WorldSkills Australia’s 2026 Regional Competitions will bring together thousands of young apprentices, trainees and students to showcase skills excellence and build the nation’s future workforce.
Across Australia, the demand for skilled talent has never been greater. Every industry from advanced manufacturing and construction to health, hospitality, and emerging technologies, is grappling with how to attract, train, and retain the people who will drive Australia’s future prosperity.
WorldSkills Australia sees the solution in action every day. Its mission is simple: to inspire, develop and celebrate skills excellence. One of the ways to achieve this is through regional competitions, which will return in 2026.
Every two years, more than 700 Regional Competitions are held in 34 regions across Australia. They test the skills and knowledge of 6000+ apprentices, trainees and students in more than 60 skill categories, who then have the chance to win gold, silver and bronze medals and the opportunity to potentially compete at the 2027 National Championships to be held in Adelaide, South Australia. WorldSkills Regional competitions will run across Australia from February to October 2026.
These competitions are the entry point for thousands of apprentices, trainees and students across the country. They provide an opportunity for young people to test their abilities against their peers, benchmark their progress, and discover the thrill of putting their skills on display. For many, it is the first step in a journey that leads to national recognition and, for a select few, the honour of representing Australia on the world stage.
But behind every competitor stands an industry partner, a business, an employer, a training provider, a mentor who has provided the guidance, tools and opportunities to make participation possible. Regional competitions are not just about competitors; they are about industry coming together to support the next generation of talent.
For industry, the benefits are clear. Engaging with WorldSkills at the regional level means visibility among the cohort you will one day employ. It means contributing to a pipeline of skilled professionals who are job-ready and equipped with the resilience, problem-solving, and leadership qualities that competition fosters. And it demonstrates to your own workforce that you are committed to lifting standards and investing in the future of your sector.
As WorldSkills prepare for 2026, it is calling on employers, training providers, and industry leaders to get involved. Whether through sponsorship, providing equipment, hosting events, or encouraging young people to compete, industry involvement is critical. Together, these parties have the potential to ensure that the skills developed in classrooms and workshops are celebrated and valued in workplaces and communities across the nation.
Skills are the foundation of Australia’s prosperity. By supporting regional competitions, industry has the chance to shape the workforce of tomorrow and to celebrate the extraordinary talent already in our midst.
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