Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released the first phase of the Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia (Roadmap), setting the stage for a stronger, more responsive employment, education and training system in regional Australia.
This long-term strategic framework offers communities and policymakers the tools to shape a system that better meets local needs. It includes 5 key vision principles, 10 policy design principles, 19 evaluation metrics, and identifies emerging focus areas for action.
The phase 1 report reveals job satisfaction is on the rise in regional Australia, with almost 39% of workers now reporting they’re totally satisfied with
At the same time, regional unemployment has stayed low, with the unemployment rate sitting at 4% in April 2025. This follows strong and sustained labour market conditions in recent years. Workforce participation among people aged 25 to 54 has also hit a record high of 85.4%, driven by job availability, population growth and greater workplace flexibility.
But not all indicators are positive. About one in six young people in the regions are not in work, school or training, pointing to complex and overlapping barriers to participation. Employers also continue to face challenges, with nearly 10% of essential service roles still vacant and more than a third of occupations under persistent hiring pressure.
The Roadmap recognises that regional communities face different challenges, than in cities - from distance and infrastructure to service availability. These challenges extend beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.
JSA consulted widely to develop the report and is now seeking further feedback to shape the next phase. Submissions are open till 2 October 2025. For more information, see the Consultation webpage.
Next steps include a series of regional roundtables to support the development of tailored regional Roadmaps for different jurisdictions, regions and sectors.
For questions, email regionalworkforceassessment@jobsandskills.gov.au
