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PLACE has identified 6 key skills for place-based work to support the development of a national place-based workforce.

Resource Details

November 20, 2025

Data and impact, Enable, Place-based, Shared decision-making, Workforce

Place-based work is about changing how change happens – not just what is delivered, but who decides, who leads and how responsibility is shared.

The 6 key skills identified by PLACE describe the practical capabilities that make this shift possible. They are not a list of generic competencies. They are the applied skills of subsidiarity, accountability and partnership, the everyday actions and mindsets that turn these principles into practice. Together, they form the foundation of a national place-based workforce able to drive enduring change from the ground up.

The skills required have been identified through extensive desktop research of Australian frameworks, case studies and lived experience of place-based work. 

PLACE will be testing and refining these skills with communities, government, philanthropic organisations, practitioners, independent lead organisations and others doing place-based work across Australia. Your insights matter and PLACE is seeking your input to inform a national workforce strategy to be released in June 2026.

Reflection tool

Access the place-based skills reflection tool

Key skill workshop

Another way to use these skills is to pick one key skill (e.g. Leadership) to workshop with your group (for example, your community, team, organisation or network). Share the skill descriptors (found in the PDFs below) with the group and ask the following questions:

  1. Can you share an example where you used one or more of the leadership skills to serve the community? or Think of a challenge you worked through – how did these leadership skills show up?

  2. How are you currently building these skills at work?

  3. Can you identify one action you can take to further strengthen these leadership skills and qualities?

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