Fortnightly ALC Government Relations Update No. 13 | 10 July to 23 July 2026

The Transport and Logistics Industry Advisory Group met to discuss current and emerging workforce and training priorities across the sector. The agenda included updates from the Victorian Skills Authority and Industry Skills Australia, the 2026 Victorian Skills Plan, Jobs and Skills Council product reviews, rail workforce data mapping, and reflections on the Advisory Group’s 2025–26 work program.

A central discussion focused on Jobs and Skills Australia’s proposal for a more skills-first tertiary education system, with stronger recognition of workplace capability, prior learning and transferable skills. Members were asked to consider how skills could be better recognised across occupations and sectors, particularly as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, population ageing and decarbonisation reshape workforce needs.

The meeting also examined how regulation and licensing shape training demand across freight rail, road transport, maritime, warehousing and automotive industries. Key issues included fragmented competency systems, duplicated training, compliance costs, limited regional access to trainers, workforce shortages and the need for new digital and technology-related capability. The discussion highlighted the importance of stronger coordination between regulators, industry and training providers, along with improved recognition of existing skills and experience.

ALC met with Matthew Brine to discuss the immediate fuel disruption and the longer-term reforms needed to strengthen Australia’s fuel security. ALC emphasised the freight and logistics sector’s dependence on imported diesel and the need for a more diverse energy mix, including renewable diesel, electrification and greater use of freight rail and intermodal infrastructure.

The discussion also covered the practical barriers slowing decarbonisation, including limited electricity capacity, delays connecting new logistics facilities to the grid, competition for industrial land and increasing pressure from data centres. ALC outlined its work with Defence, ARTC and National Intermodal to examine how existing rail corridors and intermodal land could support the strategic storage and distribution of fuel during major disruptions.

Matthew provided an update on work relating to strategic fuel reserves, proposed Minimum Stockholding Obligation uplifts and the development of a low-carbon liquid fuels policy. ALC will invite the Department to brief the August Council meeting, followed by a dedicated industry roundtable before October to examine fuel security, alternative fuels and the measures needed to manage future supply disruptions.

Industry representatives were briefed on research by Curtin University, examining how Western Australia’s transport and logistics sector can better attract, develop and retain workers. The research found that the sector is not short of training, employment programs or career information; the problem is that these resources are fragmented and often leave individuals to work out for themselves how their existing skills connect to available roles, training requirements and future career opportunities.

The proposed solution is a workforce “navigator” that begins with the individual’s experience, capabilities, location and career objectives, then connects them with suitable role families, training bridges, realistic entry or progression opportunities and practical next steps. The model would support school students, career changers, job seekers, existing workers and people returning to the workforce, while also helping employers retain operational knowledge through redeployment and career progression.

The research was strongly supported by industry participants, who expressed interest in advancing the navigator as a nationally available resource. Industry Skills Australia has identified potential alignment with its Improving Career Information project, and further discussions will explore opportunities to develop and pilot the model collaboratively.

The Department of Home Affairs has briefed TISN members on proposed amendments to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018.

The reforms are intended to simplify the Act, reduce duplication and update the way critical infrastructure assets, operators and service providers are regulated.

Critical freight coverage

The Department is considering broader coverage of nationally significant freight assets and systems, including freight nodes, distribution points, intermodal interfaces, logistics systems and major chokepoints.

A key issue will be how to distinguish nationally significant assets from local or lower-risk operations. Possible factors include throughput, market concentration, substitutability, geographic reach and the consequences of disruption.

Responsibility and control

The reforms may introduce obligations for entities that exercise practical control over an asset, service or system, even where they are not the formal responsible entity.

ALC’s position is that responsibility should follow practical control. Freight operators should not be held accountable for public infrastructure or third-party systems they cannot direct, inspect or remediate.

Regulatory duplication

The Department is proposing a broader exemptions framework where another Commonwealth, State or Territory regime provides equivalent or stronger security outcomes.

This is important for transport operators already subject to aviation, maritime, rail, safety and security regulations.

Governance and assurance

The reforms would strengthen board oversight of Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Programs and may introduce more regular reviews, external assurance and higher penalties.

Members should consider whether these requirements are proportionate and whether qualified assurance providers are available.

Critical workers and suppliers

The proposed changes may broaden the definition of critical workers and increase obligations for contractors, managed service providers, and suppliers.

This could affect screening, training, access controls, workforce availability and compliance costs, particularly for regional and specialist operators.

Next steps

The consultation closes at midnight AEST on Friday, 31 July 2026.

ALC is preparing an industry response and welcomes member feedback on:

• which freight assets and systems should be covered;
• appropriate thresholds and exclusions;
• regulatory duplication;
• responsibility for third-party infrastructure;
• workforce and assurance impacts;
• regional impacts; and
• appropriate transition periods.

Members are encouraged to provide practical examples and feedback to ALC as soon as possible at policy@austlogistics.com.au

The Supply Chain Industry Advisory Group reviewed progress against its forward work program and discussed future priorities. CI-ISAC Australia demonstrated its government-funded software bill of materials capability, which identifies outdated and vulnerable components embedded within software, combines this information with external attack-surface monitoring, and provides participating critical infrastructure members with targeted vulnerability alerts. The group supported exploring a broader presentation of the capability, noting access is currently limited to eligible CI-ISAC members.

The group agreed to close completed work items covering cross-sector supply chain risks, the spectrum of threats to critical infrastructure and vendor risk-assessment guidance. Work will continue mapping risks associated with chemical supply chains, with a draft report expected to be circulated ahead of a proposed November presentation.

Future priorities focused on improving the resilience of the entire supply chain rather than individual regulated assets. Members highlighted the importance of freight corridors, transport networks, contractors and smaller suppliers that support critical infrastructure but may not be directly regulated under the SOCI Act. There was strong support for practical, accessible guidance to help SMEs understand supply chain resilience requirements and the contractual obligations increasingly passed down by regulated entities.

The group will consider a recalibrated forward work program covering end-to-end critical infrastructure mapping, sector-specific supply chain risks, SME guidance and practical implementation of the proposed SOCI reforms. Members were also encouraged to provide formal feedback on the reforms, particularly on ensuring the proposed measures are workable and deliver the intended security outcomes