Tons of cash for IT workers yet job vacancies abound

Lia Timson
Thursday, 29 May 2008 09:48

IT People - Enterprise

Leon Lau, managing director of Australia’s largest IT&T recruitment company, Peoplebank, says the figures mimic the company’s own observations.

“Salaries certainly have increased around the 5% mark driven by strong IT project demand and skill shortages in certain areas like technical roles, e-commerce, Java, senior architect roles and business analysts,” Lau says.

Richard Barnett, general manager, NSW at Paxus, says the rises are even more apparent in permanent positions.

“Contract demand has held fairly steady, but now that the employment (market) is a bit more stable, there’s been an increase in demand for permanent staff and an increase in permanent vacancies.

“An average candidate might have four or five vacancies they might pick and choose from now, instead of one or two, two years ago – so they can push and ask for a more competitive salary”, says Barnett.

The AIM Survey also found 72% of all companies would be willing to employ overseas candidates if needed to fill IT vacancies, but with the restrictions imposed on the 457 temporary working visa program last year, they are unlikely to be able to do so soon.

“Organisations are happy to consider overseas people, now it’s up to the government to decide which way to go,” says Matt Drinan, AIM’s manager research and HR consultancy.

Coincidentally, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans announced last weekend that the minimum salary levels for temporary skilled overseas workers on the 457 visa are to rise by 3.8% from Aug 1. ICT professionals in that category can now expect to earn a minimum of $59,480 a year. The government is currently reviewing the 457 visa system. (Please read on to page 3.)