Information Technology

The sector is broadly grouped into two sub-sectors:

• Information Technology, which covers all areas related to processing, manipulating, and managing information. Businesses in the sub-sector provide expertise in information technology through writing, modifying and testing software and providing user support for software, hardware and cloud technologies; and
• Digital Media, which includes the design and production of multimedia and games for platforms including PC, console, online and mobile. Australian consumer spend on these games is expected to be $3.2 billion in 2020, with considerable growth coming from mobile games in particular (average annual revenue growth of 9 per cent per year 2016 to 2020).14 New platforms for distribution of games are lowering barriers to entry to the sub-sector and making the path to market quicker, which is attracting new entrants at a high rate.

_{Source: PwC’s Skills for Australia Information and Communications Technology 4-year Work Plan, September 2016}

The information technology sub-sector contains about 50,000 businesses ranging from micro employers to large companies with $45 billion total annual revenue. This does not include IT occupations that are in non-IT organisations.

As a sub-sector, IT still includes a range of occupations and specialities.

• IT Security Consulting, there are currently about 3,000 businesses with total annual revenue of $2.8 billion
• Smartphone App Development there are 600 businesses with total annual revenue of $1.2 billion
• Web Design Services there are another 3,000 businesses with total annual revenue of just under $1 billion.

Although there are some large players, a lot of these businesses are micro or small employers, with only a few staff.

_{Source: PwC’s Skills for Australia Information and Communications Technology 4-year Work Plan, September 2016}

Computer Network Professionals develop, configure and maintain hardware and software, and troubleshoot and provide user support. There are 29,100 professionals in employment, and this number is expected to rise to 33,700 by 2020. Women make up 6.3% of the workforce, and most work is full time. The most common level of education attainment is Bachelor Degree.

IT Support Technicians support computer infrastructure and web technology, and diagnose and resolve technical problems. There are 50,500 support technicians in employment, and this number is expected to rise to 56,200 by 2020. Women make up 20% of the workforce, and 90% of work is full time. The most common level of education attainment is Bachelor Degree.

IT Sales Assistants - There are 23,000 sales assistants in employment, and this number is expected to rise to 24,600 by 2020. Women make up 35% of the workforce, and 70% of work is full time. The most common level of education attainment is Year 12.

IT Sales Professionals manage client accounts and represent companies. There are 16,100 sales professionals in employment, and this number is expected to rise to 18,300 by 2020. Women make up 30% of the workforce, and 87% of work is full time. The most common level of education attainment is Year 12.

IT Managers plan and coordinate the acquisition and use of computer and telecommunication systems within organisations. There are 58,000 IT managers in employment, and this number is expected to rise to 72,800 by 2020. Women make up 23% of the workforce, and 95% of work is full time. The most common level of education attainment is Bachelor Degree.

_{Source: Australian Government Job Outlook website}

The rapid pace of digital change is requiring IT workers to develop skills in new and emerging technologies.

Several key growth areas are:

• Data analytics
• Cyber security
• Cloud computing
• Application development
• Automation

Keeping up with the pace of current and emerging digital technologies will require a skilled workforce with specialist knowledge in these emerging growth areas.

_{Source: PwC’s Skills for Australia Information and Communications Technology 4-year Work Plan, September 2016}

The Skill Shortage List Australia, Department of Jobs and Small Business, reports a recruitment difficulty for senior web developers, senior analyst, developer programmers, and senior ICT security specialists.