Following feedback that a current lack of adequate career services is having a negative impact on the labour market, the Victorian Chamber has devised 29 recommendations to improve the future of careers services nationally.

The Victorian Chamber is always looking forward and we know workforces are integral to our economic success, which is why we were proud to release our career services policy paper, Boosting Business with Career Services.

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s announcement of a rates increase cast a gloomy shadow over Tuesday's Melbourne Cup celebrations. The decision will impact both businesses and households, exerting additional pressure on those already struggling to make ends meet. The Chamber is cognisant of this strain and we remain committed to supporting and advocating for measures to alleviate the burden on our members.

The WorkCover scheme is broken and no longer fit for purpose. It needs to change in order to survive.

We have been closely engaged with Spring Street this week as the Parliament considers new legislation to overhaul Victoria’s archaic WorkCover scheme. The Victorian Chamber continues to advocate strongly for a fair and sustainable scheme that remains accessible to workers and affordable for businesses.

Melbourne Chamber member Yarra Trams’ operator Keolis Downer is linking with North Melbourne Football Club on providing pathways for women into the rail industry.

A new initiative created with input from the Victorian Chamber is providing a platform for industry to co-design training with TAFEs and dual-sector universities.

The Federal Government yesterday announced that more than half a billion dollars’ worth of measures will be dedicated to Australia’s landmark cyber security strategy until 2030, which includes $290.8 million to uplift small and medium businesses, $143 billion to defend critical infrastructure and $129.7 million to build regional cooperation and resilience.

I wanted to ensure you are kept across the WorkCover Bill amendments. We have been working with both the Government and Opposition to ensure they understand a premium increase beyond CPI is not acceptable. We also continue to state that we support necessary changes to make the scheme sustainable. We all need it.

From struggling to attend primary school to now thriving in the workplace, 2023 Victorian Trainee of the Year Rebecca Hope is paving the way for youth and disability employment.

Our final major event of the year - our inspirational Women in Business lunch, featuring a captivating conversation between our brilliant MC, Alicia Loxley, and our distinguished guest, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC CVO - has been the highlight of my week.

I have spent the morning representing the Chamber at the State Parliamentary Inquiry into WorkCover to ensure the views of business are heard.

This year the Victorian Chamber released a careers campaign addressing a lack of adequate career services for students, graduates and workers in Australia.

As the end of the year approaches, most workers will enjoy a break and then set goals for next year.

Growth. It's a concept we need to get familiar with again. It will dominate discussion over the next few years, and so it should.

There’s one recurring question I’ve been asked over recent weeks: “What’s your outlook for 2024?”