This briefing summarises the key outcomes of the Economic Reform Roundtable held in Canberra on 19–21 August 2025. The Roundtable brought together business, unions, experts, and government leaders to build consensus on reforms to lift productivity, strengthen economic resilience, and ensure budget sustainability.

At a Glance

• Dates: 19–21 August 2025, Canberra
• Focus: Productivity, Economic Resilience, Budget Sustainability
• Key proposals with momentum: cutting ~500 tariffs, competition & approvals reform, digital payments/tokenisation pilots, AI adoption via AI Adopt Centres, faster skills recognition.
• Main contention: ACTU training levy proposal (opposed by business, no traction).
• Approach: Practical, budget-neutral or positive reforms only.

Main Themes & Outcomes

1. Skills, Training & Workforce

– Broad support for faster skills recognition and employer-led training.
– ACTU’s proposed payroll-based training levy was rejected by business and not taken up further.
– Migration settings and education pathways will be refined to better meet workforce needs.

2. Competition, Regulation & Approvals

– National Competition Policy reboot backed by a $900m fund.
– Cutting ~500 nuisance tariffs to simplify compliance.
– Streamlined planning, zoning, and approval processes.
– Merger law reform and greater regulator coordination to improve market dynamism.

3. Technology, AI & Digital Infrastructure

– Establishment of AI Adopt Centres to support SMEs in technology uptake.
– Expansion of Digital ID and payments system reform.
– Tokenised asset pilots to modernise financial services infrastructure.

4. Budget Sustainability & Tax

– Emphasis on reforms that are budget-neutral or positive.
– Simplification and efficiency measures, not major new tax burdens.
– Stronger alignment of fiscal settings with long-term investment.

5. Housing, Energy & Care Sector

– Focus on delivery capacity through faster approvals and modern construction methods.
– Net zero transition investment and energy market design.
– Continued reforms in NDIS, aged care, and health to improve efficiency and workforce resilience.

What This Means for SMEs & Advisors

– Tariff simplification could reduce costs for importers; review client exposure.
– Approvals reform and adoption of international standards may speed up projects.
– Payments system reforms and tokenisation may offer new tools for cash flow management.
– AI support centres present opportunities for affordable adoption of automation.
– Skills recognition changes may ease hiring challenges.

Action Checklist (Next 90 Days from the Roundtable meeting)

• Map tariff exposure for importing clients.
• Review payments systems and prepare for reforms.
• Identify workflows suitable for AI pilot projects.
• Update clients on streamlined skills and migration pathways.
• Assist clients in construction/energy with approvals acceleration opportunities.