Crisafulli Government saves Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s program

• Budget includes $50 million to train essential tradies - electricians, carpenters, plumbers - for critical infrastructure. 
• Includes a $10 million investment to save the Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s program, which would have ended. 
• 561 social and community houses to be delivered in Far North Queensland. 

The Crisafulli Government’s 2025–26 Budget is delivering for Cairns with major investments in housing and skills training that will create jobs, support local businesses, and provide more Queenslanders with a place to call home. 

This includes the extension of the Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s program, which plays a crucial role in training the next generation of tradies to deliver more homes across the State, including in the Far North. 

The Crisafulli Government has stepped in to save the program with $10 million over two years, after Labor failed to fund it beyond 30 June. 

The Budget includes a $50 million investment in 2025-26 to train future tradies, from electricians and carpenters to chefs, welders, and mechanics to help fix Labor's Skills Shortage. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering a place to call home for more Far North Queensland residents with 561 social and community houses under construction or contracted as part of the Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan. 

This forms part of the Government’s record investment of $5.6 billion into building new social and community homes across the state. 

The Crisafulli Government is also ensuring more young Queenslanders can become home owners through the Boost to Buy program, which will reduce the deposit gap for up to 1000 Queenslanders. 

Treasurer and Minister for Home Ownership David Janetzki said the Budget delivered more homes and training for the skilled workforce needed to build them. 

“We promised a better lifestyle through a stronger economy in Queensland and that’s exactly what the Crisafulli Government’s first Budget is delivering,” Mr Janetzki said. 

“We’re working closely with local councils, housing providers and training organisations to ensure the homes that are needed are built by Queenslanders, for Queenslanders.” 

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the Government backed local training providers to deliver real outcomes for communities. 

“The Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s program offers fully subsidised training for more than 130 priority apprenticeship and traineeships qualifications to deliver the next generation of electricians, plumbers and engineers to build the homes Queenslanders need,” Minister Bates said. 

“Under Labor, this program would have ended yesterday, but the Crisafulli Government has stepped in to save it. 

“From construction to care, this Government is firmly committed to training the workforce that will build Queensland’s future.”

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Christian Penny 0439 882 294