Apprentice Tool Kit Australia — a practical guide for Australian trades from the team at Power Tools Direct Australia.
What to buy first, what to skip, realistic year-one budgets, and the platform decision that matters more than the brand.
Apprentice Tool Kit Australia: In this guide
- You do not need everything in year one
- The universal starting six
- The first cordless purchase
- Realistic budgets
- What to skip in year one
You do not need everything in year one
The pressure to turn up with a full kit is real and mostly misplaced. Buying cheap versions of every tool is far worse than buying six good ones and adding as you go.
Your first year is also when you find out what you actually reach for, which is different for every trade and every employer.
The universal starting six
Regardless of trade, these earn their place immediately:
- A quality tape measure — 8 m, Class II, good standout
- A 600 mm spirit level — accuracy you can trust
- A claw hammer that suits your hand, not the biggest one on the rack
- A small screwdriver set — PH, PZ and flat, quality over quantity
- Combination pliers and side cutters
- A tool bag or belt to carry it in
The first cordless purchase
Buy an 18V brushless combi drill and impact driver twin kit with two batteries. It is the single best value purchase in cordless tooling and gets you onto a platform.
Choose the platform your workplace already uses if you can — borrowing a battery in an emergency is worth a lot, and you will learn what the tools do well before committing your own money to more.
Buy the platform your boss and your workmates use. Battery compatibility on site is worth more than a small price difference.
Realistic budgets
| Stage | Spend | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Week one | $300–500 | Hand tool basics, bag, PPE |
| First three months | $600–900 | Brushless combi + impact twin kit |
| Year one total | $1,500–2,500 | Above plus trade-specific tools as needed |
| Year two | $1,000–2,000 | Third and fourth cordless tools, better hand tools |
What to skip in year one
- Large stationary tools — your employer has them
- Specialist tools until a job actually requires one
- Enormous 200-piece sets — mostly filler you will never use
- Premium hand tools for everything — buy premium for what you use daily, mid-range for the rest
Protect what you buy
Apprentice tools disappear. Mark every single tool distinctively — engraving, paint, coloured tape — and photograph the collection with serial numbers.
Check whether your tools are covered under a home contents or a separate tools of trade policy, because most home policies do not cover tools stolen from a vehicle. See tool theft prevention.
Tax and buying smart
Tools bought for work are generally deductible in Australia, and there are thresholds that allow immediate deduction of lower-cost items. Keep every receipt from day one — see claiming tools on tax.
If you are buying regularly, a trade account is worth setting up early.
Starting an apprenticeship?
Twin-pack kits, hand tool sets and PPE — free delivery over $1,000.
The bottom line
What to buy first, what to skip, realistic year-one budgets, and the platform decision that matters more than the brand. Everything we sell is genuine Australian stock with full manufacturer warranty, dispatched same day on orders placed before 1pm AEST from our Sydney warehouse. Standard delivery is $15.99, express is $32.55, and delivery is free on orders over $1,000.
Not sure which option suits your work? Talk to our team — we are tradies too. You can also browse the full power tool range, read the FAQs, or set up a trade account for ongoing pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Should apprentices buy premium tools?
For daily-use hand tools, yes — they last decades. For occasional tools, mid-range is smarter until you know what you need.
Which brand should an apprentice choose?
Whichever platform your workplace runs. Milwaukee, Makita and DeWalt are all excellent; site compatibility is the tiebreaker.
Can I claim tools on tax as an apprentice?
Generally yes, if they are required for your work and you paid for them yourself. Keep receipts and check current ATO thresholds.
Keep reading
Need this gear on site?
Over 4,000 genuine tools in stock. Free delivery on orders over $1,000.