Significant Growth and Challenges Revealed in 2024 Outdoor Census

Sydney, August 2024

Outdoors NSW & ACT has released the anticipated results of the 2024 Outdoor Census, highlighting both the remarkable growth and persistent challenges within the outdoor industry across New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The census, which gathered insights from outdoor organisations, provides an overview of the industry's current state, emphasising its vital role in connecting communities to nature.

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Key Findings:

• Industry Expansion: The outdoor sector in NSW and ACT is experiencing steady growth, with 9.4 million participant sessions expected in 2024, a 2% increase from 2023. This growth underscores the increasing popularity of outdoor activities, particularly in education, which accounts for 67% of all participation.
• Employment Trends: The industry now employs 57,003 workers, reflecting a 14% increase since 2023. However, this figure still represents a 26% decline from pre-pandemic levels in 2018. The workforce composition reveals a significant reliance on volunteers, who make up 36% of the workforce, and casuals at 29%. Full-time workers comprising just 20%.
• Qualifications and Skills Gap: A strong focus on accredited training is evident, with 72% of workers holding recognised qualifications, 78% of which are specifically in outdoor-related fields. Despite this, the census highlights a critical shortfall in qualified workers. On average, outdoor organisations report needing an additional nine workers to meet current demand, seven of whom must have outdoor qualifications. This results in a shortfall of nearly 12,000 qualified workers across NSW and ACT.
• Workforce Distribution: The census also sheds light on the geographical distribution of the workforce, with 60% based in urban or metropolitan areas, 40% in regional or rural locations, and a small percentage in remote regions. This distribution highlights the accessibility challenges faced by regional and rural communities.
• Sector Diversity: The outdoor industry remains diverse, with 73% of organisations providing services directly to consumers and the remaining 27% serving the industry itself. Key sectors include outdoor recreation, education, adventure tourism, and outdoor therapy.?

Challenges Ahead: While the growth in participation and employment is encouraging, the industry faces significant challenges in meeting the demand for qualified workers. The shortfall in skilled personnel, particularly those with outdoor-specific qualifications, could hinder the industry's ability to sustain its current growth trajectory. Additionally, the uneven distribution of the workforce across urban and regional areas further complicates service delivery, particularly in less accessible regions.

In response to these findings, Outdoors NSW & ACT reaffirms its commitment to supporting the outdoor industry by advocating for increased training opportunities, promoting the value of outdoor careers, and working to address the workforce shortfall.

Lori Modde, CEO of Outdoors NSW & ACT, said, “We can’t do this alone, and we will be working with the Jobs and Skills Councils to help us to recruit the workforce we need to guide people safely in outdoor experiences across the whole country”. She continued, “Access to training and awareness of industry are major challenges and need our continuous attention for the benefit of the industry”.

Outdoors NSW & ACT is a member of the Outdoor Council of Australia, where states and territories collaborate to address challenges on a national scale. As a state peak body, the organisation continues to provide vital services, leadership, and advocacy to ensure that the outdoor sector remains a thriving, sustainable part of the NSW and ACT economies.

www.outdoorsnswact.org

https://www.outdoorsnswact.org/post/significant-growth-and-challenges-revealed-in-2024-outdoor-industry-census