Australians are optimistic about the future of work, according to research by payroll firm ADP.

Despite ongoing apprehensions about AI, cost-of-living and other concerns, 8 in 10 Australians still report being quite or very optimistic about work over the next five years, influenced by workplace factors such as job security, career satisfaction and professional growth.

ADP surveyed 1,400 Australian workers across various industries and demographics in its People at Work research. The findings also revealed Australians working in IT and telecoms (96%), construction (88%) and finance (83%) have the most positive outlook on their careers.

Comparatively, many employees are concerned about their employers’ lack of focus on the development of career and skill set opportunities, with 40% in transport, 48% in media and information and 50% in retail or trade expressing less optimism than most other industries surveyed.

The report also shed light on other factors spurring optimism in the workplace, with increased flexibility high on the priority list for most Australians. In fact, more than four in five (84%) Australians who regularly work from home across all industries report feeling positive about the future of their role for the next five years.

Despite the increasing pressures of the cost of living and the widely reported concerns around AI replacing workers and wage discrepancies, our research shows that Australians are positive about the future of work. That said, businesses must keep this sentiment alive, especially in light of these concerns,” said Kylie Baullo, ADP Managing Director ANZ.

“Flexible working arrangements continue to improve Australians’ hopes for their careers but aren’t the sole solution to employees’ sense of optimism,” said Baullo. “Continuing to reward achievements, addressing mental health concerns, upskilling training programs, and promoting open communication are all essential elements for creating a supportive workplace culture and in turn, creating employee optimism.”