AI, risk & security reshape Australian jobs for 2026

People2people Recruitment has flagged a shift in Australian hiring and jobseeker behaviour ahead of 2026, with job security and pay rising above flexibility as leading priorities and demand strengthening for roles tied to artificial intelligence, risk and professional services.

The recruiter said its view combined its workforce research with national labour market data and LinkedIn's Jobs on the Rise 2026 report. People2people pointed to caution among workers considering a move, alongside continued leverage for hybrid work in retention discussions.

"We're seeing a clear workforce reset in 2026. Job security and financial confidence have overtaken flexibility as the top priorities, and that shift is fundamentally changing how and when people are willing to move roles," said Suhini Wijayasinghe, Head of HR Solutions, people2people.

Hiring outlook

People2people expects employers to run more selective hiring processes in 2026. It said companies will focus on roles linked to AI, risk, revenue and transformation. It also expects stronger competition for skilled talent in metropolitan markets.

The recruiter expects continued demand for senior professionals in risk, legal and leadership roles. It also forecasted reskilling activity among mature workers.

People2people said AI-related skills will increasingly sit alongside core job requirements across professions. It described AI capability as a baseline skill rather than a specialist add-on.

Security priorities

Polling cited by people2people suggested a reprioritisation among workers. Almost 45% of respondents said a pay rise would be the main factor that made them feel financially secure in 2026. A side income ranked second at 24%. Job stability followed at 22%. Work flexibility came last at 8%.

The recruiter characterised the change as a decline in flexibility as a primary motivator. It linked that shift to cost pressures and uncertainty in the outlook for the economy.

Job hugging

People2people said concerns about the global economy have reduced the appetite for switching jobs. Three in five workers said they were unlikely to apply for a new role because of those concerns.

The recruiter said the trend appeared more pronounced among younger workers. Around half of Millennials and Gen Z respondents reported delaying job moves.

Hybrid retention

People2people said flexibility may have slipped as a driver of financial security, but it still shaped retention. Two in five Australian workers said they did not want to work in the office in 2026, according to the recruiter's polling.

It also reported that three in ten would quit if required to return to the office full-time. Among respondents willing to attend the office, hybrid remained the dominant preference. Two to three days in the office ranked as the most preferred pattern at 29%.

The polling points to a tension in employer decision-making. Employers have increased focus on productivity, supervision and culture in recent return-to-office discussions. Workers continue to treat hybrid arrangements as a key part of their employment offer.

AI unease

People2people said the adoption of AI in workplaces has run alongside concerns about its impact on jobs. Close to four in ten workers said they were worried about AI's impact on their role in 2026.

The recruiter reported greater concern among younger respondents. It put concern at 50% among Millennials and Gen Z. It reported 34% among Baby Boomers and 29% among Gen X.

The data suggests employers will need to manage AI-related change through job design, training and communication. It also indicates potential pressure on managers and HR teams as workers seek clarity on how new tools will affect tasks and progression.

Roles rising

LinkedIn's Jobs on the Rise 2026 report listed the five fastest-growing roles in Australia. The list included AI Engineer, Chief Risk Officer, Mechanical Engineer, Director of Artificial Intelligence, and Organisational Development Manager.

The mix points to continued hiring across technology and traditional engineering, alongside governance and organisational roles. It also indicates ongoing investment in risk functions at senior levels.

"We're seeing a clear workforce reset in 2026. Job security and financial confidence have overtaken flexibility as the top priorities, and that shift is fundamentally changing how and when people are willing to move roles," said Suhini Wijayasinghe, Head of HR Solutions, people2people.