Top In-Demand Skills You Need to Stay Employable in 2026
Published 5 Dec 2025
Top In-Demand Skills You Need to Stay Employable in 2026
Kristen Michaelides 
As we approach 2026, the global workforce is being reshaped by accelerating technology, demographic change, and economic uncertainty. For professionals determined to stay relevant, it’s no longer optional to upskill. It’s essential.
Here are the most in-demand skills for 2026, the critical skill gaps, and how to close them through targeted, accredited learning. Whether you want to lead in tech, adapt to automation, or thrive in people-centric roles, the direction is clear: learn, evolve, and act.
The most in-demand skills for 2026
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 has identified the following as the fastest-growing and most important workplace skills up until 2030.
- AI and big data
- Networks and cyber security
- Technological literacy
- Creative thinking
- Resilience, flexibility and agility
The 2025 skill gap: What are employees missing?
Despite growing awareness, these key gaps remain:
- Low digital fluency in non-tech roles
- Underdeveloped soft skills, especially communication and resilience
- Limited understanding of AI and data-driven tools
- A mismatch between formal qualifications and practical skills
According to the World Economic Forum, 44% of workers’ skills are expected to change within the next five years. If left unaddressed, these gaps will cost professionals job opportunities and employers’ productivity.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways are uniquely positioned to close these gaps by offering nationally recognised, job-aligned qualifications that evolve in response to labour market needs—unlike many traditional education models, which struggle to adapt at pace.
How to close these gaps in 2026 (through targeted learning pathways)
These five skill areas are critical to increasing your employability in 2026. For each, we’ve selected top-tier, nationally recognised courses that build job-relevant expertise.
Course pathways by skill area
1. AI & big data
Artificial intelligence and data analytics is reshaping every industry. These skills are essential for roles involving automation, forecasting, optimisation and machine learning, especially as professionals are required to make sense of large data sets to extract valuable insights.
The Diploma of Artificial Intelligence is designed to provide both the theoretical and hands-on understanding of AI tools, enabling you to apply these capabilities across various sectors, including finance, health, logistics, and marketing.
Our top course pick: Diploma of Artificial Intelligence
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Other important interpersonal skills
In demand jobs: Highest growth industries in 2026
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Courses found:
2. Networks and cyber security
With cyber threats increasing and digital systems now business-critical, networking and security skills are in constant demand. These qualifications provide the foundation for high-growth IT careers by giving you the capabilities in secure systems design, threat analysis, data protection, and infrastructure maintenance.
Completing an IT qualification specialising in networking or cyber security gives you the layered technical proficiency needed for entry into either of these fast-growing technology fields.
Our top course picks: Certificate IV in Information Technology (Networking), Diploma of Information Technology (Cybersecurity)
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3. Technological literacy
An IT qualification builds confidence in using modern technologies and workplace systems, including cloud platforms, enterprise software, and common productivity tools. The Certificate IV in Information Technology and Diploma of Information Technology teach you practical experience with essential IT systems and infrastructure, so you can work confidently in digital environments.
Our top course picks: Certificate IV in Information Technology, Diploma of Information Technology
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4. Creative and strategic thinking
Today’s workplaces need adaptable thinkers who can solve complex problems and make strategic decisions. Creative thinking is essential for roles in business, innovation and organisational planning. The Diploma of Business is ideal for building these capabilities, offering training in project planning, critical analysis, and operational strategy.
Our top course pick: Diploma of Business
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5. Resilience, flexibility & agility
Adaptability is a top-ranked skill for the future. It allows you to navigate organisational change, embrace new technologies and lead through uncertainty. The Diploma of Leadership and Management strengthens these capabilities through subjects on emotional intelligence, team leadership, and change management, teaching you how to lead others through periods of transformation and pressure with clarity and confidence.
Our top course pick: Diploma of Leadership and Management
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How to choose the right course
Nationally recognised
Choose qualifications accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). These ensure your training is credible, transferable, and valued by employers across states and industries.
Industry-aligned
Prioritise courses built in collaboration with employers and industry experts. This ensures that what you’re learning matches the real-world demands of the current job market and makes you more immediately employable.
Flexible delivery
Look for training options that offer online, part-time or hybrid delivery. This flexibility allows you to balance study with existing work or life commitments.
Other important interpersonal skills
While technical and adaptive skills are essential, interpersonal abilities continue to play a major role in employability and workplace effectiveness. These include:
Active listening
Crucial for understanding complex instructions, resolving conflicts, and building rapport.
Collaboration
Team-based problem-solving is central to most modern roles, particularly in agile and cross-functional environments.
Analytical thinking
Enables workers to assess challenges logically, interpret data, and contribute to strategic decisions.
Emotional intelligence
Supports effective communication, empathy, and leadership—particularly in high-pressure or client-facing settings.
In demand jobs: Highest growth industries in 2026
Knowing which skills are in demand is only part of the equation. The other is understanding where job creation will actually happen. According to Jobs and Skills Australia’s Projecting Employment to 2026 report, these are the industries projected to experience the strongest employment growth:
Top 5 industries by job growth (2023–2026):
- Health Care and Social Assistance — Australia’s largest and fastest-growing sector, projected to add over 290,000 jobs.
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services— High-skill fields like IT, engineering, consulting and science are forecast to grow by over 130,000 jobs.
- Education and Training — Strong growth (especially in tertiary and vocational sectors) with over 70,000 new roles expected.
- Accommodation and Food Services — Hospitality is bouncing back, with ~30,000 jobs to be added.
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If your goal is future-proof employability, targeting one of these industries and aligning your skills to their demands gives you a structural advantage. Pair that focus with accredited training, and you’re positioning yourself well ahead of the curve in 2026 and beyond.
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Final thoughts
2026 will reward those who act early. The skills in demand are clear. The gaps are documented. The courses are available. What separates those who thrive from those who stall is action.
Employers are already prioritising candidates who demonstrate adaptability, technical fluency, and a commitment to continuous learning. Waiting for the job market to adjust to you is no longer a viable strategy, and the most competitive professionals are aligning themselves with emerging trends now by building skills that employers value and industries need.
Ready to start 2026 off strong? Explore accredited training options today.
Browse Results
Top Result
Diploma of Nursing HLT54121
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Location Adelaide South Australia
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Certificate III in Community Services (WA Only) CHC32015
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Certificate III in Fitness SIS30321
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Location Melbourne Victoria
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Study Method Blended
Location Adelaide South Australia +5
Job Outcomes Naturopath
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Location Adelaide South Australia +5
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Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing OR Disability) (Perth Only) CHC33021
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Location Perth Western Australia +2
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Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education & Care (Perth Only) CHC30121
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Certificate III in Community Services (Perth Only) CHC32015
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Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) (SA Only) CHC33021
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Location South Australia
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Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (VIC Only) HLT31120
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Diploma of Community Services (Perth Only) CHC52021
The Diploma of Community Services qualification reflects the roles of community services, case management and social housing workers involved in the managing, co-ordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups and communi...
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Location Perth Western Australia +1
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Certificate IV in Business (Perth Only) BSB40120
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Location Perth Western Australia +1
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Location Perth Western Australia +1
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Location Perth Western Australia +2
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Certificate III in School-Based Education Support (Perth Only) CHC30213
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Location Perth Western Australia +2
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