The Women In Apprenticeships 2026 award winners

Now in its fourth year, the Bunnings Trade Women in Apprenticeships Awards is an initiative committed to recognising and empowering women in trades. This annual award, celebrating women nominated by their peers, employers and community, helps to shine a spotlight on 15 female apprentices, their inspiring stories, hard work and passionate commitment to their trade. Each winner takes home a prize pack valued at more than $11,500 to help support them in their apprenticeship journey.

“When I got the call to say that I was a finalist, I was gobsmacked,” Amanda, a third-year plumbing apprentice from West Melbourne, Victoria, says. “It’s crazy how many tools you need as a plumber because every aspect of plumbing has different tools. So when I learnt about the support pack, I was stoked.”

Emotions were also high when carpentry apprentice Liz was told she had won.

“There were definitely tears,” the single mum and third-year apprentice carpenter from Hobart, Tasmania, says.

“It made me feel seen, appreciated and proud of how far I’ve come. Winning means so much to me – emotionally and professionally.”

At a glance: The 2026 Bunnings Trade Women In Apprenticeships Award winners

This year’s Bunnings Trade Women In Apprenticeships Awards recognised 15 female apprentices from around Australia in a variety of trades across the construction and building industry. Drum roll please! The winners are:

Electrical apprentice winners

• Aleese: Roxby Downs (SA)
• Alex: Inner Melbourne (VIC)
• Edith: Inner Sydney (NSW)
• Shanti: Perth (WA)
• Hayley: Brisbane (QLD)
• Keira: Nowra (NSW)

Plumbing apprentice winners

• Amanda: West Melbourne (VIC)
• Ellie: Mittagong (NSW)
• Halle: Hobart (TAS)

Carpentry and cabinet-maker apprentice winners

• Liz: Carpentry, Hobart (TAS)
• Estelle: Cabinet-making, Mount Barker (SA)
• Juanita: Carpentry, Palmerston (NT)

Landscaping apprentice winner

• Nicole: North-west Sydney (NSW)

Automotive and metalwork apprentice winners

• Ana: Boilermaker, Northern Melbourne (VIC)
• Annie: Mechanic, Newcastle (NSW)

Spotlight on: A female plumbing apprentice

While working in the army as a reservist, Amanda was also labouring full time – which exposed her to the plumbing industry. That was eight years ago. Now she’s in her third year of her apprenticeship with the Plumbing & Pipe Trades Employee Union (PPTEU) Women In Plumbing initiative, which aims to increase gender diversity in the profession. It operates in partnership with Raw GTO, based in Melbourne, Victoria.

Being recognised for her hard work by winning the award while undertaking her apprenticeship and managing life and two children, Oliver and Frankie, was a well-deserved achievement for Amanda.

The 43-year-old apprentice chats to us about how a push to join the industry from three male sprinkler fitters now sees her reach new heights every day.

Q: What led you to your plumbing apprenticeship?

A: While [I was labouring] on a site, I met a couple of the sprinkler fitters and they were the most amazing guys ever. These boys kept selling the idea of sprinkler fitting to me and trying to get me on board with their boss. At that time I felt I was going to be made redundant [from my labourer job], we were going through a quiet time in the industry – call it women’s intuition! I felt my time was up and those boys got the ball rolling. And that’s what started my interest.

Q: Was it challenging moving into your apprenticeship from full-time work?

A: I’m so blessed that my husband had no issue with my apprenticeship. He was a massive, massive influence and he pushed me and said, ‘You should do this, you deserve this and I will support you with everything.’

Tip: If you’re an employer, check out the right way to go about hiring an apprentice.

Q: Did you have to make any sacrifices to do your apprenticeship?

A: We had to sell our house. It was a big deal. Going from a labourer to an apprentice was a big pay cut, especially when you’ve got two young kids that need childcare. And I couldn’t do any of it without my family. When I started, my dad had to become the grandfather of the year. Now my cousin has taken over and comes to the house every morning and takes my kids to school and kindergarten. She’s the best cousin in the world. I couldn’t do it without her.

Q: What inspires you to keep going when it gets difficult?

A: Out of those three gentlemen that helped me get started, there was one in particular that really pushed me. His name was Cossie and he always told me, ‘You can do this, you do this. I believe in you. I think you can be an amazing plumber.’

Q: How does Cossie continue to inspire you?

A: Sadly, over the Christmas break he took his own life. Every time I think of quitting, I think about him. Cossie is the reason I’m here and he’s also the reason I’m a blue hat. I go to work every day because someone might need me. My passion and the reason I do this is for Cossie. He’s the one that drives it every day.

Did you know?

TIACS, a free counselling service for tradies, truckies and blue-collar workers, is here to support our industry. Text or call 0488 846 988, Monday – Friday, 8am – 10pm AEST. Don’t know what to say? Simply text “Hi” and the counselling team will take it from there.

Q: What skills did you learn in the reserves that helped set you up for your trade?

A: My time in the Army Reserve taught me discipline, accountability and how to stay calm under pressure. It reinforced the importance of being on time, working safely, communicating clearly and contributing to a team environment. Those skills transferred directly into my plumbing apprenticeship, where reliability, problem solving and attention to detail are important every day. I was always encouraged to remain calm when things didn’t go to plan and was able to develop alternative strategies to overcome problems.

Q: How did you know working in a trade was right for you when you started?

A: It feels like I’ve done everything humanly possible, but if it’s something that I don’t really feel passionate about, I keep looking. I keep looking for where my passion is and it was definitely construction. Once I got in there, I knew that I was going to be there forever. You’re not sitting behind a computer, you are not stuck in a room, you can walk free, you talk to people, it’s just a different atmosphere.

Tip: Do you have a Bunnings Trade PowerPass Apprentice membership yet? It’s free and easy to sign up.

Q: What was the main thing you learned from your time with the Army?

A: The biggest lesson I took away was that growth happens outside your comfort zone. The Army Reserve gave me confidence in myself, taught me to back my abilities and showed me how much can be achieved through consistency, teamwork and a positive attitude. Those lessons have helped me throughout my plumbing apprenticeship and everyday life. Both experiences showed me that you don’t have to fit a traditional mould to succeed and if you’re willing to work hard, stay open to learning and back yourself, opportunities can open up.

Q: What do you love most about working on a jobsite?

A: It’s such a versatile trade. There are so many different aspects of plumbing that I didn’t know existed. Every day you can be doing something different, and that’s kind of what I like. You can have your favourites, like I love roughing-in, in-grounds and roofing. Finishing something that you never thought you would be able to do – that is gratifying.

Q: Looking 10 years down the track, where do you see yourself?

A: I know exactly where I want to be in 10 years. I’m hoping to be a Health & Safety Representative on worksites. I’m going to make sure everything that the plumbers are doing is safe and ensure that every single tradesperson on my site goes home safely to their family and children every single day.

Tip: A former Women In Apprenticeships Awards winner shares her top tips for apprentices.

What is in the Bunnings Trade Women In Apprenticeships Awards prize pack?

Our 2026 winners each receive a Women In Apprenticeships Support Pack valued at more than $11,500. The pack is designed to help them in their training and trade journey. Take a peek inside:

• AEG product valued over $1,100
• Stanley Black & Decker product valued over $750
• Kincrome product valued over $1,000
• Full Boar product valued over $1,000
• Citeco product valued over $200
• Esky product valued over $80
• Green Hip Workwear gift card: $300
• she wear gift card: $259
• Hard Yakka gift card: $1,000
• Bunnings gift card: $5,000
• Bunnings merch: $150
• Paslode merch valued over $150
• One year supply of Mechanix gloves valued at $500

Who are the 2026 Bunnings Trade Women In Apprenticeships Awards runners-up?

Each of the Women In Apprenticeships Awards runners-up receives a $500 Bunnings Gift Card. Those lucky winners are:

• Chloe: Mechanic, Brisbane (QLD)
• Phoebe: Electrician, Sydney’s Northern Beaches (NSW)
• Charlie: Boilermaker, North-west Melbourne (VIC)
• Celeste: Fabrication Welder, Western Sydney (NSW)
• Shelley: Plumber, Wodonga (VIC)
• Soanette: Electrician, Hunter Region (NSW)
• Summer: Mechanic, Maroochydore (QLD)
• Evie: Electrician, Geelong (VIC)
• Emma: Electrician, Inland South Australia
• Charlotte: Welder, Wagga Wagga (NSW)
• Angie: Mechanix, Sydney (NSW)

Inspired by women in construction?

Check out our story on Beth Moresi and how she is leading the charge in the industry.