Occupations
Occupations and apprenticeships
National commencements and completion rates, then the First Nations top-five occupations. Every figure cites its published source.
National commencements
Top occupations by apprenticeship commencements, Australia 2025 (NCVER).
3411 - Electricians
commencements: 13,115 · trade · NCVER Apprentices and trainees, top occupations by commencements, Australia 2025
4211 - Child Carers
commencements: 11,370 · non · NCVER Apprentices and trainees, top occupations by commencements, Australia 2025
3312 - Carpenters and Joiners
commencements: 9,820 · trade · NCVER Apprentices and trainees, top occupations by commencements, Australia 2025
3212 - Motor Mechanics
commencements: 9,805 · trade · NCVER Apprentices and trainees, top occupations by commencements, Australia 2025
3341 - Plumbers
commencements: 7,425 · trade · NCVER Apprentices and trainees, top occupations by commencements, Australia 2025
5311 - General Clerks
commencements: 4,865 · non · NCVER Apprentices and trainees, top occupations by commencements, Australia 2025
Completion: national vs First Nations
Trade and non-trade completion rates, all students compared with First Nations students (NCVER 2025).
Trade completions
All: 58.7% · First Nations: 45.5%
Non-trade completions
All: 42.7% · First Nations: 41.6%
Source: NCVER completion rates by priority group, Australia 2025
First Nations — top five occupations
Occupations ranked by First Nations apprenticeship commencements (JSA First Nations data tables).
#1 Construction Trades Workers
commencements: 7,319 · share: 12% · [jsa-fn] JSA First Nations data tables — Apprenticeships & Traineeships
The largest First Nations apprenticeship group. Construction is a priority-list trade group and the apprenticeship is its primary entry pathway, yet First Nations people are still under-represented here (12% of First Nations commencements vs 15% of all commencements).
#2 General Clerical Workers
commencements: 6,043 · share: 10% · [jsa-fn] JSA First Nations data tables — Apprenticeships & Traineeships
Second-largest by commencements and the clearest over-representation: 10% of First Nations commencements vs 3% across the whole population — a 3x concentration in clerical traineeships.
#3 Carers and Aides
commencements: 4,966 · share: 8% · [jsa-fn] JSA First Nations data tables — Apprenticeships & Traineeships
Community-services care roles are a large First Nations pathway (8% vs 6% population-wide) and are on the priority list for aged care and disability support incentives.
#4 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
commencements: 4,656 · share: —% · [jsa-fn] JSA First Nations data tables — Apprenticeships & Traineeships
A core trade pathway (motor mechanics, fitters, panel beaters) on the DEWR priority list, with strong First Nations commencements.
#5 Food Trades Workers
commencements: 3,416 · share: —% · [jsa-fn] JSA First Nations data tables — Apprenticeships & Traineeships
Chefs, cooks and bakers are priority-list apprenticeships; a meaningful First Nations entry into hospitality trades.
Employment concentration
First Nations employment by occupation (ABS Census 2021). Trades and community-services occupations dominate.
17.4
Community & Personal Service Workers
13.6
Technicians & Trades Workers
11.8
Clerical & Administrative Workers
9
Machinery Operators & Drivers
Source: ABS Census 2021 · basis: published