An increasing demand for tech know-how, the rising importance of “soft skills”, and a lack of would-be managers – these are some of the key trends that could shape the job market in 2025.
This is set to continue into next year, potentially reshaping the labour market.
“For two years, the job market has been job-led, with a surplus of highly qualified individuals competing for fewer roles,” Robert Walters CEO Shay Peters said.
“But these new statistics suggest we are seeing early signs of a market shift towards being more ‘candidate-led’—where employers will need to compete more vigorously for talent.”
This could be particularly prevalent in industries where rapidly developing digital transformations are fuelling a demand for tech professionals.
Robert Walters found that finance, healthcare, and retail were in need of workers with skills related to AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data analytics.
“The skills gap in tech is one of Australia’s most pressing challenges,” Peters said.
“Companies are struggling to fill key roles like software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and AI experts.
“As technology continues to evolve, the demand for these roles will only grow.”
Australia’s 15 top-paying careers revealed
Skilled tradies are also going to be in high demand, particularly for construction, plumbing, electrical, and welding jobs.
“The government’s ongoing focus on infrastructure investment means that demand for skilled trades will remain strong for the foreseeable future,” Peters said.
Alongside these, “soft skills” are also becoming more important in the workplace.
More than 96 per cent of professionals surveyed by Robert Walters said soft skills – such as communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and adaptability – were at least as important as “hard skills”.
“As the workplace becomes more automated and tech-driven, employers are placing a higher value on qualities like emotional intelligence and collaboration,” Peters said.
“AI may replace technical tasks, but roles requiring stakeholder management, communication, influence and the ability to complement AI will remain in high demand.”
And as for what workers want from their employers, flexibility remains high on the list.
“The desire for flexibility has become a key factor in employee retention, and any reduction in that flexibility could create friction,” Peters said.
“Employers may find it increasingly difficult to attract and retain talent if they limit flexible work options.”
Employers might also have trouble filling managerial roles in the near future, with only 11 per cent of workers surveyed saying career progression was a top priority for them.
“The increasing complexity of management roles, especially in hybrid and remote environments, as well as inter-generational differences is making it more difficult to find people wanting to be managers,” Peters said.
“With fewer professionals prioritising management careers, businesses will need to invest in leadership development to fill these critical roles.”
Overall, Robert Walters’ research found that 2025 may be a bumper year for job-seekers – but their success will rely on their flexibility and their willingness to learn new skills.
