July 2025 Policy and Reports Update

Insights

July 30, 2025

In this policy update, we highlight important reports and initiatives that were announced in late June and July 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.

NSW State Budget 2025-26

On 24 June, the NSW Government released its 2025–26 State Budget, focused on restoring essential services, rebalancing public finances and laying the groundwork for long-term growth.

Of particular relevance to SaCSA, investment in TAFE has increased for the third consecutive year, reaching $2.8 billion in 2025–26. Other key skills and training measures include:

$480.4 million over four years for asset renewal and critical capital maintenance, including $100 million to relocate Bankstown TAFE
44,995 fee-free training places to support the formal training component of apprenticeships and traineeships
Continued support for subsidised VET in high-demand skills and industries, along with fee concessions for Australian Government welfare recipients and people with disability, delivered through the Smart and Skilled program
A commitment to train 4,800 new construction trades workers and support the growing care economy, as part of a $1.2 billion investment in TAFE training.

For our sectors, the following funding announcements were made:

Tourism

$12.5 million NSW Take-Off Fund to stimulate tourism and export industries
$3 million to establish a First Nations gallery, offering a unique tourism experience centred on truth-telling
$135 million for Destination NSW to deliver events, marketing and industry support aimed at growing the State’s visitor economy.

Arts

$280.6 million for Screen NSW to support the Made in NSW and Post, Digital and Visual Effects Rebate programs
$100 million in capital funding to develop a new screen production facility
$54.1 million for critical capital maintenance to reduce the backlog of works across cultural institutions, enhance creative infrastructure and activate creative spaces
$20 million for Sound NSW to implement the NSW Contemporary Music Strategy, including grant programs, capacity-building initiatives and regulatory reform to strengthen the music industry
$20 million for Create NSW to continue supporting the creative industries and delivering the NSW Creative Communities Policy
Two $50 Active and Creative Kids vouchers, issued twice a year to eligible families, to support participation in sport, recreation, cultural and creative activities.

Small Business

$20.6 million for the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner to boost the night-time economy through regulatory reform, local council support, grants, precinct-based initiatives and digital tools

Access the Budget Papers here.

Queensland Government – Budget 2025-26

On 24 June, the Queensland Government handed down its 2025–26 State Budget, positioning it as a fresh start for households, communities and businesses across all regions of the state.

Of particular interest to SaCSA, the Budget includes $201.2 million for the establishment of four new TAFE Centres of Excellence, along with $50 million to support training initiatives such as User Choice and Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s.

Tourism

An additional $446 million over four years has been committed to support the implementation of Destination 2045, bringing total government investment in tourism to more than $1 billion over four years. This includes:

$40.2 million to deliver the first of 45 new ecotourism experiences under Destination 2045
$133 million to enhance the management of national parks.

Arts

The $75.8 million arts budget includes:

$42 million for key screen incentives and initiatives, supporting local productions
$9.4 million to create jobs for arts workers, boost local festivals and events and improve access to the arts across Queensland
$8 million over four years to support programming that attracts audiences to world-class performances
$10 million for improvements and upgrades across Queensland’s Cultural Centre
$3.8 million over three years for upgrades to Queensland Museum Tropics.

Small Businesses

More than $130 million in new programs, grants and initiatives have been allocated to support small businesses, including:

$19 million for an Apprenticeship Pilot Program and new grants targeted at the construction and professional care sectors
$40 million for the Secure Communities Partnership Program, aimed at improving safety and reducing the impact of youth crime on small businesses
$16.8 million to extend the Small Business Support Network through to June 2028.

Access the Budget Papers here.

ACT State Government 2025-26 Budget

On 24 June, the ACT Government released its 2025–26 State Budget, centred on record investment in health, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality services and new infrastructure.

The Government reports a strong economic outlook, highlighting growing wages, easing inflation and the lowest unemployment rate in the country. With interest rates and inflation trending down, the Budget aims to place public finances on a more sustainable footing.

Of note for SaCSA, the Budget includes a one-off payment of $250 to all ACT-based apprentices and trainees, with an additional $250 for first-year apprentices and trainees.

Arts

Funding to support planning and design works for a new Convention and Entertainment Centre Precinct
Increased investment in arts projects and design-focused initiatives, including the Craft + Design Canberra Festival, responding to rising demand for arts activities.

Tourism

A total of $191 million over four years to grow Canberra’s visitor economy and drive the economic priorities outlined in CBR Switched On
Investment to explore a revitalised Telstra Tower as a new visitor attraction
Support for the ACT’s annual events program, with additional funding for Enlighten, Floriade and Windows to the World.

Retail and Small Business

Implementation of the ACT Small Business Strategy through the extension of the Canberra Advice and Support Service, the Social Enterprise Grant program and Industry Event Sponsorship.

Hospitality

The Government will support local hospitality businesses and venues and encourage more live music and entertainment by building on existing reforms and reducing annual liquor license fees by 50% for two years for:

Restaurants and cafes with occupancies between 81 and 150 people, and businesses with a General License with occupancies between 21 and 150 people
Eligible licensed venues with occupancies between 151 and 350 people that regularly showcase live music, artists and other cultural activities, upon approved application.

Access the Budget Papers here.

South Australia Tourism Plan 2030

On 25 June, the South Australian Government launched the South Australia Tourism Plan 2030, reaffirming its goal to grow the State’s visitor economy to $12.8 billion and support an additional 4,400 jobs by 2030.

The Plan highlights tourism’s current contribution of over $9.8 billion annually, supporting more than 40,000 jobs and over 20,000 businesses across the state.

Key priorities include boosting market investment, expanding aviation and cruise access and enhancing major events and festivals to drive visitation and economic growth.

Access the Plan here.

The Art of Tax Reform: Unlocking opportunities to improve taxation for Australian creative industries – Discussion Paper

On 5 July, the NSW Government released its Discussion Paper for The Art of Tax Reform: Unlocking Opportunities to Improve Taxation for Australian Creative Industries.

In September 2025, the Government will convene a Tax Reform Summit, bringing together leaders from the arts and creative industries, alongside tax and policy experts, to develop policy proposals aimed at improving the tax system in ways that better support creativity.

The sector has consistently identified current tax policy settings as barriers to business viability, international competitiveness and income stability for artists and creative professionals.

This initiative seeks to build an evidence-based understanding of:

The potential effectiveness, costs and risks associated with reform
Where there is a case for government intervention
The rationale for using tax-based measures.

Read the Discussion Paper and make a submission here.

Creative Australia – First Nations First – What We Heard

On 11 July, Creative Australia released its First Nations First – What We Heard Report, capturing insights from national consultations with more than 1,400 First Nations artists, cultural workers and communities, held between November 2023 and March 2024.

The Report reflects a whole-of-government commitment to empowering First Nations peoples to shape the future of Australia’s arts and cultural sector through the establishment of a new First Nations Board.

It marks a significant step toward developing a long-term strategy to grow and sustain the First Nations creative workforce. The Report also outlines new cross-portfolio investment designed to support and elevate First Nations arts and cultural practices.

Access the Report here.

JSA – Labour Market Update – March 2025

On 30 June, Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) released its Labour Market Update for March 2025, noting that while the Australian labour market remains relatively tight, conditions eased slightly over the March quarter.

The report indicates that several forward-looking indicators suggest further softening in labour market conditions in the months ahead. Notably, ongoing global uncertainty surrounding the final scope of US tariffs is expected to have both direct and indirect impacts on the Australian economy and workforce.

Of particular interest to SaCSA, the Update highlights that in youth-dominated sectors such as hospitality and retail, employers continue to favour mature-age workers, valuing work ethic, attitude and reliability over experience.

Access the Update 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.