Telecommunications

The telecommunications industry is responsible for the provision of a diverse range of services, such as landlines, internet, pay television and mobile telephone services. The widespread take-up of high-speed digital transmission methods such as fibre optic cabling, and the increasing use of mobile telecommunications services, has resulted in rapid change and evolution in the industry. In addition, the telecommunications industry in Australia has been heavily deregulated in recent years, and the traditional monopolies have been challenged.

The work

The two largest professional groups represented in the telecommunications sector are electronic/electrical engineers, and information technology professionals. New specialists in the field include laser and fibre optic engineers, who undertake research and design for the complex equipment required for fibre optic data transmission. Software and computer systems engineers, marketing professionals, project managers and accountants also find work in this field.

The industry is expected to provide substantial employment opportunities in the future for skilled, technologically competent staff. Employment prospects are good, with the expansion of existing networks and the need for continued research and development resulting in increased opportunities for engineers.

Due to its central role in facilitating internet usage and rapid digital information exchange, the telecommunications industry has been dubbed the backbone of the so-called new economy. Recent growth in the use of telecommunications services for data transportation has been significant, with data transmission expected to provide an ever increasing proportion of the revenue generated in the sector.

Lifestyle factors

Atypical hours: Shift work is common in some areas of the industry.

Stress: The need to keep up-to-date with constantly advancing technology can be demanding.

What you need

The telecommunications industry is highly competitive and constantly changing. Workers will increasingly be required to keep their job skills and knowledge up to date.

Skills required vary with particular occupational groups. Large telecommunications companies recruit graduates from a wide range of disciplines, including IT, Business, Information Systems, Engineering, Computing, Human Resources and Marketing.

Money Matters - salary ranges for sector/selected occupations:

  • In telecommunications sector: $37-55,000
  • Engineering Professionals: $43-55,000
  • Technical Specialists: $35-46,000.

-- Figures from Australian Graduate Survey 2007, GCA. Ranges refer to the middle 50 per cent of salaries for bachelor degree graduates with permanent residency, in full-time employment in Australia in 2007.

Industry at a glance:

  • 35,000 electrical and electronics engineers (2007)
  • 185,000 computing professionals (2007)
  • 19% female computing professionals (2007).

-- Australian Bureau of Statistics, Information and Communication Technology report (ABS catalogue no. 8126).