Digital Media

Employment snapshot

For occupations related to the Digital Media sector, employment levels have fluctuated since 2002. Employment levels for Graphic and Web Designers and Illustrators decreased from 60,300 in 2020 to 54,800 in 2021, they increased slightly in 2022 up to 56,200 and are projected to increase further to 78,100 by 2026.

Employment levels for Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers peaked in 2021 at 19,500 but declined by 39% to 11,800 in 2022. Levels are projected to increase by around a third (32%) to 15,600 by 2026.

Training snapshot

Program enrolments fell sharply from 4,410 in 2017 to 1,880 in 2018 then remained stable to 2020, before declining to 1,370 in 2021. Program completions in this sector have fluctuated over this time, from 670 in 2017 to a low of approximately 510 in 2020. Completions increased to just over 540 in 2021.

All program enrolments are at certificate IV and above level, with near equal proportions between certificate IV (48%) and diploma or higher (52%). There were slightly more program enrolments in 2021 in Digital and Interactive Games qualifications (approximately 810) than in Information and Digital Media Technologies qualifications (560).

Enrolments for the Digital and Interactive Games qualification cluster were intended for the occupation of Multimedia Specialist. Enrolments in Information and Digital Media Technologies had an intended occupation of Multimedia Designer.

The predominant training provider for this sector was TAFE institutes (56%) followed by university (24%) and private training providers (20%). Overall, Digital-media related subjects were mainly government funded (approximately 81%) in 2021, although the majority of subjects delivered by private training providers were funded by international fee for service (57%).

The highest proportion of students in 2021 were from New South Wales (35%), followed by Victoria (24%) and students living overseas (16%). Approximately 43% of training was delivered in New South Wales, followed by Victoria (30%) and Queensland (15%).

There were an insufficient quantity of apprentice and trainee commencements in 2021 to allow analysis.

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According to the Information and Communications Technology IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast, digital technologies continue to grow in Australia, with emerging and evolving technologies being key drivers of change. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are amongst these technologies.

Digital Economy Strategy 2030 reports that one of the Government’s Key 2021-22 Budget Initiatives is tax incentives to grow the digital games sector and encourage business investment in digital technologies. With this support, the Australian games industry could generate up to $1 billion per year and employ 10,000 full-time workers within the decade. Gaming sector talent has transferable digital capabilities that Australia could apply to range of sectors, including defence, health, education and construction.

The report also predicts that by 2030 augmented reality will be used in electrical trades and businesses for learning and training. Augmented reality devices may be used to show wiring layouts and potential hazards. Case studies also show large construction projects are using augmented reality software to walk through building sites.

The Hi-Tech sector plan 2030 found more than 60 representatives from business, research and regional South Australia identified that computer vision, augmented and virtual reality is one of a number of technologies and capabilities that would have the greatest potential to contribute to the state’s economic growth over the next decade.

For further industry insights on skills needs and job vacancy data, see the Information and Communications Technology industry cluster page.

Below is a list of industry-relevant research, organisations and associations. Hyperlinks have been included where available.

IRC and skills forecasts

Information and Communications Technology Industry Reference Committee

• Information and Communications Technology IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast
• IRC membership
• PwC’s Skills for Australia – Skills Service Organisation.

Relevant research

Hi-Tech sector plan 2030 - South Australian Department for Innovation and Skills

Digital Economy Strategy 2030 - Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Industry associations and advisory bodies

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Australian Digital and Telecommunications Industry Association

Australian Industry Group

Australian Information Industry Association

Business Council of Australia

Government

Australian Communications and Media Authority

Industry Innovation and Science Australia

National Broadband Network

Employee associations

Australian Computer Society

Australian Services Union (Information Technology & Business Equipment)

Communications Workers Union National

Information Technology Professionals Association

National Skills Commission 2022, Occupation Employment Projections viewed 10 August 2022, https://www.nationalskillscommission.gov.au/topics/employment-projections

• by ANZSCO, selected occupations, employment projections to May 2026
  
  • 2612 Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers
  • 2324 Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022, 6291.0.55.001 - EQ08 - Employed persons by Occupation unit group of main job (ANZSCO), Sex, State and Territory, August 1986 onwards, viewed 1 August 2022, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/labour-force-australia-detailed/may-2022.

• Employed total by ANZSCO, 2002 to 2022, May Quarter
  
  • 2612 Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers
  • 2324 Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators.

Training data has been extracted from the National VET Provider Collection, Total VET students and courses from the following training package or qualifications:

• ICT Information and Communications Technology Training Package
• Digital and interactive Games
  
  • ICA40911 - Certificate IV in Digital and Interactive Games
  • ICA50211 - Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games
  • ICT40915 - Certificate IV in Digital and Interactive Games
  • ICT50215 - Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games.
• Information and Digital Media Technologies
  
  • ICA40805 - Certificate IV in Information Technology (Multimedia)
  • ICA40811 - Certificate IV in Digital Media Technologies
  • ICA50905 - Diploma of Information Technology (Multimedia)
  • ICA50911 - Diploma of Digital Media Technologies
  • ICT40815 - Certificate IV in Digital Media Technologies
  • ICT50915 - Diploma of Digital Media Technologies.

This includes superseded qualifications and training packages.

Data covers a range of selected student and training characteristics in the following categories and years:

• 2017 to 2021 program enrolments
• 2017 to 2021 program completions
• 2021 subject enrolments.

Total VET students and courses data is reported for the calendar year. Program enrolments are the qualifications, courses and skill sets in which students are enrolled in a given period. For students enrolled in multiple programs, all programs are counted. Program completion indicates that a student has completed a structured and integrated program of education or training. Location data uses student residence. Subject enrolment is registration of a student at a training delivery location for the purpose of undertaking a module, unit of competency or subject. For more information on the terms and definitions, please refer to the Total VET students and courses: terms and definitions document.

Low counts (less than 5) are not reported to protect client confidentiality.

Percentages are rounded to one decimal place. This can lead to situations where the total sum of proportions in a chart may not add up to exactly 100%.