Australia Faces AI Talent and Cybersecurity Gaps

• •Australia's tech workforce decreased by 0.3% in 2025, despite sector growth.
• •A projected need for 259,000 additional tech professionals by 2035 highlights a significant skills gap.
• •83% of employers report acute shortages in AI and cybersecurity skills.

Australia's ambitions in artificial intelligence are hindered by a significant shortage of skilled technology professionals and cybersecurity capabilities. The Australian Computer Society's Digital Pulse 2026 report indicates a 0.3% decrease in the technology workforce in 2025, with a projected need for an additional 259,000 technology professionals by 2035. Approximately 70% of technology workers' tasks are now influenced by AI, creating a demand for skilled workers to build and manage these systems. Recruitment firm Hays reports that 83% of employers are seeking technical skills, with AI and cybersecurity being the most areas of shortage. ISACA highlights that many organizations struggle to fill cybersecurity roles, leaving teams understaffed and underprepared for both traditional and AI-related threats. The emergence of AI agents further complicates the landscape, necessitating new governance and operational expertise.