2025 finalists announced for the Australian Training Awards

The best of the best from Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector has been revealed, with the announcement of the 75 finalists for this year’s Australian Training Awards. Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles has congratulated all nominees, who are leading the way in skills-based careers and making outstanding contributions to the VET sector.

On Friday 5 December this year, finalists will travel to Darwin for the Awards, hosted by the Minister. The finalists are competing for 16 national awards across categories for individuals, businesses and registered training organisations (RTOs) Awards for individuals include: Outstanding Achievement in the VET and Skills Sector Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Vocational Student of the Year Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Trainee of the Year Apprentice of the Year VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice.

The Albanese Government is committed to building a strong and innovative VET sector that equips Australians for jobs across all types of vocations, helping to grow a resilient and strong economy and backing local communities to get the skilled workforce they need The Government is supporting VET through a number of significant initiatives, including the landmark $30 billion National Skills Agreement with states and territories, and the continued rollout of Free TAFE which is being made permanent after the delivery of the Free TAFE Act 2025.

Since January 2023, there have been more than 685,000 enrolments in Free TAFE, while there have been more than 190,000 course completions. For more than three decades, the Australian Training Awards have recognised the achievements of apprentices, trainees, students, employers, educators and training providers, developing an outstanding VET honour roll. Finalists are invited to become national ambassadors for the VET sector, joining past finalists in the ranks of the Australian VET Alumni.

As alumni, finalists will be part of a network which inspires Australians to achieve their goals by sharing their stories and demonstrating the many opportunities available through a VET pathway. To view the full list of 2025 finalists and purchase tickets to the awards, visit the Australian Training Awards website Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles: “These Awards are celebrating the best of Australia’s vocational education and training sector – and remind Australians that there’s never been a better time to pursue new skills and qualifications through initiatives like our Government’s Free TAFE program.

“As a nation we reap the benefits from the dedication and commitment of VET students, teachers and trainers. “It’s fitting that every year we celebrate their achievements through these awards – and with it encourage other Australians to follow in their footsteps to become electricians, nurses, carpenters, carers, educators and so many other roles that are critical to our communities.

“We want to celebrate Australia’s vibrant vocational education and training sector across all corners of our country. I am looking forward to announcing the winners in Darwin in early December.” Full list of the ATA Award 2025 Nominees Apprentice of the Year Award Evangelene Rushforth – Northern Territory Kathryn Beale – New South Wales Jessica Bichsel – Queensland Amber Leyshan – Victoria Lewis Italiano – Western Australia Bethany Jones – South Australia Holly Frankcombe – Tasmania Stewart McLeod – Australian Capital Territory Trainee of the Year Award Jade McGowan - Northern Territory Imogen Young-Maloney - New South Wales Kayla Gagai – Queensland Rebecca Gibson – Victoria Elisajane Thompson - Western Australia Lili O'Connor - South Australia Tiarna Bricknell - Tasmania Jiwon Kwack - Australian Capital Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award Nicholas Yarran - Northern Territory James Barry - New South Wales Dion Sands – Queensland Shirley Darcy - Victoria Laurenzia Divilli - Western Australia Callan McKenzie - South Australia Braydon Gower – Tasmania Jaharn Mundy-Drazevich - Australian Capital Territory Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award Zeth King - Northern Territory Amali Rollinson - New South Wales Hamish Genrich – Queensland Stavriana Taliadoros – Victoria Cadie Doyle - Western Australia Mikayla Dawson-Sincock - South Australia Joshua Fielding – Tasmania Kaydence Storm - Australian Capital Territory Vocational Student of the Year Award Jacqueline Florance - Northern Territory Rebecca Hambrook - New South Wales Cameron Flack – Queensland Akwal Magek – Victoria Arabella Poole - Western Australia Stephanie Griffiths - South Australia Mikayla Towns – Tasmania Shane Vincent - Australian Capital Territory VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award George Chingwangwe - Northern Territory Penelope Mackay - New South Wales Andrew Abbas – Queensland Tarmi A'Vard – Victoria Chanelle Williams - Western Australia Anthony Julianto - South Australia Steve Wiggers – Tasmania Laura Henry - Australian Capital Territory Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award Georgina Cole - New South Wales Stella Quintero – Tasmania Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award HYDAC and AI Group Training – Victoria NC Electrical & Air Conditioning Pty Ltd - Northern Territory Riviera Australia – Queensland Small Employer of the Year Award Bowhill Engineering - South Australia Murroona Gardens – Queensland Muswellbrook Preschool Kindergarten – New South Wales Large Employer of the Year Award BHP Olympic Dam – South Australia TasNetworks – Tasmania V/Line Corporation – Victoria Industry Collaboration Award Civil Job Ready Program – Tasmania Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre Early Engagement Social Procurement Program – Victoria Wodens Monaro Highway Civil Taster Program – Australian Capital Territory Innovation in VET Award Bradford Institute and Allambi Care, Youth Work Careers Initiative - New South Wales TrEd College - New South Wales Westbourne College - New South Wales Registered Training Organisation School Pathways to VET Award Bradfield Senior College - New South Wales CTA Training Specialists – Queensland Guilford Young College – Tasmania Small Training Provider of the Year Award Civil Contractors Federation Victoria - Victoria SCALA the Training Company - Tasmania Taylorweir Hairdresser and Barber Training – Western Australia Large Training Provider of the Year Award Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute – Victoria Charles Darwin University – Northern Territory TAFE NSW – New South Wales