2021 WorldSkills Australia National Championships & Skill Show
Due to the evolving Covid-19 situation across the country, the format of the 2021 WorldSkills Australia National Championships has shifted to accommodate border control measures Australia-wide.
Please see below to determine which events are taking place in your state.
Note: Competitions taking place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre are open to the public, with free tickets available here. All other competitions will be closed to the public, but available for viewing on WSA Live – WorldSkills Australia’s first-ever dedicated livestream site.
Western Australia & Tasmania
26-28 August | 9am-4pm
Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre
- Auto Electrical
- Automotive Mechanics
- Bricklaying
- Business Services
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry
- Cloud Computing
- Cookery
- Cyber Security
- Fashion Technology
- Floristry
- Game Design & Development
- Graphic Design Technology
- Hairdressing
- Heavy Vehicle Mechanics
- Jewellery
- Mechatronics
- Motorcycle Mechanics
- Painting & Decorating
- Plastering
- Plumbing & Heating
- Restaurant Service
- Retail Butchery
- Retail Pastry
- VETiS Automotive Services
- VETiS Bricklaying
- VETiS Business Services
- VETiS Commercial Cookery
- VETiS Construction
- VETiS Food & Beverage
- VETiS Hairdressing
- VETiS IT
- VETiS Metals & Engineering
- VETiS Plumbing
- Visual Merchandising
- Wall & Floor Tiling
- Welding
North Metro TAFE Midland Campus
- Fitting
- Signs & Graphics
- Sheetmetal Technology
- Turning
South Metro TAFE Carlisle Campus
- Autobody Repair
- Automotive Refinishing
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
South Metro TAFE Bentley Campus
- Retail Baking
College of Electrical Training
- Electrical Installation
Kiara College
- VETiS Primary Industries
Queensland & Northern Territory
27-28 August | 9am-4pm
TAFE Queensland Skillstech Acacia Ridge
- Auto Electrical
- Automotive Mechanics
- Bricklaying
- Construction Steel Work
- Fitting
- Heavy Vehicle Mechanics
- Motorcycle Mechanics
- Painting & Decorating
- Plastering
- Plumbing & Heating
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
- Sheetmetal Work
- Turning
- Wall & Floor Tiling
- Welding
TAFE Queensland Bracken Ridge Campus
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry
TAFE Queensland Brisbane – Southbank
- Beauty Therapy
- Business Services
- Cookery
- Cyber Security
- Graphic Design Technology
- Hairdressing
- Jewellery
- Restaurant Service
- VETiS Business Services
- VETiS Hairdressing
TAFE Queensland Alexandra Hills Campus
- VETIS Automotive Services
- VETIS Construction
- VETIS Electrotechnology
- VETIS Plumbing
Axalta Refinish Training Centre
- Automotive Refinishing
Axial Training
- Butchery
TAFE Queensland Bundaberg campus
- Electrical Control
- Electrical Installation
TAFE Queensland Mount Gravatt
- Fashion Technology
- Floristry
Victoria
16-19 September
Box Hill Institute | 16-17 September
- Beauty Therapy
- Fashion Technology
- Floristry
- Graphic Design
- Hairdressing
- Refrigeration
- Visual Merchandising
- VETiS Hairdressing
Federation TAFE Ballarat | 17-18 September
- Construction Steel Work
- Fitting
- Sheetmetal Technology
- VETiS Metals & Engineering
- Welding
Automotive Centre of Excellence – Kangan Institute | 18-19 September
- Autobody Repair
- Automotive Mechanics
- Automotive Refinishing
- Heavy Vehicle Mechanics
- Motorcycle Mechanics
- VETiS Automotive Services
RMIT | 26-27 August
- Cloud Computing
- Cyber Security
- Mechatronics
- IT Network Systems Administration
- Web Design & Development
Holmesglen Institute – Chadstone | 16-17 September
- Bricklaying
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry
- Joinery
- Landscape Construction
- Plumbing & Heating
- Signs & Graphics
- VETiS Bricklaying
- VETiS Construction
- VETiS Plumbing
Holmesglen Institute – Moorabbin | 16-17 September
- Game Design & Development
- Electrical Installation
- Jewellery
- VETiS Electrotechnology
- Cookery
- Restaurant Service
- Retail Baking
- Retail Pastry
- VETiS Commercial Cookery
Virtual/Digital Skills
26-28 August
Please note: All virtual/digital skills will be held at a TAFE where possible; if not possible, competitors will compete from home
- Cyber Security
- Cloud Computing
- IT Network Systems Administration
- VETiS IT Network Systems Administration
- Graphic Design
- Game Design and Development
- Web Design & Development
- Business Services
- VETiS Business Services
New South Wales
NSW competitions are on hold due to ongoing lockdown restrictions. WorldSkills Australia and your State Manager will continue to update you as the situation progresses.
Competitors in virtual/digital skills will be able to join competitions virtually on 26-27 August. (See the Virtual/Digital Skills tab above for more information.)
Competitors from the Riverina Murray region who live in Wodonga will be able to compete in Victoria.
South Australia
SA competitions are on hold due to ongoing border restrictions. WorldSkills Australia and your State Manager will continue to update you as the situation progresses.
Competitors in virtual/digital skills will be able to join competitions virtually on 26-27 August. (See the Virtual/Digital Skills tab above for more information.)
ACT
Due to current border restrictions, WSA is working with ACT GOV and CIT on options for competitors to be able to compete.
Competitor FAQs
What changes have occurred?
Due to the changing situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and current travel advice, WorldSkills Australia together with the WA Government has made the decision to run the WorldSkills National Championships within 4 states – Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Where will my competition now be held?
WorldSkills Australia is now working with all States and Territories to confirm final competition sites. As it stands current locations are as follows:
Western Australia – Perth
Queensland – Brisbane
Victoria – Melbourne
New South Wales – Sydney
Tasmania – TBC
South Australia – TBC
Northern Territory – Brisbane, QLD
Australian Capital Territory – TBC
Why was this decision made at such a late stage?
Due to the ever-changing travel restrictions due to the pandemic we have been seeking clarification from states on the viability of borders being open to the event. Our main objective is to ensure that 2021 sees a National Champion crowned for every skill and following advice – the best way of ensuring this was by having satellite sites in the 4 major locations.
How will the National Championships remain fair, with judging occurring within each state?
WorldSkills Australia is working with chief judges to ensure the integrity of the competition is maintained. This includes: all judges undertaking additional training prior to the competition, and competitions reviewed remotely by chief judges, and quality auditors. Alongside this all competitors will be informed of their project in advance of the event to ensure no-one obtains an unfair advantage. Any changes in the projects and assessments will be communicated.
If I am unable to compete with the changes may I have a refund?
Due to the COVID pandemic and timing so close to the competition, refunds are no longer possible.
How am I getting there?
All competitors will stay within a nominated hotel throughout the duration of the competition and transfers will take place to their competition site.
What are my competition dates?
Dates for Western Australia remain unchanged, and competitions will run from August 26-28. For all other locations, dates and times will be confirmed shortly.
Can my friends and family still attend?
NSW, VIC, QLD – Due to the number of different venues being utilised around the country unfortunately no venues will be open to the public.
WA – It will be possible to attend events at the PCEC and and off-site venues and anyone can register at www.worldskills.org.au
When will the results be published?
Results will be announced once all states have completed their competitions and these will be announced at the Nationals Awards Ceremony – further details will be provided regarding dates and locations.
When will the closing ceremony be?
The closing ceremony will occur once all states have completed their competitions which will likely be in October 2021.
Are the components of my event changing?
All Open competitions, with the exception of competitions at PCEC in Perth, will now take place over two days rather than three with VETiS competitions taking place over one day plus one training day. Each competition is being assessed individually with our Chief Judges ensuring that all components are achievable within time-frames.
What if I am in a hotspot and I am unable to compete?
Competitions will be managed on a state by state basis and State & Territory Managers will keep in touch regarding any specific changes.
Should I still register for the National Championships if I have not already done so?
Yes, if you have received an invitation to compete for the National Championships, please complete your registration as we are continuing to plan for the event in 2021
Does it matter if I have finished my apprenticeship/traineeship or course?
No, you can still compete in the National Championships if you have undertaken/completed a qualification at an RTO or TAFE.
Will I be charged more because the venue and event has changed?
There will be no additional costs incurred with the change of venue.
Will I still meet the age eligibility requirements?
The existing age eligibility rules will remain for 2021, these are detailed below:
2020 National Championships – A competitor at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships should not be older than 24 years in the year of Competition (For 2020 – Born on or after 1 Jan 1996)
Who can I speak to about my competition for training advice?
WorldSkills Australia are working on a strategy for training plans. In the meantime, we will be setting up skill specific Facebook pages where competitors, their mentors, and the competition judges can communicate and collaborate in the lead up to the competition.
You will receive more detailed communications about these Facebook pages shortly.
Will I still be eligible to represent Australia in Shanghai 2022?
The age eligibility for WSC 2022 Shanghai remains the same.
Age Eligibility: for the 2021 WorldSkills International Championships it is essential that competitors be born on or after 1 January 1999 to be eligible to compete, with the exception of Mechatronics, MTC, Information Network Cabling and Aircraft Maintenance skills, who must be born on or after 1 January 1996.
Refer to the update from WorldSkills International https://worldskills.org/what/competitions/wsc2022/