Leadership Programs And Compliance Changes For Outdoor Operators

Outdoor 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.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:01

Welcome to the Outdoors New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory, weekly Outdoor Industry Connect and Share Forum, where ideas thrive, collaborations spark, and our industry comes together to grow. Let's connect, share, and make an impact. This episode is recorded live with our professional outdoor friends and provided post-event as a resource for the outdoor industry.

Leadership Programs And New Projects

SPEAKER_02 0:25

Hello, welcome to uh this Connect and Share. Um, I'd like to acknowledge that I'm on the traditional lands of the Wadarong country and pay my respects to the elders past and present. Um, and I extend that respect to all Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders people, and we recognize their continuing connection to the lands, water, and culture, and thank them for caring for the country for tens of thousands of years. So, um, yes, down here by in Torquay, just outside of Melbourne. Um, and she's asked me to introduce myself. Um, there's most of you, I think, know who I am. Um, I'm the programs manager for the Pinnacle Leadership Program, and I'm also the outdoor ambassador for Outdoors New South Wales and ACT. Um, she's asked me to let you know what we're currently up to, and at the moment we are nearing the end of the second year of cohorts for the Pinnacle Leadership Program. So that's exciting. This is the moment where sort of everybody makes those heart moments and we pull it all together. We had an amazing workshop with Beck Fox, who um is helping people get leadership action plans into place. Um, and I'm also doing a few joint um projects with Outdoors New South Wales, including Screen Time to Green Time, which is like encouraging kids to get outside and help parents um like learn how to get kids outside, and then a national preparedness program is also on the cards. So just looking at why Australians continue not to take first aid kits out there and drive through flood waters. So it's just looking at the Australian the psyche of Australian she'll be right, and we don't want to crush that beautiful she'll be right attitude, but we just want people to just take a second thought before they before they step into that floodwaters, um, and just think about the consequences of some of these, you know, staying late with bushfires. And so it's a bit of a national preparedness program that we're getting off and running. And as I was sort of saying before we started, we're also um close to getting funding for our men's leadership program, which I'm super excited about. And uh, you know, it's a spark of an idea from a man who sits here among us today. David, you came up to me that day at the conference and said, Well, what about our what about our male leaders? And from that moment on, I've been determined to make sure that we uh have a leadership program for men as well. So we're getting close, and I look forward to being able to announce that we can launch that hopefully sometime in the next couple of months. Um so Laurie has shared some neat nose with me to get you all up to speed. And this week we had the Blue Mountains Guiding Awards, where our very own Maddie Alaprandi from the Outdoor Leaders Committee took out Guide of the Year. So like to congratulate Maddie and all those that got some fun awards too, such as Recce Rescue of the Year and the Groundhog Day Award, um, the one that visited Empress Canyon the most. So here's a quick snapshot of the night for you all, and hopefully the sound just plays one. That sounds to me like the music was playing double, but that might just been the song. So I'd like to say Laurie chose the music for that.

SPEAKER_01 4:32

Uh no no affiliation, but you know, we get the gist and you might have invented a whole new uh music uh genre. Yeah.

unknown 4:43

I know.

Industry News And Fuel Shortage Survey

ATO Support And Payday Super Changes

Marine Safety Rules For Hire Craft

Industry Standards And Employment Toolkit

Jervis Bay Events And Industry Awards

Sun Safety Photo Competition

SPEAKER_02 4:44

Um and in addition, the outdoors New South Islands at ACT is um ACT held is held its, that's it, held its April board meeting keeping the strategy and governance for the organization on track. And so now we're gonna get on to some more news news, looking at um a reminder to everybody to complete this survey if you haven't already about the fuel shortages that are impacting our operations. So this helps with advocacy needs and keeps your peak body informed so that we can assist you best. So um, yeah, just interested in hearing about how the fuel shortages are affecting everybody, so we can help move forward with that. Um, and a reminder that the ATO is there to assist if you've been impacted with revenue and cash flow. So they've implemented a few changes. Um, as you can see here, they've streamlined access to more flexible payment plan arrangements, including longer payment terms, no upfront payment, and access to general interest charge remission where payment and lodgement conditions are met. So remission of GIC and other penalties, uh, high fuel costs will be a relevant factor in consideration of additional requests for remission and support to vary pay as you go. So page E instalments where there's been a reduction in taxable income. And for those employers, you need to get organized as the super payment changes come into effect on July 1st. So from July 1st, 2026, you have to pay super into your employees' fund for each payday. So act now to ensure you're ready by preparing your payroll and cash flow processes, checking your software will support reporting qualifying earnings, checking your employees' information is correct. If you're receiving errors now, you'll need to review this data and fix the errors before July 1st, and understanding how long it takes for your super payments to reach employees' funds, knowing where rejected payment errors could appear and how to fix them immediately, and leaving the ATO's small business super clearing house. I guess that's the SBSCH, and downloading your transaction history if you're a current user, understanding the consequences of late payments and knowing the key dates. So you can visit the ato.gov.au backslash payday super for all the latest information on that. There's also changes in AMSA certification that came into effect last year, and maybe some providers aren't up to date. So she's provided us with this content so you can ensure that you can update your system. So the AMSA Marine Order 504, Certificates of Operation National Law 2024, and this is about small commercial kayaks and canoes for hire and use. So if it's human-powered, you no longer need a certificate of operation, but you must have a fit-for-purpose safety management system, a good documented risk assessment, clear participant competency and briefing processes, proper emergency planning and safety equipment, and also records to show how the operation is being managed safely. Now, the Outdoor Council of Australia has been able to negotiate a curated set of 35 standards that are relevant to parts of the outdoor industry. And you can get access to the 35 standards for one small fee. And if you're an Outdoors New South Wales and ACT member, you can apply the code sent to you in your email last week to get another 10% off. So also, if you want a mobile app version, you pay just over$100, which is a huge saving to have access to these important standards. Please note that this also includes the ISO, so standard 4980 benefit risks analysis for recreation. And go to the OCA News website for the links you need. Obviously, that's the website link there if you wanted to check that out. Now the employment guidance toolkit is available on the members portal, and this is a guide on what employers and employees need to know when it comes to their own knowledge in employment needs. So this guide has been produced because it supports employers and employees with practical guidance on pay conditions, career pathways, and workplace safety. It's designed as both a conversation starter and a reference tool for day-to-day employment questions in the sector and applies not only to employees but also to contractors, volunteers, trainees, and other work arrangements. It's for outdoor leaders, facilitators, and instructors. It's for outdoor organization employees and recruiters, employees across full-time, part-time, and casual roles, independent contractors, volunteers, trainees, and other work arrangements, and industry bodies and peak organizations. And what the guide includes. So the content is split into employee guidance, employer guidance, and broader industry context. There's foundation principles with diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, and outdoor employment pathways. So for employees, you've got pay, awards, and conditions, contracts, probation and ending employment, WHS and working conditions, personal vehicles, equipment and reimbursements, employment status tax, super and post-employment obligations. And it does include employee checklist and support contacts. And for employers, you've got building, got the ability to build a stable workforce and onboarding as well, employment status and labor hire arrangements, awards, pay structure, and inclusive practices, health, safety, well-being, and reasonable management action, shifts, cancellations, vehicles, insurance, and documentation. And it also includes an employer checklist for practical implementation. So this is currently available to members only. Now, speaking of the tax time, but July will be here before we know it. And we have some great events for the industry in the lineup. We have the masterclass, which I'm going to be attending and pretty excited about, uh, the industry awards, which I'll be there for as well, and the outdoor learning conference, which I'm hoping to be there for. So these are all held in Jervis Bay. Um masterclass is 15th, 16th of July, industry awards the night of the 16th of July, or the evening afternoon, and then um the outdoor learning conference is 17th, 18th of July. So the masterclass is for senior managers or owners of outdoor organizations. The content will provide all the topics that will be opportunities or disruptors to the outdoor business in the next years. So this will equip you with what you need to know. Um gold members attend for no cost, 300 plus point members for 10,$110. Almost said$10. Everybody rushing for that one. 200 plus points. Members will attend for 210, and then members will be 380. Um, the last day we'll also see the awards being held that night. Tickets will be open soon. But applications are open now. So get your application in to be in the running for some great exposure for your organization. Um, and Laurie will also see. Oh, I don't know whether she's saying I'll see you at the awards. Yeah, so I'll see you. I'll see you at the awards night because I'll be the uh MC that night. So looking forward to seeing you all there, and of course, we'll be awarding certificates for the Pinnacle Leadership Program Um completions then as well. So it's going to be a great fun night. Um, these are the categories that you can enter for the industry awards. So the questions are structured to help you think about your business, what you've done in the past, and what you can do in the future. This is an opportunity to reflect on your business or organization or on yourself. So there's also two categories that are not able to be entered directly, but all entrants are entered automatically. Not sure what they are, but some of the um the individual recognition awards are emerging outdoor educational practitioner, emerging outdoor professional, outdoor educational practitioner, service to outdoor education, outstanding contribution to the outdoor industry. The oh, there they are, the major awards that are not open for direct entry are outdoor organization of the year. So this will be selected by the judging panel from eligible finalists across the organizational categories, and the industry choice award. So this award will be determined from eligible finalists across categories with the voting mechanism. There's also some program and organization awards which include education program, exemplary program, education organization of the year, adventure tourism organization of the year, therapy organization of the year, recreational, recreation organization of the year, adventure event of the year, outdoor play award, and supporting organization of the year. So get in there and get a part of it. Um apparently we need judges. So final call for judges, as this will close next week. So if you want to support the industry and um and help Laurie with judging that, uh then it will help you evaluate businesses and provide feedback for the future. So I guess click the QR code if you want to be one of the judges. That'd be great. So as a reminder, here are the key dates that you need to know. Gosh, she's made this so small. I can hardly do it with my glasses. Um 27th of February, the awards open for applications. 10th of May, awards closed for submissions. 13th to 31st of May is the judging period. Um I'm gonna guess that's 15th of May to the 10th of June, perhaps. People's choice voting opens, and then 9th of June, Judges Deliberation Day, and then the awards evening is the 16th of July. There's some little black writing underneath all of that. I can't read it, so if you think it's important, just zoom in. We'll see what it is. Um, then the outdoor learning conference will be the following two days where teachers, facilitators, and educators get together to share more knowledge on how to get more kids outdoors more often. So there's a great lineup of presentations, all at the Trinity Grammar School Field Studies Campus in Jervis Bay. So that's on the 17th and 18th of July. And this competition here is closing soon. So get your photos in to get free promotion and a chance to win some great prizes. Um I'm not sure what that is with this competition. I haven't seen it, but um does anyone wanna? Oh, the sun safety.

SPEAKER_00 17:11

Does anyone want to um yeah, it's just uh it's asking people to submit their photos of them being sun safe. Um I think it's sponsored by the the Cancer Council and they're offering a share of$950 for for photos that they can then use in promoting sun safety.

Pinnacle Leadership Cohort Applications And Mentoring

SPEAKER_02 17:28

Excellent, thank you so much. Um, yeah, so the sun safety, get your photos in and um win a share of$950. Now we're on to the pinnacle leadership program. So I had a little bit of a chat about that in the beginning. Um uh so to share a little bit more about the pinnacle leadership program, I'm gonna show you a little video first. Something I see a lot, something I see a lot in the is people stepping into leadership. People stepping into leadership being shown, actually being shown. They're capable, but they're figuring it out as they're figuring it out as confidence drop and that's the way it's gonna be a good thing. Decision making gets harder, decision making gets harder than things start to feel a bit. Because leadership isn't leadership isn't just a spider. It is a special thing. That's why we created the pinnacle. That's why we created the pinnacle leadership people, the structure, mental structure, mentorship, and step into leadership, step into leadership, and clarity, and that sounds like where you're that sounds like you have a chat. Hopefully, have a chat. You're hopefully in the right direction with your starting to August 2020. Hopefully, I don't have to tell you twice. No, yeah, I don't know what's going on there.

SPEAKER_01 18:51

You're getting double feedback there. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 18:53

Yeah, so I think we'll just post up that um video separately. Yeah, I'm not sure what's going on with the audio there. It seems to be um I don't want to touch the background bit because um I don't know if I'll be able to get it back. So uh we'll post up that video on just talk to the stuff, that'll be fine.

SPEAKER_01 19:15

Yeah, okay, great.

Final Thanks And Next Week Preview

SPEAKER_02 19:17

Yeah, so um as that said, we're just opening the applications for the third cohort for the Pinnacle Leadership Program. Um, and what we're really looking for in this next cohort is the emerging leaders of um of the outdoors. So the real push with this one is going to be people who are either still in university and training to be in the outdoors or new leaders within companies. Um and you know, so if there's anyone that you're seeing that's just starting out, they're not sure where to go within the industry, they and you feel like this government subsidized program would be right for them, just let them know that there's more information on the website. Um, it it really is a fantastic program. Like I've seen it change so many lives, and mainly, you know, it's such a strange mix of people that we get within it. Like we get the 22-year-old guides just starting out looking for um some strong female leadership influences and mentoring, and then you know, we get people who are changing career or just looking to expand their skill sets, um, you know, anywhere up to sort of 60-65, which is incredible because it just goes to show that the mentoring system that we have in place and also the nine module program just really has an ability to create change across the board for women. There's one-on-one mentoring, so every participant of the program gets an incredible female mentor that's working within the industry, and plus access to myself and Laurie if they need a little bit of extra help, and then it's really the program's set up to take everyone on a journey. Um, and you know, we start with getting to know yourself a little bit and then looking at who you are as a leader, and then it sort of wraps it into organizational leadership, and then brings it all back to you know those things being intrinsically part of who you are and the journey that you take within the industry. So I've really thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it, and we do have these nine modules, and we have incredible women who come in and speak to those nine modules. And um, at the end of it, there's always these moments like the last assignment that we just Was looking at someone who inspires you, a female leader that inspires you in the outdoors. So I've been marking the assignments, and uh there are beautiful presentations on just incredible women and uh the change that they have been able to enact within the industry. So it always makes me smile. Um and if you know of anybody that this program might work for, um, whether they're just looking for a change in their life or looking to step into their leadership uh journey, just let them know uh they can find the access to that on the Outdoors New South Wales site. Um and that was the last slide. So uh apparently I just have to thank everyone for your time today. So thank you very much for stepping on and let you know that Laurie will be back next week with more news from the outdoors for the outdoors.

SPEAKER_01 23:00

Thank you for joining the weekly Outdoor Industry Connect and Share Forum, brought to you by Outdoors New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory, your peak body for the outdoor industry. Together with our members, we're shaping the future of the outdoors. See you next week for more insights and collaboration.