RNA episode 165 has news for 16 June 2026, covering reports that recruitment and facilities management giant Programmed may be sold by its Japanese owner Persol, a Victorian labour hire firm's licence cancellation over disclosure failures, and the Federal Government's $312 million plan to overhaul Australia's employment services system. We also examine a Queensland Government policy change that restores the use of Pty Ltd contractor arrangements following industry advocacy, a New Zealand case where a recruiter won compensation after workplace harassment by a candidate, and new industry forecasts showing the Asia-Pacific staffing market continuing to outpace the rest of the world, while Australia's recruitment market is expected to remain flat. 

In Question of the Week, Adele asks Ross, "Why are you so optimistic about the future of the recruitment industry?"

Episode 164 explores the impact on the industry if rookie hiring is a thing of the past.

RNA episode 163 has news for 2 June 2026, with the outlook for Hudson creditors looking grim, more senior departures at Davidson in Melbourne,  Luke Hemmings back in the news for all the predictable reasons and SEEK's share price plumbs new lows.  In the wake of booing at US commencement ceremonies when speakers mention AI, Adele and I share our respective Gen Z daughters' disdain for AI, which prompts our question this week.

RNA episode 162 has news for 26 May 2026, features the RCSA award winners, allegations about  MEDAC's treatment of PALM scheme workers, the latest labour market update, a new CEO at Hays plc and another long-standing Melbourne staffing firm closes. In this extended episode, we unpack everything from Talent X 2026 in Melbourne and the 2026 Awards nights. 

RNA episode 161 has news for 19 May 2026, covering Ephram Stephnson's sudden online disappearance, the revolving door at the top of Adecco ANZ and company results for Ambition, Recruit Holdings and PERSOL. See why LinkedIn is pumping up their Hiring Assistant product and a depressing report on migrant worker exploitation in this country. In Question of the Week, we unpack the 2026 Federal Budget and how its likely impact on the recruitment sector. 

RNA episode 160 has news for 12 May 2026 covering the latest on the Hudson Aust administration, SEEK's latest product competing directly with their recruitment agency clients, Momentum Consulting in administration, positive news about New Zealand's labour market  and details on how you can hear Ross speak (and then sing!). Question of the Week covers the reasons Ross believes are the cause of Hudson's slide into administration. 

Cover news for the 5th of May 2026 covers  the first review in 16 years to the National Employment Standards, Jobs and Skills Australia's CEO forecasts how many Australian jobs AI will wipe out, UoQ research about younger workers' views of their older colleagues and Amazon moving into the recruitment sector. In Question of the Week, we follow up on last week's news about Hudson Australia's voluntary administration by answering additional questions about the VA process.

Episode 158 covers news for 28 April 2026, including compliance cracks, cooling demand, and shaky global performance. Hudson Australia enters administration, a Fair Work Ombudsman ruling put a spotlight on governance failures, while fresh data shows a clear shift in the market. Globally, the big staffing firms aren’t faring much better, with profits under pressure and outlooks turning cautious. Back home, SEEK data tells a similar story—job ads easing, but demand still holding in key sectors. Question of the Week is "When a recruitment agency goes into administration, what is the likely outcome?"

This week we unpack a resilient but fragile labour market as unemployment holds at 4.3% with a shift back to full-time jobs while economists warn the real impact of global shocks is still to come. We dive into mixed results from major recruiters  Hays, PageGroup and Robert Walters, revealing ongoing pressure across the sector despite pockets of growth. We also look ahead to the industry’s big night out at the RCSA Rec Gala, question the loss of independence as Sourcr is absorbed into SEEK, and examine a serious legal case brought by the Fair Work Ombudsman over alleged exploitation of a migrant worker, another stark reminder of the compliance risks facing employers today. Question of the Week is, "How do you entice a candidate to change jobs in an uncertain economy?"

RNA episode 156 has news for 14 April 2026, including the sad passing of an industry legend, a brand refresh for Six Degrees, news of the US job market and BHP's Same Job Same Pay ruling that will change the landscape of labour hire forever.  Question of the Week is, "Is old school recruiting becoming new school?