The 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships & Skills Show finished with a bang at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. It was the biggest event of its kind, with more than 35,000 people attending to watch over 600 young apprentices and trainees compete in over 60 different trades and skills. The event ran from 12 to 14 June and included skills like cyber security, cooking, floristry, cabinetmaking, and plumbing. It was one of the largest events in WorldSkills Australia’s 44-year history and showed how important trades are to Australia’s future. It was proudly supported by the Queensland Government, TAFE Queensland, and many partners from schools, businesses, and the community.
🏆 Big Winners
After three days of tough competition, New South Wales came out on top with the most medals.
Other top awards included:
Best of Nation: Lily-Grace Toohill from Victoria (Jewellery), named the best competitor overall.
VETiS Shield: Given to New South Wales for being the best-performing state in school-based training.
Evatt Shield: Given to the Melbourne East Region for being the best-performing region.
Some of the top competitors may now be chosen to join Team Australia (called the Skillaroos). They could represent the country at the WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai in 2026. There were also Try’aSkill stations, where students, parents, and others could try different trades for themselves. Many people also visited the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo, where they could meet with training providers, employers, and industry groups.
The event had an international feel too, with over 60 visitors from other Asia-Pacific countries, including China and Timor-Leste, taking part in activities and watching the competitions.
Quotes attributable to WorldSkills Australia CEO, Trevor Schwenke:
” This has been one of the biggest and best National Championships in our history — and a true celebration of what’s possible when young people, educators, government, and industry come together to back skills.
Brisbane was an incredible host and it was fantastic to walk the floor and witness the outstanding level of competition, as the nation’s best young skills talent gave it their all. Their passion was inspiring and I’m sure many visitors are now considering where a vocational career could take them.
We’re grateful to the Queensland Government, TAFE Queensland, our partners and the entire Brisbane community for embracing this event and helping us raise the profile of vocational education nationally.”
Quotes attributable to Hon Ross Bates MP, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training
” I congratulate our latest medallists and all competitors who gave up their free time to hone their skills, and who put themselves forward to compete at the highest level, on the country’s biggest skills stage.
This major event has also been welcomed by our tourism and hospitality operators-with the event injecting millions into the local economy.
I thank WorldSkills Australia, TAFE Queensland, expo exhibitors, and all whose collective effort ensured the tremendous success of this event- further elevating the status of training and skills nationwide.”
This info and image was sourced from the World Skills Australia’s website. For more info, click here