AusIMM shaping national dialogue on skilled workforce as the Trusted Voice in resources

As the Trusted Voice for resources professionals, AusIMM is committed to advancing policy for the benefit of our members, the sector and broader community.

We're proud to share details of our recent comprehensive submission to the Australian Productivity Commission's ‘5 Pillars Inquiry’.

Focusing on the ‘Building a skilled and adaptable workforce’ pillar, our submission highlights the urgent need to address professional shortages in the resources sector and diversify professional pathways.

Our submission, dated 4 June 2025, underscores that despite high workforce utilisation (above 99%), enrolments in mining-related STEM degrees are declining. We've proposed solutions including expanding Associate and Vocational Degrees, boosting industry-based postgraduate programs, and delivering targeted professional development.

"As the Trusted Voice for 15,000 resources professionals globally, our input directly reflects the on-the-ground expertise of our members," said AusIMM CEO Stephen Durkin. "We are committed to ensuring the mining sector continues to deliver enduring benefits to the broader community, and a skilled workforce is fundamental to this."

We're pleased to confirm we've already received direct follow-up from the Productivity Commission and look forward to continuing our participation in the review in the second half of this year.

You can read AusIMM's full submission to the Productivity Commission's 5 Pillars Inquiry here. 

Thank you to our members

We would like to thank all our members who have contributed to our future talent and education advocacy, including the above submission. Your insights, particularly through the recent Professional Pathways Policy Forum, various Branch and COI initiatives, and as part of our broader Future Talent Strategy, are invaluable. Your expertise allows AusIMM to deliver a balanced, credible and expert perspective on policy matters impacting our industry and broader community.

We look forward to engaging with you further as part of a national whitepaper consultation focused on higher education and future talent, which will kick off in the second half of 2025 and continue into 2026. Your continued input will be crucial in shaping the future of our sector's workforce.