Technology Market Insights Report

Where Australia’s technology talent market is heading in 2026

The technology talent market in 2026 is active, but concentrated. Investment is flowing into data, AI, cyber security and transformation, with businesses prepared to justify hires that have a clear connection to commercial outcomes.

Traditional IT roles are under pressure as offshoring increases and technology ecosystems simplify. The professionals in demand are those who can sit at the intersection of technology and business, translate capability into value and influence decisions at every level.

Whether you’re planning your next hire, benchmarking salaries or exploring your next career move, this Talent Insights Report provides a clear view of the trends, skills, salary benchmarks and recruitment advice shaping the technology market in 2026.

What you'll get out of this report

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Understand the key drivers influencing the current job market

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Gain insights into the most sought-after skills and roles in demand

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Get detailed salary benchmarks to ensure you remain competitive

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Discover opportunities to enhance your recruitment strategy

Insights on the current Technology job market

Data & AI
Data & AI

Data and AI is the most active hiring area in Australian technology. Organisations are investing in data governance, engineering, analytics and AI enablement to create the right foundations before scaling AI across the business.

Project Services & Transformation
Project Services & Transformation

Project services and transformation remain highly active, driven by tech stack simplification, ERP consolidation and enterprise-wide AI programmes. Businesses are seeking delivery leaders who can balance speed, risk and value.

Technology Leadership
Technology Leadership

The CIO role is evolving beyond operational stability and risk management. Future technology leaders will be expected to shape enterprise strategy, drive commercial outcomes and lead across data, AI, digital and transformation.

Cloud & Cyber
Cloud & Cyber

Cyber security has shifted from an IT issue to a board-level priority. Cloud adoption is also continuing as organisations consolidate platforms and simplify complex technology environments.

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Insights on the current Technology job market: 

  • A competitive, candidate-driven market
  • Tech in the public sector
  • In-demand roles reflect organisations' tech priorities
  • The rise in contractor employment
  • Finding future technology leaders
  • Advice for hiring top tech talent in a competitive market
  • Salary insights

What Technology Talent Want in 2026

Although technology hiring remains active, high-performing talent is highly selective. Our Technology specialists can help you navigate salary expectations, candidate availability and market conditions.

Organisations need to be able to articulate not just their EVP, but their actual technology strategy and roadmap. That needs to pique the interest of the candidate - they need to see that the business has an appetite to innovate and invest.

Katrina Park
Executive Partner | National Executive Search

Katrina Park

Technology consultants

Meet our dedicated technology specialists who connect businesses with skilled professionals across Australia. Their expertise and industry knowledge ensure every placement is the right fit, every time.

Katrina Park
Katrina Park

Partner - Executive Search
Executive search, Technology, Education, Healthcare, Services, Retail, Melbourne

Burnette O'Neil
Burnette O'Neil

Manager
Contracting, Technology, Government, Brisbane

Alex Davies
Alex Davies

Executive Consultant
Technology, Contracting, Melbourne

Dani Davis
Dani Davis

Executive Consultant
Technology, Government, Contracting, Brisbane

Sonya Oberstar
Sonya Oberstar

Practice Lead
Technology, Melbourne

Technology success
stories

sigma-healthcare-logo
Head of Technology
Sara-Lee-Logo
IT Manager
Australia Sports Foundation-logo
Chief Information Officer
Myer-Logo
Project Manager and Business Analyst
AACO-Logo
Head of Technology
JB-HIFI-logo
Head of IT Infrastructure,
Cloud and Cyber
Isuzu-Logo
PMO Manager and Change Manager
Kellogs-logo
Head of Technology
Ama-Group-Logo
BI and Data Lead
Shell-logo
Delivery Manager
A competitive, candidate-driven market

Demand for tech professionals remains strong as businesses need help digitising their operations after the pandemic pushed people away from face-to-face interactions and moved them towards online services.

Tech in the public sector

The Albanese Government in recognition of the importance of tech jobs to the overall economic advancement, national security, and better social cohesion, have committed to achieving 1.2 million tech related jobs in Australia by 2030.

In-demand roles reflect organisations' tech priorities

Technology is advancing at an incredible pace. The role technology professionals play within organisations is evolving to a greater extent than ever before. Employers are therefore recruiting tech talent who not only fulfil a specific need of today but have the flexibility to adapt to any future change.

The rise in contractor employment

Our clients are increasingly seeing contractors as a key element of their ongoing recruitment strategies rather than an ad-hoc or stop-gap solution. Hiring contractors comes with many benefits for employers including reduced risk, budget flexibility amid ongoing market volatility.

Finding future technology leaders

While hiring managers work to fill their technical workforce, a technology leadership gap is emerging which will impact an organisation’s ability to move forward into a digital future.

Advice for hiring top tech talent in a competitive market

Organisations hoping to attract passive candidates should keep in  mind that an offer needs to be very compelling to tempt a technology professional who is happy in their role and working on exciting projects.

Looking for the right talent?