South Australia’s top young apprentices, trainees and skilled professionals have returned from the WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Championships and Skills Show with a bag of medals, strong performances and invaluable experience on the national stage.
Representing the state with pride, the team demonstrated exceptional skill, determination and passion across a wide range of trades and industries.
After three intense days of competition against the nation’s best, 16 South Australian competitors were awarded medals across a range of trades and skills, including Graphic Design Technology, Carpentry, Welding and Barbering, showcasing the state’s excellence in vocational education and training.
This year, South Australia fielded its largest-ever team, with 55 competitors representing metropolitan and regional training organisations, schools and industries. Their performance has firmly placed South Australia on the national skills map.
South Australia has seen remarkable growth in its WorldSkills participation, with the South Australian Team (Team SA) expanding from just 7 in 2023 to 63 in 2025. The team included a diverse mix of Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) students and open competitors, showcasing their talent.
"South Australia’s strong showing at this year’s National Championships is a testament to the quality of our vocational education and training system. We are committed to building a pipeline of skilled workers who will drive our state’s future growth and innovation.
I want to congratulate every competitor—not just the medallists—for their dedication and determination. They’ve already achieved something remarkable by reaching this stage and representing South Australia with pride on the national stage." said
"South Australia’s strong showing at this year’s National Championships is a testament to the quality of our vocational education and training system. We are committed to building a pipeline of skilled workers who will drive our state’s future growth and innovation.
I want to congratulate every competitor—not just the medallists—for their dedication and determination. They’ve already achieved something remarkable by reaching this stage and representing South Australia with pride on the national stage." said Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Hon Blair Boyer MP
These outstanding results come on top of South Australia being announced officially as the host for the 2027 WorldSkills Australia National Championships and Skills Show. The event is expected to attract thousands of competitors, trainers, employers, industry leaders and spectators to the state—further boosting South Australia’s reputation as a national leader in vocational education and training (VET).
The 2025 championships serve as a stepping stone to the world stage. The top performers in eligible skills may earn a coveted spot in Team Australia (“The Skillaroos”), set to compete at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in 2026. This global event will bring together around 1,300 competitors from over 60 countries, making it the largest skills showcase in the world.
"We’re incredibly proud of all our South Australian competitors for the skill, determination, and professionalism they brought to this national stage. The results reflect a growing depth of talent in our state across a wide range of trades and technical areas.
For those who secured medals—congratulations on an outstanding achievement. For others, this experience is just the beginning. Competing at this level takes courage and commitment, and every participant has gained valuable skills that will benefit them—and South Australia—for years to come." said South Australian Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker.