13 November 2025
Minister for Finance, Minister for Trade and Minister for Employment and Training
The Honourable Ros Bates

MEDIA STATEMENT
Right Skills Strategy to unlock 430,000 new job opportunities

  • Right Skills Strategy 2025 – 2028 to deliver 430,000 new job opportunities for Queenslanders.
  • $50 million to expand apprenticeships and $201.1 million for new Centres of Excellence.
  • The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy and a fresh start for Queensland. 

​The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland by launching the Right Skills Strategy 2025 –2028 – a plan to deliver the skills and training required to unlock 430,000 new job opportunities by 2028. 

​It’s part of the Crisafulli Government’s plan to deliver a better lifestyle through a stronger economy after Labor’s decade of decline, where Queensland’s training system was neglected, campuses were underutilised and opportunities were lost. 

​The Crisafulli Government is delivering a training sector fit to build a pipeline of skilled workers, with the Right Skills Strategy 2025 – 2028 all about delivering real opportunities for Queenslanders, including helping school leavers start apprenticeships. 

​Key actions in 2025–26 Strategy include: 

  • ​More than $201.1 million for new Centres of Excellence in Caloundra, Moreton Bay, South Moreton Bay Islands and Rockhampton.
  • ​$50 million to expand apprenticeships in housing, health care, and construction.
  • Free and low-cost training for Queenslanders starting out, upskilling, or returning to work, including young people, women, and veterans.
  • ​$2 million to recruit the next generation of trainers, ensuring high-quality training across Queensland. 

​The Strategy also delivers on the National Skills Agreement, with joint Crisafulli and Australian Government funding of: 

  • ​$98.7 million to help apprentices, trainees, and students complete their training.
  • ​$15 million to improve access to foundation skills.
  • ​$1.9 million to support Queensland’s transition to a new national VET data system. 

​Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the Crisafulli Government was rebuilding Queensland’s skills pipeline, delivering on its promise to create opportunities and deliver a fresh start for Queensland. 

​“Labor presided over a skills shortage, allowing the skills gap to widen while demand for housing, infrastructure, and skilled workers soared,” Minister Bates said.   

​“After a decade of decline under Labor, we are rebuilding Queensland’s training system from the ground up, so every Queenslander can get the right skills for a good job. 

​”Our investment in training, from the Right Skills Strategy to the $201.1m investment in Centres of Excellence, is another way we are delivering on our commitment for a fresh start for Queensland, and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy.” 

​The Right Skills Strategy can be found at www.qld.gov.au/rightskills 

​ENDS 

​MEDIA CONTACT: Brendan Morris, 0428 962 414