New data released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) today shows trade apprentices are completing at higher rates.
For trade apprentices commencing in 2019, the completion rate reached 58.7%, continuing the steady improvement in outcomes since the 2015 commencing cohort.
The data also shows trade apprenticeship pathways are changing, with a growing proportion of apprentices taking longer than the traditional four-year period to finish their training.
Apprenticeship completion rates vary across occupations. Some of Australia's largest trades recorded their strongest results, with electrician completion rates increasing to 71.7% (up from 68.5% for the 2018 cohort).
One exception was Refrigeration and Air Conditioning completions which declined.
The latest completion rate shows that RAC apprentices that commenced in 2019, 56.9% completed, as at the end of 2025. This percentage declined slightly from the earlier cohort.
NCVER managing director John King said the results show more trade apprentices are completing their training.
‘Trade apprenticeships remain one of Australia's most important pathways to skilled employment. It is encouraging to see more apprentices completing qualifications,’ King said.
While completion rates for most priority groups remained below the overall trade apprenticeship rate, small improvements were recorded for female apprentices, Indigenous apprentices and apprentices from Languages other than English (LOTE) backgrounds.
Regional and remote apprentices continued to achieve completion rates above the national average, while completion rates for apprentices with disability declined in the latest cohort and remained among the lowest reported.
‘The results remind us that disparities in completion outcomes persist, highlighting the need for continued efforts to support apprentices who may face additional barriers to completion,’ King said.