Best workplaces in Australia revealed in new report

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 17:53

In an industry shrouded by job insecurity.

Job cuts are mounting across the tech industry, yet some of Australia's most lucrative employers are still being named the best places to build a career.

LinkedIn has identified 20 companies with the strongest opportunities for job progression – many in sectors plagued by layoffs.

The 2026 top companies list is based on data tracking hiring, promotions, skills development and employee retention across millions of workers.

The release comes as the global tech sector continues to bleed jobs.

More than 78000 staff have been laid off since January, according to international payments company RationalFX.

About 4450 tech roles in Australia have been eliminated so far this year, with Sydney among the hardest-hit cities.

Despite this volatility, Commonwealth Bank, a major player in the local technology workforce, was crowned the best workplace for professional development.

The recognition arrives even as the bank prepares to axe hundreds of jobs – prompting the sector's union to accuse it of "hollowing out" services – and signals a further 300 redundancies as part of its AI expansion.

Signage for Commonwealth Bank of Australia at a branch in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. CBA is scheduled to release full year earnings results on Aug. 14. Photographer: Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg

CommBank chief people officer Kiersten Robinson described the ranking as a proud moment, crediting the achievement to the positive workplace culture shaped by its staff.

"For CommBank, this ranking is a reflection of our people and the workplace they shape every day – one where they can grow their careers, build new skills, and shape what's next for our customers, communities, and each other," she said.

The lender shares the top tier with other major Australian employers, such as Telstra, Canva, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Oracle, all of which secured spots in the top 10.

Earlier this year, hundreds of positions at Telstra were flagged to go as the company rolled out new AI capabilities and moved some roles offshore.

LinkedIn data reveals that learning and development opportunities remain a priority for Australians weighing up their next move.

Nine in 10 chief people officers now expect work to be organised around skills rather than traditional job titles.

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