Around 3,000 data science jobs are expected to be created in Western Australia over the next decade, according to a new report unveiled today by Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly.
The report, Data Science in Western Australia – What we do today will pave the way for a better tomorrow, was prepared by the WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH) and KPMG, and is based on a survey of the local data science sector.
The report identifies the significant pipeline of jobs that could be created in the data science sector across the State, and also provides important insights and key recommendations for government, academia, industry and the community.
From 2018 to 2019, data science job advertisements increased by nine per cent indicating a strong upward trend in data science roles available, creating increased employment opportunities for Western Australians.
Data scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data to benefit a broad range of sectors including healthcare, mining, telecommunications and energy.
More than 90 per cent of participants in the WADSIH-KPMG survey said they regarded data science as very important to the future of their organisation, with some expecting their data science teams to double over the next five years.
The report also finds WA needs a greater number and quality of data scientists to build on the current estimated workforce of 32,000, and it outlines the benefits to the sector of government, industry, and community collaboration in data science as the world progresses further into the digital age.
Recommendations in the report include:
- the need for industry in WA to expand its local data science capabilities;
- the need for universities to encourage a basic understanding and competence of data science skills; and
- the need for government to continue to build partnerships with academic institutions and industry.
The report is available on the WA Data Science Innovation Hub website at
The McGowan Government is committed to building the State’s data science capabilities and working with academia and industry to provide training and develop skills for Western Australians to take on jobs in the rapidly growing field of data science.
The WADSIH, an initiative of the McGowan Government, was established to enable the application of data science for the benefit of all Western Australians. It is jointly funded by the State Government’s $16.7 million New Industries Fund and Curtin University.
As stated by Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly:
“An important component of the McGowan Government’s plan to diversify and build a resilient WA economy is our support for the WA Data Science Innovation Hub, provided through the New Industries Fund.
“Data science skills are already providing tremendous benefit to WA, whether predicting the spread of disease, distilling insights from the enormous quantities of space data coming from radio astronomy projects in the Mid-West or the ongoing technological advancements in our thriving mining industry.
“This report reiterates the need to continue our investment in facilitating homegrown data science skills, and the need to continue working collaboratively with industry and academia to build data literacy and skills to ensure the WA workforce is ready to capitalise on the many opportunities that data science can bring.
“Western Australian data science graduates are highly sought after worldwide but we need to encourage more to enter the industry with 3,000 new local jobs expected in the next 10 years.
“These are clear jobs of the future, and I encourage students interested in STEM to consider data science for their long-term career.”
