• Across all markets surveyed globally, no country reports a majority of workers who believe their jobs are safe from elimination. Asia Pacific records the lowest levels of job security confidence.
  • Workers who feel their jobs are secure are six times more likely to be fully engaged and twice as likely to stay with their employer.
  • Australian workers, aged 18-26, report the lowest confidence in job security, with just 18% believing their jobs are safe from elimination.

Only one in four Australian workers (25%) believe their jobs are safe from elimination, according to the first chapter of ADP Research’s latest People at Work 2026 report, highlighting the growing concerns about long-term job security despite Australia’s resilient labour market.

While unemployment remains relatively low in many markets, confidence in job security is lagging globally. Just 22% of workers worldwide strongly agree that their job is safe from elimination, and no country surveyed reports a majority of workers who feel secure about their future employment.

Across the Asia Pacific, confidence is even lower, with only 18% of respondents saying they believe their jobs are safe. Australia ranks among the region’s strongest performers, yet still falls short, underscoring widespread uncertainty as advances in artificial intelligence, automation and shifting demographics reshape the world of work. 

Industry-specific findings reveal significant variation in workers’ confidence levels. Across Asia Pacific, employees in the finance and insurance sector are the most confident about their job security (25%), while workers in accommodation and food services are the least confident (14%).

“Australia’s labour market continues to demonstrate resilience, with employment growth remaining steady and unemployment relatively low. Yet our research paints a different picture of how workers are feeling,” said Kylie Baullo, General Manager for Australia, New Zealand and Japan at ADP. “Only one in four Australian workers believe their job is safe from elimination, suggesting many are thinking beyond whether they have a job today to whether their role will still exist in the years ahead.” 

Baullo said organisations have an important role to play in helping employees navigate ongoing workplace transformation.

“As AI continues to reshape how work gets done, Australian employers have an opportunity to build confidence by clearly communicating how roles are evolving and investing in the skills employees need to adapt. Organisations that prioritise continuous learning and give employees greater visibility into future career opportunities will be better placed to retain talent, improve engagement and build a more resilient workforce.”

Productivity and Retention Shaped by Job Security 

Globally, the report finds that workers who feel their jobs are secure are twice as likely to say they have no intention of leaving. Job security is also closely linked to employee performance. Workers who feel their jobs are secure are six times more likely to be fully engaged and 3.3 times more likely to report high productivity.

“Job security has become a business issue, not just a workforce sentiment measure,” said Dr. Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP. “When employees feel confident about their future with an organisation, they are more likely to stay committed, perform at their best and contribute more effectively. Employers that pair honest communication with meaningful skills investment will be in a much stronger position to build a resilient workforce.” 

Confidence in Job Security Varies Across Workforce in Australia

While overall confidence remains low in Australia, perceptions of job security differ considerably across demographic groups and job types.

Australian workers aged 27-39 report the highest confidence levels, with 29% believing their jobs are safe from elimination. In contrast, 18-26-year-olds are the least confident, with only 18% expressing confidence in their job security.

Job type also influences perceptions. Knowledge workers are the most likely to feel secure in their roles (35%), compared with skilled task workers (20%) and repetitive task workers (19%).

Confidence also increases with employer size. Workers in medium-sized organisations (250-999 employees) and large organisations (1,000+ employees) report the highest levels of job security, while employees in small businesses (1-249 employees) are the least confident.

To view the latest People at Work 2026 Report, visit here.

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