Australians are still hooked on home-delivered meals, with food delivery services booming despite the return of dine-in dining out. New research from KPMG reveals that the number of delivery drivers has almost doubled over the past decade, reaching 86,800 workers in 2024 — a 99.5% increase.
The study highlights major shifts in the Australian workforce between 2014 and 2024, with more people employed in the gig economy, healthcare, and personal wellbeing sectors. While chefs and fast-food cooks have increased, the number of waitstaff and club managers has declined, driven by app-based ordering and changing customer habits.
“Australians are increasingly prioritising convenience and wellbeing,” said KPMG urban economist Terry Rawnsley.
“QR codes and apps are replacing waitstaff, but the demand for delivery and food prep workers is surging.”
The broader employment landscape shows Australia’s workforce grew by nearly 23% — from 11.4 million to 14 million workers — over the decade. Aged care, childcare, allied health, and nursing roles dominated the fastest-growing sectors, mirroring demographic trends like the ageing population and greater female workforce participation.
“Governments are investing heavily in aged care, disability support, and childcare to meet this demand,” Rawnsley said.
Tech & IT professionals also saw massive growth, up 55% with 176,400 more jobs in fields like software development, IT security, and systems administration. But this digital revolution came at a cost for traditional roles, with sharp declines in Executive Assistants (down over 20%), Travel Agents (down nearly 35%), and Print Manufacturing workers (down 23%).
Meanwhile, Australia’s manufacturing sector grew by 9.1% overall, driven by shifts in supply chains post-COVID. Food and wood manufacturing roles increased, while assembly jobs stagnated due to automation.
Personal well-being also emerged as a national priority. Fitness instructors grew by 32%, nutritionists by 50%, and psychologists by 24,700, indicating a heightened focus on mental and physical health.
The nation’s most common jobs in 2024 are familiar faces: retail workers (793,900), food service staff (356,100), nurses and midwives (383,500), teachers (384,800), and aged and disabled carers (429,400).
“These are the people we interact with daily — they keep society running,” Rawnsley said.
As Australia navigates a post-pandemic economy, the data underscores a future shaped by digitisation, care, and convenience, with takeaway food remaining close to the nation’s heart.
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