Australia's current and future labour market needs

Name: Australia's current and future labour market needs
Start: 2026-03-10T20:00:00-0400
End: 2026-03-10T21:00:00-0400

Tue, 10 Mar, 8pm - 9pm EDT

Online Event

Career Industry Council of Australia

2389 followers · Contact host

Description

This session provides a comprehensive overview of the Australian labour market, drawing on current data, recent trends, and future employment projections to support informed career development practice. Participants will explore how the labour market is changing, including key economic and workforce drivers shaping demand across industries, regions, and occupations.

A particular focus is placed on occupations in shortage, examining where skills gaps exist, why these shortages persist, and what they mean for individuals making education, training, and career decisions. The session will unpack how shortages differ across sectors and locations, and how they intersect with workforce policy priorities.

Graduate outcomes from both Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Higher Education will be examined, with discussion of employment rates, fields of study, and alignment between qualifications and workforce demand. Participants will also consider the broader labour market implications of undertaking post-school education and training, including employability, career mobility, earnings, and long-term workforce participation.

Insights from Jobs and Skills Australia employer surveys will be integrated throughout the session to provide an employer-side perspective. This includes how employers recruit, the skills and attributes they prioritise in new staff, and the ways job vacancies are advertised and filled in a changing labour market.

The session concludes by guiding participants to key sources of labour market information and data, equipping them with practical tools and trusted resources to continue accessing up-to-date evidence to support career conversations, program design, and decision-making.

Learning Outcomes

Interpret the Australian labour market and its drivers

Participants will understand current labour market trends, emerging workforce drivers, and future employment projections, and be able to explain how demand varies across industries, occupations, and regions.

Use evidence about shortages, pathways, and outcomes in career practice

Participants will be able to analyse skills shortages, compare VET and Higher Education graduate outcomes, and translate this evidence into informed guidance about study choices, employability, and career mobility.

Apply labour market information tools in professional decision-making

Participants will learn where to access reliable labour market data (including employer insights) and confidently use these resources to support career conversations, program design, and strategic planning.

CICA Competencies

Labour Market Information

Digital literacy, emerging technologies, and information management

Professional practice application

Can't attend live?

A recording of the webinar will be made available to all registered attendees. If you’re unable to join the live session, you’ll receive access to the recording after the event for up to 14 days to watch at your convenience.

Lineup

Kirsty Lesie, Director, Occupation and Industry Analysis, Jobs and Skills Australia

Kirsty has an established career of over 25 years working across Government in senior statistical roles at Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the departments of Education and Employment. Kirsty was the director of labour statistics at the ABS for many years and was recognised as an international expert in this field. Kirsty has a long history in statistical concepts and data strategies, survey management, and data integration across labour, education and training and health areas. Kirsty is currently the Director of the Occupation and Industry Analysis team at Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). This team plays a key role in providing data and advice on occupations and industries, and is responsible for producing this year’s edition of Australian Jobs. Kirsty holds a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and is a keen snowboarder and mountain bike rider in her spare time.

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity

Refund policy

The Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) is committed to delivering high-quality professional development events and experiences for our community. As a not-for-profit organisation, careful planning and resource allocation are required to ensure the successful delivery of each event. For this reason, all registrations for CICA events are final, and refunds are not provided for non-attendance or change of mind. Key Conditions No refunds will be issued once a registration has been completed and payment received. This applies to all CICA events, including webinars, workshops, and multi-session programs. Registrations are non-transferable, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Access to Recordings Where applicable, a recording of the session will be made available to registered participants for a limited time following the event. Please note that: Recordings are typically available for 14 days only. Recordings cannot be reactivated after this period has expired. Exceptional Circumstances CICA understands that unforeseen circumstances can arise. While our standard policy does not provide for refunds, we may, at our discretion, consider exceptional cases on an individual basis. Event Changes or Cancellation In the unlikely event that CICA needs to cancel or reschedule an event: Registered participants will be offered a transfer to a future session or a full refund.

Hostinformation

Career Industry Council of Australia

2389 followers

Contact host

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The Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) is the national peak body representing Australia's career development practitioners and organisations. CICA aims to support and advance the career development profession, advocating for quality career development services and programs to benefit all citizens. As the lead authority on professional standards and practices, CICA oversees the Australian Register of Professional Career Development Practitioners, ensuring practitioners meet rigorous qualification and ethical standards. It plays a pivotal role in shaping national policy, providing resources, and fostering collaboration among its member associations to elevate the career development industry. Through strategic initiatives, research, and advocacy, CICA promotes career guidance as a critical component of lifelong learning, economic participation, and workforce development.