12 November 2025 – for immediate release
Queensland’s technology workforce is projected to more than double in size over the next decade, with an additional 201,800 roles expected by 2035, according to the 2025 ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse report prepared by Deloitte Access Economics. The report shows Queensland’s technology sector already contributes $15 billion to the economy and employs around 159,000 workers.
If the growth continues as forecast, Queensland’s total technology workforce could surpass 360,000 by 2035, making technology one of the state’s most important drivers of economic growth. This expansion represents one of the most significant shifts in Queensland’s jobs market, as technology becomes more deeply embedded across key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, the space industry, and sportstech linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
The report also highlights that Queenslanders are actively building their digital capabilities. Workers most often pointed to cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, and governance, risk and compliance as areas they plan to upskill, while the most common current gaps identified in their roles include robotic process automation and virtual and augmented reality.
Despite the strong appetite for upskilling, challenges remain. Barriers for Queensland workers seeking to upskill include time pressures from work, the high cost of training, and personal commitments.
Minister for Customer Services and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business Steve Minnikin said, “Queensland’s technology workforce is on a growth trajectory that will reshape our economy. To see our workforce set to more than double over the next decade shows just how central technology has become to every industry.
“The challenges of digital transformation are significant, but so too are the opportunities. By working together, government, digital industry, and the community, we can cultivate an environment where talent flourishes, innovation drives growth, and our public services are truly world-class.
“On behalf of the Queensland Government, we welcome ACS’s collaboration in ensuring Queenslanders have access to the right training and support so these roles can be filled locally and deliver benefits right across the State.”
This sentiment is echoed by ACS Queensland Chair Mathew Eames who said, “We can support workers make mid-career transitions to fulfil the demand over the next decade. Guiding them in training and reskilling options will be critical, and ACS is here to support that shift. We will be supporting professionals at every stage of their journey so they can adapt, grow, and continue contributing to Australia’s digital economy.”
Adrian Bole, director and partner at Australian company IdentityXP, said, “Sourcing talent in cybersecurity is tough, especially for our area of Identity and Access Management (IAM). Threat actors don’t hack-in anymore, they just login. As a result, organisations are investing heavily in IAM to strengthen their defences. This surge in demand has intensified competition for a limited talent pool.
“We nurture our internal talent by blending our teams so our emerging talent can work more closely with our Principal consultants. We also run a Women in Identity program to help women transition into cybersecurity careers, strengthening our team’s diversity and enriching it with skills and experiences from diverse backgrounds.”
Tim Harrington, Tim Harrington, COO of Fortitude Valley-based tech company Atlantic Digital, said: “At Atlantic Digital, we are deeply committed to the continuous growth of our team’s professional and technical capabilities. Recently certified as a Great Place to Work, we continue to build on this achievement by investing further in our people.
“We’ve expanded our technical learning opportunities through the Skillsoft platform via ACS, ensuring our team has access to world-class training. We also actively seek employee input on what skills they wish to pursue, and how best these fit into their professional journey.”
A $25BN digital plan to boost Australia's tech future
At a national level, Digital Pulse 2025 found the technology sector now contributes $134 billion to the economy, with more than 1 million Australians employed in technology roles. However, the report warns that significant skills gaps in AI, cybersecurity and data analytics remain a barrier to business growth and productivity.
Australia could unlock a $25 billion boost to the economy by 2035 if it closes its growing digital skills gap, according to the 2025 Digital Pulse report by ACS under the banner ‘Today, meet tomorrow’.
However, the report reveals that 150,000 businesses are already struggling with significant or severe shortages in digital capability, with impacts ranging from lost revenue to increased cyber risks.
The survey of 300 Australian C-suite executives and 1,200 workers also found:
- 51% lack at least one digital skill required for their role with the use of AI, cybersecurity and data analytics being among the most common skills gaps.
- University IT completions have grown by 11% yet half of graduates believe their qualifications are not relevant for their current role.
- Industry certifications and VET are highly trusted pathways to develop digital skills, yet nearly all (88%) of tech job ads still require university degrees.
- 45% of C-suite leaders report basic digital capabilities in at least one of the five digital capabilities such as the ability to read a digital transformation business case or knowledge on how data is used.
- Up to 30% more effective use of technology for businesses that reduce their skills gaps based on research from the OECD.
- Uplifting Australia’s cyber capabilities is an opportunity to reduce the $63 billion in annual cyberattacks costs.
“Digital skills are the foundation of Australia’s economic future,” said ACS Chief Executive Officer Josh Griggs.
“To compete globally, we need to ensure every worker, from frontline staff to the executive suite, has the capabilities to work with and lead digital transformation. If we close these gaps, Australia stands to unlock billions in economic growth, improve cyber resilience, and position itself as a global tech leader.
“Our plan is not just about fixing today’s problems; it is about creating a future-ready nation,“ Mr Griggs said.
10 Actions to Strengthen Australia’s Tech Future
To build the pipeline of digital skills development and support a more innovative economy, ACS has identified ten recommended actions are:
Action 1 - Develop a national Sovereign AI Strategy: Create a clear, long-term vision for sovereign AI, supporting regulation, infrastructure, talent, and innovation.
Action 2 - Develop an innovation strategy: Use the upcoming R&D review to boost entrepreneurship, startups, and scaleups, addressing Australia’s lag in R&D and local innovation.
Action 3 - Government co-investment in scaleups: Bridge the “valley of death” in funding, especially for women and First Nations founders, through government-backed co-investment vehicles.
Action 4 - Greater incentives for R&D in AI and tech adoption by businesses: Encourage greater R&D in AI and promote wider tech adoption across businesses to address Australia’s AI and digital skills gap.
Action 5 - Executives take a digital skills health check: Require C-suite leaders to assess their digital skills using tools like ACS’s mySFIA to identify gaps, strengthen governance, and align with business strategy.
Action 6 - Promote entry-level pathways for cybersecurity professionals: Create more entry-level cyber roles to help fill the 54,000 additional cyber professionals Australia will need by 2030.
Action 7 - Fast track a national framework for tech skills: Prioritise and promote the national skills taxonomy, aligned with SFIA, to enable real-time visibility of workforce capabilities.
Action 8 - A national commitment to alternative tech pathways: Recognise industry certifications and VET qualifications alongside degrees. Adopt national hiring pledges like NSW’s 20% target for non-degree entry-level tech roles.
Action 9 - Implement an ‘earn while you learn’ scheme: Support mid-career workers with wage subsidies for reskilling in tech, shared by business and government.
Action 10 - Develop a sovereign system layer for government: Fund sovereign AI capabilities to ensure safe, locally relevant use of global models in public services.
The ACS Digital Pulse report continues to serve as an essential resource for policymakers, businesses, and educational institutions as they shape the future of Australia's digital economy. Copies of the report and full recommendations can be downloaded from www.acs.org.au/digitalpulse.
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Director of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy
ACS is the voice of Australia’s technology sector, representing over 41,000 technology professionals across all industries and across the nation.
Our members work in industry, education, government, and the community delivering the digital services that drive the nation and provide the high-skilled jobs of today and tomorrow.
ACS works to grow the technology sector while making sure IT professionals act ethically, responsibly, and in keeping with the best interests of not only their employers, but the wider community.
Through our network of branches in every state and Territory, our innovation labs, education programs and our history of over fifty years, ACS works to help all Australians be part of the nation’s highest growth sector. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.