Telemarketers, advertising staff, accountants, and software programmers are among the occupations most exposed to being replaced by artificial intelligence, according to a first-of-its-kind national report by the Australian government. The report, titled AI and Employment in Australia, draws on data from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) and warns that women and university graduates are disproportionately affected.
Most exposed occupations
The report identifies clerks, retail managers, software programmers, accountants, receptionists, and advertising and marketing professionals as the most exposed to AI displacement. Telemarketers and call centre workers are also at high risk, as their roles involve routine cognitive tasks that can be automated by generative AI.
According to the report, people in these occupations are more likely to be women and have university qualifications. In contrast, those in the least exposed roles, such as tradespeople, aged care workers, truck drivers, cleaners, and gardeners, have the lowest levels of university education and the highest levels of vocational training.
Labour market impact
Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said: “Artificial intelligence could yet reshape the jobs market in Australia, but this report shows labour market conditions remain strong by historical standards, youth outcomes have mostly held up, and occupational reshuffling has not accelerated.” She added that the government is determined to ensure AI creates good jobs, not threatens them, and will support Australians with skills and training.
The report found no evidence of widespread labour market upheaval due to AI, but noted that occupations more exposed to AI are growing more slowly. Between late 2022 and early 2026, employment in least-exposed jobs grew by 9.5%, compared to 5.6% in most-exposed roles. “We find a small negative relationship between AI exposure and employment growth,” the report stated.
AI regulation and government response
The Albanese government is expected to unveil updated plans on AI regulation next week, covering areas such as industry, economy, safety, copyright, privacy, health, and workplace relations. Assistant Minister for Technology Andrew Charlton acknowledged that public trust in AI is low and that better regulation is needed.
The report also quotes Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, who claimed AI could wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs, increasing unemployment to 10-20% in the next one to five years. However, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations noted that while US firms are replacing graduate intakes with AI, this trend is not yet evident in Australian data.
Copyright and creative industries
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said journalists “should be paid for your work if someone is using that to gain profit,” indicating that the government supports compensation for content used by AI. The government has ruled out weakening copyright protections for AI, despite reports that leading companies have sought access to Australian data before investing.
Albanese is expected to deliver a major speech next week outlining the government’s AI plans, but multiple sources said it is unlikely to include specific responses to copyright questions.
