The Minns Labor Government has launched a comprehensive review of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to help rebuild the skills workforce and ensure New South Wales has the construction workers needed to deliver more homes.
The review builds on the Government’s record $3.4 billion investment in skills and TAFE in the 2025–26 Budget — the largest in the state’s history — aimed at creating a modern, inclusive, and responsive training system.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said the review would focus on making the system easier to navigate, more flexible, and better aligned to the needs of priority industries such as construction, care and support, technology, and clean energy.
The process begins with a statewide Have Your Say survey, inviting apprentices, trainees, employers, and training providers to share their experiences and help shape reforms. The review will also include a series of roundtables with employers, unions, training providers, and apprentices across NSW in the coming months.
“We’re rebuilding the skills system so it delivers for NSW — not just now, but for the long term,” Mr Whan said. “We want a system that reflects today’s economy and helps more people get the skills they need for good jobs, especially in the regions and in industries crying out for workers.”
A key priority is improving completion rates, particularly for young people in regional NSW, and supporting more apprentices and trainees to transition into long-term, rewarding careers.
The review is a central commitment of the NSW Skills Plan and aims to ensure the state’s workforce is ready to meet future challenges.
For more information or to take part in the survey, visit: nsw.gov.au.
