Dive into the daily responsibilities, key skills, and main industries of a software architect. Explore industry statistics on employment growth, weekly hours, and annual salary potential.
Overview
Software architects develop customised software solutions for individual clients or businesses. Their process typically involves assessing the end-user’s needs, budget, and industry standards – creating a efficient, cost-effective programs to serve their objectives. Common projects may include user interfaces, desktop applications, web services, and databases.
These professionals generally work within organisations who develop software for other companies. They are required to stay up-to-date with latest tools and technology trends, applying these new practices where possible. Upon project completion, software architects are required to review their products, troubleshooting any issues and performing maintenance where necessary. Depending on their role, they may also provide employees with software guides or training manuals to familiarize them with a new program.
As a subset of software developers, job opportunities for the field are expected to grow very strongly in the next five years – with a projected 23.4% growth, according to SEEK statistics.
Key Skills
- An extensive knowledge of coding languages, including Javascript, jQuery, HTML, and C++
- Familiarity with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and iOS
- Sharp critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills for developing new, efficient solutions
- Excellent communication skills; required to work with management, clients, and peers – as well as explain new programs or applications
- Willingness to learn new industry trends and software practices
- Experience in data modelling and database design
Quick Facts
Software architects can find work in most regions of Australia, with New South Wales and Victoria currently holding the largest share of workers. Weekly salary potential is currently higher ($2,003) than the all job average ($1,460) with plenty of opportunity for full-time work.
Salary Range
$83,000 – $152,000 (Median: $119,000)*
*Source: Payscale
Average Weekly Hours
41 hours (vs. all jobs average of 44 hours)*
*Source: Job Outlook
Main Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Financial and Insurance Services; and Public Administration and Safety
Most Common Qualification Level
55.9% hold a Bachelor’s Degree
STUDY PATHWAYS
Getting the skills you need is simple by studying one of our information technology courses below.
- ICT40120 – Certificate IV in Information Technology (Networking)
- ICT50615 – Diploma of Website Development
- ICT50118 – Diploma of Information Technology
- Certified Cyber Security Professional
- Certified Data Science Professional
- Certified Microsoft Full Stack Developer
- Cloud Computing Certified Professional
*Sources: payscale.com.au and joboutlook.gov.au – All information is to be used as a guide only, and are accurate at the time of publication.
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Industry Partnerships
A BALANCED APPROACH TO TRAINING WITH DDLS
DDLS is Australia’s largest provider of corporate IT and process training, with the widest portfolio of strategic partners and courses in Australia. For more than 25 years, DDLS has been an award-winning non-accredited training provider, spanning across Australia and into Asia.
DDLS partners with world-class companies to help organisations and individuals in the IT industry remain up-to-date with new processes, technology and platforms to reduce risk and enable efficient business practices.
GAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE WITH THE MICROSOFT AZURE
Azure Dev Tools for Teaching provides developer tools and learning resources that students need to build their cloud-based skills. It also allows students to build, deploy, and manage applications with comprehensive Azure cloud services. Whether you’re a student getting started, or just interested in building cloud-based skills in your community, this platform has got the cloud development resources you need. Azure based tools and environments are profoundly used during the AIICT learning cycle and assist the students in becoming familiar with the Microsoft Azure environment utilised in the IT industry.
Specifically designed around building your expertise in today’s most popular technologies, the Microsoft Imagine Academy is focused on helping you to gain Microsoft Certification, a globally recognised credential that will give you a distinctive edge in the competitive job market.
SUPPLEMENT YOUR QUALIFICATION WITH LINKEDIN LEARNING
As an AIICT student, you will gain unlimited access to the global leader in online video training, Linkedin Learning, an on-demand library of high-quality instructional videos covering a vast range of software, business and creative skills. LinkedIn Learning combines industry-leading content from Lynda.com with personalized course recommendations based on insights from LinkedIn’s network.
GLOBALLY RECOGNISED CERTIFICATIONS TO PUT YOU AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION
For our Certified Cybersecurity Professional course offering, AIICT has partnered with the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). CompTIA is the leading provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications in the world. These certifications are accredited by International Organisation for Standardisation and the American National Standards Institute (ISO/ANSI)
