Employment Hero Backs HRFest 2026 as AI Job Postings Jump 635%

1 articles · Updated · HRD America · Jul 2

11 November 2026 is the date for HRFest Australia in Melbourne, where headline sponsor Employment Hero says HR leaders have shifted from debating AI adoption to deploying it responsibly at scale.
Employment Hero says AI demand is accelerating across its base of 350,000 businesses and 2.5 million employees, with AI-related job postings up fivefold in under two years and generative-AI skill requirements up 635% from 2024 to 2025.
150-plus applicants per role are now common, according to managing director David Holland, who said AI-polished CVs and bulk applications are weakening recruiters' ability to identify genuine fit.
600,000 applications a month are now reviewed by Employment Hero's AI recruitment agent, which the company says has completed 5,000 interviews and cut screening time by 67% while leaving final hiring decisions to managers.
More than 700 HR professionals are expected at the event, where Employment Hero plans to push connected HR, payroll and hiring systems—and responsible AI guardrails on privacy, bias and human oversight—as the foundation for future workforce strategy.