Skills and Education
To support our vision for a stronger Australia, our ongoing advocacy aims to address Question 5: How do we develop a skilled workforce for the future?
Learn MoreLearn MoreQuestion 5: How do we develop a skilled workforce for the future?
By building strong early foundations, teaching the basics well, integrating VET and higher education, boosting lifelong learning, strengthening innovation and research capability, and using skilled migration to fill critical skills gaps so Australia has the talent and ideas to power its future.
We work with industry leaders, education and research institutions and governments to align education with jobs and strengthen Australia’s innovation capability — simplifying qualifications, expanding apprenticeships and work-integrated learning, scaling AI and digital capability, building a culture of lifelong learning, supporting business investment in R&D and the commercialisation of research, fast-tracking visa settings, and sharpening workforce analytics so investment follows real skill needs.
Within this area of focus, we have the Skills and R&D CEO Committee chaired by Guy Chalkley, CEO, Endeavour Energy.
KPIs for the Nation
The Business Council’s ambition is for Australia to become one of the world’s top 10 investment destinations, strengthening the foundations for higher productivity and living standards.
To measure and track Australia’s progress, we have developed a set of national KPIs aligned to our Big Six Questions.
Our Skills and R&D KPIs track Australia’s progress in building workforce capability, strengthening technology and AI skills, and increasing business investment in research and development.
Skills and R&D
- Reducing the proportion of occupations in shortage
Reducing workforce shortages and improving Australia’s workforce capacity.
Current: 29% → Target: 20% by 2035
Metric: Proportion of occupations reporting shortages. - Improving our position on Coursera’s Technology and Data Science proficiency rankings and AI Maturity Index
Improving Australia’s technology, data science and AI skills capability as global competition increases.
Current: Technology & Data 23rd; AI Maturity 10th → Target: Top 10 by 2030
Metric: Global rankings in Technology & Data and AI Maturity. - Lifting business expenditure on R&D (BERD)Closing the gap with global peers and strengthening innovation and commercialisation.
Current: 0.9% of GDP → Target: 1.5% by 2035
Metric: Business expenditure on R&D as a proportion of GDP.
Read the full set of KPIs in our National Roadmap for Making Australia a Top 10 Investment Destination.