One in four Australian jobs are at high risk of automation as robotic processes, chatbots and AI models take over tasks previously performed by humans.

AI alone could transform up to 1.5 million jobs by 2030, according to new research, and roles in retail, finance, and media are among the most affected already.

Research from Pearson has revealed that the nature of work in Australia is changing and Australians are struggling to keep up due to a growing skills gap, which could soon become a “skills chasm”.

And workers could lose a fortune in earnings if they don’t start upskilling now.

Current employee capabilities don’t always align with what employers need, and that’s likely to get worse as more industries embrace AI and automation.

“Almost one in four people in Australia are going to have automation impact their employment and impact their job in the next five years,” Pearson’s country head Taha Haidermota told 9news.com.au.

“Jobs will change, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be eliminated, they’ll just be transformed into a shape or nature that you may not necessarily have today.

“It’s very easy to think, oh my gosh, the robots are coming. And that isn’t true.”

Workers who can adapt and reskill to work alongside AI and automation will thrive.

Those who can’t are likely to struggle because their existing skills won’t fit new employer needs.

Such skills gaps are already making it hard for Aussies to transition from education to work and between jobs, whether due to an involuntary exit or automation disruption.

These slow transitions take a toll on individuals though lost income, job insecurity, and diminished wellbeing.

They also have a massive impact on Australia’s economy, costing the nation up to $104 billion each year.

And if Australians can’t adapt to new ways of working, these impacts will only get worse.

“Adaptability is going to be absolutely key over the next few years,” Haidermota said.

“Because things are changing, the pace at which things are changing has increased, and the impact on ordinary Australians is how are they equipped to deal with that change?”

Which is why it’s so important for workers to start future-proofing their careers now.

Pearson’s report suggests the best ways to do so are by prioritising upskilling and “learning to learn”, and moving away from outdated linear career paths.

Workers who learn to adapt to career changes and reskill effectively are less likely to be negatively impacted by automation and AI.

They could see wage growth of up to 12 per cent within two years, and boost the economy by slashing the time it takes workers to transition between roles.

Employers should prioritise upskilling opportunities for staff, whether it be on-the-job training or external education, to better prepare them for the changing nature of work.

Skills that will be most in-demand in the coming years will include collaboration, customer focus, and cultural and social intelligence.

Gone are the days where one-time education could launch workers into a career they’d stick to for the rest of their working lives.

Instead, Aussies will need to embrace career pivots outside the traditional path of attending university and climbing a linear career ladder.