The ongoing evolution of workplace automation is unlikely to lead to widespread job losses. In fact, most workers believe automation will have a positive impact on their career, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half finds.
“The widespread adoption of automation is undeniable,” says Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half. “Companies plan to embrace automation to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and help bridge the skills divide to combat the talent shortage in the current labour market. Positively, workers don’t see automation as a threat, but as an opportunity to upskill and enhance their career prospects.”
Why employers plan to automate in 2025
When asked about the impact of automation on their teams, the overwhelming majority (84%) of employers plan to either reskill or upskill their workforce to adapt to automation (49%) or hire new staff who already hold artificial intelligence (AI) or automation skills (35%). Around two in five employers (39%) plan to review their workforce as they introduce automation, which may lead to some roles being phased out due to changes in the nature and scope of work.
“Employers are focused on building a future-ready workforce, and successful adaptation, by both organisations and employees, is key to making that happen. Organisations that invest in developing their teams’ skills to navigate automation and digital transformation are best positioned to stay competitive. For professionals in roles centred on manual tasks, such as data entry, scheduling, or document processing should prioritise upskilling to futureproof their career and increase their market value,” says Gorton.
Only 4% of employers have no immediate plans to automate processes while 13% of employers are considering automation but have not finalised their plans.
When asked about their reasons to automate, employers were largely driven by the productivity and efficiency benefits that automation could bring.
| Reasons to automate processes in 2025 | % of employers who intend to do so |
| Increase efficiency and/or productivity | 55% |
| Bridge the gap of skilled professionals not being available in the labour market | 46% |
| Save costs | 44% |
| Shift more resources to strategic initiatives | 43% |
| Reduce human error | 39% |
Independent survey commissioned by Robert Half among 500 employers in Australia.
“Unlike the perception, automation is not just about cutting costs,” Gorton says. “It’s about optimising resources, reducing errors, and freeing up employees to focus on more strategic and fulfilling work. 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.”
Why workers are optimistic about automation
When employees were asked what impact they think automation would have on their job and career prospects, they were overwhelmingly positive.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of workers state that automation would have a positive impact, as it would create greater demand for their skills and improve their career outlook. About a quarter (26%) believe automation would have no impact on their job or career prospects. Only 11% of workers say automation would negatively impact their career because it could make their role and skills obsolete.
Workers also expressed a willingness to adapt to the introduction of automated processes. When asked what they would do if their job became partially automated, and their employer asked them to change roles and learn new skills, 60% of workers would participate in training to reskill into a new role with their current employer. However, 14% of workers would consider seeking a different role within their current employer, while 19% would look for a new job at a different employer.
“Employees today are willing to join their employer on the journey to automation,” Gorton says. “The key takeaway for businesses is to proactively invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives to ensure their workforce is equipped to thrive in an automated future. Not only will this provide employers with the skilled workers it needs but those that invest in their employees’ development and provide opportunities for reskilling will also be rewarded with a loyal and engaged workforce.”
