Competitions
Like the Olympics, WorldSkills Australia competition activity begins at grass roots level, in competitions held in one of 34 regions around Australia. Competitors are able to progress to competing at national and international levels, in front of over 200,000 people. That’s gold!
More than 60 trades and skills from seven skill clusters are represented at a WorldSkills competition. Learn more about competition skills.
Competitions are designed by industry and skills experts who assess an individual’s knowledge, practical competence and employability skills against a set of strict criteria.
Taking part is about more than winning a medal
We create opportunities for young people to become the very best versions of themselves possible.
When young Australians compete at WorldSkills – whether it’s at a regional, national or international competitions – they’re fostering their communication, teamwork, organisation and leadership skills. They’re empowering themselves with the most elite skillset they possibly can, and preparing for future success, whatever careers path they eventually travel.
From Australia to the world
Regional
VETiS students, students, apprentices, and trainees can enter the Regionals, which test the skills and knowledge of 4000+ Australian apprentices, trainees and students. More than 500 events take place in 34 regions around the country. There is no age criteria to enter the Regionals, however to be eligible to proceed to the 2025 National Championships, the National Age Ruling will apply.
National
The National Championships bring regional winners from participating industries together, and is Australia’s biggest vocational education and excellence competition.
International
Every two years we send a highly trained team, the Skillaroos, to compete against 86 member countries for the title of the world’s most skilled country at an International Competition. The next International Competition will be held in Lyon France 10 - 15 September 2024).
WorldSkills competitions operates on a two-yearly cycle
2024 and 2026 are the next Regional and International competition years.
2025 and 2027 are the next National Championships years.
Eligibility
Regional Competition:
To be eligible to enter a Regional competition, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship in an Australian RTO/TAFE/University
- Be undertaking studies towards a qualification at an Australian RTO/TAFE or University
- Undertaken/completed a relevant qualification at an Australian RTO/TAFE or University
There is no age criteria to enter the Regionals, however to be eligible to proceed to the 2025 National Championships, the National Age Ruling will apply.
National Championships
A competitor at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships should not be older than 24 years in the year of Competition (For 2025 – Born on or after 1 Jan 2001)
International Competition
A Competitor at the WorldSkills Competition must not be older than 22 in the year of the Competition. (For 2024 Lyon, France – Born on or after 1 January 2002)
Competitors in Additive Manufacturing, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Digital Construction, Industry 4.0 and Mechatronics, must not be older than 25 years in the year of the Competition. (For 2024 Lyon, France – Born on or after 1 Jan 1999)
VETiS Regional Competition:
To be eligible to enter a VETiS Regional Competition competitors should be:
- Enrolled in a Secondary School in an appropriate VET in Schools course aligned to a National Training Package including School based apprentices
- In their first year of study when competing in the WorldSkills Australia Regional Competition (typically year 11)