Fixing Australia’s Productivity with Tech

Australia’s productivity performance has been under pressure for much of this century.

After strong gains in the 1990s, growth has slowed significantly since the early 2000s.

The Productivity Commission notes that Australia's productivity has been in "long-run decline" since 2004 (Productivity Commission, 2023).

With a shrinking workforce and rising global competition, we urgently need to rethink how we work, and technology can help lead the way.

Research

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported a 3.7% fall in labour productivity for 2022–23 — the sharpest annual drop (ABS, 2023).

This is not a one-off event but reflects deeper structural issues, including stagnating innovation, uneven technology adoption, and underinvestment in skills. Deloitte’s 2024 Australian Productivity Pulse found that businesses failing to invest in both technology and people were most vulnerable to setbacks (Deloitte, 2024).

Research consistently shows the challenge is not access to technology, but the capability and mindset to embed it effectively.

Technology Options

Several technologies offer real opportunities to help reverse Australia's productivity decline:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Automates tasks, enhances insights, and supports faster decisions.

  
  

• Cloud Computing: Improves collaboration, scalability, and operational agility.

  
  

• Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Reduces manual processes and operational errors.

  
  

• Data Analytics: Drives smarter strategies through real-time information.

  
  

However, technology cannot simply be added to outdated processes. It must be integrated deliberately and clearly linked to business objectives.

Benefits

The rewards are significant when organisations embrace the right technologies, aligned with a shift in how work is designed and delivered. Businesses experience:

• Faster decision-making

  
  

• Increased employee satisfaction

  
  

• More responsive and innovative operations

  
  

• Greater ability to compete internationally

Given Australia’s demographic and economic challenges, adopting digital technologies is no longer optional — it is essential.

To truly capture these benefits, companies must develop a digital and business strategy that aligns technology investments with operational outcomes and workforce capabilities.

If your organisation is ready to move beyond discussion and into action, I can help. Contact me here.