October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and cyber security jobs in Australia are on the rise—with the public sector leading the charge. Across Australia, governments at federal and state levels are investing heavily in cyber programs, driving unprecedented demand for skilled professionals. From strategic architects to hands-on engineers, the surge in roles reflects the growing importance of digital resilience, national security, and operational continuity.
Public Sector Dominates Demand
Our recruitment data in this area shows a strong tilt toward public service, with many of our cyber job requests requested by government clients at both federal and state levels. This aligns with
national workforce planning:
70% of APS agencies report critical cyber skills shortages, and forecasts show that Australia will face a
shortfall of 3,000 cyber security specialists by 2026. Recent research shows that
Australia’s cyber workforce numbered ~125,791 people, including 51,309 dedicated roles (up ~9.5% year-on-year), with advertised public-sector cyber security salaries averaging around
AU$119,694. These figures confirm that government demand is not just heavy — it's strategic, often well-compensated, and long-term.
Roles and Skills in High Demand
The cyber surge spans a wide spectrum of roles. Our hiring data shows the highest demand is concentrated in:
- Project & Program Management — leading multi-year uplift and compliance programs.
- Engineering — software and systems engineers building secure apps and infrastructure.
- Security Architecture — solution and cyber architects implementing zero-trust/cloud designs.
- Infrastructure & Network Engineering — network, cloud and ICT engineers underpinning secure services.
- Business Analysis & Consulting — analysts translating policy, compliance and user needs.
- Cyber Operations & SOC — SOC and detection analysts managing threats and incidents.
- Specialist / Niche — pen testers, Splunk/Illumio specialists, messaging/security writers.
This demand is not just broad – it’s growing across all levels of government. As Paxus recruiter Jack McDougall explains, “We are seeing an incredible increase in market demand for cyber security roles across all levels of Local, State and Federal Governments. Cyber in conjunction with AI is continuing to be in demand with the increasing risks associated with such large and unique programs of work."
This spike reflects a broader market trend: governments are hiring not just in volume, but also seeking
multidisciplinary teams that combine technical, strategic and governance expertise. As the
Australian Cyber Security Strategy puts it, “We are shifting cyber from a technical topic to whole-of-nation endeavour”, underlining why governments are recruiting blended teams of technical, policy and governance experts.
Why Now?
The public sector’s focus on cyber resilience, zero-trust frameworks, and compliance has created a perfect storm for cyber security talent.
Several APS findings explain the timing:
more than half of agencies report critical cyber skill shortages; nearly two-thirds of agencies consider some ICT work core, while more than half currently outsource it; and agencies expect difficulty filling in-demand roles and managing peaks and troughs.
The plan also notes structural workforce pressures with
over 20% of the APS ‘ICT and Digital Solutions’ job family is nearing retirement age (55+), which raises replacement urgency.
Collectively, these forces are shifting work from short-term uplift projects toward longer-term sustainment, in-house capability building and governance-led programs that demand architects, program managers and operational engineers.
What This Means for Job Seekers and Employers
For job seekers, the surge represents real opportunity – salaries for cyber roles sit comfortably above the national average. Market snapshots put typical cyber salaries in the
AU$115k–$125k range for mid-level analysts/engineers, with senior architects, managers and specialist leads commonly commanding
AU$180k–$220k+.
Contractors continue to be in demand for niche and acceleration work, but the market has shifted:
many public-sector clients are favouring permanent hires for continuity and IP retention, while still using contractors for short-term specialist needs.
Cyber security in Australia is no longer just an IT function—it’s a strategic imperative. With governments leading the charge, the sector offers exciting career pathways, critical projects, and the chance to be part of a growing, mission-driven field.
Get in Touch
With cyber security roles booming across the public sector, finding the right talent — or your next career opportunity — can be challenging. That’s where Paxus comes in. As specialists in government recruitment, we understand the unique requirements, compliance standards, and skill sets the public sector demands.
Whether you’re a candidate looking for your next role or an organisation seeking top-tier cyber talent,
get in touch
with our team today to find out how we can help.
