THE MINDSET OF

AN IT CONTRACTOR
In an era of rapid technological disruption, employers
are pushing to deliver IT and transformation projects
quickly in order to remain relevant.
IT contractors have become integral to the success of that journey and are in
demand more than ever before. In this report, we reveal their attitudes towards
working as an IT Contractor and the role an agency or contract manager plays
in this space.

Executive Summary
Our survey was conducted in July 2019 based on the responses from 148 IT
CONTRACTORS to ten questions. Of the 148 IT Contractors surveyed, 111 were
based in the ACT and 37 in QLD. Our synopsis of the survey is captured below,
however, more details are available on request.

Project Details
IT PROFESSIONALS AND CONTRACTING – MONEY TALKS WHEN CONSIDERING A NEW CONTRACT,
WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
When asked what factor was the most important when choosing a project,
money stood out as the biggest appeal, followed by contract length and the
20% 27%
employer. Other considerations included a combination of money, contract OTHER MONEY

length and the type of work involved. Some also added work/life balance
and whether the project was interesting.
12%
Interestingly, the majority of respondents had no preference who they 20% TECH
EMPLOYER BEING
contracted through, whether a recruitment agency or professional services USED
agency. However, a third preferred a recruitment agency and only 10% 21%
CONTRACT
said professional services business. For those who had a preference, the LENGTH
contractors commented on their reasons, which included:

“RECRUITMENT AGENCIES HAVE A L ARGER “EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

NUMBER OF CLIENTS AS WELL AS BET TER WITH AN AGENCY AND
RATES AND BET TER REL ATIONSHIPS.” CONVENIENCE”

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Project Details cont...

DO YOU PREFER TO CONTRACT THROUGH A RECRUITMENT AGENCY OR VIA

A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUSINESS/CONSULTANCY?
“PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
KNOW TECH BET TER BUT
PAY LESS AND ARE LESS
30% RECRUITMENT AGENCY
FLEXIBLE – CONTRACTORS
HAVE LESS CLOUT WITH
10% PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUSINESS
EMPLOYER AND CAN BE
ON MULTIPLE PROJECTS.”
60% NO PREFERENCE

Expectations of a Contractor
HOW MUCH MORE MONEY WOULD YOU
WHEN COMPARED TO A PERMANENT ROLE, THE
EXPECT TO MAKE IN A CONTRACT ROLE
MAJORITY OF IT CONTRACTORS EXPECTED TO EARN COMPARED TO A PERMANENT ROLE?
OVER 21% MORE. 1%
5-10% MORE
This data reveals that contractors not only consider money to be important in
22% 9%
their choice of contract, but the amount paid above a permanent role is also 51%+ MORE 11-20% MORE
a consideration.

Surprisingly, for both QLD and ACT IT Contractors there was below average
commitment to carrying out the duration of contracts, with a median rating 30%
16%
of less than 4 out of 10 (1 being the least committed and 10 being the most). 41-50% MORE 21-30%
MORE
There may be some work to do to attract and retain quality contractors in the
industry and ensure a seamless flow to completion. 22%
31-40% MORE

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY REASON YOU CHOOSE TO WORK AS A CONTRACTOR?

ACT QLD
Higher pay rates, exposure to
different projects and having greater
15% 14%
GREATER FLEXIBILITY GREATER FLEXIBILITY flexibility are the key factors for IT
Professionals choosing to work as
23% 35% Contractors for both QLD and ACT
EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT
ORGANISATIONS/PROJECTS ORGANISATIONS/PROJECTS respondents, however the order of
preference varies between the two

38% 27% states. The fact that ACT Contractors

BETTER PAY BETTER PAY rated better pay the highest could
be due to the government’s recent
11% 5% push to optimise digital services in
INDEPENDENCE/CONTROL INDEPENDENCE/CONTROL
OVER CAREER OVER CAREER Canberra. The ACT has seen high
demand for IT Contractors in response
2% 8% to an abundance of transformation
N/A – IT’S NOT A CHOICE N/A – IT’S NOT A CHOICE
projects, resulting in higher daily rates.
Other reasons encompassed
11% 11% a combination of all the factors.
OTHER OTHER

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Working with an Agency/Contract Manager
In terms of what IT Contractors most expect from their agency, over a
third cited being presented with opportunities that they could not access It’s worthwhile noting that a huge
elsewhere. This was by far the highest rated, followed by client relationships proportion of respondents stated
and strong network. Negotiating the pay rate came third, despite money they would return to their previous
being the major reason why IT talent choose to contract in the first place. agency prior to looking elsewhere
for a role – over 76% compared to
WHICH OF THE BELOW IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT EXPECTATION FROM 7% who stated they wouldn’t. The
YOUR AGENCY CONTACT/CONTRACT MANAGER? remainder were unsure.

16% NEGOTIATE THE RATE I WANT

WOULD YOU GENERALLY RETURN TO YOUR

19% CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS AND STRONG NETWORK
PREVIOUS AGENCY CONTACT/CONTRACT
MANAGER BEFORE LOOKING ELSEWHERE
13% PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT OF EXTENSIONS FOR A ROLE?

16%
6% CALLS/MEETS WITH ME REGULARLY
UNSURE

7%
7% STRONG BACK-OFFICE/PAYROLL FUNCTION NO

31% PRESENT ME OPPORTUNITIES NOT FOUND ELSEWHERE 77%

YES

8% OTHER

Summary
It’s clear from this data that:
FURTHER INFORMATION
IT PROFESSIONALS APPROACH CONTRACTING WITH A MINDSET OF
For further information on our
GAINING AS MUCH FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE AS POSSIBLE.
IT Contracting Recruitment Services,
THEY LOOK TO GAIN EXPERIENCE ACROSS A BROAD SPECTRUM OF or for more details on this survey,
OPPORTUNITIES.
please speak to one of our
Emanate consultants.
MOST DON’T HAVE A PREFERENCE AS TO WHOM THEY CONTRACT
THROUGH TO SECURE THE ROLE.
ACT +61 2 6109 0373
Technology now exists in an era of agile delivery and rapid uptake where IT QLD +61 7 3145 0455
Contractors can deliver a project within a certain timeline and move on to the careers@emanatetechnology.com.au
next project. We can make an educated assumption here that contractors
are looking for greater financial reward coupled with experiences of growth EMANATETECHNOLOGY.COM.AU

rather than being ingrained with one employer permanently.

In such an environment, organisations need a balance of both permanent

and contracting IT professionals to help them deliver projects and enhance
the technical skills necessary when there is a shortage.

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