Australia is crying out for more tradies. Why aren’t young people answering?

Australia's trade apprenticeship rates declined by 7.3 percent in 2025, while youth unemployment reached 11.1 percent. Despite a push from the government to support training costs, young Australians are increasingly disinterested in low-paying, labor-intensive trades. Experts stress the need to elevate the perception of vocational careers to attract more workers to essential industries.

Summary by Glance · SMH