Care & tech jobs surge as traditional roles decline in Australia

An analysis by KPMG has identified significant shifts in Australia's occupational structure between 2014 and 2024, with notable growth in care economy and technology-related roles while several traditional occupations decline.

KPMG's findings reveal that Aged and Disabled Care Workers have seen the largest increase in numbers over the past decade, nearly doubling to reach 429,400 workers, a 98% growth. Early Childhood and Child Care jobs and Allied Health Worker roles have also grown substantially in response to changing demographics and increased participation of women in the workforce.

"The surge in care economy occupations reflects a jobs market responding to Australia's changing demographics," said KPMG Urban Economist, Terry Rawnsley. "As the older Baby Boomers enter their late 70s and early 80s the need to rapidly expand aged care and related health services grows stronger. Meanwhile, increased participation of women in the workforce has meant the demand for childcare has similarly increased over the last decade."

Rawnsley added, "We are already seeing governments invest heavily in the aged care, disability support, and childcare sectors to meet future expected demand."

The analysis indicates that Tech and IT Professionals have also experienced significant growth, with the workforce expanding by 176,400 workers, representing a 55% increase over the decade. These professionals, which include Software Programmers, Systems Administrators, and IT Security Specialists, now number 497,300.

"These Tech & IT Professionals design, code, test, and maintain software applications, driving the digital infrastructure behind our essential online banking, shopping, and time-saving apps," Rawnsley said.

He continued, "Many of these professionals also support IT systems across a range of non-tech businesses within the economy, so it isn't all just about the glamorous end of tech development."

Other professions among the fastest growing include Marketing, Advertising and PR Professionals (up by 40.9%), Human Resources Professionals (up by 41.2%), Chefs, Cooks and Kitchen Hands, Teachers, and Truck and Delivery Drivers. The overall number of workers in Australia increased 22.9% from 11.4 million in 2014 to 14 million in 2024, with the ten top-growing occupational groupings accounting for more than one million new roles, close to 40% of all employment growth.

Meanwhile, KPMG's research identified several occupations experiencing sharp declines, reflecting broader technological and structural changes within the economy. The number of Executive Assistants has dropped more than 20% to 82,300, due to automation of administrative functions. Travel Agents have been particularly affected by the growth of online travel websites, with numbers falling by nearly 35% since 2014. There has also been a marked decline among Farmers (-13.3%), Print Manufacturing Workers (-23%), and Telecommunications Repair and Installation Workers (-12.4%).

"While traditional roles are naturally impacted by the digital transformation occurring in the workplace, tech sector growth opens up a vast array of exciting new jobs," Rawnsley said.

In terms of technology roles specifically, there have been pronounced increases across several subfields over the past decade. The number of ICT Managers rose by nearly 80% to 77,400, while Software and Applications Programmers increased by 76.3% to 172,600. ICT Support and Test Engineering roles grew by 97.3%, and Database, Systems Administrators and ICT Security Specialists climbed 60.2% to 65,700. Other tech positions such as ICT Business and Systems Analysts and Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers also recorded strong growth.

KPMG's data further highlights the influence of technology on other traditional roles. The number of bank branch workers declined from 55,400 in 2014 to 46,900 in 2024 following a decrease in cash transactions at branches. Keyboard Operators, which include Data Entry and Typist roles, dropped by 18% over the decade to 52,000.

"Many of these occupations are undertaking indispensable roles that are integral to our daily lives," said Rawnsley.

Retail-related positions remain the most common in 2024, with 793,900 shop floor workers. Other large employing occupational groupings include Food Service Workers (356,100), Nurses and Midwives (383,500), Teachers (384,800), and Accountants and Bookkeepers (442,800). The size and growth of the Tech and IT Professional sector, which is now among the largest single occupational groups, emphasises the increasing relevance of tech skills and white-collar work in the evolving jobs market.

KPMG's analysis uses data from the Australian Tax Office, Census, Labour Force Surveys, and Jobs & Skills Australia to provide estimates of occupational trends. The report underlines the extent to which demographic changes, government investment, and technological transformation have shaped Australia's labour market over the past decade.