Launch of inaugural Jobs and Skills Month Canberra

Yesterday afternoon my friend and colleague Dr Helen Haines, the Member for Indi, was the victim of a horrific incident. I won’t talk about the incident, but this is the first time I’ve been in public since then, and I want to make two quick observations.

Firstly, that all my best thoughts are with Helen for her recovery, and all those who care about her and for her.

The second one is that this exercise that we are embarking upon today is really the same exercise that Helen was engaged in when she was attacked. Communicating about policy choices with and to the Australian community. That’s the absolute foundation stone of an effective democracy. 

As we think about Helen and her recovery, what it means for her and her family, we’ve also got to think about how our democracy works and how it can continue to function. 

I do see today as entirely consistent with how I’ve seen Helen go about her work, and I hope that all of us – those of us who are privileged to hold elected office, and the rest of us, think about following that example, of not being cowed by those who seek to diminish our democracy and our society.

With that, I will turn to my formal remarks.

Elevating our national conversation about jobs and skills has been a hallmark of the Albanese Government from the very start.

Confronting an economy still emerging from COVID, and a labour market characterised by the worst skills shortage in a half a century, the Prime Minister brought the country together at the Jobs and Skills Summit to build a shared approach to meeting these challenges.

A shared approach, characterised by a deep commitment to tripartism, while offering national leadership and assuming national responsibility.

Through securing a National Skills Agreement, and delivering Free TAFE.

And, of course, through setting up Jobs and Skills Australia through the first legislation enacted by the Government.

We’ve made progress – but there’s more to be done.

We can’t – and we won’t – rest on our laurels as the economy continues to transform, transforming in turn the world of work.

As the world moves, so must we.

Enabling Australians to navigate this evolving environment means ensuring that both businesses and people can access the right skills at the right time in the right way.

This first Jobs and Skills Month signals our commitment to ensuring Australians have the opportunities, training and support they need to succeed in a changing world.

At its heart, Jobs and Skills Month is about recognising that workforce development is everyone's business. Strong skills systems, strong industries and strong communities go hand in hand.

We are creating a dedicated national focus on jobs, skills and workforce development, bringing these conversations out of the boardroom and the classroom and into the national spotlight.

Because we really are all in this together.

All perspectives matter if we are to rise to meet the moment.

That’s why we are committing to Jobs and Skills Month. 

To bring together employers, unions, education and training providers, governments, and community organisations to share experiences and contribute to conversations about jobs, skills and the workforce challenges and opportunities facing the country.

At a time when Australians expect governments to solve complex challenges - but are often sceptical about politics and public institutions – we have to show that policy is not some abstract exercise.

Connecting people to policy is fundamental to rebuilding trust in our institutions.

And this is what this month is doing – meeting Australians where they are.

It’s rewarding, but not surprising, to see such a strong response. I understand that more than 50 events have been organised.

This year’s theme, Pathways to Success, recognises that there is no single pathway through learning and work. 

Career journeys are rarely linear, and people move between education, training, occupations and industries throughout their lives.

So Jobs and Skills Month highlights and celebrates the diverse pathways open to Australians, and seeks to open up more.

2026 has been a productive year for JSA, with landmark reports on lifelong learning, VET partial completions and employer investment in skills, complementing their ongoing data releases and interactive data dashboards. 

JSA have built a strong reputation for delivering high quality, trusted analysis and I know I’m not the only one who relies on it.

Through this work, JSA’s data underpins major initiatives, from the National AI Plan, the net zero transition and a Future Made in Australia. 

It’s also core evidence for our initiatives such as the VET Workforce Blueprint, the National Skills Agreement and Free TAFE, all of which are having a big impact on delivering a strong workforce for a strong economy.

International partnerships with the OECD, World Bank, the International Labour Organisation and others are shaping global thinking on skills-first approaches, in addition to JSA’s domestic impact.

Importantly, the work done by JSA also creates a public dialogue that is informed by evidence and expertise.

A critical foundation for effective and enduring policy making, and to enable better decision-making on the part of individuals, businesses and governments.

To that end, this year’s Jobs and Skills Report contains a multitude of insights to drive debate – and action. 

It helps Australia understand what the jobs and skills landscape is now and how it will change in the future.

The data here is impressive and invaluable.

It provides a clear picture of the country's workforce, including employment trends, participation, capability development, skills shortages and the extent to which Australians are able to fully utilise their skills at work.

Importantly, it shows that the nature of work is changing. 

Not only how work is done, but where it is being done, who is doing it and the skills required to succeed.  

As the report notes, workforces across the country are constantly transforming. 

It also reminds us that our nation’s jobs challenge isn’t about creating more skills – it’s about making better use of the skills we have.

Lifelong learning is now essential. 

Longer and less straight-line careers, technological change and shifting skill needs mean people need flexible opportunities to learn, reskill and move between roles throughout working life.

So Australia needs a responsive and connected skills system. 

And to better connect this system to all those who can benefit from it – learners, workers and employers.

The OECD’s Report on Mapping Skills Shortages, released at the end of last week, highlights the importance of resolving occupational imbalances and skills shortages.

It points to progress we’ve made, which is also outlined in the Report.

The systems architecture has been working.

The share of occupations facing skills shortages in Australia has fallen from 36 per cent in 2023 – to 29 per cent in 2025.

Positive movement – but almost three in 10 occupations remain in shortage. 

JSA will soon release the 2026 Occupation Shortage List and Shortage Drivers, which provides a detailed picture of Australia’s changing occupation shortages, including where shortages persist and the factors contributing to them.

Despite signs that occupation shortages are easing, challenges remain, particularly in sectors such as construction, engineering, health care and early childhood education.

There’s more to do.

Building on our investments in the National Skills Agreement, in Free TAFE and targeted incentives for apprentices and to open up opportunities to Australians previously denied them.

And doing so effectively rests on bringing the best evidence into contact with the community, building a dialogue to ensure our systems continue to be responsive and adaptive to changes in the world of work.

Which is what committing to Jobs and Skills Month is all about.

Today also marks the start off JSA’s annual roadshow. 

This should be recognised as an example of meaningful and direct stakeholder engagement. 

The roadshow has provided opportunities for everyday Australians to meet and engage with the people who monitor and advise the government on Australia realising our full skills potential.

And to build a feedback loop between evidence and experience.

As the Roadshow progresses around the nation, the conversations it enables won’t just deepen public appreciation of the capacities of JSA and how changes in the labour market will affect us – they critically build a closer connection between community and policy-making.

This annual roadshow is a clear example of meaningful and direct stakeholder engagement. 

Providing opportunities for everyday Australians to meet with the people who help advise the government on realising our nation’s skills potential.

This connection, this mutual appreciation and understanding is absolutely vital to the quality of decision-making and, fundamentally, to the strength of our democracy.

That’s why we are determined to build structures that  are responsive not just to the changing labour market, but to ensure JSA’s insights are matched to the experiences of those forging their pathways into and through the world of work – as well as employers, educators and social partners.

That’s why the Roadshow matters.

Connecting people to policy helps communities navigate change with confidence.

And that’s why we are launching Jobs and Skills Month.

To give Australians the chance to explore new opportunities, build new skills and prepare for the jobs of the future.

Because when people are equipped to adapt and grow, our whole country is stronger for it.

And so the need for trusted skills and labour market insights have never been greater.

Those insights will be more trusted, and more effectively relied upon, when they are shared in ways that build dialogue and mutual understanding.

JSA is playing a vital role in helping Australians navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead, on their terms.

While enabling our nation to build a more productive economy, and a labour market that supports our national priorities and sustains our communities.

So, to all the team at JSA – thank you for your dedication and outstanding work this year.

Your expertise is helping to shape the future of this nation and that is something you should all be proud of.

Thank you.