Computer Network and Systems Engineers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Computer Network and Systems Engineers plan, develop, deploy, test and optimise network and system services, taking responsibility for configuration management and overall operational readiness of network systems, especially environments with multiple operating systems and configurations, and provide troubleshooting and fault-finding services for network problems.
Specialisations: Computer Network Engineer, Computer Systems Integrator.
A bachelor or postgraduate degree in a related information technology field (such as computer science, network engineering or computer systems) is usually needed to work as a Computer Network and Systems Engineer. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications. There are also a wide range of vendor and industry certifications available that may substitute for formal qualifications.
Tasks
-
Analyses, develops, interprets and evaluates complex system design and architecture specifications, data models and diagrams in the development, configuration and integration of computer systems.
-
Researches, analyses, evaluates and monitors network infrastructure to ensure networks are configured to operate at optimal performance.
-
Assesses and recommends improvements to network operations and integrated hardware, software, communications and operating systems.
Characteristics
-
University
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Practical
-
Analytical
-
Administrative
-
Enterprising
-
Sedentary
-
Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Computer Network Professionals, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 93% of people employed as Computer Network and Systems Engineers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 27 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
-
Computer Network and Systems Engineers work in industries like:
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Information media and telecommunications
- Financial and insurance services
- Public administration and safety.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Computer Network and Systems Engineers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 37.5 | 31.6 |
VIC | 28.8 | 25.6 |
QLD | 12.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.9 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 5.3 | 1.9 |
-
Around 86% of Computer Network and Systems Engineers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Australian Capital Territory
- Melbourne - Inner
- Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - West.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Computer Network and Systems Engineers is 38 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 7% of the workforce. This is 41 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Computer Network and Systems Engineers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 2.8 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 32.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 38.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 18.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 4.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 2.0 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 0.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 38 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor or postgraduate degree in a related information technology field (such as computer science, network engineering or computer systems) is usually needed to work as a Computer Network and Systems Engineer. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications. There are also a wide range of vendor and industry certifications available that may substitute for formal qualifications.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Information and Communications Technology VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Computer Network and Systems Engineers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 19.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 40.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 17.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 7.7 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 12.8 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 1.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 1.3 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Computer Network Professionals who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong computer skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
63%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
-
60%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
-
59%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
-
57%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
57%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
57%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
56%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
56%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
56%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
55%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
54%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
53%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
53%
Technology designDesigning and improving equipment and technology.
-
53%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
52%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
51%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
51%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
51%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
50%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
46%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
82%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
73%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
58%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
56%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
56%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
56%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
55%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
54%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
51%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
49%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
41%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
36%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
35%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
33%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
31%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
31%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
30%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
28%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
24%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
21%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
63%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
61%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
60%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
58%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
57%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
57%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
54%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
-
54%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
-
54%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
53%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
53%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
51%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
50%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
49%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
49%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
48%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
46%
Speed of recognitionQuickly make sense of and organize things you can see like letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
46%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
84%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
78%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
74%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
73%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
67%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
67%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
67%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
66%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
63%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
63%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
-
58%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
-
57%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
57%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
56%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
54%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
53%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
53%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
-
52%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
50%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
47%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
86%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
86%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
76%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
57%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
33%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
29%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
86%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
76%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
76%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
62%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
-
62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
38%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Demands
-
100%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
95%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
93%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
89%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
87%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
87%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
87%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
84%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
84%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
81%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
80%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
74%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
72%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
71%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
71%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
-
66%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
65%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
65%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
64%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
61%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 15-1143.00 - Computer Network Architects.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.