Jobs and Skills Australia releases regional roadmap

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released the first phase of the Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia. The landmark report analyses the unique challenges and opportunities shaping the workforce in regional Australia and provides critical insights into how education, training and employment systems can better meet industry and its worker needs.

The roadmap is built around four key components:

• Five key vision principles that provide a clear aspiration for the jobs and skills system in regional Australia - Addressing barriers; Developing Skills; Quality Jobs; Meeting Demand and Efficient matching
• 19 metrics that can be used to evaluate and monitor the jobs and skills system in regional Australia.
• Ten policy principles to inform and shape future policies.
• Emerging areas of focus for continued action going forward.

ISA CEO Paul Walsh welcomed the release of the roadmap. “The Jobs and Skills roadmap for Regional Australia is an important report on the workforce challenges facing regional Australia. The workforce in regional areas is critical for the sustainability of communities and for the national economy. This leading work by JSA will be complemented by the work of the JSC’s, like ISA, who engage with businesses, unions, workers and governments in regional Australia to hear about their local challenges and work together to develop local solutions.”

JSA conducted a webinar on 8 July to discuss the four key components of the roadmap. Speakers at the webinar were JSA’s Commissioner, Professor Barney Glover, Deputy Commissioner Megan Lilly, Assistant Secretary of Workforce Futures Program, Bjorn Jarvis, Regional Education Commissioner, Fiona Nash, and CEO at the Regional Australia Institute, Liz Ritchie.

Professor Glover said “our Regional Roadmap places a strong emphasis on breaking down the barriers to regional Australians in education, training and employment”

These barriers are varied and often interconnected, ranging across financial challenges, lack of digital connectivity and limited access to childcare, transport and affordable housing, with disability and health issues also playing a part. 

ISA regional Engagement Manager, David Forbes said "The webinar highlighted the critical need to fill regional job vacancies. While there are a number of ways to achieve this, the idea of 'growing your own' talent stood out, as evidence shows that individuals who study in regional areas are more likely to remain and work there."

Have your say and help shape the future of regional jobs and skills.

Jobs and Skills Australia is now seeking your feedback on phase 1 of the Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia. By making a submission, you can share what’s working well in your community, highlight local challenges, suggest new ideas or approaches, and help make sure regional voices are part of national decisions.

Have your say: Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia - Phase 1 | Jobs and Skills Australia

Submissions close at 5pm (AEST) Thursday 2 October 2025.