IT Jobs in Australia: The Top 7 Most In-Demand IT Jobs in 2023
The State of the IT Job Sector in Australia in 2023
Australia's IT industry has been on a roll these past few years, turning the country into a real global hub for digital innovation. Demand for skilled tech professionals just keeps going up and up, with no signs of slowing down.
Even with all the global turmoil recently, Australia's tech sector has proven itself to be a real backbone of strength and resilience. As we move through 2023, the industry is still full steam ahead. Its ability to adapt and bounce back has opened up a ton of new job opportunities for Aussies.
With businesses across all sorts of industries pushing towards digital transformation, the need for IT pros just keeps getting bigger. It's an exciting time to be in the tech space down under. The sector's shown it can power through challenges and continue growing and if you’ve been looking to build your career in IT, Australia might be just the perfect place to!
The Workclass team gathered the top 7 most in-demand careers in 2023 with the average salary data to help you navigate the IT landscape and land a perfect IT job in Australia!
Number of IT Jobs in Australia: How saturated is the market?
Australia's IT job market has seen some pretty impressive growth over the last few years. Back in 2016, the Australian Computer Society estimated there were about 600,000 IT workers in the country. By 2018, that number had jumped to over 660,000 - meaning year-on-year growth of around 5%.
The following years saw even bigger jumps. By the end of 2020, it's estimated there were around 700,000 IT jobs in Australia. Despite COVID-19 causing chaos around the world, Australia's IT industry showed its strength by continuing to grow. It really cemented itself as a vital part of the Aussie job market.
The Australian government's commitment to going digital and supporting startups also helped drive this growth. Initiatives like the 'Digital Economy Strategy', which aims to invest over $1.2 billion by 2024, gave things a nice boost. Experts predict the IT workforce could hit over 800,000 jobs by 2024, up from around 700,000 in 2020 and accordingly, the demand for IT workers is only expected to grow.
The continued trend towards digital transformation across all sectors has been the primary driver of job growth in the IT industry. Key areas like cybersecurity, data science, and cloud computing have seen an exponential rise in demand for skilled professionals.
The pandemic-induced shift to remote working environments further accelerated the demand for IT roles, particularly those related to cloud technologies and cybersecurity. The latter has seen a spike due to the increased risk of cyber threats and attacks in the digital space.
Top Most Demanded IT Jobs in Australia (with salaries)
1. Cybersecurity Specialists. Cybersecurity specialists are bringing in the big bucks these days. With businesses shifting online, the risk of cyber threats is huge. So demand for cybersecurity experts is sky high. Salaries range from $110k to $160k on average. Those with advanced skills and experience can earn over $200k protecting systems.
2. Data scientists are like the new gold miners, with data being called the new oil. These pros average $100k to $140k per year. But experts with extensive experience can dig up salaries as high as $180k or more mining data.
3. Cloud Engineers. Cloud engineers are also in major demand with remote work becoming the norm. Cloud tech is an absolute necessity now. So salaries for cloud engineers range from $90k to $150k typically. High level engineers designing cloud systems can bring in over $170k.
4. Software Developers. Software developers are still at the top of the food chain. With the need for custom software greater than ever, devs average $80k to $130k. Senior developers can code their way to over $150k designing and building software.
5. DevOps Engineers. Companies are betting big on DevOps engineers for faster, more reliable software release. These pros can expect to earn $100k to $150k yearly, sometimes over $200k with advanced expertise.
6. AI and Machine Learning Engineers. With automation and analytics on the rise, AI and machine learning engineers are hot property. Salaries start around $110k for those on the cutting edge of innovation with no upper limit.
7. IT Project Managers. To steer these tech advancements, companies need experienced IT Project Managers at the helm. IT Project Managers earn an average salary of AUD 100,000 to AUD 180,000 per year as the highest benchmark.
Searching for an IT job in Australia? Check the options listed on Workclass and apply today!