APW 'Apprentice' Printer - Position Description

Position Title:  APW 'Apprentice' Printer

Employment Type: 

  • 12-month fixed term contract

  • Part-time / 4 days a week (.8 EFT)

  • Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm 

Renumeration:  EFT.8 = $52,920 per annum +SGC superannuation.

(Based on a full-time position of $66,150pa +SGC super pro rata).                 

Responsible To:  APW CEO/Artistic Director 

 

ABOUT: Australian Print Workshop

Australian Print Workshop (APW) is a national centre of excellence for contemporary printmaking.

Established in 1981, APW has a highly respected and successful track record in fine art printing, exhibitions, international projects, public commissions, education programs and community outreach projects.

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s vibrant Gertrude Street (Fitzroy) precinct, APW is a hub of creative activity supporting artists and the creation of new work in the print medium and promoting original prints as a dynamic contemporary art form.

As property owners, APW’s renovated building provides a secure home for our organisation that includes professionally equipped printmaking studios; an accessible public gallery; print collection facilities; a visiting artist’s apartment - along with various offices and a dedicated staff lunchroom.

 

ABOUT: The APW ‘Apprentice’ Printer – Training Program

The APW 'Apprentice' Printer - Training Program offers a rare opportunity for talented printmakers,

who are keen to pursue careers as Collaborative Fine Art Printers to undertake a twelve-month, paid placement at APW.

Guided by APW's highly skilled and experienced print specialist team, the Program provides rare access to the collaborative print process, with hands on experience of fine art printing in a range of printing techniques, along with studio management skills.

In addition to working with APW's Printers on a range of collaborative print projects with leading contemporary artists, the 'Apprentice' Printers will also be offered the opportunity to initiate and manage a collaborative printmaking project as the ‘lead’ printer.

Generously supported by The Ian Potter Foundation, this program offers placements for two aspiring Collaborative Fine Art Printers each year, over the three-year program (2024 + 2025 + 2026).

Australian Print Workshop is delighted to invite applications for Year 3 (2026) of our exciting program designed to foster and train the next generation of Collaborative Fine Art Printers.

If you are excited by the prospect of working in our internationally recognised centre for contemporary printmaking and you have demonstrated printmaking skills and interest in acquiring experience as a collaborative fine art printer – we’d love to hear from you !

 

1.      POSITION OBJECTIVE:

        The APW 'Apprentice' Printer is responsible for:

  • Assisting in the day-to-day operation of the APW Print Studios to ensure APW’s standards of printmaking excellence are upheld in all APW Printmaking programs including the APW Fine Art Printing Workshop, Printing Projects, Print Commission Projects, Artists Scholarship Programs, Print Studio Access Program and Education Programs.

  • Assisting in the coordination of the day-to-day operation of APW’s Print Studio Access Program to ensure that all workshop equipment and studio facilities are maintained to the highest standards, as well as monitoring and assisting artists using the studio.

  • Assisting APW printers with Printing Projects to produce original fine art limited edition prints in collaboration with artists - to achieve agreed completion and delivery schedules, while ensuring that all prints produced are of the highest quality.

  • Assisting with APW Educational Programs including printmaking workshops and classes, studio tours and printmaking demonstrations, as well as other special education programs.

  • Assisting with APW Gallery Operations & Exhibitions Programs as required.

  • Providing exceptional customer service and communication to all APW stakeholders, especially artists and other APW printing and educational program clients.

 

2.      KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

  • Assist with the day-to-day operation of APW’s Print Studio Access Program.

  • Assist with the orientation & information tours for new & prospective Print Studio Access Program clients.

  • Assist with maintaining up-to-date records of Print Studio Access Program clients, including filing of annual artist agreement forms and completion of database details.

  • Assist with routine maintenance and ongoing safety checks on all APW printing equipment and facilities to ensure that they are in excellent working order.

  • Assist with maintaining up-to-date MSDS records for all substances held by APW.

  • Assist with maintaining the APW printmaking equipment asset register and printmaking materials inventory.

  • Assist with monitoring supplies of printmaking materials & other studio consumables to ensure efficient use of resources and assist with ordering and purchasing to ensure that appropriate stock levels are maintained.

  • Assist with the development and implementation of APW OH&S policies and procedures.

  • Ensure that safe methods for using and storing APW printmaking machinery, equipment and materials are implemented and adopted.

  • Ensure that all hazardous substances are handled, stored, and disposed of according to manufacturer’s instructions and EPA guidelines.

  • Assist to identify and analyse new opportunities and improvements to current APW printing methods, studio induction and OH&S processes.

  • Assist APW printers with printing projects as required.

  • Assist with the dispatch of materials & completed editions to clients as required.

  • Assist with printmaking workshops, classes, and other public programs as part of APW’s educational program as required.

  • Assist in the production of monthly, quarterly, and end-of-year reports for APW’s Print Studio Access Program and Educational Programs.

  • Assist in the preparation of other reports as required for the end-of-year financial report including annual printmaking materials stock inventory.

  • Assist in completing edition documentation records for all APW printing projects.

  • Assist in the preparation of APW Exhibitions including assisting with invitation mailouts, presentation and framing of artwork, and installation and invigilation of exhibitions as required.

  • Undertake special projects, research and other duties as directed.

 

3.      ACCOUNTABILITY:

         The APW 'Apprentice' Printer is responsible for:

  • The efficient and effective operation of APW’s Print Studio Access Program printing equipment and studio facilities.

  • The quality and timeliness of advice to the APW CEO/Artistic Director of matters within the incumbent’s areas of responsibility.

 

4.      EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:

  • This position functions with a degree of autonomy within the parameters of this Position Description.

  • The incumbent may be responsible for producing routine correspondence, documents and reports.

 

5.      JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING:

  • The incumbent will be expected to prioritise work schedules and objectives in order to achieve the desired outcomes to meet deadlines.

  • The incumbent will be expected to act and make decisions within established APW codes of professional conduct.

 

6.      SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

  • Demonstrated interest in fine art printmaking is essential.

  • Skills in fine art printmaking are essential.

  • Some knowledge of the fine art printmaking industry would be desirable.

  • Some knowledge of the non-profit arts industry would be an advantage.

  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workloads.

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.

  • Ability to be flexible and work with changing priorities to meet deadlines without jeopardising standards or levels of service is an advantage.

  • Ability to work effectively as part of a small team as well as independently.

 

7.      QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Qualifications in Fine or Visual Arts (majoring in printmaking) and/or Trade Qualifications (in the printing industry) are desirable, although not essential.

  • Some experience in printing fine art limited edition prints would be an advantage.

  • Current workplace first-aid qualifications would be desirable.

 

8.     OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

 This Position Description describes the broad scope of the role and is not an exhaustive list.

It may also change from time to time with due consultation to meet the changing needs of the organisation.

The appointment carries a three-month probationary period.

Please note APW does not offer formal Trade Qualifications for this position.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Applicants must be available to commence in the role at APW on Tuesday 6 January 2026 and be able to commit to undertaking the entire 12-month program. 

The role is based at Australian Print Workshop (APW) located at 210 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Victoria. 

 

9.        HOW TO APPLY

Applications MUST incude: 

  • a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the role of APW 'Apprentice' Printer and your experience relevant to the Position Description

  • confirmation of your availability to commence in the role at APW (Fitzroy, Melbourne) on 6 January 2026 and ability to commit to the entire 12-month program throughout 2026. 

  • a curriculum vitae (no longer than 3 pages)

  • the names and contact details of two referees 

 

Applications should be addressed and emailed to:

Anne Virgo OAM

CEO/Artistic Director

Australian Print Workshop

210 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065

Email contact@australianprintworkshop.com

 

Applications close: 5pm, Friday 7 November 2025. 

Applicants will be contacted if they have been shortlisted for interview by Friday 21 November 2025. 

Position commencement date: Tuesday 6 January 2026.