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) and carpenter and joiner completion rates rising to 63.7% (up from 60.9%).
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,’ Mr 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.
A different trend is emerging in non-trade apprenticeships and traineeships, with completion rates declining for a third consecutive cohort, across a range of occupations.
‘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,’ Mr King said.
Background:
Apprentice and trainee completion rates 2025 provides a national overview of completion and attrition rates for apprentices and trainees across traditional trade-based and non-trade occupations.
Completion rates are measured at three levels to show outcomes for people, apprenticeships and traineeships, and individual training agreements with employers.
Completion rates are reported using fixed reference periods (four and six years after commencement), alongside rates calculated to date. As trade apprenticeships often take six (or more) years to complete, NCVER recommends using a 6-year reference period for trade occupations and a 4-year reference period for non-trade occupations.
Data are sourced from the National Apprentice and Trainee Collection, using data up until 31 December 2025.
Download the report: Apprentice and trainee completion rates 2025.
Enquiries: Elise Stone P: +61 8 8230 8443 E: communications@ncver.edu.au
About NCVER: we are the main provider of research, statistics and data on Australia’s VET sector. Our services help promote better understanding of VET and assist policy makers, practitioners, industry, training providers, and students to make informed decisions.
This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.