Starting your first year and wondering what you actually need to buy? Good news: less than you think. Most first-years waste hundreds of dollars on gear they never use, or buy the wrong things before they've even set foot on site. The smart move is to buy a small, quality starter kit, then let the job tell you what to add.
This guide covers what to buy before day one, what to wait on, how PPE works (and who pays for it), and how to avoid the classic first-year money traps.
Ask before you buy anything
Before you spend a cent, ask your employer or supervisor two questions: what do you expect me to supply, and what does the company provide? Every trade and every business is different. Many employers supply the big-ticket items — power tools, ladders, specialised gear — and only expect you to turn up with basic hand tools and your own PPE. Some provide everything at the start and deduct a tool kit from a tool allowance.
Speaking of which: many awards include a tool allowance paid to apprentices who supply their own hand tools. Check whether yours does — it can cover a good chunk of what you spend. Read tool allowances and what you're entitled to for how that works.
The PPE basics every first-year needs
PPE (personal protective equipment) is the safety gear that keeps you working. Legally, your employer must provide the PPE required for the job — but most apprentices still buy some of their own basics because gear that fits properly is safer and more comfortable. Before you buy, confirm what your employer supplies.
- Steel-cap boots — the one item worth spending real money on. You'll wear them 8+ hours a day. Expect to replace them roughly yearly. Look for the Australian standard marking (AS 2210.3).
- Safety glasses — a couple of pairs, because they scratch and disappear. Clear for indoors, tinted for outside work.
- Hearing protection — earplugs or earmuffs. Keep a set in your pocket or on your hard hat, always.
- Gloves — general-purpose riggers gloves plus any trade-specific type (cut-resistant, insulated, etc.).
- Hi-vis shirts — most employers supply workwear with their logo, but a spare hi-vis of your own never hurts.
- Sun protection — wide-brim hat or hard-hat brim, SPF 50+ sunscreen. Australian sites cook in summer.
- Hard hat — usually supplied by the employer or the site. Don't buy one until you're told to.
For the full rundown on what each item does and when it's required, read the PPE guide for new apprentices.
Starter hand tools — buy the small kit, not the big one
The biggest first-year mistake is buying a giant tool kit before you know your trade. A carpenter's kit, a sparkie's kit and a plumber's kit look nothing alike. Until your employer gives you a list, a small general kit covers you:
- Tape measure — 8m is the standard all-rounder.
- Claw hammer — mid-weight; you can go heavier later if the work calls for it.
- Screwdriver set — flat and Phillips in a few sizes.
- Pliers and side cutters — a basic set.
- Adjustable wrench (shifter) — one medium size to start.
- Utility knife — plus spare blades.
- Pencils and a marker — cheap, constantly lost, always needed.
- Tool bag or small box — you don't need a giant chest in first year. Something you can carry in one hand.
Many trades have a standard "apprentice tool list" your employer or TAFE will hand you in the first weeks. Wait for it. Buying twice hurts.
Quality vs price: where to spend and where to save
You don't need top-shelf everything, but some things are worth paying for:
- Spend on: boots, tape measure, and anything you'll use every single day. Quality here pays for itself.
- Save on: items you're still learning to use or that get lost easily — pencils, knives, basic screwdrivers. Mid-range is fine.
- Never buy: big power tools in first year unless your employer specifically tells you to. Most companies supply them, and you don't yet know which brand ecosystem (batteries!) your workplace runs.
Second-hand can be great for hand tools — garage sales, marketplace listings and tool swap meets are full of quality older gear. Just avoid second-hand PPE: boots, helmets and harnesses should always be bought new.
Look after what you buy
Tools walk off site if you let them. From day one: mark your tools (engrave your name or use a paint colour), pack up properly at the end of each day, and keep your kit in one bag rather than scattered around the ute. Good habits here also get noticed by employers — read basic tool care and storage for the full routine.
The other stuff nobody tells you to bring
A few non-tool items make first year far more comfortable:
- Esky or cooler bag with lunch and plenty of water — servo food gets expensive fast.
- Sunscreen and a spare shirt in your bag.
- Basic first-aid items — band-aids and tape for blisters (there will be blisters).
- Phone charger for the car, and a notepad for measurements and job notes.
There's a full list in what every apprentice should bring to work.
Key takeaways
- Ask your employer what they supply before buying anything — many provide the expensive gear.
- Spend properly on steel-cap boots; they're the one item you'll use every hour of every day.
- Buy a small starter hand-tool kit and wait for your trade's official tool list before going big.
- Your employer must provide required PPE, but well-fitting basics of your own are worth having.
- Check if your award pays a tool allowance — it can cover much of your kit.
- Mark your tools, pack up daily, and never buy second-hand safety gear.