Skills Reports

Australia’s numerous public and private green spaces are able to be enjoyed thanks to the hard work of the amenity horticulture, landscaping, conservation and ecosystem management industries. Drawing on a vast array of skills, this workforce cares for and maintains vast natural areas and bushlands, Indigenous Protected Areas, coastal landscapes, national and state parks, public gardens, sporting grounds, and green spaces, and supports private gardening and growing activities. As climate change mitigation becomes a global priority, there is a growing demand for skills and labour across these industries, including to sustain biodiversity and biosecurity, and to restore and rehabilitate landscapes with ecological and cultural importance.

Skills Impact prepared a draft Industry Skills Report at the request of the Amenity Horticulture, Landscaping, Conservation and Land Management Industry Reference Committee (IRC). It provides coverage of additional industry-specific skills and priorities to those covered in the  Agribusiness, Food and Fibre Industries Skills Report. The report may also assist in identifying industry issues requiring consideration alongside work to streamline and reform the Australian VET system, including through cross-industry collaboration.

The report underwent public consultation on the Skills Impact website from 14 July to 8 August 2022, and we appreciate all the feedback received. Your input has been used to make final edits to the document, which is available to download below.

Skills Forecasts

In previous years, skills reporting has taken the form of a Skills Forecast or Annual Update, which have been submitted by the relevant IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). They propose a four year plan for reviewing and developing relevant units, skill sets and qualifications across a training package. They were created once every three years and updated annually. The Annual Updates identified any specific changes to the industry environment, and to address current priority issues.

Every year in April, the full Skills Forecast or Annual Update was submitted by the relevant IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). The AISC would then advise Commonwealth and State Industry and Skills Ministers on the implementation of national vocational education and training policies, and approve nationally recognised training packages.

The AISC would draw on this information to update their AISC National Schedule, and to determine future Training Package Projects.

 Amenity Horticulture, Landscaping, Conservation and Ecosystem Management Skills Forecasts Archive

2021 Annual Update to 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast

2020 Annual Update to 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast

2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast

2018 – 2021 Skills Forecast

2017 – 2020 Skills Forecast

2016 – 2019 Four Year Work Plan

Please note: IRC Skills Forecasts were originally called Four Year Work Plans.

Development Process of IRC Skills Forecasts