Australian workers lead global AI use in job hunts

Morgan McKinley has found that 57% of Australian workers have used AI tools to support a job search or prepare for an interview. That is above the global average of 43%, according to the recruiter's latest workplace trends research.

The findings suggest Australian workers are adopting AI faster than peers in other markets covered by the survey. They also show stronger concern in Australia than globally about how automation could affect jobs.

According to the research, 42% of Australian employees believe their role could be affected by restructuring, automation or cost-cutting, compared with 37% worldwide. The survey suggests workers are using AI as a practical career tool while also weighing the risk it may pose to their own jobs.

Across all markets in the study, AI use in job seeking has risen sharply. Globally, 43% of employees said they now use AI or automation tools when searching for a role, up from 26% a year earlier.

That shift is happening alongside unease about how employers use the technology in hiring. Nearly half of employees worldwide, 46%, said they remain uncomfortable with AI being used to assess interview performance.

Skills gap

The report also points to rising pressure on employers to help staff build new skills. Globally, 70% of employees said AI and data skills are now their top professional development priority.

Yet 56% said their employer is not investing enough in learning and development. The gap suggests companies face growing expectations from staff to provide training as AI becomes more common in recruitment and day-to-day work.

The survey also shows continued movement in the labour market. Almost half of employees globally, 49%, said they plan to actively look for a new job in the next six months, even though 63% of employers expect no headcount reductions.

Confidence in job security appears weaker than those hiring plans suggest. Only 43% of employees described themselves as secure or very secure in their current role, while more than a third said their position could be affected by restructuring, automation or cost-cutting.

If workers believed their job was at risk, 85% said they would start applying for new roles. Another 64% said they would work on new skills or certifications.

Pay pressure

Pay is adding to the strain. Nearly 70% of employees globally said they had not received a salary increase in the previous six months, up from 65% a year earlier.

The research was based on responses from 2,799 employees and 214 employers across Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Singapore and the UK. It examined attitudes to job security, pay, flexible working, AI, professional development, wellbeing and workplace culture.

Australian results stood out because workers reported both stronger AI uptake and greater concern about its impact than the global average. That combination suggests the debate around AI at work is no longer limited to whether people will use the tools, but also how comfortable they are with the consequences.

Dominic Bareham, Managing Director, Morgan McKinley Australia, commented on the Australian findings.

"Australian workers are among the most active users of AI in our research, particularly when it comes to searching for jobs and preparing for interviews. At the same time, they're more likely than the global average to be concerned about the impact of automation on their own roles. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for employers. As organisations continue to invest in AI, they will need to ensure employees understand how these technologies are being introduced, while continuing to invest in skills development and communicating openly about change. The organisations that combine AI adoption with transparency and investment in people will be best placed to build confidence, retain talent and unlock the full benefits of AI," said Dominic Bareham, Managing Director, Morgan McKinley Australia.