ASR is the only dedicated whole-of-services industry organisation and is part of the Global Services Coalition (GSC). Currently, services do not register sufficiently on Australia’s public policy radar. There has been no national research effort, and services do not feature in any of the Government’s national competitiveness strategies. Creating a national services competitiveness strategy is essential as they move away from a resource focused economy. With up to 1.5 billion people moving into Asia’s middle class over the next 15 years, Australia must ensure it is in the best position to take advantage of the opportunities at their doorstep.

Purpose

Services employ 85% of Australians, represent 78% of industry value-add, yet comprise only 20% of Australia’s total exports. Their purpose is to address these gaps in understanding and realise opportunities for the benefit of their members, professional service industries, SMEs, and micro-multinationals. They believe this is vitally important for all aspects of Australia’s economic, environmental, social and cultural future.

Priorities

- They seek to develop the Australian professional services sector and facilitate market opportunities for their stakeholders.
- They see services productivity, competitiveness, skills innovation and investment into human capital infrastructure pivotal to the success of professional services.
- They support and ensure efficient regulatory settings for the services sector. Australia’s success is built on this.
- They create new international services trade opportunities, investment channels and lead national research efforts to improve statistical data bases.