The number of IT professionals in Australia has increased by 8 per cent in the past 12 months, from 865,000 in 2020 to 935,000 currently, according to latest figures released by the Tech Council of Australia.
The statistics also revealed that Australia is on track to achieve its goal of adding 1.2 million technology related employment by 2030.
According to the Tech Council, software developers, data analysts, and cyber security employment in non-tech companies such as banks and supermarkets are driving the growth.
To meet the growing demand for technology jobs, the Australian government said it is collaborating with industry to teach more Australians in these disciplines.
As such, enrolment in TAFE Free and Vocational Education and Training seats has increased this year, with almost 14,500 of the total 146,000 TAFE Free enrolments concentrated on Technology and Digital courses.
The Digital and Tech Skills Working Group, composed of industry, unions, and the training and education sector, is set to present the government with a report on the ‘Digital Apprenticeship’ plan next month.
Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic stated that the tech sector would be Australia’s seventh-largest employer if it were an industry.
“With a steady increase to nearly 935,000 tech workers this year, compared to 865,000 last year, we are well on track to deliver 1.2 million jobs by 2030,” the minister said.
Husic added, “On coming to government, we prioritised tackling digital skill shortages by investing in local training and skills development along with attracting talent from overseas.”
He said the government wants Australia to be known for its digital talent and for utilising that talent to fuel the expansion of a modern, sophisticated economy.
Meanwhile, Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor revealed the top 20 most in-demand professions continue to include database and systems administrators, ICT security experts, and systems analysts.
“The strategic investment in education and skills by the Albanese Government will equip hundreds of thousands of Australians with the skills needed in this critical, growing sector of our economy,” O’Connor concluded.
