The current pandemic is compelling the country to go digital in response to the crisis. 

 

Government, organisations and employees must use the latest technologies to perform essential tasks. 

 

And fortunately for Australia, we have world-class mobile technology, responsible for boosting the country’s digital economy and producing a robust community of IT startups and professionals. 

 

 

 

 

In the face of the current crisis, how is everyone using digital technology in accessing essential items and services? 

 

ACT-based developers Delv created contact-tracing COVIDSafe app to help find close contacts of COVID-19 cases. It assists state and territory health officials to quickly reach people who may have been exposed to coronavirus in effort to reduce transmissions. 

 

The COVIDSafe app is approved by the Australian Government.

 

The app and WhatsApp channel represent a more interactive form of public notifications, advising users to ‘stay 1.5m from others on social gatherings, wash hands and stay home if sick’.

 

The Australian government expanded telehealth services for all Australians to allow people to access essential health services while at home. 

 

Telehealth now covers GP consultations and services provided by medical specialists, nurse practitioners, mental health treatment, chronic disease management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments, services to people with eating disorders, pregnancy support counselling,  aged care facilities services, children with autism and after-hours consultations.

With stores closing due to pandemic, there has been a boom in online shopping of essential goods (FMCG goods, food, staples, household items), according to Power Retail founder Grant Arnott, an Australian e-commerce company. Consumers turn to online stores of multichannel retail brands. 

 

MerchantSpring, an Australian marketplace consultancy, reported that some of their clients are seeing 300-400% growth for some categories in their online sales channels. 

 

Several stores have started selling online only, operating via takeaway or free delivery. 

 

 

The Anatomy of Work: Remote Teams study by Asana revealed 64% of Australian workers are relying on collaboration tools since transitioning to remote work. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, 98% of Australians are using platforms for work management, messaging app or video conferencing.  While 80% miss the socialising with coworkers, 76% said their managers have been more supportive than ever. 

 

The Labour Market Information Portal registered 5600 IT job ads for April. 

 

NSW took the top spot with 2200 vacancies, followed by ACT at 840. Queensland required 690 workers while Western Australia has 340 job openings followed by South Australia at 210. Tasmania and Northern Territory did not list IT professionals on their top 10 most wanted workers. 

 

Unlike other industries where people experienced retrenchment or salary cuts, IT professionals were made to work for fewer hours. According to Jonathan Jeffries, managing director and founder of Think and Grow, the tech sector is a driver for the future of Australia’s economy and it is essential we support this industry for generations to come. He noted that specialists across AI, Machine Learning, Data Science amongst others, are particularly are highly needed in Australia.

 

Meanwhile, SEEK reported that Information and Communication Technology is one of the sectors that are actively hiring In-demand roles are Developers/Programmers, Business/Systems Analysts, Software Engineers and Project Managers. 

 

 

 

There are specific IT areas of specialisation that addresses COVID-19 threats:  

 

The Digital Economy and Technology Senior Officials Group was created to map out digital economy policies and support services needed to fast track the digitisation and resilience of businesses in addressing COVID-19. 

 

As published Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources website, first on the priority is building an ‘autonomous systems capability’ map to focus on areas of strength and expertise and promote Australia as a location for R & D and commercialisation in these areas.

 

Due to increased online frauds, phishing and COVID-19 themed scams, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) developed guidelines to help organisations deal with coronavirus-related challenges and support for remote workers. 

 

COVID-19 – Remote Access to Operational Technology Environments guide provides general cybersecurity protocols for working remotely and advice for infrastructure operations. 

 

 

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