Privacy 108’s Australian Privacy Jobs Report Q4 2025

The final quarter of 2025 brought mixed signals for the privacy job market, based on the Privacy 108 analysis of privacy jobs advertised in Australia. 

While the number of advertised roles declined, salaries continued to climb, reflecting strong demand for specialized skills and leadership in privacy and data governance. This trend underscores the evolving nature of privacy careers as organizations balance compliance, technology, and emerging risks like AI safety.

The following summary presents key insights from the analysis of Privacy Jobs advertised in
Australia between July and September 2025:

Key Observations

Job Opportunities: A Seasonal Dip

Privacy job postings fell in Q4, with only 94 positions advertised over three months, averaging 31 roles per month—down from 35 in Q3 and 38 in Q1 2025. November saw a peak of 40 ads, but December dropped sharply to just 19, consistent with the usual end-of-year slowdown. Re-advertised roles were fewer than in Q3, and those that did reappear were mostly in Professional Services.

Who’s hiring and where are the jobs?

The Government sector strengthened its position as the largest employer, accounting for 36% of all privacy roles, up from 30% last quarter. Banking and Finance returned to the top three industries, tying with Professional Services at 17%. 

Capital cities remain the hub for privacy jobs, hosting 82% of roles, while regional and fully remote positions remain rare. However, flexibility is still a strong selling point—66% of ads mention hybrid or work-from-home options.

Roles and skills in demand

Leadership demand remains steady, with one in three roles targeting senior candidates, mostly outside government. At the same time, there’s a noticeable rise in specialist and technical roles, often offered as contracts requiring expertise in privacy, data risk, DLP, and engineering. This reflects a growing need for hybrid skill sets that bridge compliance and technology.

Salary trends

The average advertised salary climbed to $148,000, up from $145,000 in Q3. The highest salary reported was $250,000 plus bonus for a Head of Data Governance, Privacy, and Regulatory Analytics role 

Contract rates were rarely disclosed, but where listed, they averaged $800 per day. 

Experience and qualifications

Experience remains critical: over one-third of roles require at least three years, and 10% demand more than eight years. 

Legal positions are most likely to specify experience, while others prioritise relevant skills or certifications. 

Interestingly, privacy certifications like CIPP or CIPM are less frequently mentioned—only 12% of ads listed them as required or preferred, down from 25% last quarter.

Emerging trends: AI Safety

A notable development is the Federal Government’s focus on AI safety and secure technology, recruiting for its new AI Safety Institute (announced as part of Australia’s new National AI Pan which we covered here). CSIRO’s Data61 also advertised for a Research Scientist – Privacy Technology role. 

This signals a nationwide push toward secure, private, and trustworthy AI systems, creating new opportunities for privacy professionals with technical expertise.

Looking Ahead: What to Watch in Q1 2026

As we move into the new year, expect continued emphasis on AI governance and privacy engineering. Salaries may remain strong, but competition for senior and specialist roles will likely intensify. 

Keep an eye on whether privacy certifications regain traction and whether remote opportunities expand beyond their current niche. 

For professionals, upskilling in AI risk management and privacy tech could be the key to staying ahead in this evolving market.

 

You can read the full report via this link.