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Almost one in four Australian workers say AI has already cost jobs at their workplace
New research from Aegentra reveals almost one in four working Australians (23.3%) say AI has already led to job cuts at their workplace. Fewer than a third of those workers (30.2%) say their employer named AI as the reason.
Published by Aegentra · · Updated
New research from Aegentra reveals almost one in four working Australians (23.3%) say AI has already led to job cuts at their workplace, from a nationally representative survey of more than 2,900 working Australians. Fewer than a third of those workers (30.2%) say their employer named AI as the reason, leaving most to judge AI’s role for themselves.
Most workers who weren’t told still believe AI was the cause
Of the workers who weren’t told AI was responsible, 62.9% still believe it was the real cause. One in five (20%) believe AI’s role was deliberately concealed.
“‘Budget cuts’ sounds like the weather,” said Harry Sidhu, Director and Principal Consultant, Aegentra. “‘We chose to automate this work’ sounds like a decision. Most leaders would rather talk about the weather.”
Canva points to “new technology”
On 4 November 2026, Canva announced changes affecting 1,271 people, or 22% of its workforce, including role changes, relocations and departures. Canva’s announcement pointed to new technology transforming what people create, without naming AI.
“I don’t know Canva’s numbers, so I won’t guess at their reasons,” Mr Sidhu said. “I understand why an established company says it needs to return to small, empowered teams. But whatever the reasons, staff will read ‘new technology’ as AI anyway, so it’s better to be clear about the part it played and what support people will get.”
Three in four workers want large companies to disclose AI job cuts
Three in four working Australians (75.4%) want large and listed companies legally required to declare job reductions linked to AI. Just over half (51.5%) want penalties for misleading declarations, while only 12.0% oppose a disclosure requirement.
“Disclosure should be mandatory, and I’d set the threshold by turnover rather than headcount,” Mr Sidhu said. “Employers cutting 15 or more jobs for economic, technological or structural reasons already have to notify Services Australia, so add automation to that notice. Disclose the impact, not the inventory. Naming the tools a business relies on gives attackers a target list.”
New transparency rules start in December
From 10 December 2026, Privacy Act changes require organisations to explain in their privacy policies when computer programs make, or substantially help make, decisions that could significantly affect people, including recruitment decisions. Most small businesses with annual turnover of $3 million or less remain exempt.
The parliamentary Joint Select Committee on AI is due to deliver its final report on 30 November 2026.
Seven in 10 workers who saw AI job cuts say their employer didn’t name AI
69.8% of workers who saw AI-related cuts say their employer gave another reason. 20.4% of those say they’re aware of a deliberate effort to hide AI’s role.
Only 30.2% say their employer attributed the cuts to AI. Seven in 10 say their employer gave another reason.
Source: Aegentra research, nationally representative survey, four pooled waves, n=2,932 working Australians, weighted to ABS benchmarks. Step 1: working respondents (n=2,775). Base for steps 2 to 4: workers who say AI led to job cuts at their workplace (n=640); the split of those given another reason uses Q9 (n=450). Figures may not add due to rounding.
About the data
This release is based on Aegentra research: a nationally representative survey of 3,911 Australians (2,932 in work), conducted for Aegentra by an independent Australian research firm, pooled across four waves conducted in July and August 2026 and weighted to ABS Labour Force Survey benchmarks for age, sex and state. The margin of error is ±1.9 percentage points on the working-population base.
Findings should be read alongside the methodology, sources and limitations in the full report. Estimates and scenarios are not guarantees of future outcomes.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice.
About Aegentra
Aegentra is an Australian cybersecurity, risk and AI governance consultancy helping organisations strengthen security, manage risk and prepare for external audits. Its services include ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 implementation, internal audits, SOC 2 readiness, Microsoft 365 security hardening and penetration testing. Through Aegentra Academy and Aegentra Labs, it also provides professional training and independent exam preparation. Aegentra focuses on practical controls, clear accountability and documented evidence to help organisations meet customer expectations and strengthen trust in how they manage information and technology. Aegentra also has sites for New Zealand at aegentra.co.nz and the United Kingdom at aegentra.co.uk.
For further data or commentary
Media enquiries: media@aegentra.com.au
The full findings, the chart, the methodology and what employers should do before 10 December 2026 are in the report: AI and Job Cuts in Australia: Worker Survey 2026.