AI's Impact on Australian Workforce: Some Jobs at Risk, Others Set to Grow

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform the Australian workforce, with nearly every occupation expected to be influenced by the technology, according to a major new report by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). The study, described as the most comprehensive of its kind in the country, assessed the potential for tasks within various occupations to be automated or augmented by AI. JSA Commissioner Barney Glover emphasized that while the impact of AI will be significant, predictions of the end of work as we know it are overblown, offering a more optimistic outlook for the future of employment. The report specifically modeled the impact of AI on employment growth across occupations through the middle of the century, comparing scenarios with and without AI integration. Occupations such as office clerks, receptionists, bookkeepers, sales, marketing, public relations professionals, business and systems analysts, and programmers are projected to experience the most significant employment losses by 2050. The study noted that many clerical tasks, previously unaffected by earlier waves of automation, could now be largely handled by generative AI technologies. In contrast, certain occupations are expected to see employment gains due to AI's influence. Roles in cleaning and laundry services, public administration and safety, business administration management, construction and mining labor, and hospitality are forecasted to grow. These sectors, often involving hands-on or interpersonal tasks, appear less susceptible to full automation, positioning them as areas of opportunity in an AI-augmented future. The overarching message from the JSA report is that AI will not replace the workforce entirely but will instead reshape it. Workers across all sectors and skill levels will need to adapt to AI's integration into their roles, as the technology is expected to augment tasks rather than eliminate jobs outright in most cases. This transformation underscores the need for updated skills and training to navigate the evolving employment landscape in Australia.