Australia’s $430 billion retail sector is a cornerstone of the economy, employing one in ten Australians. Dominated by small to medium-sized businesses, retailers connect communities, reinvest in local economies, and support Australian producers.
With the federal election approaching, policymakers must recognise retail’s role in economic growth, employment, and community wellbeing. A strong policy framework can enhance business confidence, productivity, and investment in workforce and innovation.
This election platform, established in collaboration with the National Retail Assocation, outlines a strategic vision for a thriving retail sector. We urge all political parties to adopt these policies in their commitments.
POLICY BLUEPRINT 2025:
Thriving Retail for a Prosperous Australia
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) present this election platform as a roadmap for strengthening the sector. It outlines key policy priorities to drive growth, improve workforce participation, and build a sustainable, resilient industry. We are calling on all political parties to commit to reforms that support the future of Australian retail, as well as the millions of workers and businesses that depend on its success.
Download the full Policy Blueprint 2025 to explore the path forward.
SNAPSHOT: ELECTION PRIORITIES
PRIORITY 1: EMBRACE A GROWTH MINDSET
Given the important role that the retail sector plays in driving economic growth, we seek
government policies that:
- Support the economic impact generated by the retail sector;
- Restore business confidence, particularly for small and medium businesses;
- Increase consumer confidence and disposable income;
- Apply downward pressure on business costs; and
- Reduce complexity by driving national alignment on state matters
PRIORITY 2: GROW THE RETAIL WORKFORCE
To create more jobs and strengthen our position as Australia’s largest private sector
employer, we seek polices that:
- Drive productivity through a flexible workplace relations system;
- Support triparate efforts to provide safe and inclusive workplaces;
- Connect people from diverse backgrounds with retail jobs;
- Co-invest in vocational training to upskill our sector; and
- Address residual vacancies and skills gaps through migration.
PRIORITY 3: COLLABORATE ON COMMUNITY OUTCOMES
To create a more resilient, sustainable and future-focused sector, we need to partner with
government on policies that:
- Accelerate collaboration efforts to reduce instances of retail crime;
- Navigate cyber security and the responsible use of technology;
- Accelerate our transition to the low-carbon, circular economy;
- Improve resilience of the local and global supply chain; and
- Drive investment in community infrastructure.
Latest News
Media Release
Retail recovery key to an economic recovery
Getting the retail sector back on its feet must be a priority in the Federal Election, with retail contributing almost one fifth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said today.
ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown says retail contributes $430 billion annually to Australia’s economy and is the largest private sector employer, making it a cornerstone of community wellbeing.
Media Release
Fed Budget: Retailers welcome modest cost of living measures, but business support a missed opportunity
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said the Federal Government’s modest cost of living measures in today’s federal budget, including delayed tax cuts, energy, health care, student debt relief and pensioner measures, may have a flow-on effect to consumer confidence.
Media Release
Retail Leaders Urge Government to Strengthen Industry Resilience in Federal Budget
Increased support for small to medium sized business (SMB), national harmonisation of retail industry regulations, federal government leadership on retail crime and strengthened supply chain infrastructure are among the priorities for retailers ahead of the upcoming federal budget.
Media Release
Retail sector releases Federal Election Priorities
The retail sector has released its federal election priorities, calling on political leaders to adopt a growth-focused, forward-thinking approach to the sector which contributes more than 18% to Gross Domestic Product and employs one in ten Australians.
Downloadable Resources
With the upcoming federal election on the horizon, the ARA is committed to keeping the retail industry informed and prepared. This page provides our members and partners with key resources to navigate the election period, including policy insights, advocacy priorities, and tools to engage with policymakers.
Downloadable resources:
