Exclusive: Australia is in the grips of a tradie shortage and the fuel crisis could make it worse as apprentices struggling to make ends meet consider leaving trades.

Average apprentice pay rates vary depending on the trade and an apprentice's age and years on the job, and most have been stung by fuel price hikes.

Tom Brooks, a 20-year-old second year plumbing apprentice from rural WA, makes about $650 a week and is already considering other avenues to make money.

READ MORE: Tradies hit hardest by fuel crisis forced to raise prices or go bust

About a third of his weekly wage goes to fuel and he expects that figure will rise in the weeks ahead.

"I'm traveling about 70km every day for work, so it adds up quick," he told nine.com.au.

"It's made budgeting for other things like food a lot harder."

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