Occupations in Australia: Trends in Doctors, Teachers, and Taxi Drivers

This essay explores the trends in the doctors, teachers and taxi drivers' occupations in Australia and reveals that AI and robotics do not affect labor supply and demand. It also discusses the changes in the demand and supply of labor due to population changes and how organizations can change who they hire. The analysis shows that the number of female employees in all occupations has increased from the 1970s to the present, and that population affects the workforce. The government controls the supply and demand of labor in most professions, and managers should use this knowledge to advocate for the use of technology.

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Occupations in Australia
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Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and New Generation Robotics
The use of artificial intelligence in the society has increased nowadays. According to
Papadimitriou (2016), artificial intelligence involves not only the use of robotics but also systems
that use algorithms to perform human-like functions. This explanation was used to dispel the
assumption that artificial intelligence entailed the use of human-like robots only. The trend of
using AI has grown due to the introduction of computers in the 1990s (Papadimitriou 2016). The
use of AI has impacted various fields of the society such as business, communication, and health.
For example, it has allowed the use of an algorithm that can predict market trends (Papadimitriou
2016). This essay explores the trends in the doctors, teachers and taxi drivers' occupations and
reveals that AI and robotics do not affect labor supply and demand.
In the future, the use of artificial intelligence and robotics may make the society worse.
Elon Musk has warned about the future adverse effects of using AI (Finlay 2017). According to
Finlay (2017), the use of AI may make it easier for humans to be controlled due to overreliance.
Presently, AI is preferred because it can make decisions better compared to humans. For
example, some companies use AI in the hiring process, and it is used in radiology to determine
cancer signs (Finlay 2017). Additionally, these systems gather information about its users that it
can use to manipulate them, which makes them dangerous. Ultimately, the use of AI could make
it easier for those who control AI to oppress the rest.
On the other hand, the use of artificial intelligence and robotics could lead to a better
society in the future. Based on growth theory, the replacement of labor with AI and robotics
systems increases capital share and economic growth (Masayuki 2016). The benefits result from
the minimization of human errors, which improves productivity. According to Masayuki (2016),

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replacing labor with AI and robotics entirely may have adverse effects, but such replacement
cannot be witnessed soon. This assessment reveals that AI makes society better.
Overall, the use of artificial intelligence and robotics makes society better despite the risk
of being controlled by machines mentioned earlier. The use of AI and robotics could be
beneficial, which means policies that protect humans from the harmful effects need to be
developed. Ultimately, the use of modern technology is unavoidable, and it aims to make society
better. Frey and Osborne (2017) state that the use of AI may replace approximately 40 percent of
the jobs in the U.S. Despite this replacement, Masayuki (2016) predicts that new occupations
will be created and human beings can protect themselves through upgrading human capital. This
assessment proves that the use of AI and robotics has its negative impacts, but it will make
society better in the future.
Doctors
The medical profession of Australia comprises of general doctors and specialists.
Presently, there is an oversupply of general doctors in Australia. Patty (2017) predicted that the
oversupply was due to the migration of overseas doctors. Additionally, the rate of growth of the
medical profession has been more than the Australian's aging population. For instance, in 2011,
the number of doctors was 70,200, and in April 2018 it was 114, 675 (Australian Bureau of
Statistics 2013; Medical Board of Australia 2018). The number of male doctors is more than the
female doctors by 7 percent. In 2011, 47 percent of the general doctors were female, but in 2018
51 percent are female (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2013; Medical Board of Australia 2018).
This analysis shows that the number of female doctors has increased. Majority of the doctors in
Australia are aged between thirty and thirty-four years (Medical Board of Australia 2018).

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Historically, male doctors have always been more than female doctors. In 1986,
approximately 20 percent of the general doctors were female. Presently, as mentioned earlier
female doctors are less but with a lesser percentage (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2013). From
1971 to 2001, the population size of doctors in Australia has doubled, but the distribution has not
been even (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2003a). Majority of these doctors were located in the
urban areas. The fastest growth in population was witnessed in the 1970s, and afterward, the
growth slowed (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2003a). The slow growth was due to the
implementation of policies that favored the increase of specialists, not general doctors. In
addition, the population of doctors comprises of doctors who were trained overseas (Australian
Bureau of Statistics 2013). In the 1970s, a majority of the doctors were not trained overseas.
Generally, the demographical change of Australian doctors is depicted by the difference of the
general population and female doctors.
The population of Australian doctors may change in the future. According to the
Australian Government (2010), the aging population is expected to increase until 2050 by 10
percent. The aging population leads to the increase in the demand for doctors. Majority of the
doctors will still be trained immigrants because the labor force in Australia is expected to
decrease due to the aging population. Presently, there is an oversupply of doctors, and some
leaders are recommending that the immigration of doctors should reduce. If that happens, in the
long run, Australia may experience a shortfall because demand is expected to increase.
Additionally, Australia is aware that it cannot rely on migration to support its health sector. The
composition of doctors will change if the majority are not trained overseas. Generally, the
number of doctors in the country may continue to increase.
Teachers

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The number of teachers in Australia has been on an upward trend. Between the 1980s and
2002, the number of teachers in primary and secondary schools increased by 24 percent from
118,500 to 225,400 (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2003b). The increase was due to the
government's efforts to improve the number of resources allocated to each student. As a result, in
primary school, the student/teacher ratio reduced by 18 percent (Australian Bureau of Statistics
2003b). In 2003, the supply of teachers was roughly equal to the demand although some rural
areas faced insufficient supply. In 2001, the majority of the teachers were aged above 45 years,
which was an increase of 27 percent from 1986 (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2003b).
Additionally, approximately 25 percent of the teachers were aged below thirty-five years in
2001. The number of female teachers was more than the male teachers in 2001. The number of
female teachers has increased consistently since the 1970s.
The number of teachers in Australia is expected to increase until 2020. According to
Weldon (2015), the increased demand is due to an increase in the population of children. The
ratio of female to male teachers has remained the same since the 1970s, and it is not expected to
change. In fact, in 2015, approximately 42 percent of the teachers in secondary schools were
male (Weldon 2015). In addition, the ratio of male to female teachers in these schools depends
on the subjects. Male teachers are the majority in mathematics and physics subjects while female
teachers mostly teach English (Weldon 2015). Additionally, the majority of these male teachers
are aged above fifty years. According to McKenzie et al. (2014), in 2014, the average age of all
teachers was approximately 40 years. The advanced age of the teachers indicates that soon their
demand will increase.
The situation of the teaching profession in Australia is going to change significantly. For
instance, the demand for teachers may increase because a majority of them are aged above forty

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years. As mentioned earlier, the aging population is expected to continue until 2060, and it may
affect the composition of the teachers. Presently, most of the teachers were born in Australia
(McKenzie et al. 2014). If the Australian government decides to allow the immigration of young
teachers the demographical characteristics of the profession will change. Over the years, the
female teachers have been more than the male teachers and that situation may not change.
However, the male teachers in primary schools may become extinct by 2060s. McGrath and
Bergen (2017) state that male teachers have decreased by 10 percent since the 1970s in primary
schools. This shows that the population of male teachers in Australian schools will undergo
significant changes depending on the policies the government sets.
Taxi Drivers
The demography of the taxi drivers has changed since the 1990s. According to KPMG
(2009), the industry mainly comprises of male drivers because the female drivers prefer other
occupations. The population of male drivers has increased by 2 percent since the 1990s. In 2009,
most of these drivers were old and the percentage of those who were older than sixty years had
increased by 13 percent (KPMG 2009). The increase in the number of elderly drivers is due to
the aging population. In the 1990s, taxi drivers were mainly aged between 40 and 45 years
(KPMG 2009). Some states experienced an increase in the number of young taxi drivers since
the 1990s. For example, in Victoria, it increased by five percent (KPMG 2009). The increase can
be attributed to the presence of quality education in the universities in these states, which attracts
international students. The international students drive such cars to pay for their tuition.
Traditionally, the taxi industry was comprised of immigrants. Between the 1990s and
2006, the number of Australian-born taxi drivers reduced by 18 percent from 56 percent to 38
percent (KPMG 2009). The change was a result of the presence of more immigrants in 2006 than

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in the 1990s. According to KPMG (2009), most of the taxi drivers that were born overseas
arrived before the 1980s. This finding shows that migration began in the 1970s and most of the
immigrants chose to use taxis to earn income. Initially, the majority of these drivers were from
the U.K. However, over the years, there has been a change, and majority of them are from India
(KPMG 2009). In addition, the period between the 1990s and 2006 led to the increase in the
number of Chinese immigrants. Regarding language, the native English language speakers
reduced by 20 percent from the 1990s to 2006 (KPMG 2009).
In the future, the taxi drivers' profession will undergo significant changes. According to
Deloitte (2016), the taxi industry in Australia is undergoing changes related to policies and
technology. For example, taxi drivers prefer the use of mobile booking to attract customers
compared to the traditional methods. Additionally, the industry has new concepts such as
ridesharing that allow those who have cars to be in the taxi industry. The use of Uber services
also shows that the traditional methods may not be useful in future. The industry will change
because the government had started restricting the number of immigrants. Moreover, the number
of international students has reduced because of the expensive tuition fee (KPMG 2009). If this
trend continues, the composition of the taxi driver will change since most of the members are
immigrants. Eventually, the population will increase due to the increase in the aging population.
Conclusion
One of the implications for the employees today is that professions change. Over the
years, the doctors, teachers and taxi drivers have witnessed changes in the demand and supply of
labor due to population changes. This information is useful to the other employees because they
learn that change is inevitable. Therefore, employees should learn how to cope with change and
observe trends in their industry to prepare for such changes. It also shows that technology does

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not eliminate jobs but makes then easier by automating some of the tasks such as using Uber.
Embracing change also makes employees more productive since they do not waste energy
resisting it.
Another implication for the employees is that organizations can change who they hired.
From the analysis, the number of female employees in all occupations has increased from the
1970s to the present. Moreover, some professions such as teaching have had more female
employees. Despite this, the number of female employees is still low in most jobs. For example,
doctors and taxi drivers are mostly male. The increase of female employees indicates the
willingness of employers to adapt to change. It can be argued that in the future women will be
valuable assets for companies too.
One of the implications for the leaders and managers is that population affects the
workforce. From the analysis, an aging population reduces the labor supply in the market and
forces the country to rely on immigrants. Managers need to analyze population trends of a
country to know whether labor will be affected positively or negatively. This information is
useful for strategic planning. Another implication is that the use of AI and robotics does not
necessarily mean that human beings will lose their source of livelihood. From the analysis, the
reason for changes in the occupation is attributed to the changes in population. Therefore,
managers should use this knowledge to advocate for the use of technology.
The last implication for the managers is that the government controls the supply and
demand of labor in most professionals. From the analysis, Australia relies heavily on immigrants
except in the teaching profession. The government can reduce the overreliance through the use of
policies that reduce the number of immigrants. This information is beneficial to the managers
because they can request the government to regulate the supply and demand of labor to avoid

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adverse effects of the shifts. For example, reducing the immigrant doctors would reduce the
oversupply of doctors currently being experienced.

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References
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Available from:
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459c3882fad473a2ca2570eb0083be84!OpenDocument. [Accessed 22 May 2018].
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2013. Australian Social Trends: Doctors and Nurses. [online]
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