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
