2025 Australian Job Market & Hiring Outlook

From the lows of business restructuring to the highs of slowing inflation and renewed business optimism, we know the Australian job market has experienced a rollercoaster ride over the past few years. With so much change still underway, business leaders like you are navigating a complex environment as you chart your course forward. We know you are grappling with questions about hiring, growth strategies, salary trends, job security and the impact of AI - all the while trying to keep pace with the constant change. Without clear answers, these uncertainties can cast a shadow of doubt over the future.

And for Aussie jobseekers, we know the job market has been tricky to navigate recently. If you are landing interviews, questions arise like: “Are you being offered a fair salary? What are other companies offering? Where do your skills fit into the current market?” These are all valid questions, and it's natural to want a clear picture of where you stand.

Our hiring outlook goes beyond just salary data, providing valuable insights into the Australian labour market from 500 Australian employers and 1,000 office workers. We will walk you through the factors influencing hiring intentions, the skills in high demand and the ways in which pay rises are awarded this year. Armed with this knowledge, you'll gain a competitive edge, whether you're a candidate looking to position yourself for success or an employer seeking to attract and retain top talent.

Finance and
accounting IT and
technology Business
support Finance and
accounting IT and
technology Business
support

Top functional areas with the highest levels of permanent recruitment

IT infrastructure

Accounting

Risk and compliance

Customer service

What workers want from their job in 2025

More pay (62%)

Flexible work hours (38%)

More benefits (36%)

A promotion (33%)

From improving the customer experience to managing repetitive tasks internally – artificial intelligence is already finding its way into Aussie businesses. While it is not having a direct impact on the hiring outlook for companies just yet (besides for certain tech roles aimed at implementing new tools), workers need to be open to embracing evolving technologies to help streamline their work and enhance efficiencies.

of businesses are encouraging their employees to explore Gen AI for routine tasks and enhanced productivity of businesses are encouraging their employees to explore Gen AI for routine tasks and enhanced productivity

of employees are using Gen AI tools (almost) every workday of employees are using Gen AI tools (almost) every workday

In a cost-driven environment, salary rises have become more challenging to obtain as businesses in Australia juggle staying competitive and staying within budget. In 2025, 30% of employers say the single biggest influence to increase salaries for an employee is merit, followed by all employees evaluated with same criteria to determine raises. Negotiating perks and benefits is an option when a pay rise is not possible.

of workers say their salary is an accurate reflection of their expertise, experience and/or level of responsibility of workers say their salary is an accurate reflection of their expertise, experience and/or level of responsibility

of businesses say Gen Z have become more demanding when it comes to negotiating perks and benefits, making them the generation who have become most demanding in the workforce of businesses say Gen Z have become more demanding when it comes to negotiating perks and benefits, making them the generation who have become most demanding in the workforce

Off the back of many return-to-office mandates implemented by businesses over the last 12 months, 84% admit the mandates by other Australian organisations influenced them to do the same. But workers are starting to understand the positive impacts, as 63% of companies say employee attitudes have improved towards required in-person office days. If businesses want to stand out, keeping hybrid work options is a significant drawcard for candidates.

of employers have mandated staff to attend the office 5 days a week in 2025 of employers have mandated staff to attend the office 5 days a week in 2025

In a sign of the times, more than one third of employees would prioritise job security over salary in 2025 when faced with a choice. This heightened focus on stability likely stems from lingering economic uncertainty, recent business restructuring and a desire for greater predictability in their professional lives.

of employees choose job security over pay of employees choose job security over pay

of employees prioritise salary over job security of employees prioritise salary over job security

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Hiring managers: Need more insights? Schedule a Salary Guide walk-through

The non-salary data presented in this Salary Guide is derived from an online survey conducted by an independent research firm commissioned by Robert Half in November 2024. The survey gathered responses from 500 hiring managers and 1,000 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, business support, and IT and technology. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs to large private, publicly-listed and public sector organisations across Australia.