In this policy update, we highlight important reports and initiatives that were announced in late November and December 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.
Tourism Tasmania Annual Report 2024–25
On 14 November, Tourism Tasmania released its Annual Report for 2024–25.
The report highlights the strength of Tasmania’s tourism industry, which supports 50,800 jobs, around one in six roles statewide, and contributes $4.55 billion to the economy each year. This is the highest tourism share of gross state product of any Australian state, with every visitor dollar generating a further 83 cents across the economy.
Tasmania also holds the second-highest destination awareness in Australia, behind Queensland.
From a training perspective, Tourism Tasmania supported TasTAFE’s Advanced Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management students to develop a guide to accessible tourism experiences in northern Tasmania.
Access the full report here.
Stadiums Tasmania – Tasmania’s Major Venue Content Strategy 2025-2030
On 17 November, Stadiums Tasmania released Tasmania’s Major Venue Content Strategy 2025–2030, outlining a plan to attract and retain high-quality events that enhance Tasmania’s national profile, activate venues year-round and deliver long-term value.
The Strategy proposes a Major Sporting and Entertainment Event Committee, in partnership with Events Tasmania, to strengthen coordination and develop a centralised event calendar that maximises statewide impact.
The Strategy reinforces the vital role of Tasmania’s tourism and hospitality workforce in delivering major events. These activities boost visitor numbers, extend seasonal work and create new opportunities for local businesses.
For SaCSA, it highlights the need to ensure a skilled, adaptable workforce to support Tasmania’s growing visitor economy and maintain its reputation as a world-class destination.
Access the full report here.
JSA – Total New Vacancies – August 2025
On 20 November, JSA released its new Total New Vacancies (TNV) data series, providing a broader view of recruitment activity across Australia. The TNV series goes beyond online job advertisements to capture the full scope of hiring activity nationwide.
The measure combines data from the Internet Vacancy Index and the Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey, offering insights into both advertised and non-advertised job opportunities. By adjusting for changes in recruitment methods over time, TNV presents a clearer picture of new job opportunities and labour market trends.
Key highlights from this quarter’s report include:
- Over the year to August 2025, total vacancies decreased by 6.9% (around 94,800 jobs) to 1,128,300.
- In some occupations and regions, more than half of job vacancies are advertised online.
Access the report here.
NCVER – VET qualification completion rates 2024
On 24 November, the NCVER released its VET Qualification Completion Rates 2024 report. The four-year completion rate for nationally recognised qualifications commencing in 2020 was 49%, up from 47.5% for 2019 commencements.
Key findings include:
- Diploma-level and higher qualifications recorded the highest completion rate at 55.5%, while Certificate I qualifications had the lowest at 40.4%.
- The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have affected commencement numbers in 2020 and delayed training and assessment for some students, including those who commenced in 2019.
- Completion rates increased for most priority cohorts across all qualification levels between 2019 and 2020 commencements.
- The time taken to complete qualifications has gradually increased, which may reflect pandemic impacts or changes in the mix of training.
Access the report here.
NSW – SBC Small Business Momentum Survey - October
On 27 November, the NSW Small Business Commissioner released the Small Business Momentum Survey for October 2025, highlighting key insights and trends from small businesses across the state.
The October survey found that:
- Small Business confidence rose by 2 percentage points to 29% between September and October, marking the first improvement in three months.
- Despite the lift, overall confidence remains subdued amid challenging trading conditions.
- Businesses continue to face rising input costs, uneven customer demand, compliance burdens, cash flow pressures, staff shortages, weather impacts, and global uncertainty.
- 86% of respondents expressed concern about the cost of business inputs.
- Other major concerns included red tape (74%, just below the record high of 76%) and anticipated energy price increases (73%).
Access the full survey results here.
TRA – Tourism Investment Monitor 2024-25
On 27 November, Tourism Research Australia, through Austrade, released the Tourism Investment Monitor 2024–25, which outlines the number and value of significant infrastructure projects across three key sectors of Australia’s tourism industry.
According to the report, the 2024–25 tourism investment pipeline comprises 363 projects valued at $74.5 billion. This represents an increase of $11.1 billion (up 18%) and 17 projects (up 5%) between June 2024 and June 2025.
While the number and value of projects under development in the accommodation and mixed-use sectors declined slightly, the total number of rooms in the pipeline rose by 0.9% to 54,300.
As of 30 June 2025, the tourism investment pipeline included:
- Aviation: 24 projects worth $29 billion, up two projects and $5.9 billion (26%).
- Arts, recreation and business services: 184 projects worth $34.2 billion, up 24 projects and $5.4 billion (19%).
- Accommodation: 155 projects worth $11.3 billion and 21,300 rooms, down nine projects, $0.2 billion (–1%) and 2,400 rooms.
Access the full report here.
JSA – International Labour Market Update – November 2025
On 28 November, JSA released the International Labour Market Update – November 2025, providing comparative labour market data for Australia and selected international economies.
The Update notes that:
- The OECD reported signs of softening in the international labour market.
- During the first half of 2025, unemployment rates rose in South Africa, India, Canada, France, Australia, Germany and the United States.
- Conversely, unemployment declined in the Republic of Korea, Türkiye, Brazil, Italy and Spain, reaching a historic low across the Euro Area.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also reported a slowdown in global economic activity following a resilient start to 2025, with the job vacancy-to-unemployed ratio continuing to fall in the United States, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Read the full update here.
Department of Industry, Science and Resources – National AI Plan
On 2 December, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources released the Federal Government’s National AI Plan, setting out its ambition to harness artificial intelligence to create a fairer, stronger Australia where everyone benefits from technological progress.
The plan provides a national framework to guide collaboration across government, industry, research and communities, ensuring no one is left behind. It complements broader efforts to revitalise Australian industry, create high-value jobs and ensure that the benefits of technological change are shared widely.
Of relevance to SaCSA, the plan highlights several priorities for skills, training and workforce development:
- Australian workers must share fairly in the productivity gains from AI. Building digital and AI skills, supporting workforce transitions and improving public services are central to this effort.
- Coordinated action with unions, business and civil society will help improve living standards, protect jobs and ensure benefits are distributed equitably.
- Partnerships with industry, unions and the technology sector will equip Australians with the skills, training and credentials needed to develop and use AI responsibly.
- Government will promote lifelong learning, embed digital literacy across education, and address skills gaps to prevent deepening inequalities.
- Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) will work with industry, government and training providers to identify sector-specific AI-related skills needs and develop targeted responses.
Access the full plan here.
JSA – Pathways to economic mobility and improved equity
On 3 December, JSA released its third VET National Data Asset (VNDA) report, building on previous editions to deepen understanding of how VET shapes the lives of Australians.
By linking VET records with national administrative data, the VNDA enables JSA to track graduate outcomes such as income, employment, reliance on income support and further study, while also measuring progress in closing gaps for priority cohorts, including First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, women and people with disability.
Findings show that VET continues to deliver strong outcomes for graduates, including higher employment rates, increased income and reduced reliance on welfare support. The data also highlights progress in reducing disadvantage, although further work is needed to achieve equity across all groups.
Read the full study here.
National TAFE Network Strategic Plan 2025-2028
On 5 December, the Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council endorsed the National TAFE Network Strategic Plan 2025–2028, which sets a clear roadmap for strengthening collaboration, innovation and excellence across Australia’s TAFEs.
The National TAFE Network is a key component of the National Skills Agreement (NSA), designed to complement and enhance initiatives such as TAFE Centres of Excellence. The plan marks a significant milestone in establishing the foundational elements of the NSA’s policy priorities.
The Strategic Plan outlines the goals and priorities that will guide the design and delivery of projects funded under the National TAFE Network. Its four goals are to:
- Advance teaching and learning excellence;
- Build effective networks and communities of practice;
- Foster innovation and applied research; and
- Strengthen TAFE workforce capability.
Read the full plan here.
JSA – Vacancy Report – November 2025
On 10 December, JSA released the Vacancy Report – November 2025, which provides a monthly count of online job advertisements by occupation, skill level, state and territory and regional area.
The November results show a slight decline in online job advertisements, consistent with the easing demand observed over much of the past three years. Despite this moderation, vacancy levels remain around 20% higher than the monthly average recorded in 2019.
At the national level, online job advertisements fell by 7.2% over the year to November 2025. Recruitment activity declined across five states and territories, with the largest decreases recorded in the Northern Territory (–6.7%), Tasmania (–5.2%) and Victoria (–2.9%).
Access the report here
NCVER – Apprentice and trainee completion rates 2024
On 11 December, the NCVER released its report, Apprentice and Trainee Completion Rates 2024, providing an overview of completion and attrition rates for apprentices and trainees across Australia. The report covers both trade-based and non-trade occupations.
Key findings include:
- In 2020, there were 167,785 apprenticeship and traineeship commencements nationally, an increase on 2019 figures. Of these, 75,115 were in trade occupations and 92,660 in non-trade occupations.
- Overall, 47.9% of apprenticeships and traineeships commenced in 2020 were completed within four years, a 2.5 percentage point decline compared with the 2019 cohort (50.4%).
- Non-trade completion rates for the 2020 cohort fell 5.7 percentage points to 48.7%, while trade completions rose 1.2 percentage points to 46.9%. The report notes that trade completion rates for this cohort are still stabilising.
Read the full report here
JSA – Entry level jobs across city, coastal, inland and remote regions
On 11 December, JSA released its report Entry level jobs across city, coastal, inland and remote regions, which analyses entry-level job opportunities using data from the Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey.
Key findings from the report include:
- Entry-level job rates vary significantly by occupation and region.
- Employers in capital cities are the least likely to advertise roles as entry level. However, due to the volume of vacancies, capital cities still account for the majority of entry-level opportunities.
- The likelihood of employers considering candidates without experience decreases as education and training requirements increase.
- The lowest entry-level rates were recorded for Professionals, except in coastal country and remote areas, where Technicians and Trades Workers had the lowest rates.
- A significant share of entry-level vacancies are filled by experienced job seekers, with around one in three employers hiring an experienced candidate for an entry-level role.
Access the full report here
JSA – Occupation Shortage Report – September quarter 2025
On 12 December, JSA released its Occupation Shortage Report for the September quarter 2025, providing analysis of emerging and ongoing labour market shortage pressures.
National findings from the report include:
- The vacancy fill rate declined slightly in the September quarter 2025, down 0.3 percentage points to 70.2%. However, over the past 12 months, the fill rate increased by 2.2 percentage points.
- Changes in the fill rate over both the quarter and the past 12 months were the slowest recorded to date. Previously, fill rates increased by an average of 1.2 percentage points per quarter and 5.2 percentage points over each 12-month period.
- The total number of applicants per vacancy declined over the quarter and the past 12 months, continuing a downward trend since peaking at 30 in the December quarter 2024.
- Qualified applications per vacancy have remained stable over the past two quarters, while the number of suitable applicants per vacancy has continued to increase steadily over time.
Access the full report here
NSW Small Business Commissioner – Small Business Momentum Survey – November
On 12 December, the NSW Small Business Commissioner released the Small Business Momentum Survey for November, providing insights into current trends and data.
The survey shows small business confidence fell by four percentage points between October and November 2025, dropping to 25% and reversing the previous month’s modest increase. Confidence remains subdued amid challenging trading conditions, alongside higher-than-expected inflation data and the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold the cash rate.
Profitability expectations also declined for a second consecutive month, with 13% of businesses expecting an increase over the next three months, down one percentage point from October.
Despite lower confidence, the Momentum Index rose by 6.6 points to a record high of 120.7, remaining in expansionary territory for a fourth consecutive month.
Access the full report here
NCVER – Employers’ use and views of the VET system 2025
On 15 December, the NCVER released its report Employers’ use and views of the VET system 2025, which examines Australian employers’ engagement with, and satisfaction in, both accredited and unaccredited training.
The findings are drawn from the 2025 Survey of Employers’ Use and Views of the VET System, a biennial survey that explores how employers meet their workforce skill needs and their experiences with training.
Key findings include:
- Australian employers continue to invest in workforce development through a mix of accredited, unaccredited and informal training.
- In 2025, 57% of employers used accredited training, consistent with 2023.
- Just over half (50.9%) provided unaccredited training, down 3.5 percentage points from 2023, while 79% provided informal training, a decline of 2.2 percentage points.
- 10.2% did not provide any training, unchanged from 2023.
- Among employers that did not provide training, the most common reasons were that employees were already adequately trained (52.8%) or training was not needed or relevant (46%).
Access the full report here
NCVER – VET student outcomes 2025
On 17 December, the NCVER released its report VET Student Outcomes 2025, which summarises outcomes and satisfaction for students who undertook nationally recognised VET delivered by RTOs in Australia during 2024.
The findings are drawn from the National Student Outcomes Survey, an annual survey of students who completed or partially completed VET in the previous calendar year.
Key findings from the report include:
- Employment-related reasons were the main motivation for training for 73.1% of qualification completers and 72.9% of part-completers.
- The most common reason for training among these groups was “to get a job”, cited by 24.1% of qualification completers and 20.9% of part-completers.
- A high proportion of short-course students (83.4%) and subject-only completers (87.1%) undertook training for employment-related reasons.
- For these students, the most common reason for training was that it was a requirement of their job, reported by 41.2% of short-course students and 52.4% of subject-only completers.
- Qualification completers and part-completers who undertook training for personal reasons were more likely to achieve their reason for training than those motivated by employment or further study.
- Among short-course and subject-only students, 90% of those who trained for employment-related reasons reported achieving their intended outcome.
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.
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.