In this policy update, we highlight important reports and initiatives that were announced in late May and June 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.
JSA – Vacancy Report – April 2025
On 14 May, Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) released its Vacancy Report for April 2025.
This month’s Internet Vacancy Index shows the strongest monthly increase in online job advertisements in more than 3 years. Job ad numbers remain elevated, sitting about 25% above the 2019 monthly average.
Recruitment activity rose across all states and territories during the month. The strongest increases were recorded in Tasmania (up 9.3%) followed by Queensland (up 9%) and the ACT (up 5.8%).
Job advertisements grew across all skill levels, with the largest increases for Skill Level 1 occupations (those typically requiring a Bachelor’s degree or higher), up 7%. This was followed by Skill Level 3 occupations (typically requiring a Certificate III or IV), which rose by 5%.
Access the Report here.
JSA – Regional Labour Market Indicator (RLMI) Results
On 16 May, JSA released their Regional Labour Market Indicator (RLMI) Results for March 2025.
The RLMI combines key measures of labour market capacity from both an employee and an employer perspective. The March 2025 results show that many regions are benefiting from recent strong labour market conditions.
The Results focus on the Western Australian labour market, which has remained strong in recent years. A high-performing domestic economy, faster-than-expected population growth and sustained strong demand for workers have kept the state’s labour market tight.
Of particular interest to SaCSA, Western Australia has been rated Australia’s top-performing economy for the past three quarters in a row by CommSec in its State of the States reports, with the resources- and tourism-rich state continuing to outperform the rest of the nation.
Access the Results here.
JSA – REOS Recruitment Insights Report – April 2025
On 20 May, JSA released their Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey (REOS) Recruitment Insights Report for April 2025. The survey, which covers around 1,000 employers each month, aims to gauge their experiences in recruiting staff and their staffing expectations for the future.
Key findings from the Report include:
- Trend employment growth has been gradually slowing, with expectations that the labour market may soften further in the near future
- The REOS recruitment rate dipped slightly in April 2025
- Despite this small decline, recruitment activity has rebounded over the past three months and is now broadly in line with levels from a year ago
- Employers were more optimistic in April about increasing their staffing in the next quarter
- More broadly, the unemployment rate remained low and online job vacancies stayed at elevated levels.
Access the Report here.
NCVER – Student Support: Enabling the learner journey
On 29 May, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) released their report, Student Support: Enabling the Learner Journey.
The research explores how RTOs can more effectively support students throughout their learner journey to help them succeed. It identifies key characteristics of effective student support, points at which support needs are identified and delivered and barriers that both students and RTOs face in accessing and providing that support.
The report highlights six important elements of effective student support:
- A whole-of-institution approach
- Early engagement with students and relevant stakeholders
- High-quality training delivered by caring experts
- Continuity of support across the learner journey
- Holistic and individualised support
- Strong relationship-building.
Access the report here.
NSW Small Business Commissioner – Small Business Insights Quarterly – March Quarter
On 30 May, the NSW Small Business Commissioner released the Small Business Insights Quarterly for the March 2025 quarter.
According to the report, the first quarter of 2025 brought continued uncertainty for many small businesses, with rising input costs remaining their primary concern.
Additionally, concerns around accessing staff and supplies increased during this period, as small businesses continued to face challenges in attracting and retaining workers and securing stock at sustainable prices.
Access the Report here.
JSA – International Labour Market Update – May 2025
On 30 May, JSA released their International Labour Market Update for May 2025.
According to the Report, the OECD found that global market conditions were favourable in the March quarter of 2025, following slow employment growth in the second half of 2024.
Specific to Australia, the Report highlights the following:
- The OECD forecasts growth will be weaker than previously expected, at 1.9%
- GDP growth in Australia increased slightly in the March quarter of 2025
- GDP per capita growth turned positive for the first time since the March quarter of 2023
- The employment rate rose slightly over the year to February 2025
- Labour force participation reached a record high
- Job vacancies have stabilised but remain above those in many other economies
- Australia experienced negative productivity growth throughout 2024.
Access the full Report here.
QLD Govt – Destination 2045 – Delivering Queensland’s Tourism Future
On 2 June, the Queensland Government launched Destination 2045 – Delivering Queensland’s Tourism Future.
Destination 2045 aims to build on the state’s strong tourism foundations and leverage these to drive future growth, with a particular focus on ecotourism.
Of interest to SaCSA, Destination 2045 focuses on:
- Providing grassroots investment to help tourism operators upskill, grow and seize new opportunities
- Promoting tourism careers and developing a future workforce through training and skills programs
- Delivering and supporting First Nations tourism experiences to create employment opportunities and strengthen industry capability.
Access Destination 2045 here.
South Australia Budget 2025-26
On 5 June, the South Australian Government handed down its 2025–26 Budget, continuing funding for skills and training and delivering key initiatives for industry.
Tourism:
- $10.9M over four years to attract major events and boost tourism
- Non-stop international flights from Adelaide will connect SA to key markets
- The Agritourism Sector Plan 2025 aims to make SA a world-leading destination for food, wine and farm experiences
- Support for Aboriginal and sustainable tourism through regional workshops.
Arts and Culture:
- $13M over four years for the A Place to Create policy
- $3.9M over three years for regional arts centre upgrades.
Small Business:
- $1.8M over four years for the South Australia Business Chamber’s Growth Accelerator Program
- $3.2M over four years to help small businesses grow and adapt
Read the budget here.
NCVER – Understanding the value of pre-apprenticeships
On 10 June, the NCVER released their report, Understanding the Value of Pre-Apprenticeships.
The Report concludes that understanding the value of pre-apprenticeships is key to guiding government funding decisions and ensuring the most appropriate supports are in place for both students and industry.
The research finds that pre-apprenticeships can be effective in improving apprenticeship outcomes. However, their impact varies depending on student characteristics and the type of training.
Of particular interest to SaCSA, the Report notes that non-completers of pre-apprenticeships were more likely to enrol in Architecture and Building, and Food, Hospitality and Personal Services.
Access the Report here.
JSA – Occupation Shortage Report – March Quarter 2025
On 12 June, JSA released their Occupation Shortage Report for the March Quarter 2025.
The Report provides a quarterly analysis of potential shortage pressures across occupations. Insights are based on data from the JSA Survey of Employers who have Recently Advertised.
Key takeaways from the Report include:
- The national fill rate rose by 1.1 percentage points to 69.7% in the March quarter 2025
- The metropolitan fill rate increased by 1.6 percentage points to 71.6% over the March quarter 2025 and by 5.3 percentage points from the March quarter 2024
- The regional fill rate rose by 1.3 percentage points to 64.3% in the March quarter 2025 and by 4.6 percentage points over the past 12 months
- For Community and Personal Service Workers (70%) and Sales Workers (67.7%), the fill rate fell over the quarter and remained lower than 12 months earlier.
Access the Report here.
Western Australia State Budget 2025-26
On 19 June, the Western Australian Government released its 2025–26 State Budget. Framed against a backdrop of global instability and uncertainty, the Budget delivers on election commitments made by the WA Labour Party at the March 2025 election. Of note to SaCSA:
Skills and Training
- $331M investment in TAFE and workforce training
- Includes $100M for Fee Free TAFE, $75M for apprenticeships and $34M for modern training equipment
- Support for construction trades, heavy vehicle drivers, AUKUS workforce and mature-aged apprentices
- Over 46,000 people accessed free TAFE in 2024.
Arts
- $3M to expand access for children to cultural venues
- Major projects include the Perth Concert Hall upgrade and Perth Film Studio (60% complete)
- $2M p.a. for Celebrate WA and $2.8 M to support the local music industry through to 2028–29.
Tourism
- $21M to enhance access to natural attractions and $19M for regional outdoor tourism
- $11.5M for Albany Airport upgrades; $500k for planning cruise facilities at Broome
- $2.9M for liquor reform to support night-time economy
- $7.4M Swan Valley and Perth Hills tourism package.
Small Business
- $1.3M for Small Business Growth Grants to help businesses expand.
Read the full budget 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.