12 In-demand & Highest Paying IT Skills To Boost Your Career

If you are thinking about going into technology as a career, you have to level up your IT skills continuously. As the world keeps relying more on tech, these skills are becoming gold and you are more in demand than ever.

In this article, we will reveal Australia’s 12 most in-demand and highest-paying IT skills so you can set yourself apart in the competitive IT world.

12 most in-demand & highest-paying IT skills in Australia

We sorted through the data to bring you the 12 most in-demand and highest-paying IT skills in Australia, starting from highest to lowest. Below is a quick rundown of these technical skills along with their annual salaries.

Now let’s discuss all these most in-demand skills in detail.

1. Blockchain

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Blockchain technology was originally known for powering cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. It has evolved and is used in various industries like finance, healthcare, and supply chain management. The most trending areas of blockchain are:

1.1. Smart contracts

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Understand how to write and deploy smart contracts on blockchain platforms like Ethereum You will need to know programming languages like Solidity and understand the concept of decentralised applications (DApps).

1.2. Blockchain security

Ensure the security of blockchain networks and transactions. You should learn cryptographic techniques, consensus algorithms, and secure coding practices for this.

1.3. Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)

As a blockchain expert, you should understand the underlying principles of DLT and how it differs from traditional centralised databases. Also, learn about different types of DLT, like permissioned and permissionless.

1.4. Blockchain development tools

If you are familiar with tools and platforms used for blockchain development, like Hyperledger Fabric, Corda, and Truffle, you will be in high demand. Know how to use these tools to build and deploy blockchain applications.

Blockchain salaries across Australia 

The national average salary for a Blockchain professional in Australia is $128,500.

2. Full-stack development

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Full-stack development involves working on both the front-end and back-end of web applications. It requires a wide range of skills and knowledge in computer science. The highly valued key areas of full-stack development are:

2.1. Front-end development

To become a full-stack developer, learn how to create responsive and visually appealing user interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

2.2. Back-end development

You should also know how to develop server-side logic, manage databases, and work with web frameworks like Node.js, Django, or Ruby on Rails.

2.3. Database management

Understanding database concepts and being able to design, implement, and query databases is essential for full-stack developers.

2.4. Version control systems

You should be familiar with version control systems like Git. This helps manage and track changes to code.

2.5. Software development process

When you understand the software development process and its lifecycle in detail and are familiar with agile methodologies, you can effectively collaborate with team members and deliver high-quality software.

Full-stack development salaries across Australia 

The average full-stack developer salary in Australia is $126,579 per year.

3. Artificial intelligence (AI)

AI is revolutionising industries across the globe, from healthcare to finance to transportation. As a graduate student, mastering AI can set you apart in the job market. Here are key areas within AI that are particularly in demand:

3.1. Machine learning

Employers are looking for candidates who understand building and training machine learning models. This includes knowledge of algorithms like linear regression, logistic regression, decision trees, and neural networks.

3.2. Natural Language Processing (NLP)

With the rise of chatbots and virtual assistants, NLP skills are highly valued. This includes knowledge of text processing, sentiment analysis, and language generation techniques.

3.3. Computer vision

There is a high demand to develop operating systems that interpret and understand visual information. Image recognition, object detection, and image segmentation skills are in high demand.

3.4. AI ethics & bias

As AI becomes more common, there is a growing need for professionals who can ensure that AI systems are ethical and unbiased. Understanding concepts like fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI is crucial.

3.5. AI applications

Knowing how AI is applied in various industries, like healthcare, finance, and marketing, can give you a competitive edge. You should also understand real-world AI use cases and best practices to meet the growing demand.

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) salaries across Australia 

The average annual salary of an AI professional in Australia is $125,999. 

4. DevOps

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DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to improve collaboration and productivity. Mastering DevOps can make you a valuable asset to any organisation. Let’s look at the most popular areas of DevOps:

4.1. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

You should know how to automate the build, test, and deployment processes. For this, learn to use tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, and CircleCI.

4.2. Configuration management

Managing and maintaining the configuration of infrastructure and applications is crucial. Companies look for individuals with skills in tools like Ansible, Chef, and Puppet.

4.3. Containerisation

To effectively deploy and manage applications at scale, you need to know containerisation technologies like Docker and container orchestration tools like Kubernetes.

4.4. Monitoring & logging

Monitor the performance of applications and infrastructure and troubleshoot issues. Skills in monitoring tools like Prometheus and Grafana are highly valued.

4.5. Collaboration & communication

DevOps focuses on collaboration and communication between development and operations teams. For this, you need strong communication and project management skills and you should know how to work effectively in a team.

DevOps salaries across Australia 

The average salary for DevOps engineers is $123,779 per year in Australia.

5. Cloud computing

Cloud computing has revolutionised how businesses store, manage, and process data. As a graduate student, having skills in cloud platforms can increase your career prospects. The most in-demand areas are:

5.1. Cloud architecture

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Understand how to design and implement cloud-based solutions. This includes knowledge of different cloud deployment models (public, private, hybrid) and cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).

5.2. Cloud security

With the increasing reliance on cloud services, companies are looking for professionals who can ensure their cloud environments’ security. This includes knowledge of encryption, identity and access management (IAM), and secure cloud deployment practices.

5.3. Cloud migration

As more businesses move their operations to the cloud, there is a growing demand for professionals who can provide technical support for the migration process. This involves assessing existing systems, planning the migration strategy, and ensuring a smooth transition to the cloud.

5.4. Cloud cost management

Managing costs is a major concern for businesses using cloud services. Understand how to optimise resource usage, monitor spending, and implement cost-saving strategies.

Cloud computing salaries across Australia 

On average, a cloud engineer in Australia earns around $123,182 per year. 

6. Mobile development

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With the increasing use of mobile devices, mobile development skills are highly sought after. Let’s discuss areas that you should focus on to succeed in this field:

6.1. Mobile platforms

Understand the different mobile platforms, like iOS and Android, and know how to develop applications for them using languages like Swift, Objective-C, or Java/Kotlin.

6.2. UI/UX design

Learn to design user-friendly interfaces and create engaging user experiences.

6.3. Mobile app development tools

Familiarity with mobile app development tools like Xcode (for iOS) and Android Studio (for Android) is important for building and testing mobile applications.

6.4. Cross-platform development

Develop mobile applications that can run on multiple platforms. For this, you should know frameworks like React Native or Xamarin.

Mobile development salaries across Australia 

The average annual salary for a mobile developer in Australia is $120,834.

7. Data science

Data science is all about extracting insights and knowledge from data. With the increasing digitisation of businesses, data management, and data science skills are in high demand. The major areas of data science are:

7.1. Data analysis

Data analytics include cleaning, transforming, and analysing data. This includes knowledge of tools like Python, R, and SQL, and data visualisation techniques.

7.2. Statistical modelling

Understand statistical concepts like hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and clustering for making sense of data.

7.3. Data mining

The ability to uncover patterns and insights from large datasets is crucial. Skills in data mining techniques like association rule mining and clustering are in high demand.

7.4. Data storytelling

Communicating your findings effectively is a major aspect of data management. Skills in data storytelling, visualisation, and presentation are highly valued.

Data science salaries across Australia 

The average annual salary for a data scientist is $114,788.

8. Robotics

If you are targeting the tech field, robotics has booming opportunities. It includes design, construction, operation, and use of robots to perform tasks in different industries. Companies are on the lookout for fresh minds who can bring innovation and technical expertise to the field. The major areas include:

8. 1. Robot programming

Understand how to program robots to perform specific tasks. This includes knowledge of programming languages like C++, Python, or ROS (Robot Operating System).

8.2. Mechanical design

If you want to make a career in robotics, learn to design and build robot hardware, including components like actuators, sensors, and control systems.

8.3. Sensors & actuators

You should know the sensors and actuators functionalities in robotics to perceive and interact with the environment.

8.4. Robotics simulation

Familiarity with robotics simulation software, like Gazebo or V-REP, is valuable for testing and validating robot designs.

Robotics salaries across Australia 

A robotics engineer in Australia makes around $107,518 per year.

9. Big data

Big data is the massive volume of data that organisations collect and analyse for insights. Big data skills are highly in demand as companies are looking to leverage data for decision-making. Let’s take a look at 5 key areas within big data that are high in demand:

9.1. Data management

Learn how to store, organise, and manage large volumes of data. You need knowledge of database systems like SQL and NoSQL.

9.2. Data analysis

You should have expertise in analysing big data to extract meaningful insights. Learn skills in data mining, machine learning, and statistical analysis.

9.3. Data visualisation

Communicating insights from big data effectively is key to visualizing data. Companies are looking for professionals who know how to use data visualisation tools like Tableau, Power BI, and Matplotlib.

9.4. Big data technologies

You should be familiar with big data technologies like Hadoop, Spark, and Kafka. Companies want employees who know how to use these tools to process and analyse big data sets.

Big data salaries across Australia 

In Australia, the average salary for a big data engineer is $100,000 per year.

10. Cybersecurity

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Organisations constantly battle to keep their data safe and maintain their digital infrastructure’s integrity. This makes cybersecurity skills highly sought after. The major areas include:

10.1. Network security

Protecting an organisation's network from unauthorised access and cyberattacks is essential. Networking skills in firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and VPNs are highly valued.

10.2. Data protection

With the increasing volume of data being generated and stored, protecting this data from breaches and theft has become important. Learn encryption, data masking, and data loss prevention (DLP) techniques.

10.3. Incident response

During cybersecurity breaches, companies need professionals who can quickly identify and mitigate the damage. Incident response planning, forensics, and malware analysis skills are highly valued.

10.4. Security compliance

Ensuring organisation complies with relevant cybersecurity regulations and standards is essential. Familiarize yourself with regulations like GDPR and PCI DSS, as well as industry standards like ISO 27001.

10.5. Security architecture

Designing and implementing security measures across an organisation's IT infrastructure requires a solid understanding of security architecture principles. For this, develop skills in risk assessment, security policies, and secure design practices.
 

Cybersecurity analyst salaries across Australia 

The average annual salary for cybersecurity analysts in Australia is $96,796. 

11. Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT is a network of interconnected devices that communicate and share data. As a graduate student, specialising in IoT can open up opportunities in various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and smart cities. The most sought-after areas of IoT include:

11.1. Hardware knowledge

Understand the components and computer systems that makeup IoT devices, like sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers. Knowledge of hardware design and troubleshooting is highly valued.

11.2. Programming skills

You need to be an expert in programming languages commonly used in IoT development, like C, C++, Python, and Java. You should know how to write code to interact with IoT devices and analyse the data they produce.

11.3. Networking

Understanding networking concepts, protocols, and architectures is essential for building and managing IoT systems. Knowledge of protocols like MQTT, CoAP, and HTTP is in demand.

11.4. Data analytics

IoT devices generate vast amounts of data and you should know how to analyse it. Companies are looking for candidates with skills in data analytics, including data mining and machine learning.

Internet of Things (IoT) salaries across Australia 

An IoT professional in Australia earns around $87,676 per year.

12. Virtual reality (VR) & Augmented reality (AR)

VR and AR technologies create immersive digital experiences by overlaying virtual objects onto the real world (AR) or creating entirely virtual environments (VR). Both are changing how we interact with information, entertainment and everyday tasks. Here are the most in-demand areas of VR and AR.

12.1. Development platforms

You should learn to use platforms like Unity or Unreal Engine for developing VR and AR applications.

12.2. 3D modeling & animation

Know how to create 3D models and animations for VR and AR environments for creating immersive experiences.

12.3. Hardware integration

It might seem basic but you should know how to integrate VR and AR hardware, like headsets and controllers, into applications.

12.4. Cross-platform development

Knowing how to develop VR and AR applications that can run on multiple platforms, like desktop and mobile, is valuable in the VR and AR industry.

Virtual reality (VR) & Augmented reality (AR) salaries across Australia 

In Australia, the average annual salary of a VR professional is $72,406 whereas an AR professional earns $62,379 per year.

Land the perfect job: How Prosple can launch your career

Prosple is an online job board specifically focused on graduate roles like internships, graduate programs, and entry-level positions. This means you cut through the noise of general job boards and target opportunities relevant to your fresh graduate status. Let’s discuss its key features:

• Prosple boasts partnerships with leading companies. This increases your chances of finding high-quality positions with reputable employers.
• Prosple's intelligent AI-based algorithm matches you with suitable graduate programs based on your academic background, career goals, and preferences. 
• Prosple provides industry reports, trend analyses, and career guides to help you stay informed about job market trends and opportunities and make informed decisions.
• Get insights from past graduates through Prosple's “Day in the Life” series. This can give you a sense of what it is like to work at specific companies and in different roles.
• Streamline your application process by applying to multiple opportunities directly through Prosple. No more hunting down individual company websites and filling out endless forms.
• You can access resources and tips specifically geared towards recent graduates. This includes interview questions, resume writing, and cover letter writing tips – all valuable tools to help you stand out from the competition.

Conclusion

With technology taking over everything in our work and everyday routines, the need for IT professionals isn't going anywhere. This makes it a no-brainer to master the most in-demand IT skills – just worth every bit of your time and effort.

When picking a skill, think beyond just the paycheck – it is all about the value you bring. Best move? Keep an eye on trends in your field and upgrade your skills to stay ahead.

Prosple is a valuable resource if you are looking for graduate jobs, internships, and career guidance. It offers a combination of job searching tools, career advice, and insider knowledge to help you launch your career successfully. Join Prosple today and never miss out on exciting opportunities.