In this policy update, we highlight important reports and initiatives that were announced in late August and September 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.
Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council Communique – 22 August 2025
On 22 August, Skills and Training Ministers met in Sydney to confirm their priorities for the VET system.
Key commitments included:
- Collaborating on VET reforms to boost productivity, inclusion and economic equality.
- Strengthening digital and technology skills, including AI.
- Ensuring a high-quality VET system, with TAFE at the centre, to equip learners for a changing economy.
- Improving supports for apprentices and trainees to lift productivity and wellbeing.
Access the full Communique here.
NCVER – Government-funded students and courses 2024
On 25 August, NCVER released its Government-funded students and courses 2024 report, providing a snapshot of Australia’s government-funded VET system.
Key insights:
- Student enrolments in nationally recognised training fell 2.7% in 2024, to 1,156,045, a participation rate of 6.4% among Australians aged 15–64.
- 85.7% of students were enrolled in training package qualifications.
- Enrolments in nationally recognised qualifications were largely stable, down 0.9% after a 7.2% rise in 2023.
- TAFE enrolments also remained steady, down 0.6%.
- Student numbers declined in NSW, SA, TAS, NT and ACT, but increased in other states.
Access the report here.
NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035
On 27 August, the NSW Government launched the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, setting an ambitious target of $91 billion in visitor expenditure by 2035.
SaCSA welcomes the Strategy’s recognition that the visitor economy extends beyond tourism to include accommodation, dining and major sport, cultural, arts and business events.
Of particular relevance to SaCSA and our stakeholders is the Strategy’s focus on workforce development. It highlights the need to address skill shortages, improve retention and adapt to evolving visitor expectations. Key challenges include:
- Skills shortages in hospitality, transport and tourism services
- Retention issues, especially in regional areas
- Upskilling to meet rising visitor expectations and new technologies.
The Strategy commits to:
- Aligning credentials with industry needs
- Closing skill gaps in tourism and hospitality
- Developing training in high-growth areas such as digital marketing and sustainability.
Access the full Strategy here.
JSA – Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey: June quarter 2025
On 28 August, Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) released its Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey for the June quarter 2025.
The report tracks recruitment activity and conditions across Australia, showing:
- Recruitment rate: 47%, up 2 percentage points from June 2024 (45%).
- Recruitment difficulty rate: 49%, down 6 percentage points from June 2024 (55%).
- Employers expecting to increase staff: 20%, up 1 percentage point from June 2024 (19%).
- Employers expecting to decrease staff: 3%.
Access the full Report here.
JSA – International Labour Market Update – August 2025
On 29 August, Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) released its International Labour Market Update for August 2025, providing data and insights on Australia and selected overseas labour markets.
Key findings:
- Structural reforms in labour markets and education may support productivity, growth and job creation.
- OECD data shows labour markets remain resilient, though employment growth is slowing and tightness in many countries has returned to pre-COVID levels.
- The OECD expects geopolitical uncertainty and new tariffs to weaken economic activity in 2025–26, leading to slower labour market performance.
- The IMF also noted risks from geopolitical tensions and tariff-related impacts on global supply chains and growth.
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.