The Regional Australia Institute

11/06/2026

Since the RAI’s inception, we have sought to elevate knowledge that advances regional Australia. We are now at a significant turning point, making conversations that shape its future more important than ever.

On 30 June 2026, the Regional Australia Institute will bring its flagship event series to Perth for Regions Rising Western Australia. The theme, “Driving Regional Systems,” will explore how we collectively navigate this transformation as an ecosystem, while optimising and embracing the opportunities ahead.

This one-day forum will bring together leaders from government, industry, and community to share insights, strengthen connections, and drive action where it matters most. The Hon Stephen Dawson, Minister for Regional Development, will speak to the Seven Cities vision and what will be required to realise it.

Liz Ritchie, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute, will present the – Year 3 WA Progress Report. This report tracks six framework pillars and 25 targets, seeking a unified vision to rebalance the nation. It will examine whether WA regions are progressing in the right direction, identify where challenges remain, and outline the actions needed to shift key metrics that underpin the social fabric of regional WA.

Grounded in RAI research and informed by real-world experience, this event places regional voices at the centre of Western Australia’s policy and investment conversations. Attendees can expect a full day of keynote insights, engaging panel discussions, all focused on unlocking growth and delivering a stronger future for regional WA.

Speaker lineup includes:
• Liz Ritchie, CEO, Regional Australia Institute
• The Hon. Stephen Dawson MP, Minister for Regional Development (WA)
• Naomi Evans, Head of NBN Local WA/SA/NT, NBN
• Cr Daiva Gillam, CEO, Regional Development Australia Pilbara
• David Frankel, Executive General Manager, Horizon Power
• Marnie Baker, Board Member, Regional Australia Institute
• Cassandra Beeck, Inaugural Director Strategic Direction, GNP360
• Robyn Sermon, CEO, Royal Agricultural Society of WA
• Shannon O’Rourke, CEO, Powering Australia
• Professor Alan Duncan, Director, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre
• Tim Bray, Deputy Director General, Powering WA

Thank you to our partners:
National Series Partner: nbn co

WA State Sponsor: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

WA State Supporting Sponsor: Regional Development Australia Pilbara

📍 Pan Pacific Perth
📅 30 June 2026

This is your chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of regional Western Australia.

👉 Register now and secure your place: https://regionalaustralia.org.au/Shared_Content/Events/EventDisplay.aspx?EventKey=RRWA26

11/06/2026

Regional Australia is a major driver of the national economy.

From agriculture and energy to manufacturing, services and emerging industries, the regions generate almost 40 per cent of Australia’s economic output. That productivity is powered by people, businesses and communities creating value well beyond the capital cities.

This is People Power at scale. Regional Australians are driving innovation, building resilient industries and contributing to national prosperity through their skills, ideas and enterprise.

At the Regions Rising National Summit: People Power, leaders from government, industry and communities will explore how we lift productivity in regional Australia. From digital capability and workforce mobility to investment, infrastructure and innovation, the Summit will focus on turning regional strengths into long-term economic growth.

Because when regional productivity grows, Australia grows with it.

📍 14 September 2026 | Parliament House, Canberra, ACT
🎟 Register now: https://regionalaustralia.org.au/Web/Conference2026/National-Summit.aspx

Proudly supported by NBN Australia, National Series Partner of the Regions Rising National Event Series.

09/06/2026

As more Australians move to the regions, productivity becomes the defining question.

We are pleased to spotlight Danielle Wood, Chair of the Australian Productivity Commission, as a speaker at the 2026 Regions Rising National Summit.

With extensive experience across economic policy, government and research, Danielle Wood brings a deep understanding of the structural forces shaping Australia’s economy, from workforce participation and housing to long-term productivity and growth.

At the Summit, we will explore what People Power means for the future of regional economies.

As population shifts accelerate and more Australians consider a move to the regions, productivity, workforce dynamics and economic resilience will be central to the national conversation.

Danielle Wood will bring a national perspective on how regional Australia contributes to economic performance, and the policy settings needed to ensure that growth translates into stronger, more productive communities.

📍 Parliament House, Canberra, ACT
📅 14 September 2026
🎟 Register now: https://regionalaustralia.org.au/Web/Conference2026/National-Summit.aspx

Proudly supported by NBN Australia National Series Partner of the Regions Rising National Event Series.

07/06/2026

Regional Australia’s labour market has softened slightly this month, while remaining resilient overall. In April 2026, regional Australia recorded 69,731 online job vacancies, a 5.0% decrease from March. Despite the monthly decline, vacancies are still 4.6% higher than a year ago, indicating continued underlying strength.

❓ Who’s in demand?
Demand continues to be led by Professionals (28%), Technicians & Trade Workers (15%), and Clerical & Administrative Workers (12%). The most sought after roles include Medical Practitioners & Nurses, Carers & Aides, and General Inquiry Clerks, Call Centre Workers & Receptionists.

📉 A softer month for workforce activity
The regional labour force eased to 5.07 million in April, with employment declining to 4.85 million. Participation also fell to 62.5%, while unemployment rose slightly to 4.2%. While these shifts reflect a softer month, conditions remain tight by historical standards.

📍 Spotlight: Katanning, WA
With participation at 63.1% and unemployment at 2.5%, Katanning highlights a small but strategically important regional labour market. Across the Goldfields & Southern WA region, 1,875 job ads were posted in April. Demand is concentrated in trades, transport and operational roles, including Automotive & Engineering Trades Workers, Clerical workers, and Drivers & Storepersons, reflecting the region’s strong agricultural and service base.

Powered by Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia data, this monthly update is brought to you by The Regional Australia Institute .

Explore the full Regional Labour Market Update – April 2026 to see how your region is performing.

🔗https://regionalaustralia.org.au/Web/Toolkits-Indexes/Regional-Jobs-Update/Updates/2026/Regional_Labour_Markets_Update_April_2026

05/06/2026

How can we work better together to deliver stronger outcomes for regional Australia?

Join us for an upcoming webinar on Collaborative governance for regional development, where national leaders will explore how government, industry and community can work more effectively across sectors to address complex regional challenges.

As collaboration becomes increasingly critical in regional development, this session will examine how place-based governance models are evolving in Australia, and what it takes to make them work in practice.

Hear from leading voices in the field:

🎙️ Dr Shona Bates, Senior Research Fellow, UNSW Sydney
🎙️ Dr Luke Craven, CEO, Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE)
🎙️ James McKee, CEO, RDA Tasmania
🎙️ Simon Pryor, Director, Research & Policy, RAI
🎙️ Liz Ritchie, CEO, RAI

📅 Friday 12 June 2026
🕑 2:00 PM | Online

Register now: https://regionalaustralia.org.au/Shared_Content/Events/EventDisplay.aspx?EventKey=CGRD26

This webinar is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (AusGov Infrastructure).

04/06/2026

Jobs are a major part of what is drawing people to regional Australia.

With more than 5 million people in the regional labour force, the regions are powering national productivity across industries, from construction and manufacturing to health, energy, agriculture and technology.

This workforce is People Power in action. It reflects the skills, adaptability and contribution of people working in regional economies, and the businesses and communities that support them.

At the Regions Rising National Summit: People Power, the focus will be on how we strengthen jobs and skills in the regions, ensure workers can move where opportunities exist, and employers can build the workforce needed for future growth.

Because supporting people in work, training and opportunity is central to building strong regional communities and a productive national economy.

Be part of the conversation shaping the future of regional jobs.

📍 14 September 2026 | Parliament House, Canberra, ACT
🎟 Register now: https://regionalaustralia.org.au/Web/Conference2026/National-Summit.aspx

Proudly supported by NBN Australia, National Series Partner of the Regions Rising National Event Series.

03/06/2026

That’s a wrap!

Over the past two days, senior executives from across the country have come together fo The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) and La Trobe University Executive Masterclass, a two day immersion designed to build the strategic capability needed to lead through complexity and drive meaningful regional change.

Across the program, facilitated by Nigel Collin, participants have explored how to:

✅ Work with their regional communities to define the challenge, focusing on the gaps, not just ideas

✅ Meet people where they are in their journey and take them forward, creating genuine buy-in

✅ Co-design solutions that are responsive to what’s happening on the ground

This is systems leadership in practice.

Using a mix of best practice frameworks, real-world case studies, and peer collaboration, executives are not just learning, they are applying these concepts directly to their own regions.

When Australia’s regional leaders step back, challenge their thinking, and work through complexity together anything is possible!

A huge thank you to our facilitators, speakers, and participants for making this such a valuable and impactful experience.

The Masterclass is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. (AusGov Infrastructure).

02/06/2026

People Power is built on connection. Connection to opportunity, services, markets, education, and each other.

We are pleased to spotlight Ellie Sweeney, CEO and Managing Director of NBN Australia as a speaker at the 2026 Regions Rising National Summit.

With more than 25 years across the telecommunications sector, Ellie Sweeney brings deep expertise in digital infrastructure, network transformation and customer strategy. Her leadership speaks directly to one of the biggest enablers of regional prosperity: high-quality, reliable connectivity that supports inclusion, productivity and growth.

At the Summit, we will explore what People Power looks like in practice, including the systems and infrastructure that help regional communities thrive. Ellie Sweeney will bring a national perspective on how connectivity can power progress for regions, and why digital capability is now central to workforce participation, innovation and liveability.

📍 Parliament House, Canberra, ACT
📅 14 September 2026
🎟 Register now: https://regionalaustralia.org.au/Web/Conference2026/National-Summit.aspx

Proudly supported by NBN Australia, National Series Partner of the Regions Rising National Event Series.

29/05/2026

📅 Save the date: Collaborative governance for regional development

Friday 12 June 2026 | 2:00 pm | Online

Across regional Australia, many of the biggest challenges and opportunities cut across organisations, sectors and jurisdictions.

This webinar will explore how collaborative governance models bring government and non-government partners together to strengthen regional services and support regional development.

We will look at what makes collaboration work in practice, including the benefits, enablers and barriers to information-sharing, joint program design, coordination, shared decision-making, and delivery across multiple organisations.

🔔 The full speaker line-up is coming next week. For now, save the date!

https://regionalaustralia.org.au/Shared_Content/Events/EventDisplay.aspx?EventKey=CGRD26

This Webinar is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (AusGov Infrastructure).

29/05/2026

A timely new ABC Riverina story reinforces a key message from our recent Regional Migration Experiences report: migration policy must reflect the realities of regional Australia.

From aged care in Coolamon to agriculture and processing across the country, the article highlights how migrant workers are filling critical workforce gaps that local labour simply cannot meet.

Read the article 👇

Amid ongoing discussion about Australia's immigration intake and migration policies, regional residents say many industries in the bush cannot survive without overseas workers.