More than half of Australian workers anticipate needing a ‘Career Plan B’

• Nearly half (46%) of workers said they were unconvinced that their original education pathway had fully prepared them for today's workforce, with this rising to 50% for Gen Z workers.
• UNSW College launches new offering, Applied Degrees, bachelor-level programs backed by Australia's most employable university, and co-designed with industry, to equip graduates with the skills they need most.
• UNSW College’s Applied Degrees combine academic rigour with practical, industry-designed learning, to support the nation’s upskillers and career switchers. 

AUSTRALIA - 5 AUGUST, 2026 

There is a clear and growing need for practical, work-ready education as Australians navigate a rapidly changing world of work. More than half (57%) of Australian workers believe they'll need a 'Career Plan B' according to new research from UNSW College*, highlighting a vital need for education that is purpose-built for employability.

Surveying over 1,000 working Australians**, the research revealed that the need for a ‘Career Plan B’ is felt even more strongly among younger to mid-careers workers, rising to 68% of Gen Z and 63% of Millennials. As technology, skills churn and changing workforce demands reshape industries, Australians increasingly recognise they’ll need to continually build new skills throughout their careers. 

Despite recognising the need to adapt, many Australians aren’t yet taking the next step. While almost nine in 10 (89%) workers believe continuous learning is important to staying relevant in today's workforce, only 35% are currently undertaking professional training or development. At the same time, nearly half (46%) of workers are unconvinced their original education pathway has fully prepared them for today's workforce.

UNSW College has acknowledged this pressing need for an education pathway that offers practical and flexible study for those at all stages of their career journey. This has prompted the launch of Applied Degrees, a new suite of three-year bachelor’s degrees that blend academic excellence with practical, industry-designed learning to prepare graduates with the skills employers value most in today’s changing world.

Sarah Lightfoot, CEO of UNSW College, says,

“We are living through a period of unprecedented change and understand how daunting it is for Australian workers to navigate their careers in this complex, uncertain environment. This is why it is absolutely critical that our education sector steps up to provide flexible pathways that give learners the skills they need to thrive today and long into the future.”

 “We’re proud that UNSW College’s new Applied Degrees respond directly to this challenge. This is a unique offering addressing head-on the ever increasing importance of real-world learning and experience to land a job. These degrees specialise in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), with hands-on learning, networking opportunities and industry exposure. These qualifications offer more entry points, and give graduates the skills to go straight into a career, switch or step up, and adapt over time.” 

Aussie workers bracing themselves for change

Australians are increasingly viewing career change as an expected part of working life, with six in 10 (61%) believing they'll have three or more careers during their lifetime. Rather than preparing for a single career, many workers are anticipating a need to continually adapt and change.

For many, a ‘Career Plan B’ is already more than just an idea. 12% of Australians have had a Plan B in place for longer than 12 months, while a further one in 10 have developed one in the last 12 months. In addition to this, 34% of Aussies think they will need a Plan B at some point in their career, highlighting how workers are bracing themselves for change. Among those who already have a Plan B, almost half (45%) have either already acted on it or are actively moving towards it. 

As career pathways become less linear, the research highlights the importance of education options that equip learners with practical transferable skills and real-world experience to confidently navigate career changes throughout their working lives.

In 2026, work-ready is more than a qualification 

For many Australians, the challenge to being work-ready isn't simply gaining another qualification, but finding education that helps bridge the gap between study and work by providing practical, hands-on experience. Younger Australians are the least confident in the future-proofing of their education pathways to date, with half (50%) of Gen Z workers and almost half (47%) of Millennials believing their education has not prepared them for today's workforce.

The findings suggest Australians increasingly define being work-ready as about more than qualifications alone. Hands-on experience was identified as the top factor in preparing people for work (30%), ahead of qualities such as a willingness to learn (22%) and experience with emerging technologies like AI (14%).

Career Coach Kate Richardson says this research reflects what she sees firsthand. Specialising in career transitions at all stages of life, Kate understands how practical experience can help workers navigate career changes.

Kate Richardson, Career Coach, says,

"Thinking about a 'Career Plan B' doesn't have to mean leaving your job tomorrow. It starts with identifying alternative career options, exploring which 'Plan B' might best suit your priorities, and learning how to make the transition. This includes understanding the role education can play in navigating your career shift. The best education pathways don't just build knowledge; they give people an opportunity to apply what they've learnt, build industry networks and develop the confidence to take their next step.”

UNSW College Applied Degrees are co-designed with industry to directly address critical workforce needs and skills shortages while supporting broader access to higher education in response to changing workforce expectations of work readiness. Combining academic rigour with hands-on experience in a flexible learning environment, the new degrees are designed to help graduates enter the workforce with both theoretical knowledge and real-world experience.

Launching in October 2026, the first Applied Degrees will be offered in Business Management, IT Cyber Defence and Networking, and IT Software Development, supporting learners at every stage in their career journey, including school leavers, career changers and working professionals looking to upskill.

For more information on UNSW College Applied Degrees visit: www.unswcollege.edu.au/study/applied-degrees