Programming, Software and Web Development

Employment snapshot

Employment levels for the Internet Service Providers and Web Search Portals industry group was fairly stable between 2002 and 2013. Levels fluctuated in the following years, reaching 7,800 in 2019 before declining to 1,700 in 2021. Employment levels increased again to 3,500 in 2022 and are projected to rise significantly to 7,800 by 2025.

Employment levels for Data Processing, Web Hosting and Electronic Information Storage Services gradually declined overall between 2002 and 2008 before a steep decline in 2009. While employment levels have fluctuated between 2010 and 2021, the overall trend has been downward. In 2022, the employment level increased to 4,600 however is projected to decline to 3,300 by 2025.

For occupations related to Programming Software and Web Development employment levels have increased significantly since 2002; these include Software and Applications Programmers (up 92%) and ICT Support Technicians (up by 145%). For Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers, employment levels increased to their highest level in 2021 with 19,500 before declining to 11,800 in 2022. Employment projections are expected to increase in each of these occupations to 2026, with Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers projected to increase the most, by 32%.

Training snapshot

Program enrolments in Programming, Software and Web Development-related qualifications have declined since 2017, from approximately 6,570 to 3,390 in 2021. Program completions in this sector have also declined overall between 2017 and 2021, with a small rise in 2019 (to nearly 1,350), before declining to 1,180 in 2021. All enrolments in ICT Programming Software and Web Development related qualifications were either at the certificate IV level or the diploma and higher qualification level.

During 2021, the nearly half (46%) of all program enrolments were in Website Development and Technologies-related qualifications, with the intended occupations of Web Administrator or Web Developer. Programming or Software Development qualifications were all intended for the occupation of Developer Programmer.

Over three-quarters (76%) of 2021 program enrolments in Programming and Software and Web Development related qualifications were delivered by TAFE institutes, with the remaining delivered by private training providers. Funding for subjects was most often from Commonwealth and state sources (76%) followed by international fee-for-service arrangements (17%) or domestic fee-for-service arrangements (7%).

Students who enrolled in 2021 in this sector were most often from New South Wales (42%), Queensland (18%) or overseas (16%). New South Wales delivered over half of training (52%) for 2021 enrolments, followed by Queensland (approximately 19%) and Western Australia (almost 11%).

There was insufficient apprenticeship and traineeship activity in this industry sector to allow analysis.

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The Information and Communications Technology IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast notes automation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), among other developments, as drivers for an increase in the use of computer systems within processes and industries that previously did not include them. This means a rise in demand for application development, which in turn drives demand for workers in this sector.

According to ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2021: Future directions for Australia's technology workforce, skills in software programming were the most common technical skills requested of ICT workers in 2020. The report predicts Australia to require an Artificial Intelligence (AI) specialist workforce of between 32,000 and 161,000 by 2030. This includes professionals in computer vision, robotics, data science, human language technologies, and other related fields which will require extensive ICT programming skills.

The ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2022: Unlocking the tech sector: beyond one million report also forecasts the number of technology workers in Australia will pass 1 million in 2024 and continue to grow to over 1.2 million workers in Australia by 2027. One of the occupations forecasted to experience the largest increase in employment in the ICT industry is software and applications programmers, with an additional 70,694 workers forecasted by 2027.

The Information and Communications Technology IRC’s 2018 Skills Forecast reported that in the next ten years, it is anticipated that the impact of computerisation, robotics and automation will be felt in all aspects of human activity. Advances mean that activities previously considered outside the scope of programming are increasingly being undertaken by computers. The move towards automation will require specialists in computing, systems and diagnosis, and skilled workers to service and maintain the technology.

Digital Economy Strategy 2030 reports technology solutions and uptake across all Australian sectors will unlock productivity gains and create new products, markets and industries, and will grow Australia’s jobs opportunities. For example, the mining sector is adopting automation, software, robotics and data analytics to improve supply chain efficiencies and enhance safety. Augmented reality is predicted to be used by 2030 in electrical trades and businesses for learning and training. Augmented reality devices may be used to show wiring layouts and potential hazards. Case studies show large construction projects are using augmented reality software to walk through building sites.

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
• Information and Communications Technology IRC’s 2018 Skills Forecast
• IRC membership
• PwC’s Skills for Australia – Skills Service Organisation.

Relevant research

ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2021: future directions for Australia's technology workforce - Deloitte Access Economics

ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2022: Unlocking the tech sector: beyond one million - Deloitte Access Economics

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

Department of Employment 2021, Industry Employment Projections viewed 1 August 2021, Labour Market Information Portal

• by ANZSIC 3 digit industry, employment projections to May 2025
  
  • 591 Internet Service Providers and Web Search Portals
  • 592 Data Processing, Web Hosting and Electronic Information Storage Services.

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
  
  • 2613 Software and Applications Programmers
  • 2612 Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers
  • 3131 ICT Support Technicians.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022, 6291.0.55.001 - EQ06 - Employed persons by Industry group of main job (ANZSIC), Sex, State and Territory, November 1984 onwards, viewed 1 August 2022. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/labour-force-australia-detailed/may-2022

• Employed total by ANZSIC 3 digit Industry, 2002 to 2022, May Quarter
  
  • 591 Internet Service Providers and Web Search Portals
  • 592 Data Processing, Web Hosting and Electronic Information Storage Services.

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
  
  • 2613 Software and Applications Programmers
  • 2612 Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers
  • 3131 ICT Support Technicians.

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
• Programming
  
  • ICA40505 - Certificate IV in Information Technology (Programming)
  • ICA40511 - Certificate IV in Programming
  • ICT40515 - Certificate IV in Programming
  • ICT40518 - Certificate IV in Programming
• Software Development
  
  • ICA50299 – Diploma of Information Technology (Software Development)
  • ICA50705 - Diploma of Information Technology (Software Development)
  • ICA50711 - Diploma of Software Development
  • ICT50715 - Diploma of Software Development
  • ICT50718 - Diploma of Software Development
• Website and Development and Technologies
  
  • ICA40305 - Certificate IV in Information Technology (Websites)
  • ICA40311 - Certificate IV in Web-Based Technologies
  • ICA50605 - Diploma of Information Technology (Website Development)
  • ICA50611 - Diploma of Website Development
  • ICT40315 - Certificate IV in Web-Based Technologies
  • ICT50615 - Diploma of Website Development.

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%.