Project Manager Job Profile
Salary, Duties & Career Insights
What Does a Project Manager Do?
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and delivering projects on time, within scope, and within budget. In the technology sector, they often coordinate cross-functional teams, manage stakeholders, and oversee the delivery of digital transformation, infrastructure, software development, or data initiatives.
Core responsibilities include:
- Defining project scope, timelines, and deliverables
- Managing budgets, risks, and resources
- Overseeing communication between technical & business stakeholders
- Ensuring compliance with governance frameworks (especially in government projects)
- Reporting on progress and outcomes
A strong Project Manager combines technical literacy with leadership, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Project Manager Salary in Australia
Project Manager salaries vary by city, industry, and whether the role is permanent or contract.
Permanent salaries (base + super):
- Adelaide: $110k – $150k+
- Brisbane: $120k – $170k+
- Canberra: $130k – $180k+
- Melbourne: $115k – $175k+
- Sydney: $120k – $185k+
Contract daily rates:
- Adelaide: $700 – $950 per day
- Brisbane: $800 – $1,050 per day
- Canberra: $950 – $1,300 per day
- Melbourne: $800 – $1,100 per day
- Sydney: $900 – $1,200 per day
According to Emanate Technology’s 2025 Project Services Salary & Rate Guide, Project Managers remain one of the most in-demand roles nationwide, with very high hiring demand in Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane.
Fuelling Innovation Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Our Diversity, Equity And Inclusion (DEI) Mission Statement
At Emanate, we believe that diversity and inclusion go far beyond quotas—they are intrinsic to creating excellence. With our unique focus on the Australian tech industry, we have gained valuable insight into what makes high-performing teams truly excel. Our data shows that diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the key to success.
Diversity brings unique perspectives, challenges the status quo, and pushes boundaries to set new standards. A team that draws from varied experiences and backgrounds can achieve unparalleled results. After all, if we’re all sitting around the table with the same thoughts and ideas, we aren’t innovating. In fact, it suggests we may not need that repetition in the first place.
But what does this mean in practice?
At Emanate, our mission is clear: quality. To us, quality isn't just a concept; it’s a commitment to ensuring the best outcomes for every business and project, no matter its form. We aim to actively educate ourselves and the market we work in, taking diligent steps to uncover and support true quality in every team we engage with.
Emanate is committed to representing CALD, LGBTQIA+, disabled, aging, and other underrepresented groups—not only within our own team but across all the teams we collaborate with. Diversity isn’t only a goal for us; we believe it’s a vital force that forms the canvass for creating something extraordinary.
Looking to strengthen your workforce with diverse hiring? Partner with us to review your recruitment processes and practices.
Demand for Project Managers in Australia
Across Australia, Project Managers are consistently ranked as “very hard to hire,” particularly within government, banking, infrastructure, and digital transformation programs.
Key insights from our 2025 market data:
- Hiring demand: Very high across Canberra, Sydney & Brisbane
- Gender diversity: Nationally 71% male, 29% female, with Adelaide showing the highest male skew (80%).
- Industry drivers: Cloud migration, ERP implementations, cyber security programs, and government legacy system upgrades.
Our Ongoing DEI Initiatives
Emanate Technology is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the tech and cyber security recruitment industries. We actively sponsor and participate in national events, but we also invest in initiatives with long-term impact and aspire to continually grow in what we do:
- Internal DEI Working Group: We meet monthly to assess our practices, review progress against our goals, and brainstorm new initiatives.
- Women for STEM Support: We actively support and promote Women for STEM, helping drive more representation of women in tech.
- WIC Work Experience Connections: We participate in programs that provide work experience opportunities for women in tech, creating real pathways into IT careers.
- Bias-Free Recruitment Training: We run regular training sessions, including Dismantling Unconscious Bias in Recruitment, to continuously improve our internal and external hiring practices.
Project Manager Job Description Example
A typical Project Manager job description might include:
Key Duties
- Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of projects
- Manage budgets, risks, and resources
- Facilitate workshops & stakeholder engagement
- Oversee reporting & compliance requirements
- Support continuous improvement in delivery methods
Key Skills & Experience
- 5+ years’ experience in IT project management
- Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid delivery models
- Excellent communication & stakeholder management skills
- Relevant certifications (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile PM, or equivalent)
Our Commitment To Community & Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and giving back to the communities in which we operate is very important to us here at Emanate Technology. Learn more about how we give back
Why Work With a Specialist Project Services Recruiter?
Whether you’re a candidate seeking your next Project Manager role or a client needing delivery leadership, partnering with a recruiter who understands the Project Services market makes a difference.
At Emanate Technology, we:
- Work across all major project service roles: Project Managers, Change Managers, Business Analysts, PMO Leads, and more
- Provide up-to-date salary benchmarking and market insights
- Connect clients to pre-qualified talent ready for both contract & permanent roles
- Help candidates with CV refinement, interview preparation, and career planning
FAQs About Project Manager Jobs in Australia
What qualifications do you need to be a Project Manager?
Many employers prefer formal certifications like PRINCE2, PMP, or Agile PM, combined with industry experience.
Is project management in demand in Australia?
Yes. Project Managers are one of the most in-demand roles, especially in government, cyber security, and digital transformation projects.
How much does a Project Manager earn in Australia?
Permanent roles typically range from $110k – $185k+, while daily rates for contractors range from $700 – $1,300.
What industries hire Project Managers?
Government, finance, consulting, infrastructure, defence, and large-scale technology projects all have high demand for PMs.
Understanding The Australian Tech Landscape
The Australian tech industry still has progress to make:
- 28% of the tech workforce are women, with even lower representation in senior leadership roles.
- 8% of tech workers identify as having a disability, highlighting the need for more inclusive hiring practices.
- CALD individuals make up 42% of tech professionals, yet barriers to leadership remain a challenge.
These statistics drive our determination to be part of the solution.
Our Aspiration Is To Learn From The Best
We actively study and implement practices from industry leaders who are making tangible progress in DEI, and look to formally introduce programs based on:
- Blind Hiring & Anonymised Resumes: Reducing bias by removing names, ages, and other identifiers during initial screening.
- Diversity Panels for Hiring Decisions: Including diverse voices in the hiring process to mitigate bias and broaden perspectives.
- Flexible Work Policies: Supporting better work-life balance, which has been shown to improve retention of underrepresented groups.
Our Commitments
- Representation & Advocacy: Actively promoting diversity in all its forms within our internal teams and across the industry.
- Education & Awareness: Continuously learning, evolving, and sharing knowledge to drive meaningful change.
- Equity & Accessibility: Breaking down barriers to ensure equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
- Community Involvement: Participating in and sponsoring events, programs, and initiatives that champion underrepresented voices
Latest Insights With A Diversity & Inclusion Lens:
By Emanate Technology
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July 31, 2025
Learn why culture fit is important, how to hire for culture fit, and what culture fit questions to ask when building or joining a high-performing team.
By Emanate Technology
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March 16, 2025
Understand what neurodiversity is and how the tech workforce is changing. Why is support important? And how to build inclusive tech teams in Australia.
By Emanate Technology
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October 11, 2024
From our perspective in tech recruitment, we see age diversity increasing within organisations with the rise of multi-generational teams, creating both challenges and opportunities for effective collaboration, engagement and workplace culture. Today’s multi-generational teams now have Baby Boomers (born between 1955 and 1964), Generation X..
By Emanate Technology
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February 27, 2024
Discover effective strategies to enhance gender diversity in technology industry workplaces – read about gender equality in Australian tech here.
Our Actions & Goals
- Diverse Talent Pools: Building and maintaining talent pools that reflect the true diversity of the tech landscape.
- Bias-Free Recruitment: Implementing structured, bias-conscious hiring processes to support fair decision-making.
- Pathway Programs: Expanding work experience and mentorship opportunities for underrepresented groups.
- Regular Reporting & Reflection: Tracking DEI metrics, gathering feedback, and holding ourselves accountable for ongoing improvement.
This is just a starting point, and we know there will always be more to do. But at Emanate, we are unwavering in our dedication to influencing a tech industry where everyone, no matter who they are, has the opportunity to thrive.
Ready to Explore Project Manager Opportunities?
If you’re looking to hire a skilled Project Manager or step into your next project services role, Emanate Technology is here to help.
We specialise in Project Services recruitment across Australia, with offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, and Melbourne. Contact us today.
Work For Us
Sound like an organisation you would like to be part of? We offer a fun, flexible and trusting working environment with all the tools and support for your career to really excel. Learn more about life at Emanate.
