Australians are increasingly ‘job-hugging’ in 2026, choosing to stay put in roles they may no longer enjoy as confidence in the job market weakens and economic uncertainty continues to bite.
New research from LinkedIn shows just over half of Australians (51%) plan to look for a new job this year, down from 59% in 2025.
The shift marks a clear reversal from the post-pandemic Great Resignation, when workers felt confident enough to walk away from unsatisfying roles.
Instead, stability is winning out as job switching feels riskier and more competitive.
Confidence in the job market continues to fall
The research highlights growing anxiety among Australian workers about their employability. Nearly seven in 10 respondents (69%) say finding a job has become harder over the past year, largely due to increased competition.
More concerning, four in five Australians (81%) say they feel unprepared to search for a job in 2026. More than a third (36%) also feel unprepared for how artificial intelligence is reshaping recruitment, from screening to interviews.
Economic uncertainty was cited as the top reason Australians are hesitant to change roles, suggesting job-hugging is driven more by caution than by satisfaction.
AI emerges as a confidence booster
While many Australians are choosing not to move just yet, AI is emerging as a quiet support tool for those who want to stay prepared.
Only 22% of respondents say they are not planning to use AI in their job search. Almost half (48%) believe AI can help reduce bias and standardise interviews, while 50% say AI tools would make them feel more prepared going into an interview.
AI-led interviews are also helping to calm nerves, with 36% saying they would feel less anxious in an AI-led interview, rising to 43% among Gen Z. Nearly half (46%) agree that AI interviews are becoming necessary to land a role.
‘Stability over risk’ defines the mood
LinkedIn career expert Brendan Wong said the findings reflect a fundamental shift in worker behaviour.
“After the Great Resignation, we are seeing the opposite behaviour,” Wong said. “Australians are job-hugging, staying in roles they might have otherwise left because the market feels uncertain and highly competitive.
“When four in five people say they feel unprepared to job hunt, it’s not surprising many are choosing stability over risk. AI can help by giving people the confidence and tools to prepare, even if they are not ready to move just yet.”
Demand surges for AI and risk leadership roles
LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise list for Australia in 2026 reflects how technology and risk management are reshaping demand.
Roles such as AI engineer, director of artificial intelligence and chief risk officer top the list, alongside mechanical engineers supporting infrastructure and energy transition, and media directors leading AI-driven content strategies.
Mental health and organisational change are also prominent, with psychotherapists and organisational development managers ranking among the fastest-growing roles.
Helping professionals prepare for what’s next
To support workers navigating AI-driven change, LinkedIn has announced Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI, a new book by LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky and chief economic opportunity officer Aneesh Raman.
The book will be released globally on March 31, 2026.
The message from the research is clear: fewer people may be moving jobs this year, but many are getting ready for when the moment feels right.