The Outdoor Industry's Current State: Challenges and Growth Areas

The latest Outdoor Industry Census has revealed startling insights into the state of the outdoor industry, highlighting a critical workforce crisis amidst shifting participant trends and emerging opportunities.

Most alarming is the continued decline in staff numbers—from approximately 75,000 workers pre-COVID to just 43,719 in 2024, with a further projected drop to 42,000 in 2025. This workforce shortage exists despite organisations reporting capacity to immediately employ 14,000 additional qualified staff to meet current demand. Wilderness First Aid certifications and Certificate III qualifications remain most sought-after, underscoring a persistent skills gap that hampers industry growth.

The data reveals fascinating shifts in participant trends. While traditional outdoor recreation has experienced a 7% decline and outdoor education numbers have dipped slightly, adventure tourism has grown by 17%, and outdoor therapy services have surged by an impressive 43%. These emerging sectors represent significant growth opportunities but require specialised skills that differ from traditional outdoor leadership roles. Bushwalking remains the most conducted activity, followed by camping and paddle sports, with mountain biking rising to fourth place—reflecting its growing popularity across Australia.

Perhaps most concerning is the drop in the industry's Net Promoter Score from 33 to just 14, indicating fewer professionals would recommend careers in the outdoor sector. This decline in industry satisfaction, coupled with an annual staff attrition rate of 16%, creates a perpetual recruitment challenge. Rising operational costs, workforce shortages, and land access barriers were identified as the primary factors preventing organisations from maximising their potential.

Looking ahead, the outdoor industry must address these workforce challenges through improved visa pathways for skilled workers, increased investment in accredited training, better mental health support for staff, and innovative approaches to seasonal employment patterns. Despite these challenges, the growing demand for nature-based experiences—particularly in tourism and therapeutic contexts—presents exciting opportunities for those prepared to adapt. The future remains bright for Australia's outdoor industry, provided we collaborate effectively to overcome these workforce hurdles and embrace emerging market trends.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome and Acknowledgments
• 1:10 Weekly Updates and Announcements
• 7:28 Upcoming Events and Professional Development
• 14:12 2024-2025 Industry Census Results
• 23:12 Workforce Challenges and Participant Trends
• 31:22 Key Takeaways and Future Directions