Australia warns employers to plan for AI job changes
Ministers say automation could bring shorter hours or heavier workloads, depending on how employers act, as major firms announce cuts.
Key points
- Australia's workplace relations minister released a best practice guide on AI in the workplace
- The guide warns of surveillance, poor rostering and unrealistic performance standards
- Entry-level jobs are seen as the first likely to be automated
- Qantas, Canva and National Australian Bank have announced job cuts linked partly to AI
- Greens leader David Shoebridge says voluntary guidelines are not enough
The Australian government has warned employers that artificial intelligence could either lower working hours and raise pay, or make jobs harder through more burnout and monitoring. According to The Guardian, workplace relations minister Amanda Rishworth said companies must give staff a clear plan on how automation may affect their roles.
Rishworth unveiled a fresh official guide on AI in the workplace on Thursday. It says wider use of the technology could improve productivity, service quality and profits, and could also lift wages or offer more flexible hours. The document also acknowledges risks, including intrusive monitoring and unrealistic performance targets.
Warnings inside the guide
The document points out that workers in several groups, including younger and older people, First Nations employees, women and those with disabilities, may be hit harder by these changes. It also raises the possibility of discrimination.
It suggests that when basic tasks are automated, the remaining work for people may become more intense and complex. Some employers, the guide notes, could use stronger monitoring tools to manage performance.
The guide singles out entry-level work as likely to be the first affected by automation. It says little about direct job losses linked to AI.
Concerns from politicians
Labor MP Ed Husic, who previously served as industry minister, asked who would gain from higher productivity. He raised the question during a parliamentary hearing examining the big four banks.
Speaking at a business gathering in Sydney, Rishworth noted that certain companies had turned to AI to take over dull chores and cut costs. Yet she cautioned that adding AI without talking to employees beforehand might end up raising staff workloads, since people would have an extra stage to get through. She added that workers’ readiness to embrace the tools should not be assumed.
Greens leader David Shoebridge criticised the government for what he described as watching from the sidelines. He called for legal protections against surveillance and job cuts, and said the benefits of AI should be written into law.
Job cuts and the wider economy
The article reports that Qantas has announced 850 job cuts targeting finance, human resources and marketing roles. National Australian Bank has announced 2,500 job losses, and Canva has announced 1,200 layoffs. These moves have been linked partly to growth in AI.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has said it has seen little evidence so far that AI is disrupting the labour market. It added that the scale and type of future effects are highly uncertain. The bank reported tentative signs of impact on certain roles, such as clerks, computer programmers and call centre workers.
The debate is likely to continue as employers and the government consider how workers will share in any gains from the technology.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Australian government warn employers about?
The government warned that AI could bring fewer hours and higher wages, or more burnout and workplace surveillance. Employers were told to give workers a clear plan on how automation could affect their jobs.
Which jobs are expected to be affected first by AI?
The guide says entry-level work may be the first to be automated. The Reserve Bank has also noted tentative signs of impact on clerks, computer programmers and call centre workers.
Which companies have announced job cuts linked to AI?
Qantas announced 850 job cuts, National Australian Bank announced 2,500 job losses, and Canva announced 1,200 layoffs. These cuts have been linked partly to AI growth, according to The Guardian.
Sources
- The Guardian: Fewer hours and higher wages – or more burnout and surveillance: employers told to prepare for AI
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