Job Prospects... At a glance
New software developer graduates are in high demand. There is a shortage of software developers in New Zealand, and continuing growth in job vacancies.
The number of developers has grown steadily over recent years, but demand is expected to continue increasing in the fast-developing ICT industry.
Software developers write, test, develop and maintain computer software.
Software developers require a strong understanding of the underlying concepts and principles of software development, and some experience with development environments and languages. This knowledge can be gained through informal practical experience, but programmers usually have one or both of the following:
Oracle certification: education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=39
Microsoft certification: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/default.aspx
| Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science |
|---|
| $20,000 over three years |
Average costs in 2015 for a domestic student. Costs vary between institutions. Further costs include materials, textbooks, and accommodation.
Rents vary from place to place. Estimated market rents by region, city and suburb are available on the MBIE Tenancy Services website.
The StudyLink website provides general budget advice for students, and the Sorted website provides help with detailed budget planning.
Tenancy Services: www.tenancy.govt.nz
StudyLink: www.studylink.govt.nz
Sorted: www.sorted.org.nz/calculators/money-planner
Software developers gain many skills on the job and attend a wide range of courses to update their knowledge and techniques. Most tertiary institutions in New Zealand provide training in computer science, information systems, ICT and other related fields.
The Institute of IT Professionals (IITP) is the ICT sector’s professional body. It works to improve education and professional standards in the ICT industry in New Zealand and around the world. Although there are many ICT-related organisations and groups in New Zealand, IITP is the only professional body. It also accredits IT Professionals in New Zealand via two professional certifications. – CITPNZ and CTech.
It is expected that software developers who hold professional accreditation will have a significant advantage in the job market; they will command a higher level of pay than those without professional accreditation.
Further information on certification can be found in the IITP website.
IITP certification: https://itp.nz/Members/Certification
The number of students completing computer science or information systems degrees grew from 1265 in 2009 to 2,150 in 2015. This is not expected to be enough to meet demand.
Qualification completions chart
Source: Ministry of Education
In 2016, the average income for software developers was $61,000. Average income varies widely – depending on their responsibilities, experience, the type of programming work they do, and geographic location.
| Estimated Average Income | |
|---|---|
| $61,000 |
Source: MBIE estimates based on Statistics NZ Census and Labour Cost Index
Software developers’ employment
| Historic | Projected Growth | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2013 | 2020 | 2025 |
| 2,157 | 4,086 | 5,846 | 7,195 |
| 9.6% | 5.2% | 4.2% | |
Source: Statistics NZ Census and MBIE projections. Percentages are compound annual growth rates.
*Growth projections are for the broader category “Business and Systems Analysts, and Programmers”
There has been a strong growth in the number of software developers employed in recent years, resulting in almost a doubling of employment from 2006 to 2013. There is also strong projected employment growth of around 5.2% per year from 2013-20 and 4.2% per year out to 2025.
Employment chart
Source: Statistics NZ Census and MBIE projections
| Overseas | In further study | Receiving a benefit | In employment | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14% | 15% | 3% | 75% | $48,200 |
Source: Ministry of Education
*Two years after completion of Bachelor Degree - Computer Science.
‘Overseas’ refers to the percentage of ALL graduates completing this qualification. Other indicators refer only to graduates living in New Zealand.
Most graduates were in employment two years after completing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Relatively few were in further study. Some were overseas, while very few were receiving a benefit. The median salary was around $48,200 at that point.
A number of specific occupations for software developers appear on Immigration New Zealand’s long-term skill shortage list, including:
The long-term skill shortage list always applies for all regions. If a job is on the list, it means the government is actively encouraging skilled people in these jobs from overseas to work in New Zealand. It also means that domestic graduates have very good job prospects. A full list is available on the Immigration New Zealand website.
Immigration NZ, skill shortage list: skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz
The number of online job vacancies for software applications programmers has been stable since 2011, while the number for all occupations has increased. Considering that employment is growing fast, this could mean that this industry often recruits through other channels.
Jobs advertised chart
Source: Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Vacancies for software developers are advertised through public media such as the Trade Me Jobs and Seek and, increasingly, through social media like LinkedIn.
Trade Me Jobs: www.trademe.co.nz/jobs
Seek: www.seek.co.nz
LinkedIn: nz.linkedin.com
Once a software developer has learnt the required fundamental skills, they may progress to become senior programmers, software architects, or chief information officers.
The following occupations are related roles or alternative titles. Some of the roles may require a higher level of skill than entry-level software developers.
More information on software developers is available on the Careers New Zealand website.
Careers New Zealand: www.careers.govt.nz
The Australian New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is the official classification of occupations in New Zealand.
The occupation of software developers has been coded to the following ANZSCO codes for the purpose of this report:
261211 – Multimedia Specialist
261212 – Web Developer
2613 – Software and Applications Programmers
263213 – ICT Systems Test Engineer