Degrees don't shield workers from AI, but trade qualifications do

Australia's first national AI employment tracker found university graduates and women are concentrated in roles most exposed to automation—telemarketers, accountants, programmers—while tradespeople and aged care workers face minimal risk. The Office of the Chief Economist report, published 8 July, overturns conventional policy wisdom that university credentials protect against disruption. Workers in low-exposure roles have the least tertiary education and most vocational training.