The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) welcomes the reinstatement of the ‘Sports Turf Manager’ occupation to the National Occupation Shortage List (OSL), released by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). This recognition confirms the significant and ongoing workforce challenges facing employers across the sports turf management sector and highlights the importance of strengthening national strategies to support skills development.

The OSL plays a critical role in Australia’s workforce planning framework. Managed by JSA, the list identifies occupations experiencing genuine shortages across the country and within each state and territory. It provides industry, government and employers with evidence-based insights to assess labour market pressures, understand where skills are in demand and plan future workforce and training investment.

With ‘Sports Turf Manager’ now reinstated to the list, organisations employing turf professionals – such as golf clubs, sportsfields and grounds, stadiums, racecourses, local councils and other turf facilities – will benefit from clearer national recognition of the recruitment challenges the industry faces. The OSL supports informed decision-making in areas such as training strategy, workforce planning, migration settings and industry development, ensuring employers have access to the skilled professionals they need to maintain high-quality playing surfaces and safe community sporting environments.

For the sports turf management industry, this reinstatement brings significant advantages. It strengthens the visibility of the profession within national policy settings, validates the widespread shortages faced by employers and supports long-term planning to address critical skills gaps.

Importantly, the listing will also play a key role in the work currently underway to reinstate sports turf management qualifications to the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List, helping ensure that training and apprenticeship pathways remain accessible, well-supported and aligned with industry workforce needs.

ASTMA CEO Mark Unwin says the reinstatement reflects the sector’s importance in supporting Australian sport, recreation and community facilities.

“Sports turf management is a highly technical, specialised profession and employers across the country have been feeling the pressure of workforce shortages for years,” he said. “Having ‘Sports Turf Manager’ recognised on the OSL is a critical step forward – it provides the evidence base needed to support stronger workforce planning, protect skills pipelines and reinforce the value of the profession nationally.”

The ASTMA acknowledges the extensive support received throughout this process and extends sincere thanks to the individuals, organisations, golf and sports clubs, local councils and state associations who contributed submissions, data and letters of support over the past 12 months. Their collective effort played a crucial role in strengthening the case for reinstatement and reinforcing the significance of the profession within Australia’s sporting and recreation landscape.

The reinstatement of ‘Sports Turf Manager’ to the National Occupation Shortage List marks a significant milestone for the industry and lays a strong foundation for continued advocacy, improved training pathways and a sustainable, skilled workforce for the future.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Occupation Shortage List (OSL).