More than 90 per cent of Australia’s marine industry is deeply concerned about a critical lack of skilled labour, according to the latest data released by the Boating Industry Association (BIA).
The 2026 BIA National Jobs & Skills Survey has revealed the immediate and long-term workforce challenges facing the recreational boating sector nationwide, indicating that severe shortages are impacting the operational capacities and financial performance of marine businesses.
This comes at a vital time for a sector that generates an annual national turnover exceeding $10.2 billion and employs approximately 35,000 people across more than 2,000 businesses, including designers, manufacturers, retailers, marinas, and trades.
BIA CEO Andrew Fielding stated that the survey results highlight an urgent need for targeted investment in workforce development, education, and vocational training. “The 2026 National Jobs & Skills Survey confirms workforce shortages are no longer just an administrative headache—they are a direct threat to industry prosperity,” Mr Fielding said. He emphasised that 75 per cent of their members operate small family businesses, with over half experiencing direct revenue losses and nearly half losing valued customers due to an inability to find skilled workers.
Boating is ingrained in Australian culture, with almost one in five households owning a watercraft and over 5 million Australians participating in boating activities each year. Mr Fielding noted, “If our businesses cannot build and service vessels, it directly impacts the lifestyle of millions of everyday Australians.”
The survey illustrates the immediate challenges faced by marine employers:
– 90.1% of businesses express concern over the lack of skilled labour
– 88.4% are anxious about the widening shortage of apprentices
– 52.1% are experiencing immediate, direct revenue losses
– 42.1% are managing ongoing project delays and delivery backlogs.
The demand for technical trade talent is heavily concentrated in core maritime specialisations. Shipwrights and Boat Builders are the most sought-after apprentices at 38.8%, followed by Marine Mechanics (21.5%) and Marine Trimmers (12.4%). These skills are crucial for maintaining the national fleet, where family runabouts up to 6m—such as the classic ‘tinnie’—comprise more than 90 per cent of all registered vessels.
In addition to traditional trades, there is a growing need for general operational capabilities, with 48.2% of businesses looking to hire non-trade skilled workers and 25.9% seeking sales and marketing professionals.
With 71.9% of marine businesses actively recruiting over the past year, the survey assessed the effectiveness of various employment channels. Mainstream corporate platforms like Seek have the highest usage rate at 70.3%, with a 35.6% employer success rate. However, the specialised BIA-owned platform Marine Jobs is used by 35.9% of the sector, achieving a 34.8% success rate, effectively competing with Seek at a lower cost.
The data also highlights the power of relationship-driven, localised recruitment. Word-of-mouth networks are used by 67.2% of businesses, generating a 37.2% success rate, while structured school and college engagement programs achieved a 37.5% success rate from a 25.0% industry usage rate.
Mr Fielding remarked, “The data proves that a multi-pronged, targeted approach works best. While mass-market boards have a role, specialised platforms like Marine Jobs, combined with grassroots school engagement and word-of-mouth, provide the most financially viable pathways to secure the next generation of marine professionals.”
The BIA, as a not-for-profit body, focuses on reinvesting surpluses back into the growth, safety, and promotion of the boating lifestyle. They remain committed to collaborating with State and Federal governments, training providers, and their membership base to bridge the skills gap and protect small family businesses while promoting world-class marine career paths.
For information on BIA go to: www.bia.org.au which connects with Marine Jobs – Marine Industry | Australia & New Zealand
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