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Oct 13, 2025

Bold Ideas and Practical Action 2025 Regions Rising National Summit Reimagined the Future of Regional Australia

The Regional Australia Institute’s 2025 Regions Rising National Summit held on the 8th October at Parliament House, Canberra, brought together leaders, innovators, and changemakers to reimagine what’s possible for regional Australia. With a refreshed format and renewed energy, the Summit focused on innovation, future-ready skills, and productivity, setting the stage for stronger, more connected, and resilient communities.

Among the attendees was David Forbes, Industry Skills Australia’s (ISA) Regional Industry Engagement Manager, who joined national stakeholders in exploring how emerging technologies, cross-sector collaboration, and bold thinking could unlock the full potential of Australia’s regions.

“The pressure we face is real, and we need action,” said Liz Ritchie, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute and member of the ISA Industry Advisory Council. “By actively imagining what our regional communities can become, we can drive meaningful change.”

Recent data presented at the Summit revealed that 37% of Australians were living in regional areas, with the population increasing from 9.78 million in 2023 to 9.91 million in 2024, a 1.3% growth rate. Interest in regional living continued to rise, with 40% of metropolitan residents reportedly considering a move to the regions.

However, the Summit also highlighted pressing challenges:

  • Youth disengagement, with 1 in 6 regional youth not in employment, education, or training, compared to 1 in 10 in metro areas.
  • A significant need to improve AI literacy to ensure regional communities are not left behind in the digital economy.
  • A housing shortage, which remained a major barrier to employment and economic development in regional areas.

Through a series of panels, workshops, and strategic discussions, the Summit fostered national conversations on how to build future-ready regions. Key themes included:

  • Harnessing emerging technologies to boost productivity and connectivity.
  • Building skills pipelines tailored to regional needs.
  • Developing inclusive housing and infrastructure strategies to support sustainable growth.

The 2025 Regions Rising National Summit served as a launchpad for transformation. As regional Australia continues to grow and evolve, the event inspired bold ideas and practical actions to ensure the regions not only expand, but thrive.

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