The final report of the review of the Jobs and Skills Australia Act 2022 was tabled in Parliament in early March. The review was designed to look at the functions, governance and funding arrangements of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).
The independent review conducted by Dr Michele Bruniges assessed whether JSA is operating as intended and whether its legislative and organisational settings remain fit‑for‑purpose in a rapidly changing skills and labour market environment.
The Review examined JSA’s legislated functions, effectiveness, stakeholder engagement model, and operating framework. It drew on extensive national consultation, submissions, and engagement with governments, industry, unions, education and training providers, and community organisations.
JSA was established to provide independent, evidence-based advice on Australia’s current, emerging and future workforce and skills needs. The Review’s report finds JSA is widely regarded as a trusted, authoritative source of labour market analysis, and its data products and reports are heavily relied upon across the policy ecosystem. Stakeholders expressed their support of JSA’s independent insights, noting its growing impact on major government reforms, including migration settings, clean energy workforce planning, tertiary system harmonisation, and national VET initiatives.
The review also identified opportunities to strengthen JSA’s impact, highlighting the need for a sharper distinction between policy and analytical roles, improved quality and visibility of JSA’s outputs, and more inclusive, better‑timed stakeholder engagement. It also recommended modernising governance settings—such as refining advisory structures and clarifying leadership responsibilities—to ensure JSA operates efficiently and maintains its independence.
JSA responded positively to the Review, welcoming its findings and affirming its dedication to continuous improvement. It has already begun implementing several recommendations, with work underway to enhance data transparency and expand engagement with a wider range of stakeholders. JSA has also initiated governance improvements, including adjustments to workplan processes and advisory arrangements.
The Centre for Education and Training welcomes the findings and recommendations of the report, and we are glad that some of the recommendations we made during the consultation period were heeded and accepted.
Watch the response from JSA Commissioner Prof Barney Glover here and read the full JSA response, Actioning the Review of the Jobs and Skills Australia Act (2022) here.
