Australia · 2026
Market context, investment signals, delivery demand, diversity insights and role benchmarks for Project Services.
Market overview
Investment continues across transformation, regulation and technology modernisation, with a stronger focus on value, pace and outcomes.
Australia’s project delivery market has become more disciplined, but it has not become less important. Organisations continue to invest in transformation, regulatory change, technology modernisation and major operational programs, but with greater scrutiny on the value, pace and outcomes of that investment.
This is changing the profile of talent employers are seeking. Project Managers, Delivery Leads, Business Analysts and Change Managers who can navigate complexity, engage senior stakeholders and connect delivery to commercial outcomes are increasingly valued. Technical capability and methodology remain important, but the ability to translate strategy into execution is becoming a key differentiator.
According to Gartner, Australian organisations are forecast to spend A$172.3 billion on IT in 2026, an 8.9% increase year-on-year, with software and IT services accounting for almost A$119 billion of that investment. As organisations continue investing in transformation, cloud, data, AI and technology modernisation, the ability to turn that investment into measurable business outcomes remains critical — sustaining demand for experienced program and project delivery professionals.
Market insight
Methodology alone is no longer the differentiator.
“The days of hiring a Project Manager simply because they know a methodology are fading. Employers want delivery leaders who understand the business problem, can challenge assumptions and keep executives engaged when a program gets difficult.”
Key Australian stats
Technology spend, public-sector programs and AI-related demand are sustaining the need for experienced delivery professionals.
Australian organisations are forecast to spend A$172.3 billion on IT in 2026, up 8.9% year-on-year.
Gartner Forecasts IT Spending in Australia to Exceed $172 Billion in 2026Australian organisations are forecast to spend A$59.9 billion on software in 2026, up 13.6% year-on-year. Software is expected to be Australia's largest IT spending category.
Gartner Forecasts IT Spending in Australia to Exceed $172 Billion in 2026The Australian Government currently has 103 major digital projects under central oversight, representing A$9.7 billion in total project budgets, including A$5.9 billion in digital technology investment.
Major Digital Projects Report 2026Australian job advertisements requiring AI skills more than doubled from 20,000 in 2024 to 41,000 in 2025. AI-skilled workers are also commanding an average 62% wage premium.
PwC's 2026 AI Jobs BarometerThe average duration of a Tier 1 government digital project is 4.5 years, with a median project budget of A$209.7 million.
Major Digital Projects Report 2026Where demand is growing
Demand is strongest for professionals who can turn technology investment into execution, with a clear emphasis on delivery in complex programs.
Adoption, implementation and integration of AI into core business processes.
Cloud migration, platform transformation and legacy replacement.
Data platforms, analytics, digital customer and employee experiences.
Security uplift, regulatory requirements and technology risk programs.
ERP, CRM, application and platform implementations.
Operating model redesign, process transformation and organisational change.
Increasingly rigorous oversight of complex, high-value technology programs.
Diversity snapshot
Across the Technology Program & Project roles analysed, women represent an average 43.8% of representation. Representation varies significantly by discipline and seniority, ranging from 27% to 73% female.
Average representation
The data highlights several clear patterns across change, business analysis, program management and delivery leadership.
Organisational Change Managers are 73% female, the highest female representation across the roles analysed.
Business Analysts are 48% female, while Business Analyst Leads/Managers are 47% female, showing consistent representation as roles become more senior.
Program and PMO Managers are 52% female.
Women represent 40% of Program Directors, 35% of Delivery Managers and 28% of Heads of Delivery.
Women represent 36% of Project Managers and 41% of Delivery Leads.
The widest gap appears at Head of Delivery level, where women account for 28% of representation, compared with 72% men.
2026 salary guide
Permanent remuneration, contract rates and gender representation for fourteen Technology Program & Project roles.
| Role title | Permanent | Contract | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Manager | $120k - $180k | $850 - $1,100 | 36% | 64% |
| Program Manager | $160k - $200k | $1,100 - $1,300 | 52% | 48% |
| Program Director | $180k - $230k | $1,250 - $1,500 | 40% | 60% |
| Scrum Master | $125k - $140k | $700 - $900 | 44% | 56% |
| Delivery Lead | $150k - $165k | $900 - $1,100 | 41% | 59% |
| Delivery Manager | $160k - $175k | $1,000 - $1,250 | 35% | 65% |
| Head of Delivery | $220k - $300k | $1,400 - $1,750 | 28% | 72% |
| Business Analyst | $95k - $140k | $700 - $875 | 48% | 52% |
| Business Analyst Lead/Manager | $150k - $185k | $950 - $1,150 | 47% | 53% |
| Portfolio Manager | $170k - $200k | $1,100 - $1,250 | 37% | 63% |
| PMO Manager | $140k - $165k | $900 - $1,050 | 52% | 48% |
| Test Manager | $150k - $175k | $900 - $1,200 | 39% | 61% |
| Organisational Change Manager | $145k - $180k | $850 - $1,150 | 73% | 27% |
| Release Manager | $135k - $150k | $900 - $1,175 | 41% | 59% |
Permanent Salary range shown in Australian dollars.
Contract Contract-rate range shown in Australian dollars.
Representation Female and male percentages reflect the supplied role-level analysis.
All content copyrighted | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | T&Cs | Powered with 💙 by Shazamme
