MARKET SENTIMENT SURVEY RESULTS (H1/2026)

introduction

headline results from our latest industrial automation and robotics (anz) market sentiment survey. this is the 1st liftpass survey and subsequent surveys will include trends over past 6 months and commentary. data collated during december 2025.

what is your level of business confidence for the coming 12 months?

11.76% - extremely confident

47.06% - very confident

35.29% - somewhat confident

5.88% - not so confident

0.00% - not confident at all

what are your organisation's 3 main barriers to growth? (results shown in order)

60.10% - increased market competition

59.97% - employee engagement / morale

53.33% - internal barriers / headcount freeze

46.67% - competition for skills / staff retention

33.38% - low market demand for product / services

26.67% - cashflow / access to finance

18.99% - rising business costs (staff)

13.33% - rising business costs (non-staff)

which of the following actions do you expect your company in 2026 to attract and retain talent?

43.80% - increase use of temporary / contract workers

42.94% - recruit / transfer staff from overseas

41.67% - recruit graduates / apprentices

33.33% - implement a new strategy to improve business culture / employee engagement

31.19% - offer above-average reward / remuneration

16.67% - hire from other industries

16.67% - target / encourage a more diverse range of applicants to apply

11.27% - adopt / enhance existing talent-pooling strategies

10.13% - increase training budget

8.33% - actively promote flexible working (including work from home)

2.71% - allow employees training / study leave

are skills shortages / recruitment challenges currently impacting on your ability to do your job?

54.55% - yes

45.45% - no

0.00% - i'd rather not say

which of these skill sets is problematic to attract?

54.89% - installation / maintenance

45.63% - software / integration

43.21% - solution design / project engineering

36.63% - strategic management / leadership

36.21% - controls / electrical / mechanical design

19.91% - sales / business development

18.90% - project management

which of these is most important about the work you choose to do?

45.45% - working culture / feeling valued

28.43% - clear career path / opportunity

26.72% - quality / interesting work

4.12% - pay / benefits

1.13% - job security

0.00% - working pattern flexibility

are you satisfied with your most recent pay award?

45.45% - yes

45.45% - no

9.09% - i'd rather not say

do you intend to move jobs in the coming 12 months?

63.64% - yes

18.18% - no

9.18% - i'd rather not say

9.09%. - don't know