The NSW Government is continuing its work to rebuild the skills workforce and ensure NSW has the construction workers it needs to build more homes, with a comprehensive review of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 now underway.

This builds on the government’s $3.4 billion investment in the 2025-26 Budget, the largest ever investment in skills and TAFE, ensuring we have the skilled workers to meet the state’s needs.

These are key steps in reversing 12 years of neglect under the former government, and delivering a more modern, inclusive, and responsive skills system that works for both workers and employers.

The Review begins with a statewide Have Your Say survey, inviting apprentices, trainees, employers, and training providers to share their experiences and shape improvements to the system.

The aim is to strengthen the apprenticeship and traineeship framework by making it easier to navigate, more flexible, and better matched to the real-world needs of priority industries like construction, care and support, technology, and clean energy.

It’s also about improving outcomes, especially for young people in regional NSW, and making sure the system supports more apprentices and trainees to complete their training and step into long-term, rewarding careers.

The Review is a key commitment of the NSW Skills Plan, and will be backed by roundtables with local employers, unions, training providers and apprentices and trainees across the state in the coming months.

For more information, and links to the Have Your Say survey, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/resources/apprenticeship-and-traineeship-act-review

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

“We’re rebuilding the skills system so that it delivers for NSW. Not just for now, but for the long term.

“This review is about making apprenticeships and traineeships work better for the people who use them - students, employers, and training providers.

“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.

“The feedback we get from the community will play a huge role in shaping the changes. We’re committed to making this review practical, inclusive, and focused on results.”