By Kirsten Wade
Salaries in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector have risen steadily over the past 12 months, a recent survey has found.
The 2012 Australian Computer Society (ACS) Remuneration Survey, conducted by the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia (APESMA), revealed remuneration paid to ICT professionals increased 3.9 per cent over the previous 12 months, down marginally from the 4 per cent growth recorded for 2011.
Alan Patterson, ACS chief executive, said the findings of the survey show the continued strength of the ICT sector in Australia.
“There are a number of factors at play when it comes to ICT salaries in Australia including the continued emergence of the Digital Economy, specific skill shortages and the roll out of the National Broadband Network,” he said. “While it would be expected that mining-related roles continued to show the fastest increase, wage trends underline the demand for ICT professionals in areas as diverse as defence, energy and transportation.”
The survey showed ICT professionals working in the mining industry received the largest increase in salary, with survey respondents receiving an average increase of 5.6 per cent, while the communications sector also showed strong wage growth, recording a 5 per cent salary increase.
Patterson said two key insights could be taken from the survey findings.
“The first is that ICT continues to provide strong, stable and well-renumerated career paths for professionals,” he said. “The second is that to help meet the continued business and government demand for suitable ICT professionals, more must be done to engage young people in ICT.”
