Source: Jobs and Skills Australia
International students make significant contribution to Australian economy
Matthew Willing
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested three men and seized 21kgs of cannabis, as well as a substantial amount of illicit tobacco and alcohol, near Kulgera yesterday afternoon.
Around 4:45pm, police members from Kulgera intercepted a rental Toyota station wagon travelling north of Kulgera along the Stuart Highway for the purpose of a random alcohol and drug test.
The 39-year-old driver tested positive for cannabis and a subsequent search of the vehicle and its occupants resulted in the following being seized:
The driver and two passengers of the vehicle, aged 42 and 59, were arrested, with the Southern Drug Investigation Unit taking carriage of the investigation.
The three men have since been charged with:
The 39-year-old driver was also charged with Drive with prohibited drug.
They have been remanded in custody and are due to appear in court tomorrow.
Detective Acting Sergeant Adrian George said, “This was excellent proactive policing by our members from Kulgera.
“The financial and social impacts caused by the distribution of cannabis and alcohol into remote regions is well known, and it’s a disgrace that these offenders attempted to take advantage of the Territory’s vulnerable communities.
“Anyone with information on the supply of drugs or alcohol into remote communities can call police on 131 444.”
You can also make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source:
On Sunday 21 September, the Goldfields Group, a group of brigades that operate across the Central Goldfields Shire in central Victoria had their annual group training.
The exercise was coordinated by District Group Officer Matt Sinclar and supported by Group Officer Higgins and members from the Goldfields group of brigades.
Members from Bealiba, Bowenvale, Carisbrook, Dunolly, Maryborough, Moolort and Joyces Creek, Natte Yallock, and Talbot fire brigades were present.
The brigades were firstly given an overview of the new Natte Yallock Ultra Heavy tanker and the Golden Square support vehicle.
The Natte Yallock Ultra Heavy tanker is the first of its kind in the district and Commander Hugh Kelly said it was a great opportunity for the brigades to get familiar with it.
“The ultra heavy tanker will be a great support due to the lack of surface water across the municipality for both grass and scrub fires and remote structure fires,” he said.
“The Golden Square support vehicle automatically responds to all structure fires to support incident controllers by providing rehab and welfare, firefighter decontamination procedures, Breathing Apparatus cylinders, and protective clothing transport.”
Each brigade also ran through a series of drills including tanker tactics for a running grass fire, building fire, big fill operations, erecting a ladder, structure fire, HAZMAT awareness, burn offs, and water aircraft filling.
Hugh said both the group management team and the brigade management teams in the area have been really proactive and encouraged building of capability through training in the lead up to this season.
“It has been great to see the steps the group and brigades are taking to ensure we are as ready for the season ahead as we can be,” he said.
“Great work Goldfields group and brigades.”
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
|---|
Source: Straight from the source – August 2025
New South Wales’ resources and energy industry will require just under 3,300 new workers by the end of 2030 – its lowest forecast in more than five years – according to new modelling from the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA).
The Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2025–2030 shows NSW has 11 projects in its five-year pipeline, requiring 3,290 new employees and representing $11.5 billion in investment.
This comes despite extraordinary workforce growth over the past 12 months, with NSW adding 5,000 employees – up 17% – to directly employ 34,300 people in May 2025.
AREEA CEO Steve Knott AM said the figures showed NSW will need to substantially lift the number of projects that are advanced further along its investment pipeline, if it is to get back to its record high watermark of 44,600 direct resources sector workers reached in November 2023.
“NSW has enjoyed remarkable mining sector jobs growth this year and now accounts for about 11% of the national resources workforce, but its forward pipeline is historically thin,” Mr Knott said.
“After 2027, there is just one new project in each of 2028, 2029 and 2030. That is not enough to sustain long-term workforce growth in the sector
“The Narrabri and Vickery coal expansions are major positives, but the continued delay to Narrabri CSG shows how investor confidence can be damaged by poor government policy and vexatious lawfare.”
Between 2025–2027, seven projects – mostly coal, gold and metals – are expected to create about 2,000 new jobs, with Whitehaven’s Narrabri Stage 3 and Vickery expansions accounting for 1,200 of them. Other projects in lead, zinc, silver and tin are modest in workforce requirements.
Nationally, AREEA’s Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2025–2030 identifies 96 major projects across Australia expected to create demand for 22,279 new operating-phase jobs by 2030. While slightly down on recent years, the consistency across successive reports shows Australia remains a highly attractive destination for resources and energy investment.
Western Australia remains the powerhouse with 42 projects worth $81.8 billion requiring almost 9,000 new workers, while Queensland has rebounded strongly with 17 projects needing more than 4,400 employees by 2030.
The full 2025–2030 Workforce Forecast report is available here.
Click here for a PDF copy of this release, including media contact details.
Source: Straight from the source – August 2025
Queensland’s resources and energy industry may require more than 4400 new workers by the end of 2030, according to new modelling from the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA).
Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2025–2030 shows the state has 17 major projects in its pipeline – up from just 11 in last year’s forecast – requiring 4,412 new production-phase employees.
Queensland’s direct workforce stood at 85,200 in May 2025 (roughly 27% of the national resources and energy workforce), up 7,300 or 9.4% over the past 12 months, cementing the state as the nation’s second most attractive destination for resources investment behind WA.
AREEA CEO Steve Knott AM welcomed the rebound but said risks remain, especially with the state’s coal royalty regime.
“Queensland’s poor showing in last year’s forecast now looks like a speedbump rather than a brick wall,” Mr Knott said.
“But the state’s unsustainably high coal royalty regime is still shaking investor confidence. Even if new coal projects proceed, workforce gains could be cancelled out by job losses at less competitive mines.”
Coal remains Queensland’s strongest driver of investment, with five projects requiring more than 1,900 new workers by 2030. Copper and silica are next in line, with four projects across both commodities forecast to create 1,230 jobs – led by Evolution Mining’s Ernest Henry Mine Extension.
Other key developments include the Paradise South phosphate project (245 jobs by 2027), Sconi Nickel (300) and Eva Copper (450) in 2028.
Nationally, AREEA’s Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2025–2030 identifies 96 major projects across Australia expected to create demand for 22,279 new operating-phase jobs by 2030.
While slightly down on recent years, the consistency across successive reports underlines Australia’s enduring strength as a destination for resources and energy investment.
Western Australia continues to lead with 42 projects requiring almost 9,000 new workers, while New South Wales has 11 projects forecast to generate nearly 3,300 jobs by 2030.
The full 2025–2030 Workforce Forecast report is available here.
Click here for a PDF copy of this release, including media contact details.
Source: Straight from the source – August 2025
Western Australia’s resources and energy industry will require almost 9,000 new workers by the end of 2030, according to modelling released today by the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA).
Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2025–2030 shows WA has 42 major projects in its investment pipeline – valued at $81.8 billion – forecast to create demand for 8,924 new workers.
WA’s resources workforce has bounced back strongly from a temporary 2024 downturn, directly employing 165,300 people in May 2025 – up 14% or more than 20,000 employees in just 12 months. However, the current pipeline represents the state’s lowest level of projected new workforce growth in over four years.
AREEA CEO Steve Knott AM said the figures highlighted both the resilience of WA’s existing workforce and the risks of softening investment.
“WA remains the powerhouse of Australia’s resources industry, accounting for over half of its national workforce, but this report shows the state cannot take new projects for granted,” Mr Knott said.
“Lithium has collapsed from seven projects last year to just one, Dorado has been mothballed indefinitely, and fewer new projects are coming through the approvals system.
“With gold, iron ore, copper and critical minerals still driving new jobs, WA has an enormous opportunity to remain globally competitive – but only if policy settings support investment rather than strangle it.”
Gold is the standout, with 11 projects requiring 2,400 new employees, while four iron ore projects will require about 1,200, and three copper projects another 650. Critical minerals are steady at 730 workers, but lithium has slumped to just 50 jobs in the pipeline.
In the energy sector, seven projects – led by Woodside and Shell’s LNG developments – account for two-thirds of the state’s $81.8 billion pipeline value.
Nationally, AREEA’s Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2025–2030 identifies 96 major projects across Australia expected to create demand for 22,279 new operating-phase jobs by 2030. While slightly down on recent years, the consistency across successive reports shows Australia remains a highly attractive destination for resources and energy investment.
Queensland has rebounded with 17 projects forecast to create demand for more than 4,400 new workers, while New South Wales has 11 projects requiring just under 3,300 employees by 2030.
The full 2025–2030 Workforce Forecast report is available here.
Click here for a PDF copy of this release, including media contact details
Source: Straight from the source – August 2025
Australia’s mining and energy workforce has bounced back strongly from last year’s downturn, but a new forecast warns future growth risks being undermined by weakening project pipelines, mounting red tape and tougher global competition for investment.
Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2025–2030, released today by the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA), shows 96 major projects are expected to commence production between late 2025 and 2030.
Valued at $129.5 billion, these projects are forecast to create demand for 22,279 new operating-phase jobs, lifting the national resources and energy workforce by just 7.1% to 2030 – the lowest five-year outlook in more than half a decade.
While still substantial, the figures represent a softening compared with last year’s forecast of 108 projects and 27,070 jobs, and the 2023 forecast of 103 projects and 28,260 jobs.
The report also shows Australia’s project pipeline continues to diversify beyond traditional strengths, with 21 “other commodities” projects (alumina, graphite, phosphate, mineral sands) requiring around 3000 workers, alongside strong contributions from gold, copper and critical minerals.
Iron ore (8 projects / 3400 workers) and coal (7 projects / 3100 workers), however, both remain dependable growth drivers.
Meanwhile, energy sector investment remains healthy – albeit slightly down on last year’s report – at 16 planned major projects worth $78.6bn in capex and forecast to require 2854 new production-related employees by 2030.
AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott AM said the forecast again underlines the sector’s critical contribution to the national economy but cautioned against poor policy choices.
“Iron ore, coal and gas remain the bedrock of our export earnings, taxes and royalties. Without this sector, there would be no federal surpluses and no reliable funding for hospitals, schools, Medicare or aged care,” Mr Knott said.
“Yet governments seem intent on burying the golden goose in regulatory red tape, lawfare and workplace relations experiments that make investors think twice about putting their money into Australian projects.
“Heightened climate activism, shifting policy settings, extended approval timelines and mounting red tape are all adding uncertainty to long-term planning and risk delaying critical developments.”
State pipelines diverging
Western Australia, traditionally the powerhouse of the national workforce, has seen its pipeline fall from 48 projects and more than 11,000 jobs in 2024 to 42 projects and about 8924 jobs in 2025.
New South Wales has slipped even more substantially, with 11 projects forecast to create 3290 jobs across 2025-2030 – down from 19 projects and 5,412 in last year’s report.
Queensland’s forecast shows relative strength, with 17 projects expected to generate 4412 new jobs by 2030.
Mr Knott said the rebound put Queensland back in line with its 2023 forecast but warned that gains could be short-lived.
“Our report shows Queensland’s pipeline is recovering after last year’s slump, but the state faces a growing risk of job losses in its existing coal industry. The royalty regime, among the highest in the world, is eroding investor confidence and putting long-term coal operations at risk,” he said.
“If production contracts or projects are wound back prematurely, any new workforce gains could be wiped out. This would not only cost Queensland thousands of jobs, but also weaken one of its most important revenue streams for funding services and infrastructure.”
The full 2025–2030 Workforce Forecast report is available here.
Click here for a PDF copy of this release, including media contact details.
Source: New South Wales – News
Following a successful pilot program, South Australia Police (SAPOL) will transform frontline policing through operational efficiency, increased connection and enhanced officer safety.
The Mobile Workforce Program will soon see every SAPOL staff member issued a Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphone equipped with more than 60 applications and web links providing anytime-anywhere information, communication and collaboration.
Program Business Engagement Lead, Chief Inspector Julian Coram said the phone is the latest piece of equipment in the modern police officer’s toolkit.
“Having the Mobility Phone on hand completely changes how we work. I can access real-time intelligence anytime, anywhere, stay informed and stay connected with my team. It makes our job safer and enables us to work more efficiently,” Inspector Coram said.
Frontline members will be able to conduct operational searches across multiple data sources, manage taskings and dispatch through the device, record and share media in real time, and collaborate more effectively using modern tools.
“These capabilities mean saving time when it matters the most, it means making faster, better-informed decisions, improved safety and enhanced situational awareness.”
“This program will deliver a digital transformation that will usher in next generation policing in South Australia,” said Program Director, Vaiju Joshi said.
“Our officers will be connected, informed and ready with the latest technology toolkit at their fingertips.”
SAPOL’s Mobile Workforce Program also supports officer safety and proactive decision-making through features like officer-level location tracking, and access to in field intelligence.
Executive Director of Information Systems and Technology (IS&T), Richard Hill, said: this program is changing the way police interact with technology.
“The Mobile Workforce Program puts powerful, secure tools directly in officers’ hands, streamlining their work, reducing administrative burden, enhancing safety, and enabling faster decisions in the field. It’s a practical capability that makes daily policing more connected, efficient, and responsive, which ultimately allows officers to focus more on community engagement and safety.” Mr Hill said.
Commissioner Grant Stevens welcomed the introduction of the innovative technology, stating that the new phone and its integrated capabilities represent “the next generation of officer safety for SAPOL, delivering access to advanced, police-specific systems and enhancing the level of service provided to the community.”
The rollout is currently underway, with specialist groups such as Aircraft Services, Water Operations, Mounted Operations, Police Negotiators, Public Transport Policing Teams, and the Licensing Enforcement Branch already using their new phones.
The delivery of phones to Metropolitan and State Operations Services has begun this month.
Source: Ministers for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has opened a third round of its Industrial Transformation Stream (ITS) Program, with $180 million in funding available to support emissions reduction at regional industrial facilities across Australia.
Under the third round of the $400 million ITS Program, ARENA is seeking projects from regional industrial businesses that will transform their operations to support Australia’s net zero goals.
“The ITS Program is aimed at businesses that are significant energy users in regional Australia that are looking for cleaner, more energy-efficient ways to operate,” said Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA.
“We know many businesses want to reduce emissions but aren’t sure where to start. This funding is designed to help them take that step.”
“Whether you’re electrifying cold storage at a meat processing facility, implementing thermal energy storage technologies, or recovering biogas from dairy waste—if you are tackling emissions and energy use in an innovative and scalable way, we want to hear from you.”
The focus areas in this funding round are designed to support both innovation and practical deployment.
To qualify for funding under ITS, businesses must:
Interested businesses can visit the ITS funding webpage for program guidelines and further information on eligibility and submitting an application.
Industrial decarbonisation at ARENA
The $400 million Industrial Transformation Stream (ITS) is a 2023 budget measure under the $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund (PRF).
The PRF forms part of Powering Australia, supporting Australia’s ambition to become a renewable energy superpower and meet emission reduction targets of 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and net zero emissions by 2050.
The first 2 rounds under ITS have been successful in establishing a portfolio of projects since launch in November 2023. To date, approximately $220 million has been allocated to projects either announced or under assessment.
ARENA media contact:
Source: Australian Green Party
Finalists for the 2025 NSW Health Awards have been announced, recognising staff and volunteers for another year of outstanding healthcare delivery.
From 3D bioprinting skin for burns patients to specialised programs supporting farmers with their mental health, the 27th edition of the awards will showcase the excellence delivered across the NSW public health system every day.
NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM said she was incredibly proud of the staff, volunteers, and health programs that make up another remarkable group of finalists.
“The NSW Health Awards recognise the great work our staff do every day to improve the lives of our patients and the communities they serve,” Ms Pearce said.
“The people, teams and programs nominated for this year’s awards are of a very high standard, which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class healthcare for the NSW community.
“I congratulate all the finalists, but I also want to acknowledge the exceptional work being done across the system every day by their colleagues – our teams of doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health and support staff.”
Award categories include the Health Equity Award, Keeping People Healthy Award, Transforming Patient Experience Award, and the Health Innovation Award.
“All of the nominations really showcase the impressive and important work being undertaken throughout the state, so choosing the 41 finalists was a challenge for our judges,” Ms Pearce said.
“Through the Volunteer of the Year Award, we also recognise the significant contribution of community members throughout NSW who selflessly support our patients, their carers and families, and our staff.”
The finalists and winners will be celebrated at the NSW Health Awards ceremony, which will be held on Thursday, 30 October 2025 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney and via livestream on the NSW Health website.
The full list of finalists is available at 2025 NSW Health Awards.
The 2025 NSW Health Awards is proudly sponsored by LeasePLUS.