Queensland has firmly cemented its place as a national skills and training leader, with Team Queensland claiming an impressive 36 medals at the WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Championships and Skills Show—Australia's largest showcase of vocational excellence.
Over 3 action-packed days at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, more than 600 of the nation's top apprentices, trainees, and students competed across 60+ diverse skill categories, from engineering and hairdressing to cyber security, cookery, tiling and everything in between.
Queensland's homegrown champions walked away with a remarkable 12 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals, a result that highlights not only individual excellence but also the state's growing strength in skills training and workforce development
Among the standout performances were gold medals in wall and floor tiling, painting and hairdressing—all areas in-demand across Queensland. These wins not only reflect technical excellence but also mirror real-world workforce needs, where skilled workers are needed to fill jobs and drive industry growth.
From local pride to global ambition
The 2025 national medallists now set their sights on the world stage. Queensland's gold medal winners will have the opportunity to represent Australia as Skillaroos at the 48th WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai in 2026—an elite platform that pits the world's best young tradespeople and technicians against each other.
This progression from local training to global competition shows what's possible when young people are supported with the right training, mentoring, and career pathways.
A national showcase of skills excellence
WorldSkills Australia CEO Trevor Schwenke hailed Brisbane as the host of one of the largest and most successful national championships in the organisation's history.
“This has been a true celebration of what's possible when young people, educators, government and industry come together to back skills,” Mr Schwenke said.
“It was incredible to walk the floor and witness the outstanding level of competition as the nation's best young talent gave it their all.”
Held alongside the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo, the event attracted more than 35,000 visitors, including students, parents, career seekers and employers. The expo featured hands-on Try-a-Skill stations, industry-led workshops, and career guidance, helping connect Queenslanders with real-life opportunities in vocational education and training.
Backing skills for Queensland's future
Since 1981, WorldSkills Australia has promoted skills excellence and raised the profile of vocational careers across the country. The 2025 national championships in Brisbane marked a high point for Queensland's investment in its skilled workforce and served as a powerful example of what can be achieved through strong collaboration between industry, education and government.
The success of Team Queensland is more than a medal count, it's a reflection of a broader vision to build a future-ready workforce, support local industries and ensure Queenslanders have the skills they need to thrive.
As Queensland looks ahead to the demands of a rapidly evolving economy—driven by growth in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, and health—events like WorldSkills are critical for identifying, inspiring and elevating the next generation of talent.
By investing in the right skills, Queensland is powering toward a future built on ability, ambition and opportunity.
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Last updated 23 June 2025
