Learning to use AI tools can increase your salary and help protect your job. However, failing to adapt may lead to redundancy as automation reshapes work across Australia.
Australia is undergoing significant change as artificial intelligence and automation begin to redefine the skills needed in the workforce. A recent report shows that up to 1.5 million jobs could be affected by 2030. This shift highlights the growing importance of adaptability, AI fluency and ongoing learning.
Australia loses around $104 billion each year due to slow and inefficient career transitions. This means people are not retraining fast enough after losing jobs and many roles requiring up-to-date tech skills remain unfilled. Pearson, a global education provider that released the report, estimates that 26% of jobs are at high risk unless workers keep pace with automation.
Re-skilling in AI does more than help retain a job. It can lead to higher income. Employees who develop AI-related skills or learn to work alongside automated systems could see a 8% to 12% pay rise within just two years. While some jobs may disappear due to automation, new roles are emerging that depend on human creativity, decision-making and strategic thinking, especially in overseeing machine-operated processes.
Not all industries are affected in the same way. Healthcare, education and public administration have experienced the strongest job growth, responsible for over half of the recent employment increase. Still, many workers moving out of sectors like manufacturing or construction may not have the qualifications needed for other industries. This mismatch shows how crucial targeted training is to link displaced workers with future job opportunities.
The skills gap is larger than most people think. Around 7% of workers have jobs unrelated to their formal qualifications. About 30% of highly qualified workers have recently been employed in roles classified as middle or low skill. This has made it harder for lower-skilled and early-career jobseekers to find work, adding pressure to the job market and widening inequality.
AI is becoming more common in daily life. A national survey found that one in three Australians now use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and MS Copilot. Among full-time workers, usage has reached 44% and even people not currently employed are trying these tools at twice the rate seen just months ago.
Australians are adopting AI largely out of necessity but there are still concerns about its broader social impact. One of the most important findings is that technical skills alone are not enough. Soft skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving are now just as valuable as digital fluency.
