Outdoor Industry Connect & Share Forums

Hosted by Outdoors NSW & ACT

Business Education News

Website RSS feed

Episodes

150

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A weekly opportunity to connect on important topics and content specific to the Outdoor Industry in Australia

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 1836 min

The Trail Bike Economy Is Bigger Than You Think

Send us Fan MailIf you work in the outdoor industry in New South Wales or the ACT, the next few months are packed with decisions that shape your people, your compliance, and your impact. We start on the ground at the Blue Mountains Local Active Partnership launch, where the challenge is bigger than any single program: inactivity is rising alongside chronic disease, and many communities face real barriers to “traditional” fitness. Outdoor recreation is a powerful alternative, especially when we design for inclusion and belonging instead of assuming everyone wants competitive sport.We then shift into a practical, business-owner view of what’s changing and what’s coming. Think wage and award updates, payday super requirements, the end of the ATO small business super clearinghouse, fee increases you’ll feel in your budget, and new rules like SMS Sender ID registration for branded texts. We also flag reforms on the horizon, from non-compete clause changes to the evolving e-bike and micro-mobility landscape, plus emerging WHS focus areas like psychosocial hazards and fatigue.The back half goes deep on trail bike riding research, based on refreshed survey analysis and the local council toolkit work. We talk demographics, the mental health and physical health drivers behind why people ride, and the economic contribution to regional towns, including how rider trips translate into local spending. We also name the friction points clearly: affordability, registration settings, locked gates, land policy shifts, perception, and limited junior-friendly access, then walk through policy options that could actually move the needle.If this helps, subscribe so you don’t miss the weekly updates, share it with someone running an outdoor business, and leave a review with the one policy or access change you want to see next.Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

June 8, 2026Episode 1720 min

We Rethink Outdoor Leadership For A Changing Generation

Send us Fan MailThe outdoor industry doesn’t stand still, and neither can we. We’re coming to you live from the Outdoors NSW and ACT Connect and Share Forum with a fast-moving mix of field-tested leadership ideas, workforce updates, and practical dates you can put straight into your calendar.We start with what’s happening on the ground, including the launch of a local government toolkit for trail bike riding and why it matters for councils, land managers, and the visitor economy. From there, we zoom out to the bigger leadership challenge we’re all seeing: shifting demographics, highly digital young people, and growing pressure on resilience and mental health. I break down the five Cs of outdoor leadership (connection, coaching, challenge, celebration, and change) and why the “coach” mindset is becoming essential across outdoor education, adventure tourism, and recreation.Then we get into the operational essentials: the national minimum wage rises by 4.75% from July 1, and employers need to adjust payroll accordingly. We also share progress on the AAAS review and the Knowledge Skills Experience Framework, plus an update on the VET review timeline that points to endorsement in 2027. Finally, we run through key events and opportunities including Outdoor Office Day, member meetups, leadership training, our masterclass and industry awards, and the outdoor learning conference featuring Maggie Dent, before closing with a useful snapshot from Macrindle Research on psychological safety, structural support, training and development, and flexibility.Subscribe so you don’t miss the weekly pulse of the outdoor sector, and if this helped, share it with a colleague and leave a quick review.Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

May 29, 2026Episode 1644 min

Outdoor Safety Data That Changes Practice

Send us Fan MailOutdoor programs don’t usually fail in the dramatic moments, they fail in the ordinary ones. That’s the big tension we dig into here: the outdoor sector manages “high risk” activities well, yet injuries keep showing up in places many of us mentally file under low risk, like walking, cooking at camp, and free time.We start with quick but meaningful industry updates from Outdoors New South Wales and ACT, including the Trail Bike Toolkit for local councils, progress on outdoor leadership training reviews, and news about improved access to a curated set of Australian Standards. We also share what’s ahead on the calendar, from major industry events to leadership development opportunities designed to grow stronger, more capable teams across outdoor education and outdoor recreation.Then we hand over to Matthew Morrison and Paul Salmon for a deep look at UPLOADS, the Understanding and Preventing Led Outdoor Accidents Data System. With 20,000+ incidents now recorded and five-year reporting trends across incident rates, severity, injury patterns, and contributory factors, the takeaways are practical: minor incidents matter, reporting culture matters, and common drivers like participant condition, terrain, weather, and communication gaps keep repeating across organisations.Finally, we preview what’s next: the STARS project, a Systems Thinking Accident Risk System that aims to upgrade Uploads and integrate it with a digital NetHarms risk assessment tool. The goal is to connect prospective risk assessment with incident learning, and the project team is clear that practitioner input is essential through workshops, testing, and a future implementation trial. Subscribe, share this with a safety-minded colleague, and leave a review so more outdoor professionals can find the conversation.Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

May 22, 2026Episode 1528 min

Volunteer Power and what changes are coming for Outdoor Activities

Send us Fan MailVolunteers quietly hold up the outdoor industry, and the numbers are bigger than most people realize. We start by grounding ourselves in community and workforce pathways, including what we’re hearing from students at a careers day and why outdoor leadership roles are still “unknown” to too many young people. Then we zoom out for National Volunteer Week and put real data behind the gratitude: volunteer participation, hours, and the huge economic value that flows through sport, physical recreation, and outdoor activities, from trail maintenance and landcare to committees, boards, and mentoring.Next, we tackle the bigger shifts coming toward outdoor recreation and outdoor tourism. Victoria’s Outdoor Recreation Bill signals a new approach to governance and a planned digital hub for bush users, raising a practical question: is this a model other states will follow? We also unpack key takeaways from European Outdoor Week, where “feel good” sustainability storytelling is being replaced by accountability, transparent metrics, and circular economy design. Extended Producer Responsibility and digital product passports are not distant concepts anymore. They’re shaping the expectations that outdoor brands, operators, and consumers will live with, including here in Australia.We also share updates that matter for day to day operations: free access to mandatory Australian standards referenced in legislation, plus a clear walkthrough of the AAAS review and the emerging knowledge, skills, and experience framework across domains, capability levels, and context from urban to wilderness. We round out with member benefits, the snow activities guidance note, the upcoming Uploads upgrade for incident reporting, and a packed calendar of masterclasses, awards, and leadership development opportunities.Subscribe for weekly industry intelligence, share this with a colleague who works outdoors, and leave a review so more leaders and operators can find the conversation.Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

May 15, 2026Episode 1432 min

What The New Federal Budget Means For Small Outdoor Businesses

Send us Fan MailThe federal budget is easy to ignore until it hits your invoices, your staffing, and your ability to keep programs running safely. We sit down with our live Outdoors NSW ACT Connect and Share community and translate the headlines into what actually matters for outdoor operators: the permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off, continued fuel relief, and major funding signals for active transport infrastructure and regional development that can strengthen outdoor recreation and adventure tourism.We also get honest about what is missing. Preventative health remains underpowered despite the clear value of getting people active outdoors, and outdoor education still lacks the recognition it needs while schools and providers juggle rising transport and delivery costs. We dig into the fine print on “free access” to Australian standards, explain why industry-relevant WHS and safety standards still matter, and share how the curated standards set supports practical risk management.Then the conversation turns to a quieter but growing challenge: biophobia, or fear of the outdoors, and how reduced nature play and limited independent outdoor time can change participation for the next generation. From there we move into concrete industry updates: AAAS review timelines and consultation, a call for feedback on the snorkeling guide, the VET outdoor leadership training package review, and the upcoming upgrade to Uploads incident reporting. We wrap with key dates for toolkits, leadership programs, the masterclass, awards voting, and major outdoor learning conferences.If you work in the outdoor industry, subscribe for weekly updates, share this with a colleague who needs the runway, and leave a review with the one change you most want to see next.Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

May 8, 2026Episode 1329 min

Snow Industry Pulse

Send us Fan MailThe outdoor industry moves fast, but a few shifts right now are too big to ignore. We kick off with an update from the Snow Summit in Thredbo and the latest snow season economics, including how winter tourism supports regional NSW, the ACT, and alpine communities across Australia. With new data pointing to billions in direct and flow-on value and a huge share of spend staying in-region, we talk about what that means for operators planning products, staffing, and partnerships for the season ahead. Then we get into the tough stuff: small business insurance and public liability. After presenting at a Parliamentary Joint Committee hearing, we unpack why so many outdoor businesses are being pushed toward $20 million cover without a clear evidence base, what that does to participation and access, and where tort law reform might fit. We also share a practical, proven lever that too many providers overlook: working with specialist insurance brokers who understand outdoor risk management and can price the business based on reality, not assumptions. From there, we move through the standards and workforce updates that directly affect compliance and capability, including the Snow Activities Guidance Note, the Australian Adventure Activity Standards review, and the VET review for outdoor leadership qualifications. We also flag key business changes like Super Pay Day, credit card surcharge rules, child safe requirements, psychosocial hazards guidance, and the tools and events that help the sector stay connected, including the July masterclass, Outdoor Industry Awards, and the Outdoor Learning Conference. Subscribe so you do not miss the weekly updates, share this with a colleague who runs programs or employs staff, and leave a review with the one change you’ve seen in the past 12 months that the wider outdoor industry needs to understand.Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

May 1, 2026Episode 1234 min

Alpine Standards To AI Search And Everything Between

Send us Fan MailAI is quickly becoming the first place people look for answers, and that shift is about to change how customers find your outdoor business and how your team makes decisions. We unpack what that means for outdoor operators, educators, and land managers across NSW and the ACT, while also covering the immediate, practical updates you need for the months ahead. If you’ve felt the pace of change rising across compliance, marketing, and workforce issues, this briefing is designed to help you regain clarity. We walk through major industry and safety items, including the new snow activities guidance note for alpine regions and the timeline for the Australian Adventure Activity Standards (AAAS) draft, consultation, and implementation. We also talk standards access and due diligence, including the consolidated outdoor industry standard set, and why engaging early with the knowledge, skills, and experience work can prevent nasty surprises when drafts land. On the safety side, we share the progress on the snorkeling good practice guide review and why maritime requirements may influence final recommendations. From there, we shift into capability building and business readiness: a guiding qualification survey to strengthen pathways into adventure guiding, committee work on trail bike and mountain bike advocacy, and key event dates including the outdoor learning conference, masterclass, and the inaugural NSW ACT Outdoor Industry Awards. We also flag operational changes many businesses can’t ignore, like Super Pay Day timing from July 1 and the end of credit card surcharges from October 1, plus the instant asset write-off deadline. We close with a clear-eyed look at generative AI, agentic AI, and AI agents, then the governance that must sit underneath them: privacy, consumer law accuracy, anti-discrimination, workplace law, and cybersecurity. Subscribe for weekly updates, share this with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review with one question you want answered next.Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

April 24, 2026Episode 1120 min

Fuel, Compliance, And What Outdoor Operators Need Next

Send us Fan MailFuel shortages, shifting compliance rules, and fast-changing marketing and tech are colliding with the day-to-day reality of running an outdoor business. We get practical about what that means for outdoor education providers, adventure tourism operators, and land managers across New South Wales and the ACT, and we share the resources you can act on immediately.We also come back to a core issue we see everywhere in the outdoor sector: people are stepping into leadership without being shown how to lead. That’s where confidence drops and decisions get harder, even for capable, caring professionals. We explain why the Pinnacle Leadership Programme exists, what mentorship and structure can unlock, and who should consider applying for the next cohort.From there, we look at the wider operating environment. We talk about fuel conservation messaging and why “there’s more at stake than fuel” for regional tourism, regional jobs, and the small businesses that rely on travel. We outline ways to support the pledge campaign, and we flag two major business changes: Superpay Day from July 1 and the end of credit card surcharges from October 1, 2026. We also point you to industry tools and updates, including the Jobs and Skills Australia training pathways dataset, dirt jump facility planning guidelines, outdoor industry standards, and key dates for upcoming masterclasses, conferences, and the NSW ACT Outdoor Industry Awards.If you want fewer surprises and better plans for the year ahead, hit play, share this with someone in your team, and leave a review so more outdoor operators can find it. What change is most likely to impact your operations right now?Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

April 20, 2026Episode 1023 min

Leadership Programs And Compliance Changes For Outdoor Operators

Send us Fan MailOutdoor work changes fast, and the small details can have big consequences for safety, staffing, and cash flow. We’re sharing a live, practical briefing for the outdoor industry across NSW and the ACT, with the updates we’re seeing right now and the actions that help operators stay ahead. We also reflect on the uniquely Australian “she’ll be right” mindset and why a national preparedness focus can keep that spirit while reducing avoidable risks like driving through floodwaters or skipping basic safety gear. We get specific on operations and compliance: how current fuel shortages are affecting providers and why adding your voice to the sector survey matters for advocacy. We walk through key Australian Taxation Office support options for businesses under pressure, then dig into one of the biggest upcoming admin shifts for employers: payday super from July 1, 2026. We outline what to check now in payroll processes, employee data, software readiness, payment timing, and the consequences of late super payments. We also cover safety and professionalism across the sector, including AMSA changes for human-powered hire craft like kayaks and canoes, where the emphasis moves toward documented risk assessment, participant competency processes, emergency planning, and strong safety management systems. To support consistent best practice, we point to curated outdoor industry standards and a members-only employment guidance toolkit that helps employers and employees navigate pay conditions, contracts, WHS, and workforce pathways. We wrap with upcoming industry events in Jervis Bay, awards and judging opportunities, and an open invite to apply for the next Pinnacle Leadership Program cohort focused on emerging leaders and mentoring. All this hosted by our Outdoors NSW & ACT Ambassador - Ky Furneaux. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a review so more outdoor professionals can find these updates.Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

April 10, 2026Episode 934 min

Fuel Costs, Compliance Updates, And What’s Next For NSW & ACT Outdoor Operators

Send us Fan MailFuel prices are squeezing outdoor programs in ways most people never see, and adventure tourism experiences often feel the shock first. We talk through what the fuel crisis means for outdoor operators across NSW and the ACT, why media visibility matters, and how sharing real-world impacts with your peak body helps build stronger advocacy with government. If you’re dealing with cancellations, rising transport costs, or difficult decisions about delivery, you’ll hear what information is most useful to report and why it changes the conversation.We then shift into the practical compliance and business essentials that keep outdoor education, adventure tourism, nature therapists and recreation providers resilient. That includes ATO guidance for businesses under stress, plus the 1 July change requiring superannuation to be paid into an employee’s fund at the time payroll is processed. We also flag a key safety reminder around commercial vessel expectations, including how kayak and canoe hire can fall under compliance requirements, and why safety management systems, documented risk assessments, and participant briefings are more than paperwork.From there, it’s all about building capability and protecting people. Tintin shares why professional development is “sharpening the axe” for our industry, with training options spanning leadership, facilitation, climbing, paddling, and wilderness first aid, including the possibility of bespoke courses. Emma from Cancer Council NSW brings a clear, practical message on skin cancer prevention for outdoor workers and reminds us about the sun safety photo competition designed to create realistic imagery the whole sector can use to role model better habits.Subscribe for weekly outdoor industry updates, share this with a colleague who runs programs, and leave a review so more outdoor leaders can find it. What’s the biggest operational challenge you’re facing right now?Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.