Systems Administrator

A Systems Administrator manages, maintains, and secures an organisation's computing infrastructure and networks in an Australian workplace. They oversee servers, storage systems, user access, software licences, and system performance to ensure reliable day-to-day IT operations. They respond to system failures, apply security patches, configure user accounts, and plan capacity to meet organisational demand.

Monitor system performance metrics and server logs using monitoring tools to identify bottlenecks, errors, or security anomalies. Apply security patches and updates to operating systems, middleware, and applications across Windows, Linux, or cloud environments. Configure and manage user accounts, permissions, and access controls using Active Directory or similar identity management systems. Provision and decommission servers, storage arrays, and virtual machines using virtualisation platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V. Perform backup and disaster recovery procedures, verify backup integrity, and restore data following security protocols. Troubleshoot network connectivity issues, DNS resolution, DHCP configuration, and firewall rules using diagnostic tools. Document system architecture, configuration changes, incident responses, and operational procedures for audit and knowledge transfer. Implement capacity planning by analysing resource usage trends and recommending hardware or software upgrades.

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 face on-call rotations and emergency callouts outside work hours when systems fail, often with little warning. The role demands constant learning as cloud platforms, security threats, and tools evolve rapidly. Career progression plateaus quickly unless you move into management or specialise deeply, and your skills can become outdated fast if you don't keep up.

Regional positions exist but are scarcer. Remote work is increasingly common for this role, though some on-site presence is typical.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2621, 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.

• Adjust ICT system capacitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Cloud technologiescore
• Confidentiality and Privacy Compliancecore
• Digital Literacycore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Microsoft SharePoint Administrationcore
• Microsoft Teams Collaborationcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Process Documentationcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• ServiceNow IT Service Managementcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• ABAP
• Acquire system component
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Electronic Document Management
• Escalation Management
• Process Improvement Identification
• Quality Assurance Monitoring
• Record Management
• Reporting and Analytics
• SLA and KPI Adherence
• Team Collaboration

• 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 Systems Administrator workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026