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The recently announced Federal Budget has delivered good news for trainees and apprentices, with $660 million to be spent on investment in skills and job creation, including 39 000 new training places for industries suffering skills shortages.
Jun 17,2025
If you’ve been thinking about starting a trade, now’s the time. The Australian Government’s 2025–26 Federal Budget has reaffirmed its commitment to trades and vocational training, delivering billions in funding for apprenticeships, training places, and skills development programs.
With skills shortages continuing across construction, infrastructure, energy, and resources, this year’s budget focuses on building a future-ready workforce—and that means more opportunities for jobseekers, career changers, and school leavers alike.
Australia is facing growing demand for skilled workers in areas like electrical, plumbing, civil construction, renewable energy, and healthcare support. The rise of major national infrastructure projects, housing initiatives, and clean energy investment has increased the pressure on workforce supply.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, occupations like electricians, construction workers, and engineers are listed on the national Skills Priority List—highlighting the urgent need for more qualified tradespeople.
The government is investing over $12.6 billion over five years through the National Skills Agreement (2024–2029) in partnership with states and territories. This includes support for:
You can explore certified trade courses to see how you can get started or upskill in a high-demand industry.
As part of the new Apprenticeship Reboot initiative, over $1 billion is being allocated to streamline and strengthen support for apprentices and trainees. Key features include:
An additional $185 million will go toward improving adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy through community-based and workplace training programs. This aims to boost the job readiness of Australians looking to return to work or shift careers.
Not sure where to begin? Check out our range of vocational and skills-based courses to find a practical pathway to employment.
New reforms support competency-based progression in apprenticeships—meaning if you can demonstrate the skills, you may finish your training sooner. This model offers:
These changes will help mature-aged apprentices and skilled workers formalise their experience and qualify faster.
To address equity in trades, the budget includes programs that:
Whether you’re a school leaver, looking for a hands-on career change, or upskilling for the clean energy boom, now is the time to take action. Use these resources to explore your next step:
Your trade career can start today—with more government support than ever before.
Josie Chun shares engaging articles on career choices, workplace skills, and educational trends at Career FAQs.