Workforce planning helps us understand current and future workforce needs so industries, training systems, and policymakers can respond effectively to change. By combining data, research, stakeholder input, and industry insight, it identifies emerging trends, highlights workforce challenges, and uncovers opportunities for skills development and industry growth.

The 2026 Workforce Plan – Workforces in Transition builds on prior plans and draws on extensive consultation, along with qualitative and quantitative research, to set AUSMASA's priorities. It explores the factors influencing Australia's mining and automotive workforces, including electrification, licensing frameworks, digitalisation, demographic shifts, and the need for more flexible skills pathways throughout entire careers.

Workforce planning is ultimately about partnership. The insights in this plan reflect contributions from industry leaders, workers, unions, training providers, governments and community representatives across Australia. Their perspectives ensure the research reflects both robust data and lived industry experience.

Insights into workforce composition, employment trends and the key structural issues shaping the mining and automotive sectors.