Australia's tech workforce has declined for the first time, according to Australian Computer Society's recent report. The findings come as changes to skilled visa processing priorities mean IT occupations are no longer among the highest-priority sectors.
The number of people working in Australia’s technology sector fell by 0.3 per cent in 2025 to around 967,000, marking the first decline in the country’s tech workforce, according to the 12th annual Australia’s Digital Pulse report.
As per the 11th edition released last year, the technology industry employed more than one million technology workers.
The report draws on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and was commissioned by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), the publisher of Information Age. It was prepared by consultancy Deloitte Access Economics.
The report found that permanent and temporary migrants accounted for around 20 per cent of new technology workers over the past five years.
The report therefore highlights the importance of keeping migration pathways open for skilled technology workers to support the continued growth of Australia’s tech workforce.
'What is clear is that migration will continue to be an important complement to domestic education and training pathways,' the report stated.
Betsy Gregg, ACS Director of Operations of ACS, a peak body for the IT profession representing the technology community across industry, government and education, says people born overseas account for 45 per cent of Australia’s tech workforce.
"While migration can help address part of the skills shortage, there is also a need for a broader approach, including strengthening the domestic talent pipeline," she said.
Does the Department of Home Affairs prioritise IT professionals for visa processing?
Skilled visa applications are processed in accordance with government policy priorities set out in Ministerial Direction 119, which came into effect on 25 July 2026 and replaced the previous processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 105, the Department says.
Prioritisation under Ministerial Direction 119 is afforded according to both occupation and the location of applicants at the time of application.
Occupations supporting Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests are afforded the highest priority; followed by those in construction, healthcare, and teaching, where the applicant lodged their application while in Australia.
Applicants who are already in Australia have higher priority than those who are outside Australia.
India, China and Nepal have been three of the top four source countries for provisional, permanent and temporary Skilled IT workers in each program year since 2023-24.
Find our podcasts here at SBS Hindi Podcast Collection. You can also tune in to SBS Hindi at 5 pm on SBS South Asian on digital radio, on channel 305 on your television, via the SBS Audio app or stream from our website.
