More Than Money Salary Guide | Brisbane Hiring Market Insights

Transformation demand is back

Technology and project services hiring has lifted into early 2026, driven by renewed investment across government, education, and major programs of work.

Salary is driving decisions

Cost-of-living pressure is reshaping candidate priorities, bringing remuneration, progression, and flexibility back in focus.

Competition is intensifying

Application volumes are rising with state population growth, but top talent remains hard to secure and often managing multiple offers.

Market Overview

After a more subdued market in the second half of 2025, we have seen a significant increase in demand for technology skills in December 2025/January 2026. Whilst demand for technology resources in certain industry sectors including Mining/Resources and Utilities has slowed, we have seen other sectors invest in new technology transformation initiatives, therefore increasing demand for specific skill sets. These sectors include Higher Education, Tourism and State Government.

Demand for skills within the Project Services space (project management, architecture, business analysis and change management) has returned as new programs of work commence. Cyber security, AI, DevOps, business intelligence and data analytics experience continues to be sought after by employers.

Beyond technology, demand is also strengthening across corporate and enabling functions, with employers actively seeking talent in financial reporting and forecasting, procurement and supplier management, HR advisory and business partnering, and legal and compliance roles with a risk and contract focus.

Across Queensland, continued population growth is also reshaping the market, contributing to higher application volumes and a more competitive hiring environment. At the same time, many candidates remain hesitant to move roles, meaning high-quality talent can still be difficult to secure despite increased activity.

Keith Dixon

Talent Brisbane Managing Director

Find your next exciting opportunity

This regional overview is updated quarterly. If you need the latest market insights to navigate the hiring landscape with confidence, talk to our recruitment experts.

Candidate needs

A compelling Employee Value Proposition
Flexible and work from home opportunities
Easy commute to office with parking options
Competitive remuneration
Clear career progression pathways, as salary and advancement have returned as key decision drivers in a higher cost-of-living environment

Business needs

Skilled workforce
Permanent employees or long-term contractors with extended notice periods
Strong cultural alignment to company values
Option to work from the office 2-3 days per week
Faster, more decisive hiring processes, as top-tier candidates are often managing multiple offers at once

The year ahead

We expect to see strong market demand within the digital and technology market continuing as we head further into 2026, particularly for contract resources.

Hiring demand is also expected to remain resilient across Government and Public Administration, Healthcare and Community Services, Construction and Engineering, and Consulting and Strategy firms, as investment continues in major programs of work and essential services.

However, employers are operating with tighter budget flexibility than in previous years, making it even more important to balance competitiveness with clear role design, compelling EVP and speed of execution.

For leaders, the key opportunity in 2026 will be securing critical capability early — particularly in cyber, data, AI-enabled delivery and project services — while recognising that candidate expectations around salary, flexibility and progression are rising again.

Brisbane

Talent Insights

Tech Talent

46k technology professionals with an average tenure of 2 years

(source: LinkedIn Talent Insights)

Gender Identity

% Female

% Male

*This information has been retrieved from sources with gender binary data. We acknowledge those who do not fit within this framework and understand there are more gender identities beyond the binary.

(source: LinkedIn Talent Insights)

Top Employers

Queensland Health
Telstra
Suncorp Group
Queensland Department of Education
The University of Queensland‍

(source: LinkedIn Talent Insights)

Top Skills

Wireless Communication Systems
ITIL Implementation
Data Architecture
Microsoft 365
Senior Stakeholder Management

Living in

Brisbane

AUS

Brisbane has a way of surprising people. What was once seen as a slower-paced alternative is now one of Australia’s most active growth markets, and it still comes with blue skies, weekend coast escapes, and a lifestyle built around being outdoors.

The city has developed real depth in technology and transformation talent, supported by major infrastructure investment, a growing start-up ecosystem, and continued demand across cybersecurity, cloud, data, and digital delivery. Candidates are drawn to Brisbane not just for the roles, but for the balance; strong career opportunities without the intensity (or price tag) of Sydney and Melbourne.