Where to find the best jobs – and how to correctly use AI to obtain one

Aussie jobseekers trying to land top jobs, but it’s backfiring badly. See where the top salaries are by state and how you can make your CV stand out.

AI-generated resumes are causing a “productivity gap” in the Australian job market.

Exclusive: AI-generated resumes are causing a “productivity gap” in the Australian job market, with recruiters overwhelmed by unsuitable applications – and far too many to process.

Positions which would usually be filled quickly are remaining empty “because of the huge backlog” of resumes for human resources teams to process – often more than 1000 per role.

As a result, more than 80 per cent of organisations faced skills shortages in the past year, a new survey by recruitment giant Hays found.

“There’s kind of white noise in the system because there’s a significant number of applications,” Hays’ Asian Pacific chief executive Matthew Dickason said.

“Finding the good quality (candidates) against those that have just been utilising AI as part of that process is increasingly difficult.

“There are a lot of positions that are remaining unfilled because of the huge backlog.”

Hays’ Asian Pacific chief executive Matthew Dickason. Picture: Supplied

The 46th Hays Salary guide, which surveyed more 12,000 people, also pulled focus on the big moving industries of 2025 – including those paying six figures – and the states offering the best salaries.

While the national average gross salary is $141,900, NSW has the highest proportion of workers in finance and tech jobs earning $150,000 to $199,000, at 22 per cent, and 5 per cent of workers earn $250,000 or more.

Queensland recorded the highest average salary increase in the country at 5.6 per cent, with 8 per cent of workers receiving raises of 20 per cent or more.

The salary range in QLD is $50,000 to $650,000, with construction and legal services being popular industries.

Victorian salaries ranged from $50,000 to $700,000 and office support is the most popular industry from a fee perspective.

South Australia has seen solid growth, with only 25 per cent of workers reporting no salary change. The salary range for SA is $55,000 to $550,000.

Tasmania has the lowest average at $125,900 and highest proportion earning $50,000 to$99,000.

The Northern Territory has the highest proportion earning under $100,000 at 31 per cent, driven by a striking 29 per cent in the $50,000 to $99,000 range.

Western Australia leads in high-income earners, with the highest share earning $250,000 at eight per cent.

Legal work is the top growth earnings industry followed by media professionals, construction workers, and financial brokers, dealers and investors.

Advisers came in fourth place, engineering workers followed, then architects, designers, planners and surveyors in sixth place.

Accountants, auditors, and company secretaries finished seventh, ahead of the natural and physical science industry, due to rising investment in STEM roles.

Sales, marketing and PR roles were ninth followed by arts professionals.

The industries losing out were public service and care jobs due to tighter funding, less flexibility in wage negotiations, and institutional constraints.

Rescue my Resume founder Emma Maslen.

Rescue my Resume founder Emma Maslen said having a good, personalised resume is the key to standing out in an increasingly competitive job market.

“It’s the toughest I’ve ever seen it. I’m seeing a lot of people … out of work for longer than usual,” Ms Maslen said.

“It’s just quite cutthroat.”

Ms Maslen said applicants should not overlook AI, as if used correctly it can help finesse a resume and cover letters.

“You need to make sure it does showcase your skills and achievements but also your personality,” she said.

“Write the first draft without Chat GPT so that it actually sounds like a human,” Ms Maslen advised.

“By all means, once they’ve got a draft, put it into AI and see if it can be worded better.”