Outdoor Industry Connect & Share Forums

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Episodes

164

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-US

About the show

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

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60 recent

October 16, 2026Episode 3448 min

A Bushfire-Ready Outdoor Industry

Send us Fan Mail A single bad habit can light the match, and a single missed update can trap a group on the wrong side of a closure. We sit down with Catherine from NSW RFS, joined by Oliver, to translate bushfire information into practical decisions for outdoor education, adventure tourism, camps, and guiding across New South Wales and the ACT. We start with the current spring seasonal outlook, what early fire activity is telling us, and why a “normal” season can still create serious risk when rain-driven grass growth cures fast in warm, dry weather. From there, we get into operator-ready preparation: stress testing your bushfire plan before peak season, making sure new staff know where to find it, and setting clear go or no-go trigger points that match group age, size, transport, and remoteness. We talk about access for fire appliances, the real-world consequences of parking near gates, and how to plan around black spots with backup comms like radio, check-ins, and other redundancies when networks fail. We also break down the tools that keep you informed, including the Hazards Near Me app, the RFS website, alerts and warnings, major fire updates, and how hazard reduction burns appear on the map. Then we connect the dots between fire danger ratings, total fire bans, ember attack, and the small field habits that prevent accidental ignitions such as securing trailer chains and not parking over long grass. If you work across multiple land managers with different closure triggers, you will hear language you can use to build smarter escalation pathways and safer briefings. If this helps your team, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review so more outdoor leaders can find it before the next bad fire day. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

October 13, 2026Episode 3319 min

Outdoor Industry Field Notes

Send us Fan Mail Outdoor operators don’t need more noise, they need the right updates at the right time. We recorded this Outdoors NSW ACT Connect and Share Forum live to give you a clear run-down of what’s moving across the outdoor industry in New South Wales and the ACT, plus what to do next if you’re responsible for programs, staff, compliance, or business growth. We start with sector notes from the 2026 NOEC conference, then get into one of the biggest policy conversations on the table: the Outdoor Council of Australia launching a physical petition to increase federal government awareness of outdoor education and begin the push toward an outdoor education bill, similar to current efforts in the UK. We explain the path from physical signatures to broader state and territory petitions, the search for parliamentary colleagues, and the longer timeline aiming toward early 2027. From there, we move through practical operational items: OCA’s rebrand and updated logo use, the release of AAAS Standard 2.0 and the Core Good Practice Guide 2.0, and a VET review update webinar designed for real questions from providers. We also highlight upcoming tourism and operator resources like Destination NSW webinars, the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) for nationwide distribution, NPWS planning feedback deadlines, grant opportunities, and the Rail Trails Conference. Finally, we cover risk readiness and culture including bird flu vigilance, an RFS fire season briefing, AGM timing, and a featured segment from Mark Roach on free Child Safe workshops in the Illawarra that tackle Child Safe Standards, risk including online safety, and de-escalation skills. If this helps you stay ahead, subscribe so you don’t miss the next forum, share it with a colleague who runs outdoor programs, and leave a quick review so more operators can find these updates. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

September 25, 2026Episode 3221 min

Outdoor Leaders Prepare for October Policy Changes and Summer Season Risk

Send us Fan Mail Big shifts are stacking up fast for outdoor operators, educators, and adventure tourism teams across NSW and the ACT and we don’t want you caught reacting at the last minute. We share on-the-ground industry updates, from the sod turning at the future fully accessible Y Camp at Yarramundi to celebrating Urban Challenge’s 20-year impact, plus what we’re hearing as we head into the National Outdoor Education Conference in Cairns. If you care about the health of the outdoor sector, these are the signals worth tracking. We also dig into what’s changing at a national level, including the refreshed Outdoor Council of Australia direction and the release of the Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS) and the Core Good Practice Guide. We talk about how to start thinking through the operational impact, where to look first in your safety system, and how advocacy fits into the bigger picture through a petition pushing for every student to get outdoors at every stage of schooling. On the workforce and compliance side, we outline the upcoming HumanAbility industry forum on the VET review, why the pause and regroup matters, and how to bring informed questions that improve the outcome for training and qualifications. You’ll also hear timely prompts on the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Establishment Plan consultation, accessibility and inclusion webinars, the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) masterclass, grant opportunities, bird flu vigilance, payment surcharge changes, and practical safety support like the SafeWork small business rebate and pre-season weather and fire briefings. We wrap with a leadership takeaway you can use immediately: the Five Cs of outdoor leadership, ending with the one that matters most, Change. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a review so more outdoor professionals can find it. What’s the one update you’re acting on this week? Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

September 20, 2026Episode 3124 min

Can Better Standards Grow A Stronger Outdoors Economy

Send us Fan Mail The outdoor industry doesn’t get a slow news cycle and this week proves it. We’re coming to you live from the Outdoors NSW and ACT Connect and Share Forum with the updates that outdoor operators, outdoor educators, guides, and recreation businesses actually need to act on, not just “be aware of.” We start with the good stuff: a big community milestone as Dynamic Motivation celebrates 15 years at Stromlo Mountain, plus a reminder of what outdoor education can look like when it’s done with heart and intention, including Blue Gum Community School’s approach and the joy of kids heading off on camp. We also celebrate a major moment for adventure tourism with Sydney by Kayak’s Laura Stone named Top Tour Guide of Australia, a win that highlights how high-quality guiding and environmental care are becoming inseparable. Then we move into the practical work behind the scenes: VET and training reform updates (including the tour guide course review), what completion data tells us about participation when subsidies are available, and why advocacy for better access to training matters. We also flag the NPWS draft establishment plan and why your feedback can shape how outdoor activities fit into future national park expansions, alongside accessibility and inclusive tourism webinars and a simple explainer on the ATDW and why it’s a powerful tourism marketing tool. We wrap with the essentials: the AAAS timeline and staged release of good practice guides, current safety notices, grants and rebates, business compliance changes like credit card surcharge rules, and a packed calendar of briefings, workshops, AGMs, and child safe training. Subscribe for weekly industry intel, share this with someone who runs programs outdoors, and leave a review, what update do you want us to go deeper on next? Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

September 11, 2026Episode 3024 min

No More Surcharges, More Meetings, And A Quickdraw Recall

Send us Fan Mail A quickdraw recall, rising H5 bird flu reports, and a major change to credit card surcharges are the kind of “small” updates that can turn into big operational risk if you miss them. We recorded this live as part of the Outdoors NSW and ACT Connect and Share Forum, built for outdoor operators, guides, educators, and anyone responsible for safe, sustainable outdoor experiences. We start with a timely R U Ok check-in, then shift into real workforce and training pathways coming through events like the Hawkesbury Careers Expo, including options that let school leavers try outdoor leadership training and related qualifications before making a bigger commitment. From there we share sector-wide progress, including recognition for industry supporters and an update on the AAAS work that brings safety, sustainability, and inclusion guidance together, with some good practice guides releasing in stages after final testing and due diligence. We also cover practical risk and compliance items you can act on immediately: the UIAA brings attention to the Vertica quickdraw recall and what to look for, how to respond safely to wildlife health concerns like bird flu, and how Tourism Australia’s Green Is Our Gold toolkit can support both sustainability practice and marketing. Finally, we run through key business reminders, including new expectations around environmental claims, the October 1 credit card surcharge ban, WHS rebates, ATO small business masterclasses, upcoming training, the Uploads 2.0 feedback workshop, AGM dates, and member portal resources. If this helps you stay ahead, subscribe, share it with someone who runs programs or operations, and leave a review so more outdoor professionals can find these updates. What change are you preparing for first? Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

September 4, 2026Episode 2927 min

Bird Flu Guidance For Outdoor Leaders

Send us Fan Mail Bird flu is showing up in more places, and the outdoor industry can’t afford to treat it like someone else’s problem. We’re coming to you live from a Careers Expo, where we’re meeting students and talking about what it really takes to bring new people into outdoor guiding and outdoor leadership while keeping standards high and risks low. If you run trips, lead groups, teach outdoors, or manage venues, this is a practical check-in on what’s changing right now and what you can do about it. We walk through key sector updates, including training that supports better group outcomes (Facilitate With Intent and Lead With Intent), the current pause on the VET review, and the steady progress of the Australian Adventure Activity Standards (AAAS) and good practice guides. We also zoom in on the tools that underpin real safety learning, especially Uploads incident reporting and near miss reporting, plus what’s coming with NetHarms and the future STARS direction. Better reporting means better prevention, but only if the platform is easy enough that everyone actually uses it. Then we get specific on avian influenza risk management for the outdoors: common locations to watch (beaches, wetlands, lakes, rivers, trails, picnic areas), signs of infection in birds and even mammals, and the simple approach we want every leader to repeat to their teams and participants: avoid contact, record what you see, and report it. The goal is straightforward: protect wildlife, protect people, and reduce the chance of closures that hit operators and communities hard. If this helped, subscribe for weekly outdoor industry updates, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review. What’s the one field protocol you want your team to tighten up this month? Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

August 28, 2026Episode 2845 min

Bringing Clinical Support To Outdoor Excursions

Send us Fan Mail A kid gets a rash at camp, a wilderness first aider does the right checks, and the group still ends up in a six-hour emergency department wait for a five-minute consult. That frustration and fatigue is more than a “war story” it’s a signal that clinical care and outdoor risk management don’t always connect once the bus leaves the school gate. We start with fast, practical NSW ACT outdoor industry updates, including HumanAbility putting the Certificate II, III, and IV qualification review on hold, a recorded conversation about Duke of Edinburgh Award changes, and reminders on where to find member portal resources that support day-to-day operations. From there we zoom out to sector safety and planning. We talk grants that can help bring swimming into programs, why drowning risk remains uneven across communities, and how those realities should shape supervision, program design, and duty of care. We also preview a draft mountain biking toolkit for local government, plus a fresh survey that will feed into better trail planning and service delivery. Then Patrick from Guardiant takes us inside a new approach to clinical governance for school camps and excursions: a remote team of doctors, paramedics, and psychologists supporting pre-screening, in-field decisions, and post-incident debriefs. We dig into tele-health in remote contexts, documentation that actually helps, prescription medication kit add-ons with training, and why psychological safety and timely debriefs matter for outdoor educators facing potentially traumatising events. If you care about safer programs and more sustainable careers in outdoor education, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave us a review. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

August 21, 2026Episode 2755 min

Great Outdoor Adventure Marketing Starts With A Better Photo Library

Send us Fan Mail Your next booking might depend on a single image, and most of us don’t realize when our photo library is quietly working against us. We open with a rapid-fire pulse check on the Outdoors NSW and ACT landscape: the outdoor leadership qualification review, the push for micro-credentials that actually meet workforce needs, AGM planning, and the behind-the-scenes advocacy that keeps outdoor education and participation on the public agenda as the NSW election cycle ramps up. We also spotlight resources and funding with real-world consequences for operators and communities. That includes the Regional Australia Institute productivity report for regional businesses, Royal Life Saving Australia grants focused on multicultural community water safety, and a Play Australia position statement that helps programs balance risk and growth for young people. If you work in outdoor recreation, adventure tourism, camps, or outdoor education, these are the signals worth tracking right now. Then we hand over to commercial and adventure photographer and filmmaker Jon Harris for a practical, no-fluff breakdown of what “good content” really means. Jon explains where polished photo and video matters most, why consistent social posting beats perfection, and how to use the “three Es” to hold attention. We dig into the realities of capturing shots while guiding, when a phone is enough, when it’s worth bringing a pro along, and what to look for in a photographer so you get safe, reliable, reusable assets that match your brand. If this helped, subscribe for weekly industry insights, share it with an operator who needs better content systems, and leave a quick review so more outdoor professionals can find the show. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

August 14, 2026Episode 2628 min

The Outdoor Industry Census Reality Check

Send us Fan Mail The outdoor industry runs on passion, but passion is not a plan. We’re recorded live with our professional outdoor community, and we use this week’s Connect and Share to put real numbers behind what many providers have been feeling on the ground across New South Wales and the ACT. We start with key sector updates and community notices, then move into the heart of the session: three years of Outdoor Industry Census results. We break down how the overall industry mix stays steady across outdoor education, adventure tourism, outdoor recreation, nature therapy, and industry supporters, while outcomes inside those segments tell very different stories. Outdoor education shows a clear slide in participation and confidence, adventure tourism trends upward with stronger outlook signals, and outdoor recreation sits in a “watch and act” middle ground. We also explain why nature therapy needs a deeper data dive as wellness tourism and mental health needs grow. The workforce picture is the wake-up call. We talk churn rising from 13% to 19.5%, the growing reliance on casual staffing, and why worker shortfall becomes the top capacity constraint for the first time in the census. We quantify the scale of unmet demand, point to the biggest skills gaps (outdoor leadership qualifications and wilderness or remote first aid), and share practical benchmarks like typical revenue per participant and the wide spread of annual turnover across organizations. We close by connecting the data to what is likely driving these shifts, including cost-of-living pressure, changing community connection to outdoor education, and the difficulty of replacing experienced staff and volunteers, then we outline how we’re using this evidence for advocacy leading into future policy windows. Subscribe for weekly industry insights, share this with someone who hires or trains outdoor staff, and leave a review with the one change you think would most strengthen the outdoor sector. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

August 7, 2026Episode 2550 min

Visa Pathways For Outdoor Guides

Send us Fan Mail Parents are asking for more than grades, they want real visibility into how their kids are going socially and behaviorally at school, and they want answers fast. We walk through new McCrindle Research on communicating with today’s parents, including the channels that cut through (email still wins), what frustrates families (too many apps, too much irrelevant info), and the response times many now expect. If you run outdoor education programs, camps, or school-based experiences, these insights matter because trust is built in the small updates, not just the end-of-term report. Then we switch to the other big pressure point our sector can’t ignore: staffing. With outdoor guide shortages still extreme, migration lawyer Liz from Welcome Legal maps the visa landscape in plain English, focusing on what employers must do to stay compliant. We talk practical work rights verification, VEVO checks, contract clauses, planning ahead for visa expiries, and why bridging visas can change what you see in the system. Liz also outlines common pathways and pitfalls across visitor visas, student visa work limits, partner visas, working holiday rules, short stay specialist options, and employer-sponsored routes like the Skills in Demand 482 and Employer Nomination Scheme 186. We finish with a grounded Q&A on role wording, sponsorship timing, and where to start if you’re trying to bring a skilled outdoor professional to Australia. If this helped, subscribe, share with a colleague who hires guides, and leave a review so more outdoor employers can find it. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.