AI Job Losses Set to Grow Beyond 600,000
The Australian Financial Review
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 28 Apr 2026
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 28 Apr 2026, 08:00 am
Description
New government-backed forum to examine rules to protect workers is to meet for the first time on Wednesday.
Summary
This report highlights new projections from Jobs and Skills Australia indicating that AI-driven job displacement will likely exceed previous estimates of 600,000 positions, representing over 4% of the workforce. It details the establishment of a new Australian government-backed forum designed to develop regulatory frameworks and protective measures for workers impacted by rapid automation. While focused primarily on physical and economic security, the escalation in displacement forecasts reflects significant advancements in frontier AI capabilities and their systemic impact on national labor stability. The article underscores a critical shift in Australian policy as the government moves toward more active governance of the socio-economic risks posed by advanced AI systems.
Body
Work & CareersWorkplaceWorkforce SummitPrint articlePatrick DurkinBOSS deputy editorApr 28, 2026 – 5.50pmThe Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia predicts that the number of jobs lost to automation and artificial intelligence will grow beyond the current forecasts of 600,000, as a new government-backed forum to examine rules to protect workers meets for the first time on Wednesday.Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth announced the new AI forum at The Australian Financial Review Workplace Summit on Tuesday, but played down changes in the labour force market in data up to February.Loading...SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreWorkforce SummitAICommonwealth BankWisetech GlobalBendigo and Adelaide BankAtlassianFetching latest articles