While a range of initiatives already exist with the aim of widening participation in education and work, more can be done to support and promote the participation of those keen to make their contribution to a thriving national economy. For example, many employers responding to our 2024 Workforce Skills Survey also pointed to the value of supporting the participation of parents in the workplace, highlighting the un-tapped potential available through better support for childcare and early learning. Strategic investment in supporting access to affordable childcare will also help unlock a valuable labour resource that is readily available. 

Opportunities also exist for supporting the participation of parents and older workers. Many employers are re-employing staff and employing older workers in meeting their skills needs. This emerged as a clear trend in the 2024 Workforce Skills Survey. They highlighted a range of benefits that follow from recruiting more experienced staff, from enhancing productivity to facilitating workplace training and improving workplace culture. 

The NSW labour market has tremendous un-tapped potential. This remains underutilised due to structural constraints both State and Federal. Reforming policies that restrict workforce participation will help unlock a valuable labour resource that is readily available.

Opportunities for boosting workforce participation in NSW include to:

• Double the current Work Bonus program limit for the age pension to allow senior and retired workers greater flexibility making an invaluable contribution to the labour force; and
• Invest in childcare funding to make more places available to help parents re-enter the workforce, with retention strategies and learning pathways to build and retain the skilled workforce needed to support families and children in their early years.