The Information and Communication Technology Profession in Australia

The states of New South Wales and Victoria are the main focal points for Information and Communication Technology businesses in Australia, employing around three-quarters of Australian Information and Communication Technology specialists, there has however, been substantial growth in recent times in other regions including the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.

Foreign ownership is high within the Information and Communication Technology sector in Australia, with multinational companies accounting for nearly half of all Information and Communication Technology business based in Australia.

Computer services businesses dominate the industry followed by whole trade companies followed by other services.

An Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey recorded 371,150 people were employed in Information Communication Technology related positions in August 2006, accounting for 3.62 per cent of the Australian workforce.

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures from 2003, 45 per cent of Information and Communication Technology specialists, were engaged in computer services, 29 per cent in telecommunications services, 21 per cent in wholesaling and five per cent in Information and Communication Technology manufacturing.

The majority of Information and Communication Technology businesses are small, employing less than 20 people. About 68 per cent of Information and Communication Technology workers are male, with men dominating technical specialist and professional roles.

The Australian Computer Society is recognised in Australia as the peak professional and registration body. They also are the designated assessing authority apponted by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship to conduct skill and qualification assessments for the purposes of General Skilled Migration and the Employer Nomination Scheme. For further information about the Australian Computer Society see their website www.acs.org.au

The types of Information and Communication Technology job options available in Australia include:

  • Business Analyst
    • Business Systems Analyst
    • Business Systems Planners
    • Principal Solutions Architect
  • Computer Engineer
    • Computer Engineer Repair / Service Engineer
    • Electronics Engineer Customer Engineer
    • Hardware Design Engineer Technical Support Engineer
    • Computer Systems Engineer Computer Service Engineer
    • Customer Engineer
  • Computer Systems Auditor
  • Consultant
    • Principal Consultant
    • Consultant Associate
    • Corporate Professional Services Manager
    • Professional Services Manager
  • Customer Contact Centre Operator
  • Finance and Administration
    • Financial / Management Accountant
    • Corporate Finance & Administration Manager
    • Divisional Financial Controller
    • Contracts Administration Manager
    • Business Assurance Analyst
    • Warehouse & Distribution Manager
    • Corporate Logistics Manager
  • Internet and E-commerce
    • Web Programmer
    • Web Architect
    • Internet / Intranet Administrator
    • E-Commerce Project Manager
    • Web Designer
    • Intranet Engineer
    • Online Producer
    • E-Commerce Architect
    • E-Commerce Programmer
    • Web Administrator
    • Multimedia
      • Writer
      • Copywriter
      • Online Producer
      • Multimedia Content Author
      • Multimedia Graphic Designer
  • ICT Educator
    • Lecturer
    • Education Manager
    • Customer Education Manager
    • Training Consultant
    • Training Officer
    • Customer Training Officer
  • ICT Security
  • Other ICT Careers
    • Computer Scientist
    • Information Systems Management
    • Telecommunications
  • Project Management
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Software Development
    • Computer Systems Officer
    • Application Programmer
    • Software Engineer
    • Design Technician / Specialist (R&D)
    • Programmer
    • Systems Programmer
    • Analyst Programmer
    • Senior Programmer
  • Systems Analysis and Design
    • Network Designer
    • Systems Analyst
    • Solutions Architect
    • Systems Engineer
  • Systems Management and Administration
    • Systems Administrator
    • Network Manager
    • Network Engineer
    • Systems Administration Analyst

Average Information and Communication Technology salaries in Australia

Source: Australian Computer Society Remuneration survey 2007

Job Function Average Total Package
General Management$180,474
Sales & Marketing$143,915
Consulting$122,098
Project Management$121,989
IT Management$118,087
Network Security$107,481
Project Leader$101,827
Research & Development$95,969
Systems Management$95,839
Research & Teaching$95,758
Business Analyst$94,644
Database Administrator$91,391
Analysis & Testing$82,840
Software Engineer$80,230
Programmer/Analyst$78,589
Teaching/Training only$78,342
LAN Manager$74,520
Computer Support$62,897