NATION’S BIGGEST SKILLS SHOW OPENS WITH A BANG – RECORD ATTENDANCE AS BRISBANE’S VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SECTOR PUTS ON A SHOW

The 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships & Skills Show roared to life yesterday at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, breaking first-day attendance records and shining a national spotlight on the next generation of Australian skills talent.

More than 11,500 students, families and visitors packed the venue to watch over 600 elite competitors from every state and territory begin three days of intense competition across more than 60 skill areas — from cyber security and cabinetmaking to floristry and plumbing.

Queensland’s Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Ros Bates, formally opened the event, and heard firsthand from some of Team Queensland about how vocational training is setting them up for successful, future-focused careers.

Visitors also flocked to the event’s hands-on Try’aSkill stations, where hundreds tested their own abilities, while also engaging directly with training providers, employers, and industry experts.

The event attracted strong international and media interest. On the eve of the Championships, 60 delegates from across the Asia-Pacific gathered at a welcome event hosted by TAFE Queensland, where they heard from members of the Skillaroos — Australia’s national skills team — and toured state-of-the-art training facilities. WorldSkills International CEO David Hoey was also in attendance, touring each skills area across the competition. Several news crews covered the action, capturing the energy and scale of the event.

Running until Saturday 14 June, the three-day event is co-located with the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo, offering students, parents, and career seekers a one-stop shop to explore the vast opportunities in Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.

The 2025 National Championships & Skills Show is proudly supported by TAFE Queensland and the Queensland Government.

Register now for your free ticket at https://www.worldskills.org.au/2025-national-championships/ or watch the action on Channel WSA, available at https://www.worldskills.org.au/2025-national-championships/channel-wsa/. 

 Day One by the Numbers  

Quotes attributable to WorldSkills Australia CEO, Trevor Schwenke:

Day one of the Championships has exceeded all expectations — the energy on the competition floor is incredible, and the turnout from students, families, and industry has been inspiring. You can feel the pride and passion in every corner of this event.

It’s clear that Queensland has embraced this event wholeheartedly. We’re proud to work with the Queensland Government and TAFE Queensland to shine a light on the power of vocational education and the vital role skilled professionals play in our future workforce.

For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact:

Patrick Rasmussen ​prasmussen@prx.com.au ​0430159690