Network Architect
Shortage Now
JSA currently reports no national or state/territory shortage signal for this occupation.
Snapshot
Median salary
Not available
People employed
1,600
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Designs, plans, implements and optimises network infrastructure. Develops and maintains network-related documentation, collaborates with clients to create network designs, evaluates network hardware and software for selection, and drives automation of network processes. May also engage in resolution of critical network incidents.
Alternative titles
Network Designer
Scope note: Network Analysts are excluded from this occupation. Network Analysts are included in Occupation 272131 ICT Network and Systems Engineer.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Designs, plans, implements and optimises network architecture and infrastructure to align with business requirements and to meet specified operational parameters for capacity and performance
- Designs, reviews and implements network access and security technologies
- Considers network-related risks and specifies recovery routines and contingency procedures
- Develops and maintains network documentation, including network diagrams and capabilities
- Collaborates with clients to create network designs and test plans
- Evaluates and selects network hardware and software
- Drives automation of network-related processes
- May resolve critical network incidents
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
6%
Female rate
12%
Median age
42
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+15%
6,652 projected jobs
to 2035
+25%
11,331 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Telecommunications Network Build and Operation
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Telecommunications Network Build and Operation
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Telecommunications Network Design
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Telecommunications Engineering Technology
Specialised training
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
51
ACT · May 2026
43
VIC · May 2026
88
NT · May 2026
3
SA · May 2026
21
NSW · May 2026
137
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Network Architect.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - West
3,534 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - West
3,534 employed
VIC
+16.71%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - South East
2,688 employed
VIC
+23.08%
year on year
- 3
Sydney - Parramatta
2,516 employed
NSW
+18.9%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - Inner
2,385 employed
VIC
+2.58%
year on year
- 5
Sydney - City and Inner South
2,109 employed
NSW
-7.13%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
5,900
Moved in from another occupation
945
Moved to another occupation
670
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
4
points
- 4
4
points
- 5
4
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 272133
- Last updated
- 2026-07-16
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · Department of Home Affairs Core Skills Occupation List matched via ABS OSCA 2024 v1.0 correspondence Table 2
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: official-profile-and-csol.