AI and automation now firmly entrenched in finance, HR and technology departments
89% of Australian employers are using AI and 95% are using automation in some capacity for finance, HR or technology processes
35% have extensively or fully integrated AI into their business operations, while 37% of employers have done the same with automation
RobertHalf_AIandAutomation_September.pdf
Finance
86% of Australian finance departments are using AI and 99% are using automation in some capacity
30% of finance departments have extensively or fully integrated AI into their business operations, while 38% of employers have done the same with automation
Budget, forecasting and planning (59%) and accounts payable and invoice processing (56%) are the areas finance leaders are using AI, while financial reporting (39%) and tax compliance (39%) are where they plan to implement AI next
Financial reporting (59%) and accounts payable and invoice processing (57%) are the areas finance leaders are using automation, while expense management (39%) and accounts receivable and cash application (36%) are where they plan to implement automation next
RobertHalf_AIandAutomation_Finance.pdf
Technology
92% of Australian tech departments are using AI and 97% are using automation in some capacity
46% of tech departments have extensively or fully integrated AI into their business operations, while 45% of employers have done the same with automation
Software development and DevOps (64%) and IT data management and analytics (64%) are the areas tech departments are using AI the most, while IT operations and infrastructure management (37%) and compliance and governance (35%) are the top areas tech leaders plan to implement AI next
Business process automation (68%) and IT customer support and service desk (65%) are the top areas tech departments are using automation, while IT operations and infrastructure management (32%) and compliance and governance (31%) are the areas tech leaders plan to implement automation next
RobertHalf_AIandAutomation_Technology.pdf
Human resources
85% of Australian HR departments are using AI and 82% are using automation in some capacity
27% of HR departments have extensively or fully integrated AI into their business operations, while 23% of employers have done the same with automation
Job description creation and optimisation (58%) and resume screening (54%) are the areas HR leaders are using AI, while exit interviews and offboarding analytics (44%) and compensation benchmarking (42%) are where they plan to implement AI next
Resume screening (52%) and candidate assessment (48%) are the areas HR leaders are using automation, while learning and development (39%) and compensation benchmarking (35%) are where they plan to implement automation next
RobertHalf_AIandAutomation_HR.pdf
Notes to editor
About the research
The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in July, 2025, by an independent research company of 500 hiring managers in finance and accounting, IT and technology, and human resources. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed and public sector organisations across Australia. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management, and trends in the workplace.
About Robert Half
Robert Half is the global, specialised talent solutions provider that helps employers find their next great hire and jobseekers uncover their next opportunity. Robert Half offers both contract and permanent placement services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Robert Half Australia has offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Melbourne South East, Perth, and Sydney. More information on roberthalf.com/au.
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