Work and automation
Q. Which statement best represents your current situation? (In these statements, “automation” means the use of machines and technology to replace human processes).
Total | Men | Women | Aged 18-34 | Aged 35-54 | Aged 55+ | ||
My job has already been replaced by automation | 3% | 5% | 2% | 5% | 3% | 2% | |
My job has been significantly changed my automation | 9% | 11% | 7% | 12% | 8% | 5% | |
I expect my job to be replaced by automation in the next five years | 11% | 12% | 10% | 17% | 9% | 4% | |
I don’t think my job will be replaced by automation in the foreseeable future | 59% | 56% | 61% | 53% | 64% | 58% | |
Don’t know | 18% | 16% | 20% | 14% | 16% | 30% |
(Based on those working)
59% of working respondents don’t think their job will be replaced by automation in the foreseeable future. 3% say that have already been replaced by automation, 9% say their job has significantly changed and 11% expect their job to be replaced by automation. 53% of those aged 18-34 don’t think their job will be replaced by automation compared to 64% of those aged 35-54.
Increasing Productivity
Q. Which of the following would be the most effective way to increase productivity in Australian workplaces?
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Full time workers |
Part time workers |
|
More flexibility for businesses in how they employ and manage workers |
21% |
18% |
28% |
12% |
23% |
12% |
More input from workers into how businesses are managed |
17% |
19% |
13% |
25% |
15% |
29% |
Invest more in skills and education |
35% |
40% |
29% |
42% |
35% |
30% |
Invest more in technology and innovation |
8% |
11% |
8% |
9% |
8% |
7% |
Stop Government assistance to industries so that they are forced to be productive or close |
10% |
5% |
15% |
8% |
11% |
12% |
Don’t know |
9% |
7% |
7% |
4% |
8% |
10% |
35% think investing more in skills and education is the most effective way to increase productivity, 21% favour more flexibility for businesses in how they employ and manage workers and 17% nominated more input from workers into how businesses are managed.
40% of Labor voters and 42% of Greens voters favour investing in skills and education while 28% of Liberal/National voters favour more flexibility for businesses in how they employ and manage workers.
25% of Greens voters and 29% of part-time workers favoured more input from workers into how businesses are managed.

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- Performance of Scott Morrison
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- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
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- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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