5 workplace trends to watch in 2026
With 2026 well underway, you might be wondering what changes the New Year will bring to the workplace and what these mean for your career.
Last year brought big shifts in technology and the economy, affecting everything from the skills employers want to how much they pay and how flexible they are with workplace conditions. In 2026, these trends look likely to continue, bringing new challenges as well as opportunities for you to grow your career.
Here are five workplace trends experts predict will shape Australian workplaces and what you can do to stay ahead.
1. Use of AI will increase, for both candidates and employers
The use of AI has exploded recently across almost all aspects of the recruitment process. Businesses are using it to streamline hiring processes, including tasks like writing job descriptions (76%), screening resumés (72%) and scheduling interviews (71%), SEEK data shows.
On the job-seeking side candidates are using AI tools for help writing their resumés (25%), drafting cover letters (25%) and preparing for interviews (12%).
This is only expected to grow over the next year. Remember that AI is a helpful tool, but it’s not perfect. Review its output thoroughly, tailor your application for each job, and add your own personal touch to avoid sounding like everyone else.
“People are starting to develop AI fatigue, on both sides of the equation,” says Kristine Tuazon, Principal Consultant at Good People HR. “Hiring managers might be wondering if they’re speaking with a real person or reading an AI-generated resumé.”
At the end of the day, hirers want to know that you’re capable of doing the work. Use your own voice to set yourself apart in a crowded labour market, she says.
2. Visibility is more important than ever
Hirers are seeing record levels of job applications in the current labour market. Making sure you’re as discoverable as possible gives you the edge in a flooded market, says Kylie Pascoe, APAC Senior Marketing Manager of SEEK’s Customer Insights & Research team.
What does this mean for you? “Jobseekers need to make it easy for employers and recruiters to find them. That starts with having a fully updated SEEK profile,” she says. “The more detail you provide, from work experience to skills and qualifications, the more likely the right employers are to notice you.”
Another way to get eyes on your application is by using SEEK’s ‘Show Strong Interest’ feature, which lets employers know you’re genuinely enthusiastic about their role. To use this feature, log into your SEEK Profile and turn on ‘Show Strong Interest’ during the review step before submitting your application. If you’ve already applied, you can still add it later through the Applied Jobs tab.
You’ll need a verified digital identity via SEEK Pass to access this feature, and you can use this for up to three applications per month.
3. Power skills will still be in high demand
As technology continues to evolve, power skills (also known as people skills) are growing in demand among employers. These skills, which include communication, adaptability, teamwork, creativity and emotional intelligence, are highly desired byemployers in 2026 and beyond.
While people often think of skills like creativity as being innate, power skills can be strengthened through practice just like any other. If you’re job hunting this year, think about which of these you should focus on.
“Having a combination of technical skills plus power ones, such as interpersonal skills, teamwork, EQ, collaboration and creativity, is what’s going to help you in 2026,” says Tuazon. “This is because we’re all trying to imagine what jobs will look like with the help of AI. Consider what skills you can strengthen to support your job in five or 10 years’ time.”
4. People are veering off the “traditional” career path – and employers are embracing it
These days, more people are following non-traditional career paths, as it’s rarely viable to spend decades with a single employer. This might mean pivoting into a new field, bypassing traditional education, or taking on an extra gig or side hustle. While employers might’ve been wary of a non-traditional work history in the past, in 2026 they’re embracing the unique skills, experience and perspectives of candidates who’ve taken different paths.
“It doesn't matter whether your career is linear or non-linear,” says Leah Lambart, Career Coach and Director of Relaunch Me. “What’s important is that you’re intentional about your career development and planning. Know what you want to do next, map your skills towards that and plan how to get there.”
5. Benefits are the new salary
Increasingly, Australians are thinking about the benefits of their roles beyond salary. SEEK’s Money Matters Report shows 65% of Australians would choose work-life balance over higher pay. For those who can work from home, around one in four wouldn’t return to the office full-time, no matter the pay rise on offer.
“This means many of us are prioritising perks that support better work-life balance, such as increased annual leave, reduced working hours, monthly rostered days off, and more flexible arrangements,” says Pascoe. “Securing these kinds of benefits makes a real difference to day-to-day satisfaction, helping us feel valued and supported in our roles.”
Every new year brings challenges and opportunities for your career – the ‘secret’ to staying ahead is taking a proactive approach and adapting as best you can with your experience and skill set. In 2026, learning how to harness AI, and using technology to complement your people skills, will put you in a great starting position.
Independent research conducted by Nature of behalf of SEEK, interviewing 12,000 Australians annually. Published November 2025.
Money Matters report Source: Research conducted for SEEK by Nature, between February and June 2025 via an online survey. Responses were gathered from over 3,000 individuals currently in the workforce (either employed or looking for work), aged 18-64, and living in Australia.