FY25 Recap: Key Insights for Aussie Business Growth in FY26

FY25 in Review: What Aussie Businesses Can Learn from a Year of Disruption and Where We are Headed in FY26

As we close the books on the 2025 financial year, it’s clear that Australian businesses, like the rest of the world have been navigating choppy waters. Tech giants such as Microsoft, LinkedIn and Salesforce made global headlines with job cuts, and even consulting heavyweights like McKinsey weren’t spared. AI, restructuring, and cost-cutting dominated the year.

But beneath the uncertainty lies opportunity. If 2025 was about recalibrating, 2026 is shaping up to be about resilience and reinvention especially for the Australian IT and consulting sectors.

FY25: A Reset Year

Globally, more than 60,000 tech jobs were lost in the first half of 2025. In Australia, while we weren’t hit as hard as the US, local impacts were still felt. Major projects were paused, hiring slowed across enterprise IT teams, and consulting engagements became more targeted. Clients weren’t cutting consulting, they were asking harder questions about ROI, speed, and real impact.

The shift? A move away from large-scale, open-ended transformation programs towards smaller, more agile projects that delivered visible business value fast.

What’s Changed for Australian IT & Project Management Consulting?

1. AI Isn’t Replacing Us—It’s Reframing the Work

The fear that AI would wipe out consulting roles hasn’t panned out. Instead, clients now expect AI in the solution, whether it’s using generative AI for documentation, chatbots for service, or automated project reporting. Smart consultancies are embedding AI tools into delivery, not replacing teams, but making them faster and more effective.

2. Project Managers Are Evolving

The role of the PMO is being redefined. It’s no longer just about Gantt charts and risk registers. Clients want PMs who understand change management, can align tech to business outcomes, and can flex between Agile, hybrid and traditional approaches. There’s growing demand in Australia for project leads who can manage vendor ecosystems, not just timelines.

3. Mid-Tier & Specialist Firms Are Winning Work

With budgets tightening, clients are moving away from “big four” retainers and looking for value-driven partners. This is a major opportunity for Australian-owned, mid-sized consultancies that can be nimble, bring deep sector knowledge, and deliver outcomes without the overhead.

Opportunities for FY26

Looking ahead to the 2026 financial year, there’s reason to be cautiously optimistic. IT services spending is forecast to grow in Australia, especially in:

– Cybersecurity uplift programs, driven by regulatory pressure and consumer demand for data privacy.

– Cloud governance and optimisation, as companies shift from simply “lifting and shifting” to optimising performance and cost.

– AI-readiness assessments: Many Australian firms are curious about AI but unsure where to start. There’s consulting demand in building AI policies, roadmaps, and safe experimentation sandboxes.

– Public sector transformation, especially at the state level, continues to drive demand for skilled PMs, change managers, and advisory support in digital service delivery.

Key Takeaways for Leaders

1. Resilience is the new growth.

The best-performing clients in FY25 weren’t the biggest spenders, they were the ones who adapted quickly and made data-backed decisions.

2. Australian talent is in demand but must keep learning.

Project managers and consultants who upskill in AI, automation, and hybrid delivery models will stay ahead. Soft skills like stakeholder management and communication are more valuable than ever.

3. Trust matters.

Clients aren’t just buying capability, they’re buying confidence. In uncertain times, people want to work with partners who are honest, responsive and pragmatic.

Where to Next?

At Sohni Consulting, we believe FY26 will reward those who stay close to their clients, embrace new ways of working, and remain committed to building capability not dependency.

It’s not just about doing more with less. It’s about doing better with what you have. The future of consulting in Australia isn’t about size, it’s about fit.

We’re ready. Are you?

Whether you’re planning your FY26 roadmap, optimising project delivery, or looking to embed AI into your organisation, Sohni Consulting is here to help.

Let’s chat about how we can support your goals with practical, people-first, outcome focused consulting services.