In this policy update, we highlight important reports and initiatives that were announced in late July and August of 2025 that influence the Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism, Hospitality and Vocational Education and Training (VET) sectors, as well as the broader economic landscape.
South Australian Government Response to the Artists at Work Taskforce Report
On 23 July 2025, the South Australian Government released its formal response to the Artists at Work Taskforce Report.
The response signals a major step in strengthening the state’s arts and cultural sector. Key actions include:
- forging national partnerships to strengthen opportunities for artists and organisations
- introducing landmark legislation to enshrine how the arts are valued and led in South Australia
- implementing the ambitions, strategies and actions of A Place to Create, the Government’s new cultural policy.
Of the 56 recommendations put forward in the report, the Government has committed to act on 50. CreateSA will continue to collaborate with other agencies on the remaining ‘noted’ recommendations that require further consultation and investigation.
A full list of recommendations and the Artists at Work Taskforce Report is available here.
JSA – Employers’ experiences with retention issues
On 24 July 2025, Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) released its report Employers’ Experiences with Retention Issues. The report shows that in recent years more workers have been changing jobs compared with the period before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the 12 months to February 2024, 1.1 million people changed jobs, representing a job mobility rate of 8%. While this was down from the peak of 9.6% in February 2023, it remained higher than the record low of 7.5% in February 2021.
The findings are particularly relevant for the Accommodation, Food Services and Retail Trade sectors, where workforce retention continues to be a key challenge.
The full report is available here.
Tourism Research Australia – Accessible Tourism 2024
In July 2025, Tourism Research Australia released its Accessible Tourism 2024 report, providing new data and insights on travellers with accessible needs in Australia.
The report highlights that improving accessibility in tourism is both a social and economic opportunity. In 2024, accessible tourism accounted for 70.5 million trips, contributing $29.2 billion to the Australian economy.
With an ageing population, the number of people with accessible needs is expected to grow, underscoring the importance of inclusive tourism experiences across the sector.
The full report is available here.
South Australia Skills Commission Strategic Plan 2025-2030
The South Australian Skills Commission has released its Strategic Plan 2025–2030, outlining a pathway to strengthen skills development and support learner success.
The Plan focuses on improving access to skills, prioritising safety and wellbeing, and ensuring learners are supported to complete their studies.
It sets out four strategic priorities:
- Attract and retain apprentices and trainees in VET to meet workforce needs
- Innovate and advocate for a skills system that adapts to changing workforce requirements
- Provide stewardship to improve equity and access across industry
- Strengthen connections with industry, community and government stakeholders.
The full Strategic Plan 2025–2030 is available here.
Plan for Western Sydney Arts, Culture and Creative Industries 2025 – 2028
On 29 July 2025, the NSW Government released its Plan for Western Sydney Arts, Culture and Creative Industries 2025–2028.
The Plan responds to findings from the recent State of the Arts report, which highlighted the historical underinvestment in Western Sydney’s creative sector. For example, between 2015 and 2023 the region received only 3.4% of federal arts funding, despite being home to 10% of Australia’s population.
The Plan prioritises First Nations peoples, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, underrepresented groups, and d/Deaf and disabled people. Its six key priorities are to:
- unlock investment equity
- prioritise First Nations
- grow creative careers
- strengthen creative ecosystems
- showcase Western Sydney
- unlock spaces for culture.
Of particular relevance to SaCSA, the Plan emphasises developing a sustainable, skilled and connected creative workforce in Western Sydney by strengthening collaboration between education providers, government and the creative industries and by expanding both formal and alternative pathways from education to employment.
The full Plan is available here.
Queensland’s Time to Shine: a 10-year strategy for arts and culture 2025-2035
On 31 July 2025, the Queensland Government released Queensland’s Time to Shine: A 10-Year Strategy for Arts and Culture 2025–2035.
The Strategy places strong emphasis on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, highlighting the need for a skilled creative workforce, cultural assets, experiences and infrastructure to deliver a lasting legacy.
Of particular interest to SaCSA is the Strategy’s recognition of critical skills shortages across Queensland’s creative sector, including technical production, business administration and marketing.
Key commitments include:
- developing an arts education plan and a creative careers roadmap with other government departments
- strengthening pathways and partnerships with industry and government to address skills gaps and grow the sector
- establishing a screen industry advisory committee to provide strategic advice
- supporting artists and creatives to leverage emerging technologies.
The full Strategy is available here.
Productivity Commission – Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report
The Productivity Commission has released its latest Annual Data Compilation Report for the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The report tracks progress against 19 socio-economic targets designed to reduce disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Of the 15 targets with available data:
- Four are on track
- Six show improvement but are not on track
- Four are worsening
- One shows no change from the baseline.
Of particular relevance to SaCSA, while the number of VET qualifications commenced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners has increased, earlier gains in four-year VET completion rates have recently reversed.
The full report is available here.
Productivity Commission – Building a skilled and adaptable workforce
On 12 August 2025, the Productivity Commission released its interim report for the inquiry into Building a Skilled and Adaptable Workforce.
The report proposes reforms to secondary and post-secondary education, as well as to occupational entry requirements, to strengthen workforce capability and adaptability. It emphasises that:
- adaptability of Australia’s workforce requires greater focus
- workers need strong foundational skills, clear pathways to upskilling, and easier entry into new occupations
- improved recognition of prior learning and credit transfer arrangements would support ongoing skills development.
Importantly, submissions in response to the interim report are open until 5.00 pm, Monday 15 September 2025. SaCSA encourages stakeholders to review the report and provide feedback.
The full report is available here.
South Australian Government – Bystander Intervention Training Discussion Paper
On 12 August 2025, the South Australian Government released a discussion paper reviewing training requirements for the introduction of Bystander Intervention Training.
The paper highlights research showing that around half of hospitality workers have experienced sexual harassment, assault or discrimination in the workplace.
Industry and advocacy groups have supported strengthening the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) framework by introducing targeted training programs. Proposed updates include training to prevent drink spiking and to educate service providers on recognising and responding to sexual violence in licensed venues.
The Government is seeking feedback on training requirements addressing drink spiking, sexual harassment, sexual assault, bullying, sexism and violence in the hospitality industry.
Submissions close at 5.00 pm, Tuesday 9 September 2025.
The discussion paper is available here.
JSA – Our Gen AI Transition
On 14 August 2025, JSA released its Gen AI Capacity Study — the first national, whole-of-labour-market study examining the opportunities and challenges of generative AI for Australia’s workforce.
The study highlights that generative AI is accelerating skill change, driving greater demand for both digital literacy and higher-order human skills such as critical thinking, communication and adaptability, while also intensifying the pace of occupational skill evolution.
It stresses that lifelong learning is essential: as job content shifts and change accelerates, continuous upskilling and reskilling will be critical to maintaining employability and productivity. Importantly, skills development must be inclusive to ensure equitable outcomes.
The study also emphasises that meaningful adoption of generative AI requires investment in both technical and human-centric skills, helping to mitigate risks such as job displacement and skill erosion.
The full study is available here.
DEWR – A Revised Methodology for the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List – Discussion Paper
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has released a discussion paper on a revised methodology for the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List.
The Priority List identifies occupations eligible for Australian Government apprenticeship incentives. It is a key tool for directing investment through the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System, ensuring resources are targeted to support commencements and completions in VET-level occupations with genuine apprenticeship pathways that are in national skills shortage.
Currently, priority occupations are determined using ABS occupation classifications and shortage analysis by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).
DEWR is seeking feedback on:
- elements of Strategic Review Recommendation 2.1 relating to the Priority List
- potential principles to underpin a revised methodology
- any additional evidence to inform future updates.
Submissions close at 5.00 pm, Thursday 25 September 2025. SaCSA encourages stakeholders to review the paper and make a submission on their website.
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.
Author: Shane Kocass, Policy Officer at SaCSA, analyses government policies, fosters meaningful engagement with government stakeholders, and assists in navigating the complex policy landscape to drive impactful outcomes.