Melbourne, Australia, 5 August, 2026 – Only one in four Australian workers (25%) believe their jobs are safe from elimination, according to the first chapter of ADP Research’s latest People at Work 2026 report, highlighting the growing concerns about long-term job security despite Australia’s resilient labour market.
While unemployment remains relatively low in many markets, confidence in job security is lagging globally. Just 22% of workers worldwide strongly agree that their job is safe from elimination, and no country surveyed reports a majority of workers who feel secure about their future employment.
Across the Asia Pacific, confidence is even lower, with only 18% of respondents saying they believe their jobs are safe. Australia ranks among the region’s strongest performers, yet still falls short, underscoring widespread uncertainty as advances in artificial intelligence, automation and shifting demographics reshape the world of work.
Industry-specific findings reveal significant variation in workers’ confidence levels. Across Asia Pacific, employees in the finance and insurance sector are the most confident about their job security (25%), while workers in accommodation and food services are the least confident (14%).
“Australia’s labour market continues to demonstrate resilience, with employment growth remaining steady and unemployment relatively low. Yet our research paints a different picture of how workers are feeling,” said Kylie Baullo, General Manager for Australia, New Zealand and Japan at ADP. “Only one in four Australian workers believe their job is safe from elimination, suggesting many are thinking beyond whether they have a job today to whether their role will still exist in the years ahead.”
Baullo said organisations have an important role to play in helping employees navigate ongoing workplace transformation.
“As AI continues to reshape how work gets done, Australian employers have an opportunity to build confidence by clearly communicating how roles are evolving and investing in the skills employees need to adapt. Organisations that prioritise continuous learning and give employees greater visibility into future career opportunities will be better placed to retain talent, improve engagement and build a more resilient workforce.”
Productivity and Retention Shaped by Job Security
Globally, the report finds that workers who feel their jobs are secure are twice as likely to say they have no intention of leaving. Job security is also closely linked to employee performance. Workers who feel their jobs are secure are six times more likely to be fully engaged and 3.3 times more likely to report high productivity.
“Job security has become a business issue, not just a workforce sentiment measure,” said Dr. Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP. “When employees feel confident about their future with an organisation, they are more likely to stay committed, perform at their best and contribute more effectively. Employers that pair honest communication with meaningful skills investment will be in a much stronger position to build a resilient workforce.”
Confidence in Job Security Varies Across Workforce in Australia
While overall confidence remains low in Australia, perceptions of job security differ considerably across demographic groups and job types.
Australian workers aged 27-39 report the highest confidence levels, with 29% believing their jobs are safe from elimination. In contrast, 18-26-year-olds are the least confident, with only 18% expressing confidence in their job security.
Job type also influences perceptions. Knowledge workers are the most likely to feel secure in their roles (35%), compared with skilled task workers (20%) and repetitive task workers (19%).
Confidence also increases with employer size. Workers in medium-sized organisations (250-999 employees) and large organisations (1,000+ employees) report the highest levels of job security, while employees in small businesses (1-249 employees) are the least confident.
To view the latest People at Work 2026 Report, visit here.
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About “People at Work 2026” Report Series Methodology
People at Work 2026 features survey findings derived from ADP Research’s annual Global Workforce Survey of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets to uncover global workforce sentiment, an examination of how people are navigating the complexities of a changing world. The report presents worker sentiment data sifted by geography, job type, and other dimensions, providing employers with a fine-tuned and granular view of the global workforce that can be used to better understand their workforce and drive growth through data-driven talent decisions.
The 2025 Global Workforce Survey collected responses between July 21 and August 4, 2025, from a random sample, stratified by age and gender, of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets, to provide regional and market comparisons of worker sentiment. Respondents come from a wide variety of industries, educational backgrounds, on-site and remote work environments, work types, and skill sets. They represent a range of management and individual contributor roles, working for employers of all sizes.
To view the latest People at Work 2026, in addition to previous versions, visit here: People at Work: A Global Workforce View | ADP.
About ADP Research
The mission of ADP Research is to make the future of work more productive through data-driven discovery. Companies, workers, and policy makers rely on our finely tuned data and unique perspective to make informed decisions that impact workplaces around the world. To subscribe to monthly email alerts or obtain additional information about ADP Research, including employment and pay data, methodology, and a calendar of release dates, please visit https://www.adpresearch.com.
About ADP (NASDAQ: ADP)
ADP has been shaping the world of work with innovation and expertise for more than 75 years. As a global leader in HR and payroll solutions, ADP continuously works to solve business challenges for our clients and their workers, from simple, easy-to-use tools for small businesses to fully integrated platforms for global enterprises – and everything in between. Always Designing for People means we’re focused on just that – people. We use our unmatched AI-driven insights and proven expertise to design innovative solutions that help people achieve greater success at work. More than 1.1 million clients across 140+ countries rely on ADP’s exceptional service to support their people and drive their business forward. HR, Talent, Time Management, Benefits, Compliance, and Payroll. Learn more at ADP.com.
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