Aussie IT dream not all it seems

The New Zealand IT industry is set to benefit from severe Australian job cuts and reduced Trans-Tasman migration.

Following news that IBM Australia looks set to cut as many as 1,500 jobs in the country, the move has been predicted to send offshore work across the ditch as a result.

According to the team at Absolute IT, there has been an increase of over 165% in the number of IT professionals based in Australia seeking jobs in New Zealand from the period March-May 2012, compared with March-May 2013.

New Zealanders are realising the Australian dream is not as rosy as they’ve been previously led to believe it would seem.

With the number of New Zealanders heading to Australia continuing to slow to its smallest pace since January 2010 (Stats NZ Internationals Travel and Migration figures May 2013) and Australian employers restructuring and off-shoring staff numbers - many to New Zealand .

“While median remuneration rates in the New Zealand IT industry have remained stationary in the last 12 months, we have seen a variety of positive indicators from the industry," says Grant Burley, director, Absolute IT.

"With 75% of ICT employers planning to hire additional staff this year, 38% due to new projects and an industry setting itself up to be number one for GDP contribution by 2017 – the long term outlook is really positive.”

“With last week’s announcement from IBM Australia of their plans to off-shore jobs, the latest in a series from large Australian employers, this could be the perfect storm for New Zealand companies and job seekers to capitalise on."

Heating up

The New Zealand IT industry continues to heat up, driven by the explosion of new technologies, increased business technology needs, the success of our world leading tech businesses and the constant array of start-ups popping up each month.

And because of this Burley believes the country can offer IT professionals the full package.

"A positive industry outlook, innovative job opportunities, a growing number of large scale projects and the lifestyle balance many are seeking," he says.

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