Information checked on: 21 October 2026. Jobs and Skills Australia released its 2026 report on 20 October 2026. Figures below come from the sources linked in each section. Confirm details with the original sources before relying on them.
Every few weeks, a headline says AI is about to change your future job. If you are halfway through a trade or business qualification, it is fair to ask what is actually true. This article looks at what Australia’s latest official jobs information says, and what it means for students in Melbourne and Brisbane.
It is general information only. Evantaa Institute does not provide personalised career or employment advice, and nobody can guarantee a job outcome.
What happened this week
On 20 October 2026, Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), the Australian Government’s independent workforce advisory body, released Pathways to Success – Jobs and Skills Report 2026. This is its annual assessment of Australia’s skills needs. In the same release, JSA said:
- 13.6 million Australians use AI tools in their daily lives, and use is above 70% among people aged 25 to 49.
- AI should be used to support workers and raise productivity, and Australians’ skills should be developed and used more fully.
- Ageing, healthcare, AI, advanced manufacturing, net zero and housing all shape demand for jobs and skills.
Press coverage in The Mandarin reports that the report finds greater demand for higher-level skills across the economy. We have not summarised the full report here. You can find it on the JSA publications page.
What the Government’s AI and employment report found
The July 2026 AI and employment in Australia report from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations gives more detail. It uses ABS labour force data up to February 2026 and JSA’s scores for how much of each occupation generative AI could do.
Its main conclusion is calm. It found no evidence so far of broad, AI-driven upheaval in the job market. It describes only a “modest and concentrated signal” of softer employment in occupations that are more exposed to AI.
| Most exposed fifth of occupations | Least exposed fifth of occupations | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical examples | Filing and registry clerks, general clerks, receptionists, telemarketers | Electricians, handypersons, aged and disabled carers, domestic cleaners |
| Employment growth since November 2022 | 5.6% | 9.5% |
| Type of work | Mostly routine office tasks | Mostly hands-on, manual work |
Three details matter for students:
- Trades sit in the least exposed group. Carpenters and joiners, plumbers and electricians all fall in the least exposed fifth.
- Office and clerical work is more exposed. Clerical and administrative workers are highly exposed, and managers such as retail managers and office managers appear in the more exposed groups.
- Exposure is not the same as job loss. Software and applications programmers are highly exposed, yet their numbers grew 25% to 199,000. The authors also say the overall result is sensitive to how exposure is measured, and is not statistically significant under two alternative measures.
What this means if you study a trade
The data suggests hands-on trade work is less exposed to generative AI than office work. That is useful context, not a promise. Trades are also changing in other ways, such as new materials, prefabrication and building-code updates.
In our view, the place to watch is the paperwork around the job: plans, quotes, schedules and site records. You can see this in the Certificate IV in Building and Construction. Its units include reading and interpreting plans and specifications, site communication and administration, estimating costs and labour and material schedules. Evantaa’s course page says students get digital and print access to the National Construction Code and Australian Standards, and need access to a laptop for research and reports.
Those are skills a tool cannot replace by itself, because someone still needs to check the numbers and take responsibility on site. For more on how the trades compare, see our side-by-side guide to all five Evantaa trade qualifications and our look at the construction skills shortage.
What this means if you study business
Business students should read the table above carefully. Routine administration is where AI tools are most capable, so these tasks are likely to change first. That does not mean fewer opportunities. It means the value shifts towards judgement, communication and leading people.
According to Evantaa’s course page, the Diploma of Business prepares students for business services roles, including frontline management. It covers business planning, financial management, administrative systems, recruitment and team development across 12 units, and is delivered face-to-face in Melbourne and Brisbane. Students use industry-standard software and need their own laptop or computer for self-study. For a closer look at a typical week, read what you learn in a Diploma of Business.
If you are further along, the Advanced Diploma of Business and the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) build on leadership and management skills. The Graduate Diploma is listed for domestic students only.
Five practical steps for this month
- Ask before you use AI for assessments. Check with your trainer what is allowed. Using AI for revision or planning is different from submitting its work as your own.
- Check every answer. AI tools can sound confident and be wrong. Verify technical facts against an authoritative source, such as the National Construction Code for building work.
- Protect private information. Do not paste employer, client or personal details into public AI tools.
- Practise the skills that stay human. Plan reading, estimating, safe work habits, clear writing and teamwork matter in both trades and business.
- Look at Jobs and Skills Month. JSA’s initiative runs from 20 October to 20 November 2026 with events about skills and training pathways. Check the website for event details, locations and any registration or cost.
Build your evidence as you go. Our guides to a LinkedIn profile and job interview preparation show how to present practical skills clearly.
Frequently asked questions
Will AI replace tradespeople?
The Government’s July 2026 report found trades such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical work in the least exposed group of occupations. Exposure is a measure, not a forecast, and nobody can guarantee future employment.
Are business and office jobs at risk?
Clerical and administrative roles are more exposed, but the report found only a modest signal so far. Tasks within jobs are likely to change. Skills such as communication, judgement and leadership are worth building.
Where can I read the official reports?
The JSA report is on the JSA website, and the AI and employment report is published by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Can I use AI tools for my coursework?
Ask your trainer first. Rules can differ between units and assessments.
Your next step
Pick one skill from the list above and practise it this week. If you are still choosing a qualification, browse Evantaa’s courses or contact the Melbourne campus or Brisbane campus to talk it through.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia – Understanding skills is critical to Australia thriving in the rise of AI (media release, 20 October 2026)
- The Mandarin – Australian labour force demand for higher-level skills grows (20–21 October 2026)
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations – AI and employment in Australia (July 2026)
- Jobs and Skills Australia – Jobs and Skills Month
- Jobs and Skills Australia – Publications
- Evantaa Institute – Certificate IV in Building and Construction
- Evantaa Institute – Diploma of Business