There are two major reasons that employers are turning to IT contractors: access to skills and greater flexibility in scaling the workforce. Organisations are looking for skilled tech professionals who can use their expertise to complete projects and even participate in a knowledge share with current employees.
As such, we’ve looked at our latest data to identify the roles that employers are turning to contractors to fill. To discover why there’s so much demand for contractors in these roles right now, I’ve spoken to colleagues across the Hays business for their insights:
Search opportunities with Hays here.
Jason: “It’s not a surprise to see that Java Developers are still high in demand. How will this differ from a permanent position? You’ll be expected to train the company’s staff on your skills if necessary – you won’t be sticking around once the project has been completed, so be ready to do a handover.”
Jason: “You might have noticed that this job isn’t among the top in-demand permanent tech roles for 2025. However, we typically see IT departments split 80%/20% between permanent and contract, so you’d be working alongside more established members of the business. There are opportunities in several industries but would mostly be seen in software companies and financial services.”
Gene: “Many companies hire Network Engineers to assume day-to-day responsibilities while internal staff work on projects such as upgrades, migrations or mergers. Niche skillsets, such as SD-WAN (software defined networks), are in demand on such a basis. Meanwhile, experienced professionals often prefer contracting so they can move between clients while enhancing and growing their skills.”
Jason: “Contractors will need to be ready to hit the ground running – you've got to do your learning in your own time. Of course, there’ll be an onboarding when you join a client, but you’re being brought in to impart your knowledge of Scrum – this role isn’t in the top 10 for permanent positions, we’re seeing more demand for contractors to train others.”
Mike: “Contract Solution Architects are parachuted into businesses for their SME knowledge around translating technical requirements into practical IT solutions. They establish rules and instructions for proper implementation and delivery, while communicating the solution design to the relevant stakeholders. Financial Services (mainly Banking and Insurance) lead the way when looking to hire contract Solution Architects due to their large complex project deliverables.”
Jade: “For organisations that are undergoing periods of transformation, it makes sense to bring in experts on a temporary basis. There’s going to be big demand for Change Managers who have experience working on specific projects. Those we have seen in high demand this year include Cyber, Operating Model, ERP.”
Nadine: “To a large extent, data engineering is about setting up data architecture and management so that data can be used efficiently. That sometimes means that, once the initial setup is done, Data Engineers aren’t as essential anymore. Contractors will find demand in sectors where data sources are frequently distributed, or critical in ensuring data integrity and accessibility.”
Nadine: “Contractors often stay updated with the latest tools and technologies in data analytics, which benefits organisations looking to leverage new advancements. Businesses across a wide range of industries require data analysis expertise for a limited time, such as finance, healthcare and e-commerce. The responsibilities will be similar to those in a permanent role, such as data cleaning and visualisation.”
Jade: “Like Change Managers, we know that Project Managers remain high on the agenda for organisation in 2025. Compared to a permanent employee in this role, you’ll have less time to become accustomed to the business and its goals. Your interviews and preliminary conversations are the opportunities to discover what you need to know about the objectives before day one.”
Jade: “As highlighted in our latest IT Contractor Rates Guide in Australia, analysts with specialised skills will have plenty of highly paid opportunities in 2025. Besides your skillset, expertise from previous organisations and projects is really important. When it comes to your CV, include any technology and systems on top of the projects delivered. If working for a consultancy, include the organisation industry at a minimum as clients will prioritise candidates with similar industry experience."
Interested in any of the roles above as an IT contractor? Search our opportunities here.
James Milligan Global Head of Hays Technology
James Milligan is the Global Head of Hays Technology, having joined in 2000. In his role, he is responsible for the strategic development of Hays' technology businesses globally.
