In this policy update, we highlight important reports and initiatives that were announced in March and April 2026 that influence the Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism, Hospitality and Vocational Education and Training (VET) sectors, as well as the broader economic landscape.

2025 Tasmanian Agritourism Regulatory Review Report

On 11 February, the Tasmanian Government released the 2025 Tasmanian Agritourism Regulatory Review Report. The report builds on the initial 2022 review and outlines the permits and approvals required to establish an agritourism business in Tasmania.

It recommends actions to ensure the regulatory environment is fit for purpose, improve access to clear guidance for businesses navigating regulatory processes, increase awareness of agritourism among planners and regulators and strengthen the capacity of regulators to assess proposals.

Agritourism creates opportunities to connect farming and rural life with tourism, offering distinctive visitor experiences. It also supports farm diversification, strengthens financial resilience, and contributes to regional economic growth.

Access the full report here

 

Tourism Research Australia – Tourism Businesses in Australia (June 2025)

On 12 March, Tourism Research Australia released Tourism Businesses in Australia (June 2025). This annual report analyses tourism-related businesses across Australia, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Key findings include:

• Tourism business numbers remained relatively stable between 2022 and 2025.
• There were 361,270 tourism-related businesses in June 2025, the highest on record. This represents a 0.1% increase from June 2024 and an 8% increase from June 2020.
• Tourism-related businesses account for 13.2% of all Australian businesses.
• Tourism characteristic industries (where at least 25% of output is consumed by visitors, such as accommodation) accounted for 205,101 businesses. This reflects a 0.4% increase from the previous year and 5.3% growth over five years.

Access the full report here

Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council – 20 March 2026

On 20 March, Skills Ministers from the Commonwealth, states and territories met at the Automotive Centre of Excellence, Bendigo and Kangan Institute in Melbourne. The meeting focused on shared national priorities for the skills system, including strengthening the essential care workforce, progressing tertiary system harmonisation and maintaining a high-quality VET sector.

Key points of interest for SaCSA include:

• Ongoing commitment to coordinated national action to support learners, employers and communities and to deliver a responsive, trusted and future-focused skills system.
• Progress on strengthening connections between VET and higher education, including development of a national credit recognition framework that supports parity of esteem between the sectors.

• Strong interest in contributing to the national credit recognition framework.
• Next steps to improve pathways for prospective apprentices and trainees to commence and complete qualifications.
• A commitment from Ministers to deepen understanding of apprenticeship challenges across jurisdictions and progress strategies to strengthen the apprenticeship system.

Access the full Communique here

NSW Small Business Commissioner – Small Business Momentum Survey – February 2026

On 20 March, the NSW Small Business Commissioner released the Small Business Momentum Survey – February 2026. The survey shows a moderate increase in sentiment among small businesses across NSW, with confidence rising by around 30% for the first time since February 2024.

While this indicates a modest improvement in outlook, overall confidence remains low compared to historical levels and continues to fluctuate. This suggests many businesses are yet to experience sustained improvements in trading conditions.

The report identifies rising input costs as the primary concern for small businesses, including increases in rent, insurance, utilities, wages, fuel and materials. These ongoing cost pressures are constraining margins and limiting the capacity for businesses to invest or expand.

Read the full report here

NSW Night-time Economy Insights – December Quarter 2025

On 20 March, the NSW Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner released the NSW Night-time Economy Insights – December Quarter 2025. The report draws on data from the Data After Dark platform to provide an overview of activity across NSW’s night-time economy.

The report highlights the seasonal nature of the night-time economy, with activity peaking in the December quarter. While this expected uplift occurred, overall performance was softer compared with December 2024.

Key findings include:

• Night-time public transport recorded 38.2 million Opal tap-offs, down 3.8% year on year, but up 6.9% from the previous quarter.
• There were 318 million night-time movement trips across NSW, a 4.8% increase from the previous quarter, though still 5.3% lower than a year earlier.
• Night-time in-person spending reached $4.35 billion, up 0.2% year on year and 17.9% from the previous quarter, reflecting increased activity during Black Friday and the Christmas trading period.
• The number of GST-active businesses in the food, drink and leisure sectors declined by 381 (0.8%) from the previous quarter. Over the year, there was a net loss of 1,039 businesses (2%), indicating ongoing pressure across the sector.

The report also includes analysis of the NSW hotel market.

Read the report here

TRA – International Visitor Survey Results – December Quarter 2025

On 23 March, Tourism Research Australia released the International Visitor Survey Results – December Quarter 2025. The report provides insights into how international visitors travel within Australia.

Results for the December quarter 2025 show strong growth compared with the same period in 2024, continuing the upward trend in international tourism throughout 2025.

Growth in visitor spending was driven primarily by holiday travel (up 30% or $891 million) and education-related travel (up 37% or $706 million). Visitor numbers from China and the United Kingdom also recorded strong growth over the quarter.

Key results include:

• International visitor spend in Australia reached $9.8 billion, up 27% from December quarter 2024.
• There were 2.4 million trips, an increase of 13% year on year.
• Visitors spent 79.9 million nights in Australia, up 5% from the previous year.
• Total trip spend reached $14.7 billion, an increase of 20% year on year.

Access the full report here

Towards a New National Cultural Policy – Public Consultation Paper

On 23 March, the Australian Government released a public consultation paper for a new National Cultural Policy, seeking feedback to inform the future direction of the creative and cultural sector.

The policy will continue to be structured around the five pillars established in Revive:

1. First Nations First
2. A Place for Every Story
3. Centrality of the Artist
4. Strong Cultural Infrastructure
5. Engaging the Audience

The Government is inviting feedback through written submissions and upcoming public consultation events, including town halls.

SaCSA encourages stakeholders to consider contributing to the consultation process to help inform the future of Australia’s creative and cultural workforce.

Read the paper or make a submission here

Northern Territory Visitor Economy Strategy 2032

On 24 March, the Northern Territory Government released the Northern Territory Visitor Economy Strategy 2032. The strategy outlines a plan to attract more visitors, stimulate regional travel, and guide investment in experiences, infrastructure and events that showcase the Territory’s unique landscapes, culture and heritage.

A key focus for SaCSA is the emphasis on workforce development. The strategy highlights the importance of a strong, skilled and supported workforce to deliver high-quality visitor experiences and sustain a year-round visitor economy.

Tourism and Events NT will work with industry, government and training partners to attract, retain and develop the workforce. This includes strengthening education and training pathways, supporting Aboriginal participation and business development, and building the skills required across the sector.

By 2032, the strategy aims to achieve:

• A skilled and stable tourism workforce, with increased employment, fewer vacancies and stronger year-round roles.
• Improved industry capability, with more businesses engaging in training, upskilling and digital programs.
• Increased Aboriginal participation, including more Aboriginal employees, trainees and Aboriginal-owned tourism businesses.

The strategy also advocates for visa settings that support access to international workers and aims to reduce seasonal workforce gaps. In addition, it highlights the need to build capability in technology and sustainability to support long-term competitiveness.

Access the full plan here

Northern Territory Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2026-2028

On 26 March, the Northern Territory Government released the Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2026–2028. The framework outlines the vision, priorities and approach for engaging with Aboriginal Territorians and communities, aligned with the Government’s policy pillars of reducing crime, rebuilding the economy and restoring the Territory lifestyle and broader community aspirations.

It complements existing whole-of-government strategies and national commitments, including the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, while setting a place-based direction for Aboriginal affairs in the Northern Territory.

Key areas of focus include:

• Creating jobs and businesses on Country – supporting economic development in regional and remote areas to build employment and wealth for Aboriginal Territorians.
• Boosting health, wellbeing and culture – recognising safety and wellbeing as foundations for strong and thriving communities.
• Developing skills for the future – strengthening education and training pathways to support participation and success in the economy.

Read the full framework here

Australian Government Jurisdictional Action Plan 2025–2026 Update

On 30 March, the Australian Government released the Jurisdictional Action Plan 2025–2026 Update. The update reports on Commonwealth progress under the 2024–2028 National Skills Plan and the 2024 Jurisdictional Action Plan.

The Plan outlines actions aligned to the National Skills Agreement, including population outcomes (productivity, labour supply, wellbeing, inclusion and resilience) and system outcomes (meeting industry and student needs, responsive courses, quality delivery, and a collaborative and sustainable system).

Jurisdictional Action Plans will be supported by national targets through a Balanced Scorecard being developed by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). Once released, this framework will support tracking progress, identifying system gaps, and measuring economic and social outcomes.

Key achievements in 2025–2026 include:

• Embedding Free TAFE as a permanent national initiative through the Free TAFE Act 2025.
• Investing in and modernising TAFE infrastructure through the TAFE Technology Fund.
• Expanding access to training in regional and remote First Nations communities through Mobile TAFE.
• Releasing the Outcomes Framework to support monitoring and responsiveness over the life of the National Skills Agreement.
• Implementing the National Foundation Skills Strategy 2025–2035 to strengthen language, literacy, numeracy, digital and employability skills.
• Establishing the National TAFE Network to strengthen collaboration, workforce capability, shared curriculum development and innovation.
• Providing $1 billion in funding under the National Skills Agreement.

Read the full Plan here

NSW Small Business Commissioner – Small Business Momentum Survey – March 2026

On 14 April, the NSW Small Business Commissioner released the Small Business Momentum Survey for March 2026. The survey shows a significant decline in sentiment among small businesses across NSW.

Confidence in individual business prospects fell to 22%, the second-lowest level recorded since the survey began in 2020, and below levels observed during the pandemic. Confidence in the local economy also declined sharply, falling 9 percentage points to 9%, a record low.

The decline in sentiment coincides with ongoing inflationary pressures, higher interest rates, rising fuel and energy prices, and global uncertainty.

Overall, confidence levels in 2026 remain weak compared to previous years and continue to fluctuate, indicating ongoing challenges in trading conditions. Rising input costs remain the primary concern for small businesses, with increasing fuel and energy costs becoming more prominent in March.

Read the full survey results here

JSA – Occupation Shortage Report – December Quarter 2025

On 12 March, JSA released the Occupation Shortage Report – December Quarter 2025. The report provides analysis of labour market conditions and emerging shortage pressures.

Key national findings include:

• The vacancy fill rate increased by 0.4 percentage points to 70.7% in the December quarter 2025. Over the past 12 months, the rate has risen by 2.1 percentage points.
• The fill rate has remained above 70% for three consecutive quarters, although growth appears to be plateauing.
• The number of applicants per vacancy has continued to decline over both the quarter and the past 12 months, following a peak in December quarter 2024.
• The number of qualified applicants per vacancy remained stable over the past two quarters, while suitable applicants per vacancy continued to increase gradually.

Access the full report here

JSA – First Nations VET Workforce Research Paper

On 17 March, JSA released the First Nations VET Workforce Research Paper, an extension of its broader VET Workforce Study. The paper brings together insights from First Nations stakeholders, national datasets and sector engagement to strengthen understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander VET workforce and the factors needed to support its growth.

The research highlights a growing First Nations workforce across the VET sector. Aboriginal Community Controlled and First Nations-owned RTOs, alongside TAFEs, private providers, adult and community education organisations, school-based RTOs and Jobs and Skills Councils, are contributing to increased leadership, self-determination and workforce participation.

This growth reflects strong, locally driven efforts and strategic organisational planning, with First Nations representation in the VET workforce increasing at a faster rate than the broader population.

However, the report notes that further expansion and stronger advocacy are required. The VET workforce more broadly remains under pressure, and growing the First Nations workforce is critical to meeting future workforce and training needs.

Full paper and recommendations here

JSA – Vacancy Report – February 2026

On 18 March, JSA released the Internet Vacancy Report – February 2026, which provides a monthly count of online job advertisements.

Job advertisements fell by 5% in February, continuing recent month-to-month fluctuations. This suggests a potential slowing of the medium-term downward trend observed from June 2022 to early 2025.

Despite the monthly decline, vacancy levels remain elevated, with around 25% more job advertisements than the 2019 monthly average. Over the 12 months to February 2026, job advertisements increased by less than 0.1%.

Key findings include:

• Recruitment activity decreased across all states and territories, with the largest declines in NSW (down 6.2%), the ACT (down 5.2%) and Tasmania (down 4.1%).
• Advertisements fell across all skill levels, with the largest decreases in Skill Level 4 occupations (down 5.7%) and Skill Level 5 occupations (down 5.0%).
• All major occupation groups recorded declines, with the largest decreases for Sales Workers (down 8.1%) and Community and Personal Service Workers (down 6.2%). Managers recorded the smallest decrease (down 2.1%).
• Recruitment activity remained concentrated in metropolitan areas, with 69.4% of job advertisements located in capital cities.
• Over the past 12 months, job advertisements increased in regional areas (up 3.6%) but declined in capital cities (down 2.9%).

Of particular interest to SaCSA, the report includes detailed analysis of Storepersons.

Access the full report here

JSA – Employment and Disability in Australia

On 30 March, JSA released the Employment and Disability in Australia insights report. The report examines labour market outcomes for people with disability, with a focus on those considered ‘job-ready’, and identifies opportunities to improve workforce participation and inclusion.

The report highlights that reducing structural barriers and supporting inclusive employment practices could increase workforce participation and deliver broader economic and productivity benefits. It also notes that targeted investment in transition support, skills development, employer capability and systemic reform could support more people with disability to enter the labour market.

Key findings include:

• In 2022, around 2.7 million people aged 15–64 in Australia had a disability, representing 16.1% of the working-age population.
• Labour force participation was 60.5% in 2022 for people with disability, compared with 84.9% for those without disability.
• The unemployment rate for people with disability was 7.5%, more than double the rate for those without disability (3.1%).
• Underemployment affected 7.8% of employed people with disability, compared with 5.1% of those without disability.
• People with disability were significantly more likely to experience very long-term unemployment (28.3% compared with 9.6%).
• More than 160,000 people with disability (around 10%) were not employed but are considered potentially job-ready.

Access the full report here

Employer Attitudes Toward Disability Inclusion in the Australian Workforce

On 30 March, JSA released the Recruitment Experience and Outlook Survey: Employer Attitudes Toward Disability Inclusion in the Australian Workforce. The report presents findings from the disability module, highlighting employer perspectives, current practices and opportunities to strengthen inclusive recruitment.

Key findings include:

• 29% of employers reported employing people with disability. Of these, 35% had hired a person with disability in the past 12 months, with higher rates among large (46%) and medium businesses (37%) compared to small businesses (33%).

• Among employers who had not hired a person with disability, 59% indicated they would be open to doing so. A further 32% reported hesitation, most commonly due to perceived job suitability (58%), concerns about the nature of disability (27%) and safety considerations (22%). Just 9% said they were unsure about whether they would hire a person with disability
• Most employers (82%) who hired a person with disability did not access government subsidies or incentives. Only a small proportion used Workforce Australia (4%) or Disability Employment Services (5%) wage subsidies.

• Of the 20% of employers who made workplace adjustments, most provided adjustments to all staff (68%), while 32% tailored adjustments to individual needs. Common adjustments included flexible work arrangements, job redesign and workstation modifications.
• 34% of employers with staff with disability reported that no workplace adjustments were required.
• Employers identified benefits such as increased diversity, access to a broader talent pool and improved workplace culture. Reported challenges included concerns about productivity, skills gaps and implementing adjustments.

These findings highlight both opportunities and ongoing barriers to disability-inclusive employment.

Of particular relevance to SaCSA, employers in Accommodation and Food Services were most likely to report employing people with disability, followed by Health Care and Social Assistance and Retail Trade.

Read the full report here

Vacancy Report March 2026

On 15 April, JSA released the Vacancy Report March 2026. The report shows a slight increase in online job advertisements (up 1.6%) in March, continuing recent month-to-month fluctuations and suggesting a potential slowing of the medium-term downward trend observed from June 2022 to early 2025.

Vacancy levels remain elevated, with around 25% more job advertisements than the 2019 monthly average. Over the 12 months to March 2026, job advertisements increased by 4.7%.

Key findings include:

• Recruitment activity increased across all states and territories, with the strongest growth in the Northern Territory (up 3.1%), Tasmania (up 2.9%) and the ACT (up 2.8%).
• Advertisements rose across four skill level groups, with the largest increases in Skill Level 1 occupations (up 3.3%) and Skill Level 3 occupations (up 2.2%).
• Six major occupation groups recorded increases, led by Professionals (up 4.0%) and Technicians and Trades Workers (up 2.6%).
• Recruitment activity remained concentrated in metropolitan areas, with 69.9% of job advertisements located in capital cities.
• Over the past 12 months, job advertisements increased in regional areas (up 5.1%) but declined in capital cities (down 1.5%).

Access the full report here

NCVER – Apprentice and Trainee Outcomes 2025

On 25 March, the NCVER released the Apprentice and Trainee Outcomes 2025 report. The report summarises outcomes for apprentices and trainees who undertook training during 2024.

The findings are based on responses from 24,291 apprentices and trainees, collected between June and August 2025 as part of the National Student Outcomes Survey.

Key findings include:

• Employment-related reasons were the primary motivation for undertaking training, reported by 56.2% of completers and 60.3% of non-completers.
• Training-related reasons were the next most common, cited by 37.4% of completers and 29.9% of non-completers.
• For trade occupations, the most common reason for non-completion was dissatisfaction with pay, working conditions or the workplace (27.7%), followed by personal reasons (19.8%).
• Employment outcomes were stronger for completers than non-completers. Among trade occupations, 94.8% of completers and 80.8% of non-completers were employed after training, consistent with 2024.
• Nine in ten completers reported satisfaction with the skills gained through on-the-job training.

Access the full report here

NCVER – Apprentices and Trainees 2025: September quarter

On 30 March, the NCVER released Apprentices and Trainees 2025: September Quarter. The report provides a snapshot of apprenticeship and traineeship contract activity across Australia.

Key statistics include:

• Commencements: 29,610 in the September quarter (up 10.6% year on year); 135,285 over the 12 months to 30 September 2025 (down 13.7%).
• Cancellations and withdrawals: 23,020 in the quarter (down 3.5% year on year); 88,275 over the 12 months (down 13.4%).
• Completions: 22,685 in the quarter (up 2.8% year on year); 99,115 over the 12 months (down 0.1%).
• In training: 297,925 as of 30 September 2025 (down 10.3% year on year).

Access the full report here

We encourage our stakeholders to delve deeper into these reports and strategies to understand their potential impact and leverage them in planning and decision-making. As always, we remain committed to supporting a vibrant and sustainable workforce across all industries.

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Author: Shane Kocass, Policy and Government Relations Adviser at SaCSA, analyses government policies, fosters meaningful engagement with government stakeholders, and assists in navigating the complex policy landscape to drive impactful outcomes.