Australia’s tech workforce surpasses one million in 2024, but faces critical skill shortages

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has revealed that Australia's tech workforce has reached a milestone of over one million workers, marking a 60% growth since 2014.

The finding was published in ACS’ 2024 Digital Pulse report. Despite this achievement, the report warns that by 2030, the country will require an additional 1.3 million tech professionals to meet rising industry demands, particularly in areas like cybersecurity and AI.

The report was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who emphasized the urgent need for workforce expansion in the IT sector to support technological advancements. 

“Like many other sectors, IT and tech need an uplift to meet the growing demands,” Marles said.

Key findings show that 1.1 million Australians possess skills similar to those required in tech roles, providing a potential base to fill future workforce gaps. However, there are notable shortages in cybersecurity expertise, with the demand for these skills expected to double by 2030.

ACS CEO Josh Griggs addressed the critical nature of these challenges. 

“Australia has long faced a chronic tech skills shortage, but this report makes clear that in the face of a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape and strong adoption of AI into the workplace, we need to be ensuring the nation has the skills needed by industry and the community,” he said.

While tech-related enrollments surged during the pandemic, a decline of 10% in 2022 signals the need for renewed focus on training and education. The report also highlights the gender gap, with boys being four times more likely to pursue tech careers than girls.

The ACS outlines several recommendations, including wage subsidies for those pursuing tech careers, enhanced diversity efforts, and responsible AI development.

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