Privacy 108’s 2024 Privacy Jobs in Australia Report

In 2024, the Australian privacy job market experienced a slight decline in job postings. Government & Utilities consistently led in job postings. Most roles were concentrated in Eastern capital cities, with many offering flexible work arrangements. 

Compliance-focused roles increased, over legal and technical roles. Salaries remained mid-range though trending upwards – most commonly ranging from $126,000 to $175,000. Most roles required 3-8 years of experience, and nearly 60% did not specify any required qualifications. 

Overall, these trends highlight in 2024 an increased focus on compliance and adaptability, influenced by evolving regulatory requirements and the continuing demand for flexible work options.

Key Observations

Stabilisation of Privacy Teams 

The decline in job postings aligns with international trends, possibly due to economic uncertainty and organisations delaying hiring until major reforms are introduced. 

Government & Utilities Recruitment

High recruitment levels in the Government sector may be in anticipation of major privacy legislation reforms, such as the expected changes to Queensland’s Information Privacy Act 2009 and Western Australia’s Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Bill 2024. 

Geographic Trends

Privacy jobs continue to be concentrated in Sydney, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane, with 75% of roles based on the East Coast. Only 4% of roles were in regional Australia, indicating minimal change in job distribution from previous years.

Privacy as a Compliance Function

An increasing shift from privacy roles being a purely legal function to a compliance-based role suggests that Australian organisations are maturing in their privacy practices. Privacy professionals are expected to conduct risk assessments, maintain policies, and manage privacy programs. This shift may explain why experience is valued over specific qualifications.

Job Titles and Entry Barriers 

Over 400 positions were advertised in 2024, featuring 300 different job titles. The most common positions were mid-level Privacy Officer roles (161 positions), followed by Manager/Leader/Director roles (118), Analyst roles (32), and Legal Counsel roles (86). The lack of standardised job titles makes it challenging for newcomers to navigate entry into the profession and determine necessary skills.

Other Noteworthy Trends:

• Only one position specifically included “Ethics” in the job title.
• AI was mentioned in 11 roles but only featured in one job title (Risk Manager – AI, Data Protection and Governance), suggesting AI is not yet fully integrated into privacy roles.

Overall, while privacy hiring declined slightly in 2024, key trends indicate a growing focus on compliance, experience over qualifications, and continued recruitment in government sectors in anticipation of legislative changes.

You can read our detailed report on Privacy Jobs in Australia in 2024.