State of the Nation 2026 - explore the report, data and event Business dynamism continues to fall, with productivity growth, employing-business rates, innovation and competitiveness all below where they need to be. Skills, training and R&D investment remain below potential, with weak workplace training, falling apprenticeships and widespread skills shortages. Emissions and clean-energy uptake are moving in the right direction, but Australia must accelerate momentum to meet the 2035 target.