Will AI take my job? The future of work in Australia

Key takeaways

• Many Australians worry that employers may downsize their workforce due to AI.
• Around 13% of jobs could be automated by 2050, with more than half influenced by AI.
• Roles requiring human creativity, empathy, and complex judgment are the least likely to be majorly impacted by AI.

There’s growing concern in Australia about the impact of AI on the workforce. We’re seeing headlines about AI taking jobs everywhere. But the real story is more complex, involving both risks and new opportunities.

The Real Concerns Report 2025 found that most people fear employers will downsize their workforce (59%) or cut costs by using AI to replace jobs (57%). That anxiety isn’t unfounded. Research suggests that around 13% of jobs could be automated by 2050, with more than half expected to be influenced by AI.

AI is already transforming the workplace, automating tasks in finance, research, marketing, and data analysis. Yet, as technology reshapes existing jobs, it’s also creating new opportunities, particularly within professional services.  Besides, AI still can’t match complex human reasoning, creativity, or strategic judgment, qualities that continue to set skilled workers apart.

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

The term ‘artificial intelligence’ broadly refers to any technology that performs tasks humans typically do, essentially imitating human behaviour and intelligence. 

What is Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)?

Generative AI creates content such as text, images, and ideas. Chatbots (like ChatGPT and Claude) are one example, able to hold human-like conversations and assist with tasks. In just two years, AI has advanced beyond automation to offer reasoning, planning, and decision-making.

Impacts of AI on employment

AI is already shaking up the working world. There’s no question that artificial intelligence will replace some routine or repetitive positions, but the broader picture of AI job disruption shows many industries evolving rather than disappearing.

Demand for AI expertise has more than doubled in recent years. In 2024, 1,532 organisations (3.8% of Australian employers) sought workers with AI-related skills, up from 483 (2.7%) in 2015. This surge shows how deeply AI is becoming embedded in Australia’s workforce and business operations.

AI is rapidly becoming part of everyday work in Australia, with 84% of office-based employees now using it on the job. At the same time, the labour market is shifting toward service and high-skill roles, which accounted for nearly 90% of employment growth over the past decade, while traditional sectors like manufacturing and agriculture have declined.

These trends show a workforce that is both adapting to technological change and moving toward more technically skilled industries.

AI trends in the Australian workplace

Millions of Aussie workers are already using AI

A recent EY survey of 1,003 Australian workers who use a computer in their daily roles found that 68% used AI at work in the past month, with 26% using it daily, a clear reflection of how AI has become part of many Australians’ everyday work routines.

AI is set to boost economic growth across industries

PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer (2025) shows that industries embracing AI are reaping the biggest rewards, with revenue per employee growing three times faster and wages increasing twice as quickly. It predicts that AI will contribute US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

Aussie workplaces are still catching up with AI

A recent Salesforce survey of 1,101 Australians found only 41% feel their workplace is ready for AI, below the 48% global average and far behind countries like India (83%) and Saudi Arabia (70%).

How can AI impact primary industries in Australia?

In 2023‑24, Australian businesses ramped up research and development spending to A$24.4 billion, with AI‑related projects growing a staggering 142% since 2021‑22. The biggest investors were Professional Services (38%), Manufacturing (21%), and Financial Services (14%), proving AI is driving innovation across industries.

How AI is changing office jobs

AI is increasingly automating routine tasks such as data entry, documentation, and research and as such, we may see an impact on these types of roles in the future. We have already seen a shift in these roles in 2025 with major companies like the Commonwealth Bank of Australia who recently made headlines for replacing administrative office roles with an AI-powered chatbot.

However, the connection between AI and job loss is not all doom and gloom. It’s also creating new, more specialised or blended roles. Junior lawyers now use AI tools to handle repetitive duties, while recruiters use AI tools to screen CVs and assist in hiring decisions.

How AI is supporting healthcare professionals

AI tools such as machine learning, robotics and natural language processing help professionals analyse data more efficiently, detect health issues earlier, and tailor treatments to individual patients. Its impact is already remarkable and accelerating rapidly.

According to Deloitte, over 70% of healthcare professionals expect AI to transform the industry within the next five years, with 75% of leading providers already exploring AI and data-driven solutions.

How AI is transforming education

AI has the potential to transform education, personalising learning, supporting teachers to improve instruction, and helping students develop critical thinking through explaining ideas and evaluating perspectives.

AI and the future of farming

Over the past decade, more than A$305 billion has been invested globally in technologies that help farmers work smarter, from robotic pollinators and sensors that monitor soil health to AI systems that guide planting and harvesting decisions.

In Australia, a company called SkyKelpie uses drones to monitor livestock and guide herds, while farms are also trialling AI‑powered robots that detect and remove weeds on their own, reducing chemical use, cutting labour, and boosting crop yields.

How AI is boosting manufacturing productivity

A bakery in Queensland bought a $53m AI-powered factory in May 2024, using autonomous robots to stack trays, move racks, track product temperatures, and movement. It now produces around 270,000 baked goods per week. Another example includes Melbourne’s Automation Innovation, with Siemens, which developed an automated laser that cleans glass bottle moulds in 3 seconds, a process that previously took 1–5 hours.

Which jobs are most at risk from AI?

You may be asking yourself, “is my job safe from automation?” While there is no timeline for AI job displacement, AI is reshaping work at an unprecedented pace, with some roles at higher risk than others.  However, jobs that will be replaced by artificial intelligence tend to be those with predictable, process-driven duties, compared to roles that require human creativity and judgment.

What jobs will AI not replace?

Many roles that rely on human creativity, empathy, or leadership cannot be replaced by AI.

The ANMF (2025) highlights how “Gen AI in healthcare requires human oversight to ensure accuracy and the presentation of information that accounts for the human element of healthcare (such as responsiveness, assurance, courtesy, empathy, communication, and understanding).”

Jobs and Skills Australia predict strong growth by 2050 in occupations such as midwifery and nursing professionals, business administration managers, construction and mining labourers, cleaners, and hospitality workers.

Will AI continue to create new jobs

There is a growing debate about the jobs AI will create vs the jobs AI will replace. As AI becomes part of everyday business, roles are naturally evolving, with many people optimistic about the positive effects of AI on the job market.

As AI automates certain tasks, some roles are merging into hybrid positions while entirely new jobs are emerging that combine niche AI skills.

Global AI and automation job loss statistics from the World Economic Forum predict 9 million jobs may be displaced, with 11 million new ones also being created.

How to prepare for an AI-driven future

Ask yourself what skills to learn to stay relevant in the age of AI.

As JSA notes, unlocking AI’s potential requires “a workforce equipped with the skills, knowledge, and creativity to generate ideas, deploy new technologies, and adapt to change.”

This means continuously reskilling, focusing on human skills like creativity, empathy, and problem-solving, and using opportunities to get better at AI skills, all of which boost employability. For guidance, explore career advice for students in the age of AI and check out the Australian Academy of AI to build the skills that matter most.

How AI can be utilised for your benefit

If you’re wondering, “How can I use AI in my current job to become more productive?”, here are some of the key benefits of using AI in your current role:

• Save time: Automation handles tasks faster and more efficiently.
• Boost efficiency: 18% of Australian businesses reported improved productivity with AI.
• Make smarter decisions: 23% of Australian businesses say AI gives faster access to accurate data, enabling better-informed choices.
• Reduce mistakes: AI provides higher precision and removes human errors.
• Real-time oversight: AI lets companies track performance and analyse data in real-time — responding to problems as they arise.
• Enhance customer experience: AI leverages individual preferences data to create personalised experiences. Australians report 64% higher customer satisfaction with AI agents.
• Fuels creativity: Huge impact of generative AI on creative jobs, enhances workflows, generates fresh inspiration, and tests ideas faster.

10 tips and tricks when using AI

AI is a powerful tool, but it should always be guided by human judgment and ethical practices. Here are ten proactive steps you can take to get the best out of AI:

1. Provide clear, specific instructions and substantial context.
2. Fact-check all AI-generated content.
3. Flag inappropriate/incorrect outputs to improve the model.
4. Review data carefully to spot potential biases or inaccuracies.
5. Secure AI tools that don’t have access to sensitive information for protection against hackers.
6. Train, test, and validate algorithms to reduce the risk of bias or error.
7. Ensure input data is accurate, relevant, and from reliable sources.
8. Be cautious of false positives when using third-party risk assessment tools.
9. Conduct human testing for software, not just automated checks.
10. Keep monitoring machine learning models after deployment.

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