Record crowds have witnessed the best young trade skills do battle in Brisbane as the national competition wrapped up on the weekend.
The 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships & Skills Show has awarded the nation’s best young apprentices and trainees more than 35,000 visitors, 600 competitors from more than 60 skill categories.
Autobody skills and autobody refinishing were hosted by the MTAQ.
The 2025 event was a high-energy celebration of vocational excellence — shining a national spotlight on the vital role trades and skills play in Australia’s economic future.
Raising the profile
WorldSkills Australia CEO, Trevor Schwenke thanked the partners including the Queensland Government, TAFE Queensland in raising he profile of vocational education nationally.
” 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.”
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Hon Ross Bates was also celebrating its success.
“I thank all whose collective effort ensured the tremendous success of this event- further elevating the status of training and skills nationwide,” Bates says
“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.
Top Honours and Medal Tally
New South Wales was crowned the overall winner, topping the medal tally with outstanding results across multiple categories.
Top Awards
Best of Nation – Lily-Grace Toohill, Victoria- Jewellery recognised as the highest-performing competitor across all categories.
VETiS Shield – NSW, awarded Best Performing State for Vocational Education and Training in Schools.
Evatt Shield – Melbourne East Region, awarded Best Performing Region.
Competitors who excelled in WorldSkills-recognised international categories may now be selected to join Team Australia (“The Skillaroos”), representing the nation at the 48th WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, 2026.
Full competitors list available here