Information Technology (IT) is the use of computers to create, process, store, and exchange information. With the increasing use of digital technology in our lives, IT is an industry that continues to grow and expand.
Do you have an interest in IT? Are you considering Australia as a study destination?
In this blog, we will explain:
- The top 6 reasons to study Information Technology in Australia and
- The IT jobs in high demand in Australia.
The top 6 reasons to study IT in Australia
1. High quality education
Australia has high-ranking universities that are renowned for their expertise in the IT field. In fact, six Australian universities are ranked in the world’s top 100 for Computer Science and Information Systems. The University of Adelaide is ranked 50th in the world for computer science and engineering.^
The courses in Australia are often developed in collaboration with industry leaders and the university lecturers can be industry professionals themselves. Therefore, you will be equipped with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills to ensure you are prepared for work before you graduate.
Australian degrees are globally recognised by international companies such as Intel, Microsoft and Google and can be your pathway into a career with some of the world’s biggest tech companies.
2. A focus on innovation
Australian capital cities have amazing tech hubs and facilities where universities partner with businesses to bring ideas to life. Australia is one of the most innovative countries in the world. It is a place where new digital products are developed, trialled and launched.
You’ll be encouraged to think creatively and work with people to solve problems and develop new ideas and tools. You could be building a new application, develop user-friendly information systems or analyse data to find business opportunities. No two days will be the same.
3. IT is a growing industry
Digital technology is increasingly part of our daily lives. It enables us to study and work from home and increases productivity across many industries. Australia’s tech sector is worth $167 billion and is projected to grow to $250 billion by 2030.
By 2027, Australia will need over 1.2 million IT workers to fulfil our digital needs. People with practical IT skills will be high demand.
4. High earning potential
Your salary will depend on the area of IT you want to pursue. According to Salary Explorer, an IT professional in Australia can earn on average $AU 93,600 per year with the highest average salary being close to $AU 150,000 per year.
5. Thriving tech start-up scene
Are you a creative person who often comes up with new ideas? Do you want to start your own business one day?
Australia has a thriving tech start-up scene. It is one of the top 10 countries for numbers of start-ups worldwide. Companies such as Canva, Atlassian, Judo Bank and Airwallex started here. If you want to be an entrepreneur, Australia is a great place to find like-minded people and other support you need to start your own business.
6. Rewarding work
Working in IT will be rewarding. Technology can improve people’s lives. It can connect people, provide access to education, increase life expectancy and reduce the negative impacts of climate change.
Australia is a nation that embraces new technology. It ranks 1st in the world for having the skills needed to use, adopt and adapt frontier technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence, data analytics).
In the future, you could be part of a team that creates new technology that positively impacts the lives of millions of people.
The IT jobs in high demand in Australia
IT and computing roles (ICT) are dynamic, exciting and rewarding. You can work in a wide range of industries from retail and education to science and medicine. One day you could be analysing information systems and another day develop new software to improve efficiency.
There are many different ICT roles including:
- Computer support specialist
- Systems analyst
- Software tester/developer
- App developer
- Web developer
- Cloud computing specialist and
- User experience (UX) designer
We will now define five IT roles predicted to be in high demand in Australia.
1. Database and systems administrators
Database and systems administrators develop and maintain databases, computer and security systems to ensure their reliability and performance.
Tasks include:
- Improving the performance of current systems and setting up recovery plans
- Detecting and solving any systems issues and
- Testing new software and managing its installation.
2. Software and Applications Programmer
Software and Applications Programmers write, test and maintain document program code in line with user requirements and system specifications for software applications.
Tasks include:
- Researching, analysing and evaluating system program needs and
- Testing and correcting faults in an application’s programming language.
3. Computer network and systems engineers
Computer network and systems engineers plan, develop, test and launch network and system services.
Tasks include:
- Designing, integrating and evaluating system design and architecture
- Developing data models and diagrams for the integration of computer systems and
- Assessing and recommending improvements to network operations.
4. Business systems analyst
Business systems analysts help organisations decide how best to use existing technology or integrate new ones into current systems. The rise of artificial intelligence and big data has led to an increased demand for business systems analysts.
Tasks include:
- Analysing customer needs and consulting with the company to determine requirements
- Developing and launching technology solutions and
- Maintaining business information systems that align with strategic goals.
5. Security Specialist
IT security specialists plan and implement security measures to protect an organisation’s IT system, computer network and data from viruses and cyber-attacks. They identify online security problems and prevent them from reoccurring.
Tasks include:
- Monitoring security systems (including firewalls and antivirus software) to detect and respond to security incidents
- Developing procedures to protect and recover data and
- Installing and managing new security software.
^Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022
Interested in studying IT? The University of Adelaide College in Adelaide and Melbourne has Foundation Studies and Degree Transfer programs leading into the Bachelor of IT at the University of Adelaide.