Employment Trends in Australia: Growth and Decline
Recent insights from a KPMG report highlight the evolving landscape of the Australian job market over the past decade. While opportunities in the aged care sector are booming, traditional roles such as travel agents are dwindling.
Trends in Employment
KPMG’s analysis, which tracked job numbers from 2014 to 2024, underscores the stark contrasts in various sectors. According to Terry Rawnsley, an urban economist at KPMG, the aging Australian population is driving significant growth in health and aged care services.
“As Baby Boomers enter their late 70s and early 80s, the demand for expanded aged care services is increasing rapidly," Rawnsley noted. He pointed out that government investments in aged care, disability support, and childcare are crucial to meet this expected demand.
Conversely, the rise of the internet and digital business models has adversely affected many traditional roles. A significant decline was noted in several occupations:
- Travel Agents: Decreased by 34% to 17,600 workers
- Print Manufacturing Workers: Down 23% to 20,700 workers
- Executive Assistants: Reduced by 21.6% to 82,300 workers
- Farmers: Fell by 13.3% to 144,800 workers
- Telco Repair & Installation Workers: Down 12.4% to 37,500 workers
KPMG attributed the decline in travel agents to the rise of online booking platforms. The reduction in print manufacturing jobs is linked to dwindling sales of printed materials, while the drop in executive assistants can be traced back to the automation of administrative tasks through digital tools.
Despite these declines, there’s also optimism for the travel industry. LinkedIn career expert Cayla Dengate suggests that while traditional travel agents face challenges, specialists who curate bespoke travel experiences could see a resurgence in demand.
“Travel specialists possess valuable networks and insights that AI cannot replicate,” Dengate stated, suggesting a potential comeback for tailored travel services.
Job Growth in the Care Sector
The care industry is experiencing unparalleled growth, necessitating a substantial increase in job numbers:
- Aged & Disabled Care Workers: Up 98% to 429,400 workers
- Allied Health Workers: Increased by 83.9% to 189,200 workers
- Tech & IT Professionals: Grew by 55% to 497,300 workers
- Early Childhood & Child Care Workers: Up 52.5% to 257,000 workers
- Human Resources Professionals: Increased by 41.2% to 264,700 workers
Rawnsley attributes the booming care sector to Australia’s demographic shifts, which require a greater focus on services for the ageing population. He reiterated, “The growth in care economy occupations reflects an adaptive response to Australia’s changing demographics.”
Additionally, occupations in psychology, audiology, and nutrition have seen considerable increases in demand:
- Audiologists & Speech Pathologists: Increased by 147.1%
- Psychologists: Grew by 99.6%
- Nutrition Professionals: Increased by 50%
Conclusion
The job market in Australia is undergoing significant transformations influenced by demographic trends and technological advancements. As the population ages, there will be a continual need for professionals in healthcare and support services. However, traditional roles, particularly those impacted by digitalisation, will likely face ongoing challenges.
In summary, while some job sectors are waning, particularly those linked to outdated models or manual services, others are on the rise, illustrating a clear shift in what skills and occupations will be in demand for the future.
