Who’s Hiring in Tech? 3 Fast-Growing Sectors in Australia for 2025

After a few turbulent years marked by market shifts and mass layoffs, Australia’s tech hiring landscape is warming up again, but the rebound isn’t uniform across all sectors. At Emmbr, we’ve been closely monitoring where demand is rising. Here are three sectors showing strong and sustained hiring momentum in 2025:

🔒 1. Cybersecurity

Why it’s booming:

• As cyber threats become more sophisticated and frequent, both businesses and governments are prioritising stronger digital defences, driving up demand for cybersecurity professionals.
• The Value of Data: In today’s digital world, data is as valuable as money. Protecting it from cybercriminals is critical, especially in a country like Australia where the digital economy is expanding rapidly.
• Rising Threats: Personal, business, and government systems are under increasing attack. In response, organisations are adopting technologies such as AI-driven threat detection, multi-factor authentication, and real-time security monitoring.‍
• Government Response: The Australian Government's 2025 Cyber Security Strategy now requires critical infrastructure companies to meet stricter reporting and resilience standards, prompting hiring surges in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
• ‍Increased Spending: Since the 2023–24 Budget, the Government has committed more than $60 million to help small businesses uplift their digital and cyber security capabilities through multiple programs. IT spending in Australia is projected to reach A$146.85 billion in 2025, up 8.7% from 2024, according to CFOTech. A large portion is being allocated to cybersecurity initiatives.

🤖 2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning

Why it’s booming:

• AI is no longer just a buzzword, it’s becoming core to how businesses operate. In 2025, Australian organisations are embracing AI and automation to increase efficiency, unlock new revenue opportunities, and improve decision-making.
• Business Confidence: A Tech Council of Australia and Datacom survey found that AI is viewed as the top opportunity in 2025. One-third of Australian tech leaders ranked it as the most impactful trend for their business strategies.

“It is a significant marker of where we are in our AI journey that Australian businesses expect that in 2025 the greatest opportunities will come from using technologies – like AI and automation – to drive operational efficiencies.”— Laura Malcolm, Managing Director, Datacom Australia

• National Prioritisation: The 2025 Australian Tech Leaders Survey shows that 67% of tech leaders identify AI as the defining technology trend of the year.‍
• Rising Demand for Talent: A report by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources highlights growing investment in AI research and a parallel rise in demand for AI-skilled workers.

🌿 3. ClimateTech & Sustanability Technologies

Why it’s booming:

• Australia is positioning itself as a global leader in climate and sustainability tech. ClimateTech is no longer limited to renewables, it's expanding to include carbon tracking platforms, energy storage, circular economy solutions, and regenerative agriculture.
• Job Creation Potential: Clean energy roles in Australia could grow to over 500,000 by 2050, with thousands being added each year. This is driven by the country’s commitment to a net-zero economy and increased investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
• Startup Ecosystem: There's major growth in companies focused on solar optimisation, grid technology, carbon removal, and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) data platforms.

Billionaire tech founder Mike Cannon-Brookes has called the climate and clean energy sectors "Australia’s next big employer," highlighting the urgent need to build a skilled workforce to meet the growing demand.‍

✅ Takeaway for Hiring Managers

• Niche talent is in short supply, especially across AI, cybersecurity, and sustainability-focused tech.
• Growth sectors are scaling quickly, so your hiring strategy needs to be proactive, not reactive.
• Top candidates are prioritising purpose, flexibility, and impact—not just pay.

If you’re hiring in one of these sectors, now is the time to act.

Need help navigating the competition for top talent? Talk to us!