Higher Recruitment director Rob Stevens said some IT jobs should stabilise this year from essential IT system maintenance projects.
“IT is a relatively recession proof industry, compared to sectors such as finance, [because it] is needed through the tough times.
“It is beneficial for candidates to remain permanent where possible, increase their experience and show true measurable value to their current organisations. Contractors on the market [should] go permanent where possible,” he said, adding that businesses are weary of career contractors moving to permanent roles because they often recommence contracting when the market stabilises.
People Bank COO Peter Acheson said contractors will win-out this year in the aftermath of permanent staff redundancies.
“Permanent recruitment has fallen off 30 to 40 percent since March 2008, while contracting has picked up and is a great short-term option for those made redundant. Businesses will often find a shortfall in staff and will hire contractors to finish projects,” Acheson said.
“There are a number of IT projects picking up across the country that will create more jobs. The Commonwealth Bank is already hiring, as is NAB. Westpac have a giant integration project with St George, and ANZ will likely upgrade its systems.
“While every part of corporations are under review for cost-cutting, so IT will experience cut-backs and current reports prove that. However IT is a tool used to drive more value and automate manual tasks, so it won't be the the focus of razor gangs."
Acheson said networking jobs will be created as banks roll out MPLS networks to improve billing systems, adding the National Broadband Network (NBN) may create more jobs later this year.
Should you ask for a pay rise
State by state IT pay packets credit Robert Walters
- Permanent $150k—$200k
- Contractor $130p/hr—$160p/hr Systems administrator (2-5 years’experience)
- Permanent $60k—$90k
- Contractor $55p/hr—$85p/hr Business analyst (2-5 years’ experience)
- Permanent $75kmdash;$95k
- Contractor $70p/hr—$90p/hr Network engineer
- Permanent $60k—$95k
- Contractor $50p/hr—$70p/hr
Brisbane
CIO / IT director- Permanent $150k—$260k
- Contractor $900p/day—$1400p/day Systems administrator
- Permanent $75k—$125k
- Contractor $400p/day—$650p/day Business analyst
- Permanent $70k—$135k
- Contractor $400p/day—$800p/day Network engineer
- Permanent $55k—130k
- Contractor $400p/day—$700p/day
Melbourne
CIO / IT director- Permanent $160k
- Contractor $120p/hr Systems administrator (+5 years’ experience)
- Permanent $55k—$100k
- Contractor $60p/hr—$90p/hr Business analyst / consultant (+5 years’ experience)
- Permanent $65k—$120k
- Contractor $50p/hr—$100p/hr
Perth
CIO / IT director (+10 years’ experience)- Permanent $200k—$400k
- Contractor $125p/hr—$225p/hr Systems administrator (1-3 years’ experience)
- Permanent $55k—$90k
- Contractor $40p/hr—$60p/hr Network engineer
- Permanent $50k—$70k
- Contractor$30p/hr—$45p/hr Business analyst (1- 4 years’ experience)
- Permanent $60k—$100k
- Contractor $45p/hr—$70p/hr