FTA / APSA MINISTERIAL ENGAGEMENT ON SKILLS & WORKFORCE PRIORITIES - SUPPLY CHAIN LEADERS SUMMIT II

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) were privileged to participate in last week's Supply Chain Leaders' Summit II at NSW Parliament House, joining senior industry leaders and government representatives to progress national workforce and supply chain capability priorities.

The Summit featured keynote addresses from the Hon. Minister Andrew Giles (Minister for Skills and Training) and Senator Glenn Sterle, both emphasising the importance of building a skilled and resilient workforce to support Australia's freight and logistics sector.

Importantly, an industry perspective delivered by Steve Thompsett, CEO DHL Supply Chain Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the critical customs broker workforce challenge, reinforcing long-standing concerns raised by FTA/APSA regarding aging demographics, long training lead times and limited public awareness of specialised border-related roles.

In response, FTA/APSA have today provided a formal submission to Minister Giles, reinforcing the freight-specific priorities we have consistently raised with government over the past two years. Our correspondence draws on the newly released 2026 Workforce Planning Update from Industry Skills Australia (ISA), noting that while the Update aligns with earlier recommendations, it is essential that government ensures focus is also on freight and logistics occupations who are key to trade facilitation as well as "transport". The broader community most likely view the "transport" terminology as passenger-related roles. We recommend the campaign should focus on Trade Facilitation/Supply Chain and Transport sectors as future career pathways.

To support government and ISA in strengthening workforce pipelines, FTA/APSA have recommended a coordinated suite of initiatives, including:

1. National Awareness Campaign with Freight & Logistics-Specific Messaging
Funding for ISA to additionally create a separate long-term, industry and government-co-designed campaign highlighting global trade careers, regulatory roles, and modern logistics technologies to attract school leavers, mid-career entrants and diverse talent into freight and border-related occupations.

2. Subsidised Entry-Level Programs
Government-funded traineeships and structured entry-level placements to encourage employers to invest in new entrants and support long-term workforce development across customs broking, freight forwarding and logistics operations.

3. Educational Scholarships, Internships, Traineeships and VET Partnerships
Funding for Scholarships and Traineeships with formal partners such as universities, TAFEs and Registered Training Organisations to strengthen pathways into customs broking, freight forwarding and supply chain operations.

4. Targeted Workforce Development Strategies
Focused initiatives for freight and border-related occupations, recognising their critical role in Australia's trade competitiveness and supply chain resilience.

5. Clearer Occupational Definitions
Ensuring government programs use freight-specific occupational classifications so these roles are not diluted within general "transport" terminology that may be misconstrued as passenger-related.

6. Strengthened Training Pathways
Enhanced training and accreditation pathways for customs brokers, licensed depots, freight forwarders and international logistics professionals.

7. Industry-Aligned Skills Investment
Government investment in skills programs that reflect the operational realities of modern supply chains, border processes and regulatory compliance.

8. Collaboration with Industry
Ongoing engagement with industry to address emerging capability gaps identified in the ISA 2026 Workforce Planning Update.

FTA/APSA will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of members and will keep you informed of further engagement with government, ISA and parliamentary stakeholders.

Paul Zalai - Director FTA / Secretariat APSA