The Tasmanian ICT sector continues to grow and make significant contributions to its economy, earning almost $1.7 billion in revenue over 2020-21 and is projected to grow to over 12,000 employees by 2026.
The Tasmanian Government, which employs more than 9,000 people in the ICT industry, has commissioned Deloitte to examine the sector’s revenue expectations over the next three financial years.
The Deloitte Access Economics Tasmanian ICT Sector Scan provides an important insight into local capability and the sector’s role in driving digital transformation, productivity improvements and innovation across other sectors.
The results from the research revealed the technology workforce has grown by three per cent between 2020 and 2021. It was also found that, if this growth continues, the sector’s revenue will increase to $2.1 billion by 2024-25.
While Tasmanian ICT companies have expertise in a wide range of capabilities including systems development, programming and software development, data and analytics and systems integration, research found that cyber security was one of the most common skills gap among Tasmanian technology companies.
More than half of the survey respondents indicated the biggest barrier to company growth is the inability to attract suitable staff.
Tasmania’s Minister for Science and Technology Madeleine Ogilvie stated that the research showed opportunities for further growth such as upskilling current staff, improving the skills pipeline and presenting the state’s expertise to international markets via the Tasmanian Trade Advocates.
“While there is still work to be done, we are on the right track in growing our ICT sector to benefit our State locally as well as to sell offshore to boost our economy and create new jobs,” she stated.
Over 60 per cent of Tasmania’s ICT workforce are employed in a range of industries throughout the economy including agriculture, finance and professional services. Meanwhile, thirty-four per cent of the ICT businesses that were surveyed are already exporting their products or services internationally and interstate.
“The Tasmanian technology sector has developed strong capabilities in recent years, as its technology workforce grew by 22 per cent over the two years to 2021 – amongst the highest in Australia,” Partner at Deloitte Access Economics and report author John O’Mahony said.
“The prospects for growth are strong, with 81 per cent of surveyed Tasmanian technology businesses expecting to grow over the three financial years to 2024-25.”
Source: Tasmanian Government media release. Content has been edited for style and length.