Australia celebrates Skillaroos' success on the world stage
Almost 40 Australian Skillaroos will be honoured at Parliament House today for outstanding achievements at the 2026 WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai.
Team Australia’s Skillaroos delivered a strong performance in the competition, securing Silver and Bronze medals and 11 other Medals for Excellence at the September championships.
Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles congratulated the team on its exemplary effort in representing Australia in the largest skills competition in the world.
About 1,400 young skilled professionals from 70 countries competed across 64 skill categories before an estimated 400,000 visitors at the Shanghai games.
37 Skillaroos competed across 33 skills, supported by dozens of experts, judges, team leaders and staff.
Skillaroo and Australian VET Alumni Ambassador Lachlan Basc from Perth won a Silver medal in 3D digital game art, creating animation for video games using specialised computer software and geometry skills.
Lachlan was also named Australia's Best of Nation competitor, combining technical excellence, innovation and creativity.
Teammate Lachlan Wright, from Brisbane, earned a Bronze medal in heavy vehicle technology for demonstrating advanced skills to diagnose and repair the vehicles and machinery that keep Australia's transport and heavy industry sectors moving.
Another 11 Australian competitors were awarded Medals for Excellence, recognising performances that met a high international standard. They were:
- Connor Beisler (Hunter, NSW), bakery
- Rubi Everard (Launceston, TAS), beauty therapy
- Bailey Lowes (Riverina Murray, NSW), industrial mechanics
- Adam Morgan (Hunter, NSW), refrigeration and air conditioning
- John Ray (Northern Rivers, NSW), health and social care
- Zak Resuggan (Ballarat Wimmera, VIC), cooking
- Jason Seiler (Perth, WA), bricklaying
- Samuel Shedden (Sydney West, NSW), car painting
- Cooper Thornely (Canberra, ACT), welding
- Aksel Van Gastel-Peck (Melbourne, Vic), additive manufacturing
- Archie Wilkinson (Illawarra, NSW), plumbing and heating.
WorldSkills competitions set an international benchmark for excellence in trades and vocational skills.
The Skillaroos and WorldSkills Australia are proudly supported by the Albanese Government, continuing a 20-year history of Commonwealth Government support for the initiative.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles:
“The Skillaroos are an incredible demonstration of the strength of Australia's vocational education and training system, and the talent, dedication and expertise of the next generation of skilled workers across traditional and emerging industries.
“I congratulate every member of Team Australia for representing our country with professionalism, determination and excellence on the world stage.
“Our Skillaroos are an inspiration to Australians of all ages, showing the diversity, skills and opportunities that come from Australia’s Vocational Education and Training sector.”
Photos of Skillaroos during competition available on request.
ENDS