Melbourne job market: AI adoption and GreenTech growth

Melbourne job market: AI adoption and GreenTech growth

Posted August 13, 2025

Market Overview

Key insights:

  1. AI goes mainstream in hiring – From ATS plugins to screening chatbots, AI-driven recruitment tools are now a standard feature for entry-level hires in many organisations.
  2. Victoria’s GreenTech boom – Climate-smart technologies, renewable energy innovation, and AI-powered sustainability analytics are creating a surge in specialist tech demand.
  3. Cautious but curious SMEs – 42% of SMEs have no plans for AI adoption, but those experimenting are focusing on practical, low-risk applications like marketing automation and document processing.

These regional insights are updated quarterly, if you need help navigating the hiring landscape over the next three months please reach out to our team.

AI continues to dominate strategic conversations across industries, with its footprint growing rapidly in hiring practices and organisational capability building. This quarter, we’ve seen a new wave of AI-driven candidate qualification tools hit the market from ATS plugins and virtual interview agents to screening chatbots. Some companies have now made AI screening a default requirement for all entry-level hires. What was once experimental is now standard operating procedure.

On the hiring front, integration specialists remain in high demand as organisations grapple with the challenge of linking new AI and automation technologies to legacy systems. Cybersecurity recruitment is also surging, particularly in roles focused on SIEM, cyber automation, and threat analysis.

There’s renewed demand for business analysts and change managers, which is often an early signal that large-scale transformation projects are on the horizon. Project delivery and PMO talent are also expected to follow. Meanwhile, new roles like AI Compliance Analyst and AI Lead are beginning to emerge, signalling the formalisation of internal AI strategies.

A key development this quarter is the rapid rise of Victoria’s GreenTech sector. Driven by ambitious government targets, startup momentum, and university-industry partnerships, the sector has evolved beyond clean energy into a thriving ecosystem of climate-smart technologies.

Victoria’s renewable energy goal (95% by 2035) is fuelling demand for:

  • Smart grid software
  • Battery management systems
  • AI-powered climate risk analysis
  • Energy management system developers
  • IoT platform engineers for smart meters and sensors

Green AI, climate tech, and energy analytics roles are accelerating, creating new opportunities for software engineers, data analysts, and product leaders who bring a sustainability mindset to their work.

From a business readiness standpoint, Australia’s small-to-mid-tier sector is still catching up. As of December 2024, the Department of Industry, Science and Research reports:

  • 35% of SMEs have adopted some form of AI
  • 23% are unsure how to use it
  • 42% have no current plans to adopt it

While caution remains, there are signs of growing curiosity. Many mid-sized businesses are testing targeted use cases often in areas like marketing, document handling, or cyber risk, while CIOs focus on upskilling teams and improving understanding of existing AI tools. The emphasis is shifting from panic to practical progress.

Candidate needs

  • Flexibility or hybrid working options
  • Clear boundaries between work and life and prioritising mental wellbeing
  • Stable, long term, large project/BAU work will often be preferred
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Permanent or long-term contracts and are willing to negotiate lower rates to secure these positions

Business needs

  • Employees and contractors willing to work onsite for a minimum of 3 days per week
  • With the persistent threat of cyberattacks, businesses will invest heavily in robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard their data, systems, and customer information
  • Businesses will invest in AI-powered analytics, automation, personalised customer experiences, and predictive maintenance to gain competitive advantages
  • There will be a growing emphasis on sustainability, leading to investments in eco-friendly IT solutions, renewable energy technologies, and initiatives aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of digital infrastructure

The year ahead

Looking forward, AI is shifting from strategic aspiration to real-world execution with hiring trends starting to reflect that momentum. We’re now seeing:

  • A growing number of AI-related roles, such as AI Compliance Analysts, AI Leads, and GenAI consultants
  • Continued momentum for change and project delivery roles, especially in organisations scaling transformation initiatives
  • Increased reliance on AI-driven recruitment tools, particularly for high-volume or entry-level roles

For small and mid-tier businesses, the approach remains cautious but curious. Instead of full-scale AI implementations, most are trialling AI in low-risk, high-return areas like:

  • Marketing automation
  • Document processing
  • Data entry
  • Sales forecasting
  • Fraud detection
  • Generative AI assistants

Sector-specific adoption will also shape the hiring landscape:

  • Retail and services will expand AI use for personalised customer experiences
  • Manufacturing will double down on predictive analytics
  • Health and education will continue leveraging AI for operational support

One of the most significant shifts on the horizon is the expansion of GreenTech as a high-growth vertical, particularly in Victoria. We expect:

  • Strong demand for climate-focused tech talent, including software engineers, data analysts, and product leaders with experience in energy systems, sustainability analytics, and AI-powered risk tools
  • Increasing crossover between AI and clean energy in both startups and established organisations
  • More roles that align tech careers with mission-driven, future-proof work

In Tier One organisations, the outlook is bolder. Many are doubling down on AI to improve everything from customer experience to operational efficiency. These companies continue to invest in internal innovation hubs and training programs, with a strong focus on responsible AI and ethics-by-design frameworks.

The biggest threat? Inaction. This year, the biggest risk for many leaders and businesses isn’t AI adoption but falling behind.