hrs/wk) |
| Chef / Cook | $29 – $34 | $57,000 – $67,000 |
| Carpenter (Qualified) | $36 – $45 | $71,000 – $89,000 |
| Motor Mechanic | $34 – $42 | $67,000 – $83,000 |
| Cabinet Maker | $32 – $38 | $63,000 – $75,000 |
| Welder / Fabricator | $35 – $44 | $69,000 – $87,000 |
3. The “1,725 Hours” Math
To successfully pass Step 2 (Job Ready Employment) and Step 4 (Final Assessment), you must prove you were paid for at least 1,725 hours over a minimum of 12 months.
- Full-Time: Working 38 hours per week will get you to the finish line in approximately 45.5 weeks (allowing for 12 months total duration).
- Casual/Part-Time: You can work fewer hours, but the program will not finish until you hit the 1,725-hour mark. TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) will verify this through payslips, bank statements, and superannuation records.
- Overtime: While you can work overtime, TRA usually only counts a maximum of 38 hours per week toward your 1,725-hour total. Overtime pay, however, is great for your savings!
4. Strategic Tip: The TSMIT Alignment
In 2026, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is $76,515.
While the JRP itself doesn’t strictly require you to earn $76k (it only requires “Award” wages), many participants aim for this higher bracket.
- Why? If your JRP employer decides to sponsor you for a 482 or 494 visa later, you will likely need to meet that $76,515 threshold.
- Pro-Tip: Check your Superannuation! In 2026, your employer must pay 11.5% super on top of your wages. TRA cross-checks your super portal to ensure your employment is genuine.
5. Common “Pay Traps” to Avoid in 2026
- Cash-in-Hand: NEVER accept cash. TRA will reject any hours not backed by a bank transfer and a formal payslip.
- ABN/Subcontracting: You can be a subcontractor for the JRP in 2026, but it is much harder to verify. You must have a single “contractor” who supervises your work and signs your reports for at least 6 months.
- Underpayment: If you are being paid less than the Award rate, your JRP application could be flagged. TRA’s job is to ensure you are working in a standard Australian environment.
