Australia: AI to Augment High-Skill, Automate Clerical Jobs
Australia’s government has released a pivotal forecast on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the nation’s job market, predicting that while generative AI will significantly augment high-skilled roles, it will bear down hardest on clerical and administrative positions. The “Generative AI Capacity Study” from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), a landmark whole-of-labour-market analysis, suggests a future where AI enhances human capabilities rather than broadly replacing workers.
The report underscores that generative AI technologies are more poised to enhance existing tasks, particularly within high-skilled occupations, allowing professionals such as managers and educators to focus on higher-value activities like problem-solving and interpersonal engagement. This augmentation is expected to boost productivity across various sectors, with industries leveraging AI already demonstrating substantial growth in productivity and revenue per employee. Indeed, the adoption of AI and automation could contribute an additional $170 billion to $600 billion to Australia’s GDP by 2030, with forecasts suggesting AI could create 200,000 new jobs and add up to $115 billion annually to the economy.
However, the outlook is less optimistic for middle-skill and clerical positions. The JSA study identifies these roles as having the highest potential for task automation, encompassing many clerical duties that largely escaped previous waves of technological advancement. Specific occupations flagged as being at higher risk of significant automation include data entry and transcription, documentation and record keeping, financial and accounting roles, office clerks, receptionists, and book-keepers. While the report acknowledges that not all “exposed” tasks will necessarily be automated due to factors like social norms, the inherent value of human interaction, or regulatory hurdles, the shift for these roles is undeniable.
Looking ahead, the JSA projects that despite some job displacement, the overall number of Australian jobs will be greater by 2050 in an AI-integrated world compared to one without it. This transition, however, will necessitate significant shifts, with estimates suggesting up to 1.3 million workers may need to transition into different lines of work by 2030. Occupations less susceptible to AI-driven automation, often those requiring substantial human interaction or physical presence, include cleaners, laundry workers, public administration and safety roles, construction and mining labourers, and hospitality workers.
The report also highlights concerns about potential widening economic inequality, as highly educated and qualified workers achieving AI-generated productivity gains may see higher wage increases. Furthermore, women and individuals with lower levels of formal education are identified as being disproportionately at risk of displacement. Young workers, particularly Generation Z, may also face a greater impact due to their prevalence in roles with skills more readily replicable by generative AI.
In response to these impending changes, the Australian government emphasizes the critical need for workforce adaptability and a robust national framework to equip citizens with essential skills for the AI era. This includes fostering continuous learning and a greater demand for a blend of social, emotional intelligence, and technological skills, such as digital literacy and engineering. As Jobs and Skills Australia Commissioner Barney Glover articulated, “Adaptability will be critical for Australia to realise the potential benefits from AI, which will see new jobs emerge and existing jobs change.”