Exploring the IoT industry: IoT career and job opportunities

What is IoT?

The Internet of Things is a system that connects everyday objects, from smartwatches to home appliances, allowing them to collect and share data over the internet. These “smart objects” can communicate and respond intelligently, creating more efficient experiences for people and businesses.

The IoT is transforming how we interact with technology, making ordinary devices smarter and more responsive.

As IoT expands and integrates with AI, it’s reshaping daily life for both people and businesses. It offers companies innovative ways to understand and serve their customers, and provides consumers with more personalised services and new ways to engage with the world around them.

Understanding the IoT landscape and industry

IoT adoption surged in 2024, with connected devices reaching nearly 19 billion worldwide, a 13% jump in just one year. Businesses are continuing to ramp up investment, with more than half planning to further increase their IoT budgets in 2025.

Some of the trends we’re starting to see in IoT:

• Smart cities: Data-driven technologies are being used to improve daily life, from smoother transit and stronger social services to greater safety and sustainability. They project that smart cities could cut fatalities by up to 80% and reduce assaults or robberies by 30%.
• Emotion-aware devices: Forbes reports a rise of AI-powered devices that read emotions through voice, facial expressions, or body signals. For businesses, this means highly personalised customer experiences in areas like retail and healthcare. For consumers, it means more empathetic tech, like smart homes that ease stress or wearables that detect and respond to human emotions.
• 5G-powered technology: For the billions of IoT devices to work smoothly, you need a fast, stable, low-latency network.
• Cybersecurity risks: As those billions of IoT devices connect, cybersecurity risks increase, Forbes warns. While AI, machine learning, and cloud tech make IoT more powerful, this interconnectedness leaves supply chains vulnerable and in need of stronger protection.

IoT career pathways

New careers are constantly emerging in this field. Here are some of the key roles we’re seeing today:

• Network engineers keep our digital world running smoothly. They design and manage computer networks, making sure everything from your phone to complex business systems stays connected. They help link devices to networks, keeping things fast, reliable, and secure. They’re the behind-the-scenes experts ensuring businesses can work without interruption.
• Cloud engineers manage a company’s tech infrastructure and help move it to cloud-based systems. They guide businesses in securely transferring sensitive applications to private clouds or setting up public cloud systems when information needs to be more widely accessible.
• The IoT produces massive amounts of data, and data scientists or analysts are the ones who turn that information into useful insights. Their skills in data analysis, machine learning, and statistical modelling make them essential in this field.
• IoT engineers design and build systems that connect physical devices with software. They research, test, and improve IoT solutions to ensure technology works seamlessly across devices. Their role also includes troubleshooting existing systems, finding ways to enhance performance, and resolving connectivity issues.

The skills required for IoT field

It’s clear that the opportunities in IoT and technology are constantly expanding, and they’ll only keep growing as the tech landscape evolves. In fact, the Australian Computer Society projects that Australia will need 400,000 additional technology workers by 2027.

To help you get there, you need the right skills and a clear study pathway.

Start with a strong foundation. You can begin with a Diploma of Information Technology, a one-year full-time program. This can be used as a pathway into the bachelor’s degree if you choose to expand your studies.

The Bachelor of Information Technology, which has been created in collaboration with industry, prepares you for success in this booming sector. It covers core areas such as programming, program languages such as C++, C#, Python, Java, software engineering, networks, databases, and human-centred design, alongside advanced topics including smart industry technologies, enterprise computing, and cloud architecture.

If you’re considering postgraduate study, the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in IT is a perfect way to refine and acquire new skills.

These programs can also be used as credit towards our Master of Information Technology, which offers a comprehensive understanding of smart and emerging technologies. You’ll graduate with the ability to plan, design, lead, and implement innovative IT solutions to tackle complex problems.

We’ve also recently launched an Internet of Things Specialist Job Kit in collaboration with Careers with STEM. It lets you access expert insights from senior lecturers and hear from current IT students, from career changers to freelancers. It also explores the IoT job market, career pathways, and practical perspectives to help you step confidently into the industry.