AI and Aged Care Lead the Surge

SYDNEY — Artificial intelligence engineers and aged care workers are spearheading Australia’s fastest-growing occupations in 2026, as the nation’s labour market grapples with technological disruption, an ageing population and infrastructure demands, according to the latest projections from Jobs and Skills Australia and industry reports.

Employment across Australia is forecast to expand by hundreds of thousands of positions through 2026, with health care and social assistance, professional services and education driving much of the growth. While overall job gains have moderated from pandemic-era peaks, specific roles in AI, care services and engineering are seeing explosive demand.

Jobs and Skills Australia’s employment projections highlight that four service industries — health care and social assistance, professional scientific and technical services, education and training, and accommodation and food services — will account for nearly two-thirds of new jobs by late 2026. Professionals and community/personal service workers are expected to deliver about 60 per cent of total employment growth.

Here are the 10 most rapidly rising jobs for 2026, compiled from recent data by LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise list, Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts, Hays, Morgan McKinley and SEEK analyses. Rankings blend percentage growth, absolute job increases and hiring trends:

1. AI Engineer LinkedIn named AI Engineer the No. 1 fastest-growing job for 2026, with massive surges in postings as businesses integrate artificial intelligence for data analysis, automation and predictions. Roles often overlap with machine learning engineering. AI literacy has become the single most in-demand skill across all positions, with eight in 10 global leaders preferring candidates comfortable with AI tools. Salaries frequently exceed $150,000.
2. Aged and Disabled Carer Projected to add nearly 75,000 positions with 28 per cent growth over five years to 2026, this role tops absolute increases in community and personal service occupations. Australia’s ageing population and National Disability Insurance Scheme expansion fuel relentless demand. Many positions require Certificate III or IV qualifications.
3. Registered Nurse Health care remains the fastest-growing industry overall. Registered nurses, especially in aged care, mental health and acute settings, are projected to grow by more than 40,000 roles. Shortages could reach tens of thousands by 2035 without action. Average salaries range from $85,000 to $120,000, with strong migration pathways.
4. Software and Applications Programmer / Software Engineer Digital transformation continues unabated. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts strong growth for software programmers, with related ICT roles like database and systems administrators plus cybersecurity specialists also surging. Tech shortages persist despite global headwinds.
5. Cyber Security Specialist As businesses and government face rising threats, cyber roles rank highly on Hays’ in-demand lists. Demand spans infrastructure, procurement and technology security, with salaries often topping $140,000 for experienced professionals.
6. Data Engineer Morgan McKinley’s 2026 outlook placed data engineers at the top of in-demand tech roles, with salaries between $110,000 and $190,000. They build the data pipelines powering AI and analytics initiatives across industries.
7. Mechanical Engineer / Power System Engineer Engineering disciplines feature prominently on LinkedIn’s fastest-growing list. Infrastructure projects, renewable energy transitions and manufacturing needs boost demand for mechanical, civil and power systems engineers.
8. Disability Support Worker Closely tied to aged care growth, these roles benefit from NDIS rollout and community care shifts. Community and personal service occupations as a group are projected to add nearly 189,000 positions.
9. Project Manager (Senior) Large-scale infrastructure, construction and tech implementations drive demand for experienced project managers, particularly those handling $5 million to $10 million projects. Salaries often reach $160,000–$200,000.
10. Mental Health Support Worker / Psychotherapist Rising awareness and investment in mental health services have lifted demand for support workers and therapists. Health care and social assistance growth includes expanded community mental health roles.

Other notable mentions from 2026 reports include Chief Risk Officer, Director of Artificial Intelligence, sustainability consultants and electric vehicle technicians — reflecting dual pressures of digital innovation and the net-zero transition.

Healthcare Dominates Volume Growth Health Care and Social Assistance is forecast to add more than 300,000 jobs in the coming years, far outpacing other sectors. An ageing population, chronic disease management and post-pandemic care backlogs underpin this trend. Registered nurses and carers alone could fill tens of thousands of vacancies.

Tech and AI Accelerate AI-related roles have transitioned from experimental to mainstream. Organisations are hiring not just engineers but directors of AI and organisational development managers to embed the technology responsibly. Cybersecurity and data specialists complement this shift, as businesses protect and leverage vast datasets.

Trades and Infrastructure Hold Steady Construction, renewable energy and housing projects sustain demand for electricians, civil engineers and related trades. Government infrastructure spending and the energy transition create opportunities in power systems, solar and battery technologies.

Challenges persist despite the opportunities. Employers report ongoing skills shortages in regional areas, where many high-growth roles are located. Wage pressures, training pipelines and migration settings will influence whether supply meets demand. Unemployment hovered around 4.1–4.3 per cent in early 2026, with participation rates near record highs.

Jobs and Skills Australia notes that higher-skill occupations — those typically requiring bachelor degrees or above — will account for a large share of growth, though certificate-level roles in care and trades also expand rapidly. Emerging positions in green skills, such as sustainability consultants and energy engineers, are gaining traction but remain smaller in volume.

Education and training providers are adapting. Universities and vocational institutions report increased enrolments in nursing, IT and engineering courses. Apprenticeships in electrical and construction trades continue to attract interest amid strong pay and job security.

For job seekers, the message is clear: skills in AI, data, care delivery and engineering offer the best prospects. Upskilling in digital tools, even for non-tech roles, is increasingly essential. “AI literacy is now table stakes,” one LinkedIn analysis noted.

Regional disparities matter. Metropolitan areas lead in tech and professional services, while aged care and disability support needs are acute everywhere, including remote communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce participation initiatives aim to tap underrepresented talent pools.

Economists caution that global uncertainties, interest rates and productivity trends could temper overall employment growth to around 0.8 per cent in 2026. Yet structural drivers — demographics, technology adoption and the clean energy shift — provide resilience in the highlighted occupations.

As Australia navigates 2026, these 10 rising jobs illustrate a workforce in transition: caring for an older population while building the digital and sustainable economy of the future. Workers with relevant qualifications, flexibility and a willingness to upskill stand to benefit most.

Government, industry and educators will need coordinated efforts to address shortages, expand training and ensure equitable access to these opportunities. For many Australians and skilled migrants, 2026 could mark the start of rewarding careers in fields that are not just growing — but reshaping the nation.