Cairns has launched the first stage of a national industry-led response to skills shortages for Australia’s marine, maritime and defence industries, following Marine Futures‘ research showing 93 per cent of employers were facing medium-to-high levels of workforce shortages over the next 12 months.
Marine Futures launched its Workforce Plan on Wednesday 13 May at the Shangri-La Cairns, with support from Defence Industry Networking and Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef. The launch drew 80 representatives from across the region’s industry, training, recruitment, government and association networks.
Cairns brings together one of Australia’s most balanced marine, maritime and defence industry profiles, with defence sustainment, shipyards, ports, reef tourism, superyachts, marine science, training and education working in close connection.
Drawn from 72 companies surveyed across the industry, the 2025 Marine Futures report found 73 per cent of businesses reported labour shortages negatively impacted productivity and profitability. Long-term workforce gap forecasts increased from 40 per cent at three years to 58 per cent across the five-year period.
“Workforce pressure is not isolated to Cairns. Companies are investing more into recruitment and developing their people, but the skills shortage is only getting worse. Industry needs a practical, evidence-based plan that supports the good work already underway, while tackling the policy settings that make it difficult for business to grow their teams.” – Adam Chanter | Founding Director – Marine Futures
The Marine Futures Workforce Plan is built on two priorities: immediate industry awareness through its innovative jobs & skills platform connecting and inspiring more people into marine, maritime and defence careers, and long-term advocacy to secure stronger workforce investment across the sector. Science-based candidate attraction has been considered with the model.
Technology partner Workinitiatives will support the rollout with digital infrastructure, including Netflix-style employer job boards, applicant tracking and API integrations that connect with existing job platforms.
Key launch announcements included the Maritime Action Network, a strategic industry group designed to guide jobs and skills priorities, coordinate advocacy and support regional ambassadors. The network will also support a Career Connector function, helping turn face-to-face engagement into ongoing career guidance, employer connection and industry updates through a single platform.
The launch also recognised Cairns Regional Council support for the upcoming industry attraction campaigns featuring Australian Border Force, local shipyards, reef tourism operators, superyacht companies, Ports North, Citizens of the Reef Australian Border Force and Australian Defence Force – Navy.
Maritime Action Network Defence Ambassador Damien Richards, a former Navy engineer and 2022 Engineers Australia Young Engineer of the Year, said regional skills capability was now a national security issue.
“There are some great jobs and skills programs operating across the country, but few connect the defence supply chain, broader industry, training, skills and talent pipelines in one coordinated response at the scale required. With demand rising across sustainment, engineering and advanced manufacturing, the timing could not be better.” – Damien Richards | BME
Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef Group Manager Sahara Taylor-Crane said global superyacht growth was creating real pathways for regional Australians, with 24,000 crew jobs linked to vessels currently under build globally.
“For young people in regional coastal towns with a sense of adventure, a gap year can become the start of something much bigger. Skills built in hospitality and tourism can take you around the world as crew on a superyacht, and many school leavers who take that first step never look back,” Ms Taylor-Crane said.
The event acknowledged support from local, state and federal government agencies, including the Department of Employment & Workplace Relations, Regional Jobs Committee, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, Department of Trade, Employment & Training, TAFE Queensland Great Barrier Reef International Marine College and the Queensland Manufacturing Hub.
Leading private education providers Major Training Group and Sea School attended with Central Queensland University and TAFE Queensland as part of the region’s training and education network.
Marine Futures is calling for a united industry response to help shape future priorities and the final design of the national plan, with collaboration across the sector critical to solving the skills crisis.
The Cairns launch is the first step towards a national rollout prioritised by regional demand. The aim is simple: enable industry to connect the right people with the right roles at the right time.
For more information, visit www.marinefutures.com.au
