WorldSkills Australia is nurturing the next generation of top-tier hospitality talent, with Australia gearing up to send its competitors to the international showdown in 2026.
Think of the Olympic Games, but instead of athletics, it’s the art of service, where top hospitality trainees battle it out in the WorldSkills Australia Restaurant Service Competition. Participants are judged on their customer interactions, attention to detail, communication, and food and beverage knowledge, for a chance to go head to head with national and international competitors.
Since 1981, WorldSkills Australia has empowered young Aussies to excel in their trades through competitions, training, and industry collaboration. The organisation has supported more than 100,000 apprentices and trainees, many of whom have gone on to represent Australia internationally, while helping address skills shortages and uphold the country’s reputation for vocational excellence.
WorldSkills competitions provide an enriching addition to traditional training for front-of-house roles in restaurants and cafés, with competitors honing their professionalism, presentation, and ability to work under pressure. The National Championships and Skills Show occur every two years, with the next edition set to take place from 12 to 14 June 2025 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Queensland.
The competition begins at the grassroots level, with more than 6000 apprentices, trainees, and students competing across 34 regions in Australia. These regional rounds serve as the initial stage, testing the skills and knowledge of participants in various hospitality disciplines, including food and beverage service, customer relations, and communication. Medal winners from these regional events have the opportunity to advance to the National Championships & Skills Show.
Throughout both the regional and national competitions, participants are judged on various key skills. These include customer interactions, attention to detail, communication, and their knowledge of food and beverages. The competition is designed to simulate real-world hospitality environments, allowing trainees to demonstrate their competence in handling customer requests, managing time efficiently, and presenting food and drinks to the highest standard.
The format of the competition tests participants in multiple aspects of front-of-house service, including table setting, order taking, and delivery of food and beverages.
At the conclusion of the National Championships & Skills Show, winners receive gold, silver, and bronze medals, with the top performers earning the opportunity to represent Australia in the WorldSkills International competition, which takes place every two years. The next event will be in Shanghai in 2026, providing a platform for the best competitors from around the world to demonstrate their skills on a global stage.
Australia is preparing to send its top talent to the 2026 WorldSkills International Competition in China. Selected from the 2025 National Championships, the best performers will train for 12 months to compete at the global level, gaining industry recognition and expanding their career opportunities.
Many former competitors are said to have gone on to secure high-profile jobs, contracts, and leadership roles in their fields.
Abbey Kuhnell, who was awarded the Medallion for Excellence for Cookery at the International Competition in Lyon in 2024, says although she had completed an apprenticeship while in Year 12 and commenced a Certificate III in Cookery, the competition provided her with exposure to skills she would not have otherwise gained.
“A standout moment for me was getting to the Euro Expo in Lyon for the first time and seeing all the countries and competitors. I gained specialised skills that I wouldn’t necessarily gain from just working in a kitchen, such as learning how to make bread to working with a pastry chef for a week just on making desserts,” she says.
“Since returning from the competition I feel more confident handling new tasks that are given to me and I’m able to learn and adapt a lot quicker than before the competition and training.”
Meanwhile, Elliana McRae, who was also awarded the Medallion for Excellence at the International Competition in Lyon for Restaurant Service, says stepping out of her comfort zone contributed to her growth enormously.
“My journey to representing Australia in Restaurant Service was one of hard work, passion, and friendship. France was my first time travelling internationally and I was blown away by everything I gained from the experience. I not only got to grow and succeed alongside my fellow Aussies but also deliver world-class service alongside 32 world-class competitors,” she says.
“This experience taught me so much about myself and the strength of those around me. My persistence throughout this journey is a reminder that in hard times I can do anything I put my mind to.”
For more information, visit worldskills.org.au
This article appears in the June 2025 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.
