Nearly half of Australian employers plan to automate processes this year, according to a new survey.
Nearly half of employers across Australia plan to automate processes this year in a bid to streamline operations and combat the talent shortage, according to a new report.
Robert Half's latest survey found that 49% of employers plan to automate processes in 2025, with the majority of them attributing this to increasing efficiency and productivity (55%).
Nearly half of employers (46%) also said they plan to automate this year to bridge the gap left by the lack of skilled professionals in the labour market. Their other reasons are:
"Unlike the perception, automation is not just about cutting costs," said Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half, in a statement.
"Embracing automation allows companies to create a more efficient and productive work environment, while also providing opportunities for employees to develop new skills and advance their careers."
But the introduction of automation in workplaces will have a significant impact on the workforce. A new report from the International Labour Organisation showed that many jobs are at risk of being transformed by generative AI.
More than a third of Robert Half's respondents (39%) said they plan to review their workforce as they introduce automation, which can lead to some roles being phased out.
However, 84% of them also said they plan to either upskill or reskill their workforce to adapt to automation. Nearly half (49%) even said they plan to hire new staff who already have AI or automation skills.
"Employers are focused on building a future-ready workforce, and successful adaptation, by both organisations and employees, is key to making that happen," Gorton said.
"Organisations that invest in developing their teams’ skills to navigate automation and digital transformation are best positioned to stay competitive."
Despite the anticipated major shift in the workforce, the report found that 63% of Australian workers are optimistic that automation will have a positive impact.
In fact, 26% said they believe automation will have no impact on their job and career prospects, while only 11% believe it would negatively impact their career.
To adapt to automation, 60% of employees said they will participate in training to reskill to a new role if their job is impacted.
"Positively, workers don't see automation as a threat, but as an opportunity to upskill and enhance their career prospects," Gorton said.
She said that with employees willing to join employers on their automation journey, businesses should proactively invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives.
"Not only will this provide employers with the skilled workers they need but those that invest in their employees' development and provide opportunities for reskilling will also be rewarded with a loyal and engaged workforce," the director said.
