By David Swan
Publication Date: 2026-04-14 19:00:00
As tech giants and local data center operators race to transform Australia into an Asia-Pacific artificial intelligence hub, they are demanding access to the country’s energy grid, water supplies and prime land, backed in part by big numbers: 935,000.
So many jobs, some in the industry claim, indirectly support them. One operator said data centers “underpin” 935,000 jobs. Its chief lobbyist said many roles had been “made possible” by the sector. But there are good reasons to be skeptical.
Data center employment statistics appear to come from consulting firm Mandala Partners’ October 2024 report