Important facts:
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Huge 56% wage premium: The estimated median salary for Australian workers with AI competencies is now $143,000.
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Jobs are increasing, not decreasing: The net number of job openings in roles exposed to AI increased by 10% between 2019 and 2024.
- Smarter decisions: The biggest impact of AI is to help managers transform complex data into actionable decisions and shift focus from automation to analytical judgment.
Adelaide, Australia – June 9, 2026
We often hear that artificial intelligence is coming to our jobs, but new data reveals that AI is actively driving job growth, higher wages, and the future of work across the country.
Australia’s job market has reached a record high of 14.7 million workers, with AI being the main catalyst for this expansion, according to a comprehensive five-year labor market analysis released by the Australian Institute of Business (AIB). New research challenges the mass displacement narrative and provides a data-backed picture of how technology is evolving the modern workforce.
Data: How AI is expanding the job market The integration of AI into Australia’s workforce has led to a surge in job opportunities and significant financial rewards for those willing to adapt. Key findings include:
56% wage premium: The estimated median salary for Australian workers with AI competencies is now $143,000, creating a $39,000 pay gap compared to the broader workforce.
10% Net Growth in AI Roles: Overall net job openings in AI-exposed roles increased by 10% between 2019 and 2024.
Creating jobs, not killing them: The role of humans collaborating with AI to improve productivity has grown by a staggering 47%. Surprisingly, jobs classified as “automatable” also increased by 45%. Beyond automation, make smarter decisions While job growth is strong, the true value of AI within organizations goes far beyond simply automating routine tasks.
Dr Sajjad Shokouhyar, senior lecturer and discipline leader in operations and supply chain management at AIB, says a dynamic combination of capabilities is needed to survive this situation.
“The real value of AI is not limited to automation,” explains Shokouhyar. “Its greatest impact on organizations will be in helping managers transform large, complex, and fast-moving data into timely, actionable decisions. This is why the workforce of the future will require more than technical AI skills.Professionals will also need analytical judgment, business understanding, and the ability to responsibly apply AI to real-world organizational problems.”
Urgent need for upskilling The skills needed to perform existing jobs are changing 66% faster in roles exposed to AI. The urgency to commit to continuous learning is echoed by industry leaders. In an exclusive interview with AIB, Andrea Rule, Director of Marketing at LinkedIn Australia, highlighted the rapid changes in the modern workplace. “We believe that 38% of the skills needed for jobs around the world are changing, and this could rise to as much as 70% by 2030,” Ruhl said. “Incorporating upskilling into everyday life has never been more important. Investing in a strong foundational education is a very smart idea. An MBA will teach you business strategy, critical thinking, leadership, and frameworks that will enable you to apply AI and new technologies effectively.”
Read the full report To read the full findings and explore the data, visit the newly published article ‘Australia’s AI Revolution: Fueling Job Growth and Wage Premiums’ on the AIB website.
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