Privacy Jobs in Australia: July – September 2024 Report on Earnings, Positions, and Other KPIs

Published at 10:00 on 14 Nov 2024

From July to September 2024, privacy job advertisements saw a significant increase, with a total of 127 roles posted, up from 107 in the previous quarter (April to June 2024). This rise is consistent with typical third-quarter trends, but it also suggests that privacy teams are preparing for anticipated amendments to the Privacy Act and changes in state privacy laws. 

Background

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Privacy 108 monitors and reports on privacy jobs advertised in Australia. We’ve tracked the number, location, position, and salary of privacy jobs in Australia over the past years to uncover the trends privacy professionals – and aspiring privacy professionals – should know about.

 

Key Observations About Privacy Roles in Australia

  • Job Ads and Monthly Trends: On average, 42 privacy-related job ads were posted per month, with the highest activity occurring in August and September. This trend indicates that businesses, particularly in the government sector, are gearing up for legal changes and may be bolstering their privacy teams.
  • Sector Breakdown: Government roles accounted for 38% of the total job advertisements, making it the largest sector by far. Corporate and professional services sectors followed as the second and third largest contributors. This trend aligns with the historical strength of government agencies in hiring privacy professionals, particularly Privacy Officers, who are often sought after in government roles rather than Privacy Managers.
  • Geographic Distribution: Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne saw the highest concentration of job offerings, with these three cities accounting for 75% of all advertised roles. Notably, Brisbane saw a rise in government job ads, likely in response to proposed changes to Queensland’s privacy laws. Conversely, regional areas experienced a substantial decline in job advertisements.
  • Work Flexibility: Flexible and hybrid work options remained a popular offering, though there was a slight reduction in such roles compared to previous quarters.
  • Role Type and Focus: Privacy Officer positions remained the most frequently advertised role, reflecting the dominance of compliance-focused privacy functions. A large majority (73%) of advertised positions were centered around compliance, signaling that privacy continues to be viewed predominantly as a compliance role rather than a broader privacy management function.
  • Salaries: Approximately one-third of advertised roles listed salaries, with most government positions falling into the $126,000–$175,000 range (inclusive of superannuation). The average salary for privacy roles increased to $141,000 this quarter, up from $129,000 in the previous quarter. The highest salary advertised was $250,000 for a Senior Legal Counsel – Privacy role.
  • Experience and Requirements: Experience remains a critical factor, with most positions requiring at least 5 years of experience. This indicates that privacy roles continue to demand a higher level of expertise and specialization.

Additional Observations:

  • Private Sector Stability: The private sector, including banking, financial services, corporate, and tech, maintained a stable share of 38% of advertised roles, matching the public sector’s share.
  • Professional Services Decline: Roles in professional services decreased to 14% of total job ads, possibly reflecting a shift toward internal hiring rather than reliance on external consultancies for privacy-related roles.
  • Not-for-Profits: Notably, there were no advertised privacy positions within the not-for-profit sector during this period.

Overall, the privacy job market in Q3 2024 demonstrated significant growth, particularly in government roles and in response to legislative changes, with a continued emphasis on compliance roles, strong demand for experienced professionals, and an increase in salaries.

You can read the complete Australian Jobs Report: July to September 2024.

Shelley brings a wealth of experience in data privacy, project management, change management, and IT service management across industries including education, banking, credit reporting and government. Her expertise includes designing and implementing privacy programs, conducting impact assessments, interpreting global regulations, and managing privacy incidents.