In late 2025, the report Learning that works: skills for today and tomorrow analysed 2023 data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. With additional data from the 2024 HILDA survey now available, this research is revisited to provide an evidence-based picture of the reality of work-related training in Australia in the post-pandemic era.

In recent years some commentary has suggested that participation in work-related training has been falling, based on 2022 HILDA data. It is now clear that the reported fall represented a short-term and pandemic-induced extreme rather than evidence of a long-term structural erosion.

The research finds that policy settings have a vital role in strengthening work-related training. 

Key findings

• Participation in work-related training is above the long-term average.
• There is evidence of a structural shift towards employer investment in work-related training.
• Employer investment in paid time for training is at a record high.