High AI wages & gender gap in Australia, reveals Randstad study

A recent analysis from the global HR and recruitment industry company, Randstad, discloses that Australia ranks third globally as one of the highest-paying countries for AI and automation skills. Remunerations in Australia for these skills have been noted to be as high as 56%, exceeding the UK. Australia's thriving wage landscape is significantly influenced by the skills dearth in the budding and sought-after AI and automation sector, which is reported to be five to eight times harder to target compared to the global tech talent market.

In the sphere of gender representation, Australia outshines other markets by boasting the highest ratio of female talent infiltrating the AI and automation industry, with 44% of all new inductees being women. However, a glaring gender gap prevails as men still form 81% of the entire talent conglomerate in this sector.

The involvement of women in AI in Australia is not as intense, with a slight 19% of all working women considering AI among the top three most engaging training possibilities. Comparatively, this interest is higher among men, with 27% of them ranking AI high on their list. Furthermore, a scanty 7% of women confess to having recently received any kind of AI training, in contrast with 17% of men. On the brighter side, Australia has an impressive average percentage of sector contractors, potentially aiding in capacity building within workforces to counter the skills shortages and plan for future demands.

Alex Jones, Director of Randstad Digital, expresses the urgency to galvanise young women right from school and throughout their higher education journey with substantial career and earning prospects in AI and automation. He said, "To drive growth in Australia's tech sector and drive real, long-term change, we must inspire young women… It's also critical to support women already in the industry to broaden their skills into these areas."

Jones further explains the strategic use of contractors to address immediate knowledge gaps and offer staffing flexibility. However, emphasis should be placed on fortifying permanent workforce capability through dedicated upskilling and cross-skilling in the pursuit of a skilled, adaptable team ready to deal with persistent trade requirements.

Randstad's analysis illuminates Australia's position as a global leader in AI and automation skills, remuneration, and gender representation. While the country excels in female talent infiltration, there remains a gender gap and a need for greater investment in inspiring and supporting women in the sector. The strategic use of contractors and emphasis on upskilling are highlighted as crucial steps to address skills shortages and ensure workforce adaptability in the face of evolving industry demands.

This analytical revelation came from a global study across 23 markets, including prominent regions such as the US, UK, Brazil, Germany, India, and more. The data was gathered from corroborated labour market data per market and granular, skill-based data accumulated from professional social media networks, job boards, and career sites.