Turning up on your first day without the right gear is one of the quickest ways to look unprepared. You don't need to spend a fortune or buy every tool under the sun — the boss provides the specialist stuff — but there's a core kit every apprentice is expected to have. Getting it sorted before day one shows you're serious and saves you scrambling.
This guide covers what to bring on day one, what to build up over time, and who's expected to pay for what. Sort the essentials, pack your bag the night before, and you'll start on the front foot.
The absolute essentials for day one
These are the non-negotiables. Without some of them you literally can't step onto a site.
- White Card: Legally required for any construction work in Australia. Sort it before day one — see the White Card guide.
- Steel-cap boots: Comfortable, well-fitting safety boots with good grip. You'll live in these, so don't cheap out.
- Hi-vis shirt or vest: Required on almost every site.
- Long work pants and a suitable shirt: Durable, appropriate for the trade and weather.
- Any tickets you hold: White Card, working at heights, first aid — bring proof.
If you're not sure whether you need a ticket for the work, check which tickets actually get you hired.
Food, water and sun protection
This is the stuff new starters forget and regret by lunchtime. Australian sites are hot, exposed, and physically demanding.
- Water — plenty of it. Bring a big bottle and refill it. Dehydration wrecks your day and your performance.
- Lunch and smoko snacks. You'll burn serious energy. Pack more than you think you need.
- Sunscreen and a hat. Skin cancer is a genuine occupational risk for outdoor tradies. Reapply through the day.
- Sunglasses where they don't interfere with safety glasses.
Staying fed, hydrated, and sun-safe keeps you working well all day and ties into managing fatigue and long hours.
PPE you'll need
Personal protective equipment keeps you safe, and some of it you're expected to bring while some is provided. Boots and basic workwear are usually yours; task-specific gear like harnesses and respirators is usually supplied.
- Safety glasses
- Gloves suited to the work
- Hearing protection — earplugs or earmuffs
- Hard hat (often site-supplied, but check)
For the full rundown on PPE and who pays for what, read the PPE guide for new apprentices.
Basic hand tools
Don't rush out and buy a full kit before you start — ask your employer what they expect you to provide, because it varies by trade and business. Many will supply tools early on, then expect you to build your own kit over time.
A common starter set includes:
- Tape measure
- Pencil and a marker
- Utility knife
- A basic tool belt or pouch
- A small selection of hand tools relevant to your trade
Buy quality where it matters and look after what you've got — see basic tool care and storage. Don't blow your first pay on gear you don't need yet.
Who pays for what?
This trips up a lot of apprentices, so here's how it generally works:
- Employer's responsibility: Under WHS law, your employer must provide the PPE and specialist safety equipment needed to do the job safely, at no cost to you. They also usually supply the specialist and expensive tools.
- Your responsibility: Typically your own boots, basic workwear, and over time a personal set of hand tools.
- Allowances: Many modern awards include a tool allowance and sometimes a clothing or laundry allowance to help cover your costs. Check what applies to you in tool allowances: what you're entitled to and use the Wage Calculator.
If you're being asked to pay for PPE the employer should provide, that's worth raising — see your rights as an apprentice. If you're ever unsure about entitlements, the Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au) is the official source.
Handy extras
A few small things make site life easier and show you think ahead.
- A phone (kept in your pocket while working — see phone use on site: the unwritten rules)
- A charged power bank
- A notebook and pen for jotting down instructions and measurements
- Wet weather gear if rain's about
- Spare socks and a jumper for changeable weather
- A first-aid basics kit — bandaids, blister care
Carrying a notebook and actually writing down what you're told is a small habit that impresses supervisors and helps you learn faster.
Pack the night before
The simplest tip of all: pack your bag and lay out your gear the night before, and charge your phone. Mornings are rushed, and forgetting your boots or your lunch is a rough start. Being organised is exactly the kind of reliability employers notice from day one — as covered in what employers notice during your first week.
Ready to gear up and get started? Browse apprenticeship jobs or create a free profile.
Key takeaways
- Day-one essentials: White Card, steel-caps, hi-vis, and long work gear.
- Always bring plenty of water, food, sunscreen, and a hat.
- Bring your basic PPE; the employer provides task-specific safety gear.
- Ask your employer which tools to bring before buying a full kit.
- Employers must supply PPE at no cost; awards often include a tool allowance.
- Pack your bag the night before so you're never caught short.