Last updated:

What do I need to know?

  • The year range during which the apprentice was employed
  • The name of the employer
  • The name of the apprentice

How do I search?

There are two relevant series to search. 

VPRS 11538/P1 contains records for the period 1929-1967. The records are alphabetically arranged by surname ranges. These surname ranges can be browsed online. Select the box with the surname range that you are interested in and order records the records for viewing our reading room (note that records covering 1968-1976, and some records from 1956-1967, are closed under section 9 of the Public Records Act).

VPRS 11758 contains records for the period 1976-1990 which can be searched by year range using the search form below.

This search does not provide access to certificate records. You will need to contact the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority to apply for a duplicate Certificate of Completion or extract from the register of apprentices (1994 or earlier) or trade papers (from 1995 onwards).

About these records

You can access records about the development of apprenticeship programs (some of which contain information about individual apprentices) in the Apprentice History Cards and the Apprenticeship and Employer Data Reports, which can be ordered for viewing in our reading room.

Next Steps

Useful links

What are in these records?

The Apprenticeship and Employer Data Reports (VPRS 11758) are summary lists of data about apprentices and their employers. They contain:

  • name and registration number of employer
  • name and registration number of apprentice
  • address and phone number of employer
  • period of year apprentice was employed

The records also include ad hoc listings of employers and apprentices, sorted by registration number or trade.

The Apprenticeship History Cards (VPRS 11538) provide summary information about the progress of apprentices during their school training. They contain:

  • the apprentice's name, date of birth, and evaluations of progress (such as results for particular subjects, recorded attendance and behavioural evaluations)
  • the name and address of the parent or guardian
  • the name of the employer
  • the apprenticeship and the educational institution/s attended

Tip! As of September 1998 records post 1990 are not in the custody of the Public Record Office Victoria. For records from this period researchers should contact the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority.

Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples

Learn more