Number of HR professionals has grown 41.2% over past decade

A new report has highlighted the big jump in human resources professionals since 2014.

KPMG recently conducted an analysis highlighting the fastest-growing occupations from 2014 to 2024. The data showed that care economy jobs in health and childcare dominate the increase list, with HR professionals, tech and IT professionals also displaying large increases over the past decade, showing the prioritisation of wellbeing and health.

“The surge in care economy occupations reflects a jobs market responding to Australia’s changing demographics,” said KPMG urban economist Terry Rawnsley.

“We are already seeing governments invest heavily in the aged care, disability support, and childcare sectors to meet future expected demand.”

In 2014, there were 187,400 HR professionals spread across Australia. Fast forward to 2024, and there resides 264,700, a 77,300 increase in HR professionals (41.2 per cent).

With HR roles joining the list of the fastest-growing jobs across Australia, the role itself has been praised as a key foundation for career progression.

As previously reported on HR Leader, a Hays report found a direct trend of chief people officers (CPOs) throughout Australian organisations moving onto CEO roles.

The report showed that 85 per cent of chief people officers are focused on upskilling, focusing on strategic leadership, influencing decision making, and aligning HR strategies with overall business objectives.

“The chief people officer role has broadened in terms of the accountabilities. HR leaders are now heavily involved in business strategy, culture, and operational decision making,” said Eliza Kirkby, managing director at Hays Australia and New Zealand.

“This shift means they must not only understand people but also drive transformation at the highest level.”

Jobseekers may view HR roles as a key pathway towards upward career progression, further increasing the growth we are currently seeing in the HR professional role across Australia.

According to the KPMG report, the number of tech and IT professionals, including software programmers, systems administrators, and IT security specialists, has also seen large increases of around 176,400 since 2014 – representing a 55 per cent growth in the profession.

“These tech and IT professionals design, code, test, and maintain software applications, driving the digital infrastructure behind our essential online banking, shopping, and time-saving apps,” Rawnsley said.

“Many of these professionals also support IT systems across a range of non-tech businesses within the economy, so it isn’t all just about the glamorous end of tech development.”