2011 ICT salaries increase on previous year: ACS

ICT salaries across the country have experienced growth over the last year, particularly for those in the private sector, a survey by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) has found.

The annual survey, which examined about 2000 ICT employees in Australia, found private sector ICT salaries grew from three per cent to 4.2 per cent in the 12 months to May 2011, while the number of respondents who reported no salary increase went from 45 per cent in 2010, to 23 per cent in 2011.

The survey also found CIO and general management roles remained the most lucrative ICT positions based on remuneration packages.

Remuneration paid to ICT professionals was recorded at four per cent, an increase on the previous year’s 3.3 per cent.

ACS president, Anthony Wong, said there were various factors affecting remuneration levels in the private sector.

“While there are a range of pressures impacting demand for ICT, skills shortages remain the fundamental driver in the Australian economy,” Wong said in a statement.

“When you look at the sectors with the biggest increase in remuneration, it appears that the banking and insurance industries have recovered well from the GFC.

“Indicators point to further recovery in the prospects of Australian ICT professionals following the 2008 global economic slowdown, and further increases in ICT salary growth can be expected to continue at a moderate pace.”

According to Wong, the National Broadband Network (NBN) as well as ongoing development of electronic systems in the health and security industries are expected to provide medium-term job opportunities hampered by uncertainty around global economic conditions.

The survey found the insurance industry had experienced the largest increase reporting an average salary growth of 5.7 per cent, closely followed by business service and electricity with 5.4 and 5.3 respectively. Bringing up the rear was public admin with 3.1 and computer services with 2.8.

Public sector employees reported an average salary increase of 3.5 per cent, a drop from the previous year’s 4.2 per cent. Despite this, education sector employees received increases of about 4.3 per cent, up from 3.1 per cent in 2010.

According to the Bureau of Statistics, ICT salaries have increased ahead of living expenses with a reported increase in the consumer price index (CPI) of 3.3 per cent for the 12 month period.

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