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Pakistani applicants: what Australia's AI layoffs in office roles mean for your plans

News · 2026-10-07 · 4 min read

Australia's job market is adjusting to artificial intelligence, and the effects are now visible in the caseloads of lawyers who handle workplace disputes. For anyone from Pakistan preparing an Australia work visa application, here is an organised summary of the facts and the practical points to act on.

First, the facts on redundancies

Earlier in 2026, Australian employment lawyers reported that redundancies caused by AI had become a weekly matter for them. A specialist in the field said this type of case was not on anyone's radar two years earlier. The roles affected are mainly white-collar positions: coding, administration, copywriting and data analytics. In each of these, AI can now perform some of the duties.

She also made two broader points. Australia's large number of physical jobs offers a degree of protection. Even so, the country is not ready for a major shift. She expects Australia to wait and see, since it is probably behind the US in adopting AI and can watch the impact there first. Data shows US white-collar employment declined in 2025, with major job cuts at some of the largest global companies.

Next, read the survey results correctly

A survey of Australians produced these findings:

The message: AI is a real concern, but most workers have not yet been directly affected.

Then, know where Australian policy stands

• No dedicated AI law. The federal government chose not to proceed with a National Artificial Intelligence Act and set voluntary expectations for industry instead.
• Criticism from the crossbench. An independent ACT senator called this approach too light, said thousands of jobs had already been lost, and said 10 per cent unemployment was not out of the question if AI advanced too fast. He wants one overarching framework in place of a piecemeal approach.
• The government's plan. The National AI Plan aims to capture AI's opportunities, share its benefits and keep Australians safe, with secure, ongoing work as a central aim. The government links success to AI and digital skills and meaningful consultation with workers.
• Monitoring. Since ChatGPT launched in late 2022, the government has built ways to track labour market shifts, with a focus on entry-level roles. Early analysis from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations suggests change has not been faster than usual. The government has also moved to set up the AI Safety Institute.
• Unions. Unions are expected to push for enterprise agreement clauses that block AI replacement or raise redundancy payments.

After that, prepare your application

The AI debate does not change visa requirements, but it is a good reason to make your application as strong as possible:

1. Prepare an English CV that highlights practical skills, results and the digital tools you use.
2. Take an English test (IELTS or PTE) if your visa or employer requires one.
3. Arrange a police character certificate when a police certificate is requested. The Department of Home Affairs explains the character requirements for visas.
4. Before you travel, complete Pakistan's emigration formalities, such as registration with the Protector of Emigrants, and check current requirements with the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment.

Finally, choose your target roles with care

When you search for jobs in Australia for Pakistanis, consider how exposed each role is. The lawyers' comments point to office tasks that AI can partly handle, while hands-on work is where Australia currently has some protection. The government has also said AI should be used to create good jobs rather than threaten them, and it has listed investment in Australian skills and jobs among its principles for data centres and AI infrastructure. Stay informed, keep your skills current, and plan each stage carefully.

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