Network Architect

A Network Architect designs, plans, and oversees the implementation of computer networks and telecommunications infrastructure for organisations. They evaluate business requirements, recommend network solutions, and ensure systems meet performance, security, and scalability standards across local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and hybrid cloud environments. In Australian workplaces, they work within frameworks such as the Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM) and meet the data security and cross-border disclosure obligations of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Design network topology and architecture including LAN, WAN, and cloud connectivity models to meet organisational requirements. Conduct network requirements analysis by interviewing stakeholders and documenting bandwidth, redundancy, and latency needs. Evaluate and recommend network infrastructure components including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers from vendors such as Cisco, Arista, or Juniper. Plan network security architecture including segmentation, access control lists (ACLs), and demilitarised zones (DMZs) aligned with ISM controls. Design disaster recovery and business continuity strategies for critical network services and data replication. Create detailed network design documentation including data flow diagrams, IP address schemes, and configuration standards. Assess and recommend cloud network services from AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud for hybrid connectivity and workload placement. Evaluate vendor proposals and conduct proof-of-concept testing for new network technologies and solutions.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You'll need deep technical certifications (Cisco CCNP or equivalent) that can take 12 to 18 months to complete while working, plus real network design experience. Most employers won't hire you into this role without 5+ years as a network engineer first. The pay ceiling is solid, but you're locked into on-call support for critical infrastructure failures at 2am, and one major network outage becomes your reputation nightmare.

Remote work is rare because you need to be present for vendor meetings and infrastructure audits. Most roles are in large organisations, banks, telcos, and government departments rather than regional areas.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2631, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Analyse business requirementscore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Business process modellingcore
• Cloud technologiescore
• Design cloud networkscore
• Design computer networkcore
• Digital Literacycore
• Forecast future ICT network needscore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• ICT network routingcore
• ICT security standardscore
• Implement a firewallcore
• Implement a virtual private networkcore
• Implement ICT network diagnostic toolscore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Process Documentationcore
• Process Improvement Identificationcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Automate cloud tasks
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Create solutions to problems
• Design for organisational complexity
• Design process
• Develop creative ideas
• Develop with cloud services
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Negotiation
• Network management system tools
• Power BI Reporting and Dashboards
• Quality Assurance and Checking
• Reporting and Analytics
• Time Management and Prioritisation
• Workload Self-Management

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Network Architect workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026