New jobs and skills report aims to break down employment barriers

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released a report showing the opportunities and barriers that young Australians face when entering the workforce for the first time.

The new “Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia – Phase 1” has addressed some of the challenges currently hindering Australia’s regional labour market, while also highlighting the potential opportunities to galvanise more young Australians into the workforce.

As it stands, regional Australia currently accounts for its highest-ever rate of people aged 25-54 in the workforce, at 85.4 per cent, but at the same time, more encouragement is needed to steer people in the 18-24 bracket into either higher or the workforce, claims the report.

“That’s a significant increase and one that does need to be considered when discussing the bigger picture in terms of Australia’s future productivity”, said JSA commissioner, Professor Barney Glover.

“Because that younger group of people about to enter the prime workforce of 25-54-year-olds is becoming less engaged in both employment and education, we’re looking at a risk to maintaining that level of participation and productivity as a result,” said Glover.

“That’s why our Regional Roadmap places a strong emphasis on breaking down the barriers to regional Australians in education, training and employment.”

According to the report, these barriers and challenges are often intertwined to include financial challenges, lack of digital connectivity and limited access to childcare, transport and affordable housing – with disability and persistent health issues also playing a role in limited people accessing employment.

When education falls behind for people and their language, numeracy and digital skills acquired during primary and secondary schooling are not up to standard, it can prove to be a substantial barrier throughout regional Australia.

The roadmap report highlights a range of areas of focus that aim to counteract these barriers throughout regional Australia, such as using centralised hubs for students and jobseekers, and developing more comprehensive, frequent and useful data.

“This roadmap is a big step towards making sure the jobs and skills system in regional Australia helps individuals achieve their goals,” said Glover.

One way that the Albanese government has attempted to incentivise young Australians is by offering a $10,000 wage bonus for apprentices who decide to enter housing construction or clean energy.

Coming into place back on 1 July 2025, the bonus aims to incentivise eligible apprentices to enter crucial industries where workforces have dwindled. Over the course of five years, apprentices will receive five $2,000 payments, supplementing their wages throughout their tenure.

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) assistant secretary Liam O’Brien said the incentive could be a great opportunity for young Australians in outer regions.

“Unions hear from apprentices across Australia that the biggest barrier holding them back are low wages. You can’t address [the] cost of living without a plan for wages, and that’s why today’s announcement of a $10,000 wage bonus is so important,” said O’Brien.

“Thousands of young Australians, especially in our outer suburbs and regions, make huge sacrifices to pursue an apprenticeship so they can get ahead. The $10,000 wage bonus will go a long way in easing their cost of living so they can build Australia’s future.”

The report is currently open for consultation until 2 October 2025, with feedback used to develop Phase 2 of the roadmap.