How Australians move between jobs

Aniela R • August 3, 2026

New data reveals how Australians move between jobs and what it means for employers and job seekers

Australia's workforce is more dynamic than many people realise. New research from Jobs and Skills Australia highlights how workers move between occupations and industries throughout their careers, providing valuable insights for employers, recruiters and professionals planning their next career move. According to JSA's newly released Occupation Mobility Interactive Tool, career pathways are often far more interconnected than traditional job titles suggest.

Careers are no longer linear

One of the key findings from the report is that occupations tend to form clusters, with workers moving between roles that share similar skills and experience requirements. Rather than following a single, predictable career path, many Australians build careers through a series of lateral moves, stepping stones and transferable skill opportunities.

For example, Australia's most common occupation, Sales Assistant (General), acts as a significant gateway role. Workers frequently transition into related customer service positions, while others leverage their experience to move into higher-skilled roles such as retail management, administration and clerical positions.

The research identifies eight broad occupational mobility clusters across the labour market, including:

Social, Education and Service
Health
Science and Research
Engineering and ICT
Other specialised occupational groups

These clusters demonstrate that many careers are connected through transferable skills, creating opportunities for workers to pivot into new occupations without starting from scratch. Careers are like LEGO creations. Even when you dismantle one model, the individual blocks remain valuable and can be reassembled into something entirely new. Transferable skills are the pieces that make career pivots possible.

What this means for employers

For hiring managers and workforce leaders, the research reinforces the importance of adopting a skills-first approach to recruitment.

Many employers continue to focus heavily on direct industry experience, yet the data shows that workers often succeed when moving between adjacent occupations that share common capabilities. Organisations that broaden their talent criteria may uncover high-quality candidates from non-traditional backgrounds who possess the skills and adaptability to thrive.

At Peoplebank, we're increasingly seeing employers look beyond job titles and focus on capabilities such as stakeholder engagement, problem-solving, digital literacy, project delivery, customer experience, communication and collaboration.

As technology, automation and workforce demands evolve, the ability to recognise transferable skills will become a key competitive advantage.

We're seeing this shift play out across the technology and digital workforce. As demand for specialist skills continues to evolve, many organisations are broadening their hiring strategies to consider adjacent industries, transferable capabilities and future potential, rather than relying solely on direct experience. This approach is helping employers access wider talent pools, reduce skill shortages and identify candidates who can quickly adapt to changing business needs.

What this means for job seekers

For professionals considering their next move, the findings are encouraging. Career progression doesn't always require returning to study, changing industries entirely or waiting for the perfect opportunity. Many occupations provide multiple pathways into related roles, often using skills already developed through previous experience.

Understanding where people typically move next can help job seekers:

Identify realistic career pathways
Understand which skills are most transferable
Target professional development effectively
Explore adjacent industries and occupations
Position themselves more confidently during recruitment processes

Whether you're a technology specialist, project professional, contractor or graduate entering the workforce, understanding labour market mobility can open doors to opportunities you may not have previously considered.

"Peoplebank truly found the right role for me — not just any role, but the right one. They kept me informed throughout, guided me through interviews, paperwork and onboarding and made sure I felt confident and prepared at every stage of the process." – Peoplebank Candidate

The growing importance of workforce mobility

The release comes as workforce planning continues to be a major focus across Australia. Recent labour market research shows that employment patterns are evolving, with workers increasingly building careers through multiple employers, projects and industries over time.

For employers, this highlights the need to create flexible talent strategies that focus on skills, potential and adaptability. For workers, it reinforces the value of continuous learning and being open to opportunities beyond traditional career pathways.

Peoplebank's Perspective

As one of Australia's leading technology and digital recruitment specialists, Peoplebank works with thousands of employers and professionals each year across sectors including government, financial services, telecommunications, healthcare and emerging technology. We see firsthand how workforce mobility, transferable skills and evolving capability requirements are reshaping hiring decisions and career pathways.

The latest Jobs and Skills Australia data reinforces a trend that has been building for several years: organisations are increasingly hiring for capability, potential and adaptability rather than simply matching job titles. Employers who embrace this mindset can access broader and more diverse talent pools, while candidates gain greater confidence to explore opportunities beyond traditional career paths.

Whether you're looking to build your team, navigate a career transition or explore new opportunities in Australia's technology sector, understanding workforce mobility can help unlock better outcomes for both employers and job seekers.

Get in touch with our team today to learn more:

Reference: Jobs and Skills Australia, "New data maps how Australians move between jobs", 2 July 2026.

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