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10 Nov, 2026

Australia’s top industries toward 2030 – where to focus your job search

Australia's workforce is changing. Population growth, an ageing population, new technologies, infrastructure investment, and evolving business needs are reshaping where employment opportunities are emerging. If you're planning your next career move, understanding the industries where job opportunities are growing will help you make informed decisions about the skills and qualifications you want to gain.

In this blog, we will explore the industries in Australia that are predicted to experience significant growth towards the next decade.

Key takeaways

Healthcare, professional services, technology, and renewable energy are among the industries projected to experience employment growth toward 2030.
Digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and sustainability are transforming Australian industries and creating or changing roles.

1. Health Care and Social Assistance

Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia's fastest growing and largest employing industry, accounting for around 16% of national employment. It delivers medical and care services, and includes the work of aged and disabled carers, nurses, allied health professionals, and more. They work across various locations including hospitals, clinics, aged care facilities, and community services.

Overall employment is expected to grow by 12.3% over the 5 years to May 2030, primarily driven by an aging population requiring more long-term care and preventative health services. The Australian Government has committed a record funding for healthcare industries including public hospitals, Medicare urgent care clinics, residential aged care expansion, a National Disability Insurance Scheme, and mental health agreements.

Career outcomes

2. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is one of Australia's largest and fastest-growing industries, offering diverse career opportunities across a wide range of specialised fields. The industry covers sectors such as scientific research, architecture, engineering, information technology, law, accounting, advertising, market research, and management consulting.

According to Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), approximately 1.4 million Australians work in this industry, accounting for 9.5% of national employment as of February 2026.

Employment is projected to rise by 10.1% between by 2030, creating around 136,600 additional jobs. Technology and digital transformation have had a big impact. According to JSA, employment among Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Managers is predicted to grow by 25.5% by 2035, while Research and Development Managers are projected to grow by almost 23%.

Career outcomes

Accountant | Financial Analyst | Business Consultant | Marketing Specialist | ICT Manager

3. Technology, data and cyber security

The Australian tech industry contributes $167 billion to GDP and is one of the country’s fastest-growing economic drivers. According to the 2025 ACS Digital Pulse Report, 230,000 additional tech workers will be needed by 2030 to support the nation's digital transformation.

AI technology

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming Australian industries, helping businesses improve productivity, automate processes, and drive innovation. From manufacturing and healthcare to finance and professional services, the growing adoption of AI, robotics, and digital technologies is creating demand for new skills and expertise.

According to Grand View Research, the Australian AI market size is estimated to reach around US$9 billion in 2026. With a projected annual growth rate of 36.7%, the market could reach around US$80 billion by 2030. The Tech Council of Australia estimates that AI could support up to 200,000 AI-related jobs by 2030, requiring a 500% growth from current AI workforce levels.

'Artificial intelligence is one of the leading tech trends and it’s transforming how we work. We’ve seen enormous growth in Australia’s AI workforce in recent years, which will only increase with greater adoption of the technologies. This growth won’t be isolated to the tech sector or tech jobs. In addition

to roles that are responsible for developing, designing and maintaining AI systems, we will need people with skills in areas such as human resources, sales and governance to successfully scale these

systems and businesses to harness the potential in front of us.'

- Damian Kassabgi, CEO, Tech Council of Australia

Career outcomes

AI Engineer | Machine Learning Engineer | Data Scientist | Business Intelligence Analyst | AI Product Manager

Software Development

The Australian software development market continues to experience strong growth, with employment opportunities expanding as businesses accelerate their digital transformation. According to IndustryARC, the industry is projected to reach grow by 7.16% each year through to 2030, driven by increasing demand for custom software development, software as a service (SaaS), cloud solutions, and AI.

'The software and analytics industry is undergoing a remarkable change. Software development roles are expanding, and new specialisations, such as cloud architects and cyber security analysts, are taking shape. As organisations increasingly leverage complex, interconnected systems, there’s a growing demand for professionals skilled in IoT [Internet of Things] development, DevOps [software development and IT operations] engineering and more.'

- Anna Furlong, Executive Director of The Virtual IT Department

Career outcomes

Data analytics

Australia's rapidly expanding digital economy is creating new opportunities for organisations to harness the power of data and make smarter, evidence-based business decisions. As the volume of digital information continues to grow, data analytics professionals who can interpret complex datasets, identify trends, and generate actionable insights to inform business decisions are in demand.

Australia's data analytics sector is predicted to grow by 23.3% over the next 5years and the market value is expected to reach A$19.08 billion by 2034.

Career outcomes

Data Analyst | Data Scientist | Business Analyst | Machine Learning Engineer | Data Governance Specialist

Cyber security

The growth of Australia's cyber security market has been fueled by digital threats, increased exposure to cyber risk, and tougher cyber risk regulations. Cloud and remote working models, the internet of things (IoT), and the expansion of wireless mobile networks have led to increased data susceptibility.

From 2026 to 2031, the cyber security market size in Australia is expected to grow from US$10.04 billion to US$18.98 billion. The Australian Government will commit $586.9 million to the Australian Cyber Security Strategy to boost cyber capabilities and another $2.3 billion to existing initiatives.

Career outcomes

Cyber Security Analyst | Cloud Security Engineer | Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker) | Cyber Security Consultant

4. Renewable energy

Australia has set a renewable net-zero target greenhouse gas emissions to reach by 2050. The Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia package aims to invest $22.7 billion into areas such as skills and training and renewable energy sources to support industrial innovation through to 2030. The country's renewable energy capacity is set to grow at a rate of 11.61% for the next 5 years.

'The clean energy workforce needs 40,000 more workers by 2030 to support the energy transition. '

- Clean Energy Council

Career outcomes

Renewable Energy Engineer | Sustainability Data Analyst | Project Manager | Energy Consultant | Ecologist

5. Education and Training

Education and Training is one of Australia's largest employing industries, accounting for nearly 9% of national employment. The sector provides learning opportunities across all stages of life, from early childhood and primary education to secondary schooling, vocational education and training (VET), higher education, adult learning, and private tutoring.

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, employment in Education and Training is projected to grow by 5.7% between May 2025 and May 2030, creating approximately 72,000 additional jobs.

The demand for education professionals is supported by population growth, evolving workforce skills requirements, and the increasing importance of lifelong learning. Advances in digital technology, AI, and flexible online learning are transforming how education and training is delivered, creating opportunities for professionals with skills in digital learning, curriculum development, and educational technology.

Career outcomes

Teaching

Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary School Teacher | University Lecturer | Academic Tutor | Learning Advisor | Workplace Trainer

Professional services

Education Administrator | Training Manager | Student Services Manager | Instructional Designer | E-Learning Developer

6. E-commerce

Online shopping continues to transform Australia's retail industry, with e-commerce revenue projected to reach US$124.3 billion by 2030.

Australians are increasingly shopping online through retailer websites, mobile apps, and online marketplaces, with convenience, competitive pricing, and personalised shopping experiences influencing purchasing decisions. According to the Australia Post eCommerce Report 2026, Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, an increase of 14% from the previous year.

As e-commerce expands, career opportunities are being created across digital retail, marketing, logistics, order fulfilment, and delivery.

Career outcomes

Frequently asked questions

What are the fastest-growing industries in Australia toward 2030?

Healthcare and Social Assistance and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services are among the industries projected to experience employment growth in Australia. AI technology, data, cyber security, and renewable energy sectors are also expanding.

Which industry is expected to create the most jobs in Australia?

Healthcare and Social Assistance is Australia's largest employing industry. Employment is expected to increase by 12.3% over the five years to May 2030, driven by an ageing population and growing demand for healthcare, aged care, and community services.

What skills will be in demand in Australia by 2030?

Skills in artificial intelligence, software development, data analytics, cyber security, and other digital technologies are expected to become increasingly valuable.

Interested in more career advice? Read our Business Career Guide. Learn how our Career Central team can help you advance your career.

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