Queensland IT Hiring Building for the Future

With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon, and a full slate of infrastructure projects underway, Queensland has entered the new financial year with plenty of momentum.

There’s opportunity. There’s investment. But there’s also been a shift away from rapid growth. Employers in the IT sector are now taking a more considered approach to hiring, with an eye towards building future-ready teams instead of simply filling gaps.

From fast growth to strategic consolidation

The shifts in Queensland’s IT job market are being driven in part by what’s happening across the state.

While the government sector is highly active in digital services, infrastructure and the energy transition, we are now seeing increased scrutiny on costs and wider machinery-of-government changes. As a result, government clients have turned away from contractors and towards permanent hires who can provide long-term value for money.

And yet, demand for local talent is as high as ever. Queensland remains Australia’s top destination for interstate migration, a trend that supports economic growth and job creation, but recent federal migration reforms have tightened skilled visa thresholds. This means employers are now under more pressure to hire domestically, especially in high-demand fields.

The rising bar for tech talent

Skills in data analytics, cybersecurity, AI integration and digital delivery are now particularly sought after in Queensland’s hiring market. This is especially true with a steady rollout of state-aligned projects in energy, transport and digital policy.

However, for these opportunities, technical ability is no longer enough. Government clients are also seeking candidates who are proficient in stakeholder engagement and compliance, with prior experience in the public sector.

Of course, employers are still expected to offer some level of flexibility, with many candidates expecting hybrid work arrangements. This makes for a delicate balancing act, where hiring decisions need to be swift and precise to secure the top talent in a competitive pool, while meeting candidates halfway with flexible work policies and a strong cultural fit.

Top tech roles in QLD and what they’re earning

Our Talent Insights & Salary Guide for FY25–26 gives a strong overview of Queensland’s in-demand roles and how the salaries stack up against other states and territories. Among other roles, the following are seeing sustained demand across the state:

Position	Salary Range
Cloud Solution Architect	$150,000 – $220,000
Cyber Security Analyst	$100,000 – $150,000
Data Analyst	$90,000 – $130,000
Data Scientist	$110,000 – $180,000
Delivery Manager	$140,000 – $180,000
Product Manager	$130,000 – $180,000
Program Manager	$180,000 – $220,000
Security Engineer	$130,000 – $180,000

It’s also worth noting that many of these ranges fall a little short of what other states provide. Though Queensland offers consistently higher remuneration than the Australian Capital Territory, it still doesn’t quite measure up to either New South Wales or Western Australia.

Building for the future

It’s certainly no surprise that Queensland is building up a future-ready workforce. With a massive push for investment in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, there is a real need for people who can deliver on long-term program milestones. And for employers and candidates alike, success lies with those who can commit to the decade ahead.