WesTrac has announced its Western Australian and New South Wales dates for the 2025-2026 Global Operator Challenge (GOC), providing aspiring participants the opportunity to cement their place as a world-leading machine operator.
Leading Caterpillar® dealer WesTrac has announced its Western Australian and New South Wales dates for the 2025-2026 Global Operator Challenge (GOC), providing aspiring participants the opportunity to cement their place as a world-leading machine operator.
The Global Operator Challenge sets the stage for the world’s best construction industry machine operators to showcase their skills and put new technology to the test in front of industry peers.
The competition, organised by Caterpillar, consists of eight events testing a range of operator techniques from manoeuvrability to balance, providing the ultimate test of skill, control and determination.
More than 140 Cat dealer competitions were held during the last challenge in 2022-2023, which attracted more than 10,000 operators from 32 countries.
Goulburn’s Jack Divall and Kalgoorlie’s Jake Myers were crowned the best operator in New South Wales and Western Australia respectively during the last event and were flown to Japan to compete in the regional finals.
This year, the Global Operator Challenge aims to include more events, countries, and operators, with the overall global winner receiving a prize of $10,000 cash or an equal value trip for two to a location around the world where Caterpillar has a presence.
The winner of each state final will go through to the Asia Pacific Regional GOC semi-final in Japan in November 2025. This prize includes round trip airfares, hotel accommodation and all meals. The top three winners of the Asia Pacific Regional GOC semi-final will each be awarded a trip to Las Vegas in 2026 for a chance to compete in the final.
WesTrac WA General Manager – Construction Cameron Callaway said the 2025-2026 Global Operator Challenge would be a prime opportunity for local operators to put their skills to the test on the world stage.
“The Global Operator Challenge is an exciting opportunity, and I encourage any business to nominate their best operator to compete,” Cameron said.
"Only nine operators get the chance to participate in the final competition in March 2026, held at Caterpillar’s outdoor Festival Grounds exhibit during CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas."
“Not only is there a fantastic prize up for grabs for the winner, but the victorious operator will have their name cemented in construction history as the best operator in the world.”
Details for the WA and NSW competitions are outlined below.
Western Australia
Perth branch dig pit, 13 Hitchcock Place, Perth Airport
New South Wales
Tomago branch dig pit, 1 WesTrac Drive, Tomago
To register for the 2025-2026 Global Operator Challenge, visit: https://www.cat.com/en_AU/campaigns/event/operator-challenge/operator-signup.html and pick the relevant WesTrac dealership for your state.
This year, the 2025 Global Operator Challenge coincides with a significant milestone as Caterpillar celebrates its 100th anniversary. This marks a century since the merger of Holt Manufacturing and C.L. Best Tractor Co., to form what was then known as the Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Throughout 2025, Caterpillar and WesTrac will commemorate this milestone with various events and activities in Western Australia, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Additionally, WesTrac celebrates 35 years of providing world-class equipment, service, and support in Western Australia. Since beginning operations at the South Guildford facility in 1989, following Australian Capital Equity’s acquisition of Wigmores, WesTrac has remained a trusted partner in the region.
WesTrac will proudly take part in Caterpillar’s centenary celebrations, honouring the loyalty and dedication of their customers and team members who have been integral to their success over the decades.
Marissa Taddeo
marissa@hellospoke.com.au
0401 019 885
Emily Evans
emily@hellospoke.com.au
0401 337 959
As one of the largest authorised Cat equipment dealers in the world, WesTrac provides customers with a wide range of mining and construction equipment as well as comprehensive whole-of-life management solutions designed to make owning and operating equipment as easy, profitable and safe as possible. With more than 4,500 staff, WesTrac is focused on long-term customer relationships and a dedication to customer service, safety, quality and the environment.
To achieve this, we commit to building better together through collaboration and collective action. Helping customers achieve their own ESG objectives to reduce emissions through product advancements and technology solutions. This shared goal of a sustainable future for all is why we are focused on Responsibility, Advancement, Community, Inclusivity, Development and Solutions, as a means to deliver long-term positive success for the environment, customers, team members, stakeholders and the wider community.
Community development and support is an important part of the WesTrac philosophy, and we are proud to support local activities, events and charities in the regions we are based. As part of SGH Ltd, WesTrac also has strong alliances with other leading Australian businesses, including Seven West Media, Boral, Coates and SITECH.
Third-generation heavy machinery operator Jack Divall from Goulburn has proven he is the best equipment operator in NSW following an outstanding show of skill at the WesTrac-hosted Caterpillar® Global Operator Challenge on Thursday 8 September 2022.
