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Australians Turn to ‘Job‑Hugging’ as Fewer Plan to Switch Jobs in 2026

Survey data show job switching intent has fallen with unemployment steady at 4.3 percent.

Overview

  • A LinkedIn/Censuswide survey of about 2,000 adults finds only 51 percent plan to look for a new role in 2026, down from 59 percent in 2025.
  • Four in five respondents say they feel unprepared to search for a new job, and roughly seven in 10 report that finding work has become harder over the past year.
  • More than one in three people are unsure how artificial intelligence is used in hiring, reflecting growing unease as AI tools screen résumés and shape interviews.
  • Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show employment growth cooled in December and the jobless rate held at 4.3 percent, reinforcing caution among workers.
  • Despite the trend toward staying put, LinkedIn reports rising demand for roles such as AI engineers, risk officers and mechanical engineers, with advice to build AI skills to stay competitive.