In this policy update, we highlight important reports and initiatives that were announced in November and December of 2024 that influence the Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism, Hospitality and Vocational Education and Training (VET) sectors and the broader economic landscape.
Equity – The Arts and Disability Associated Plan
In November 2024, Creative Australia, in partnership with the Office for the Arts, released their Equity – The Arts and Disability Associated Plan, which was announced as an action in Revive.
Through The Plan, a paid Implementation Advisory Group consisting of people with a disability in the arts, screen, digital games and cultural sectors will be established to:
- Consult and shape the implementation of actions and commitments under the Plan.
- Contribute to the Plan’s monitoring and reporting activities.
- Co-design the Plan’s evaluation framework with the Government (Creative Australia).
For further details from the Plan, including the $8.1 million committed towards actions to drive change in 2024-25, visit the Office for the Arts website.
Better Together – The Jobs and Skills Report 2024
Late last year, Jobs and Skills Australia released the Better Together – The Jobs and Skills Report 2024, which provides insights into Australia’s labour market to better understand the economy.
These insights help governments monitor economic performance and shape policies on employment, workforce development and societal wellbeing. The Report emphasises collaboration across sectors and covers five strategic pillars:
- Inclusive participation
- Understanding today’s workforce
- Shaping the future workforce
- Optimising pathways and systems
- Fostering informed dialogue.
NSW Skills Plan 2024-28 – Building Skills and Shaping Success
In December last year, the NSW Government released its NSW Skills Plan 2024-28 – Building Skills and Shaping Success, which is the first of its kind since 2008. The Plan focuses on addressing skills shortages and prioritising funding for critical skills. It introduces a regional planning model to address local needs better and to give local communities a say. The Plan also aims to enhance VET participation to drive economic and well-being outcomes for individuals, industries and communities.
Victorian Skills Plan for 2024 into 2025
In December, the Victorian Government released the Victorian Skills Plan for 2024 into 2025, with an additional $555 million in the 2024-2025 budget to expand Free TAFE, support apprentices and trainees and to train more Victorians. While the Plan emphasises construction careers, it also acknowledges retail trade, accommodation and food services and arts and recreation services as pressing industries. Key strategies include strengthening economic growth through VET training, improving access to upskilling and reskilling and better connecting secondary students to the workforce.
Business NSW – State of Skills 2024 – Workforce Skills Survey
In December, Business NSW launched their State of Skills 2024 – Workforce Skills Survey, which showed that 77% of NSW employers struggle to recruit workers, with nearly 40% anticipating severe impacts if challenges continue.
To alleviate these challenges, Business NSW recommends:
- Strengthening VET investment through the NSA, particularly in the regions.
- Ensuring industry engagement via place-based Compacts.
- Reforming policies to widen workforce participation, like doubling the Work Bonus program limit.
- Investing in childcare to help parents return to work.
- Expanding skilled migration pathways for regional NSW.
- Addressing regional skills needs with affordable housing and relevant education.
Read the Survey results from Business NSW here.
Communique: Meeting of federal, state and territory Skills Ministers
In December, Federal, state and territory Skills Ministers met in Canberra for the final time in 2024 to deliver updates on key reforms.
The Meeting included updates on the following:
- Achievements under the NSA
- Qualifications Reform: Design Group Final Advice
- National Skills Agreement – Outcomes Framework
- National Foundation Skills Strategy
- National Priorities Deep Dive: Delivering Housing Supply
- Apprentice Wellbeing
- Ongoing operation of the VET system .
Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future Discussion Paper
In December, the Queensland Government released the Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future Discussion Paper, aimed at identifying growth opportunities for the next 20 years, particularly with the approaching Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Paper seeks feedback on six focus areas: ecotourism, the Olympic legacy, investment, tourism experiences, access and connectivity and events delivery. The consultation closes on 28 February 2025.
Creative WA: A 10-Year Vision to Grow and Sustain Our Creative Ecosystem
On 13 December, the West Australian Government unveiled its vision to develop and sustain a thriving culture, arts and creative industries sector in WA, titled Creative WA: A 10-Year Vision to Grow and Sustain Our Creative Ecosystem.
Creative WA outlines the Government’s vision for the future, serving as a roadmap to guide priorities and support for WA’s culture, arts and creative industries over the next decade.
Arts and Music Education and Training in NSW: Parliamentary Report
In December, the Joint Select Committee on Arts and Music Education and Training in New South Wales released its Parliamentary Report, which investigates the quality and effectiveness of arts and music education. The committee found that every child in NSW deserves the benefits of a high-quality, richly complex creative arts education. However, due to a range of socio-cultural factors, including a focus on STEM subjects and standardised testing such as NAPLAN, arts and music education is often undervalued, leading to broader and systemic neglect in investment. The report includes findings and recommendations and a formal government response is due in March.
OSCA – Occupation Standard Classification for Australia – Review
OSCA, developed by the ABS, is a standardised framework for managing occupation-related data, replacing the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). It informs decisions on statistical outputs and labour market analysis. For example, helping develop workforce strategies and ensuring skilled job availability through migration and education pathways.
Australian Government Jurisdictional Action Plan
In late November, the Australian Government released the Jurisdictional Action Plan, outlining actions to achieve the National Skills Plan and National Skills Agreement priorities. The Plan emphasises TAFE’s central role in the VET system and provides a roadmap for a stronger VET framework. Each state and territory must also create an Action Plan.
National Foundation Skills Strategy 2025 – 2035
In mid-December, the Australian Government released the National Foundation Skills Strategy 2025-2035, which aims to improve adult foundation skills nationwide. It outlines a shared direction for Commonwealth, state and territory governments and reflects Skills Ministers’ commitment to enhancing skills over the next decade. To support this Strategy a detailed action plan will be developed.
Trends in Federal Enterprise Bargaining – September Quarter 2024
On 12 December, the Australian Government released its Trends in Federal Enterprise Bargaining Report. This quarterly Report contains data about the number of enterprise agreements made in the federal workplace relations system. It also contains data about the number of employees covered and the wage increases included in collective agreements.
Of particular interest are:
- In the September quarter, the Average Annualised Wage Increase (AAWI) for federal agreements approved was 3.6%.
- In the June quarter of 2024, the AAWI was 4%, and 4.1% in the September quarter 2023.
- The five-year average is 3.2%.
- Federal and state enterprise agreements covered 34% of all Australian employees in May 2023.
- Wage growth outpaced inflation for the fourth consecutive quarter in September.
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.