The time it takes to place ICT contractors has doubled in the last three months of 2014, as the search for quality contractors intensifies; according the Information Technology Contract and Recruitment Association’s (ITCRA) latest ICT Employment Trends Report.

Julie Mills, CEO of ITCRA, said: “The market is feeling optimistic, which is being reflected in strong job advertising growth, so it is not surprising that it is becoming increasingly competitive to place ICT contractors. We are seeing new boundaries in the challenge to engage with ICT contracting talent.”

“Our latest report looks at the activity from October to December 2014. Usually this is not the most active time for the market due to the Christmas slowdown and contracts concluding - but the reverse has occurred and this trend seems to be continuing if the early January reports are any indication,” she added.

The number of days to place an ICT contractor in each state compared to the previous quarter was as follows:

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT): 83 days up from 40
• South Australia (SA): 68 days up from 25
• Victoria: 44 days up from 16 days
• New South Wales (NSW): 39 days up from 17
• Queensland: 37 days up from 20
• Western Australia (WA): 34 days up from 13

Ms Mills continued: “The smaller states of ACT and South Australia saw the biggest increase in the number of days (43 days), while Victoria almost tripled the time it took to place contractors. It looks like Australia is becoming an “ICT contractors’ market” again.”

The report also noted a nationwide trend towards increasing numbers of contract placements over permanent positions.

“Traditionally the ICT market has had an 80/20 split of advertised contract to permanent roles. Our latest data shows this has shifted to an 87/13 split nationally, with Queensland and Western Australia reporting the lowest rate of advertised permanent roles (6% and 5%, respectively). This data is reinforced by analysis from a national recruitment agency noting that ICT is a driving force in the contracting market,” Ms Mills concluded.