Charity Jobs in Australia and New Zealand: Top Roles in Project Management, IT and Tech
With non-profit organisations increasingly priortising the use of AI, cloud technologies, and data reporting and security, there is an abundance of tech and project management roles in the charity sector in Australia and New Zealand.
If you’ve gone into 2026 considering a career change: you’re not alone. Shifting priorities and work motivations mean many of us are wanting a job with real, measurable positive impacts: this road often leads to working in the charity sector.
The number of people seeking employment in the charity sector is continuing to grow: charity employee numbers have increased by 70,000 in Australia since 2022, while 4% of New Zealand's national workforce is now employed within the charity sector.
With 40,000+ paid roles posted on EthicalJobs over the past year - including a variety of IT, data, tech, and project management vacancies - now is a great time to pursue a career in the charity sector.
Written by
Sophi Barnes is an experienced Careers Services Consultant with a strong background in career coaching and deep expertise in the tech and project management job markets. She's passionate about supporting people through career transitions and into roles where they can thrive.
The top tech roles in the charity sector in Australia and New Zealand
With volunteer numbers currently at an all time high, it’s unsurprising that so many of us are drawn to a career in the charity sector. Here are some of the charity sector’s most in-demand tech and project management roles and their salaries.
Project Manager
Average salary range: $80,000 to $86,000
Project Managers are vital to the smooth-running of a charity’s internal and external programmes. If you’re a project management professional who thrives on creating clarity in constantly evolving environments, the charity sector could be an ideal place for you to build a career.
The biggest difference I’ve found when comparing private and charity sector roles and job descriptions, is their emphasis on skills like communication, leadership and time management, over hard skills. Strong soft skills are absolutely crucial for non-profit Project Managers, as you’re often aligning multi-disciplinary teams and carefully assessing resources, to ensure the best possible outcome for vulnerable communities.
Other common project management roles in the charity sector include: Program Manager, Project Lead, Change Manager, Project Officer and Senior Project Manager. World Vision, EON Aboriginal Foundation, Oxfam Australia, and The Capital Kiwi Project, are just a few of the charities who are currently recruiting project management professionals.
Did you know? 67% of charities now use AI
67% of charities in Australia and New Zealand are currently using generative AI in their day-to-day work or operations, according to Infoxchange's 2025 Digital Technology in the Not-For-Profit Sector Report.
Among the non-profits surveyed that have implemented AI, 80% either agree or somewhat agree that they’ve seen improvements in productivity and their ability to deliver impact.
Data Analyst
Average salary range: $85,000 to $120,000
It’s impossible to measure impact without properly collecting, analysing and evaluating data; so naturally, there is growing demand for data professionals in the charity sector.
Much like with non-profit Project Managers, it’s key that Data Analysts working in the charity sector are able to navigate complex issues, in order to make data-backed recommendations to charity leaders and trustees.
Similarly to the private sector, data vacancies in the non-profit sector ask for proficiency in data tools like Python, SQL, Tableau and Microsoft Fabric. You can learn how to use these programs by completing data courses and certifications.
Other common project management roles in the charity sector include: Data and Insights Officer, Business Analyst, Data Officer, Data Specialist and Senior Data Analyst. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Our Community, Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand and Stats NZ, are just a few of the charities who are currently recruiting data professionals.
25% of charities say a lack of data and analytics skills are their biggest barrier to improving their data and analytics capabilities
While over half (51%) of charities have begun standardising
data collection and have some basic reporting features, a quarter cite a lack of data and analytics skills being the main barrier to further developing their capabilities. This is closely followed by a lack of data tools, platforms and storage (23%), making hiring qualified data professionals a priority for non-profit organisations.
IT Manager
Average salary range: $110,000 to $130,000
IT Manager roles in the charity sector are extremely diverse - they often overlap with other areas of tech like data, networking and business analysis. Just a few of the different job titles I found include: IT Infrastructure Manager, IT Systems Engineer, Head of IT and IT Trainer.
Much like Data Analysts, IT professionals working in the charity sector are generally expected to have a broad range of skills and knowledge across multiple platforms like Microsoft 365, Azure, VOIP, AV systems, as well as basic cyber security principles. Many job listings highlight the importance of technical certifications from CompTIA, Microsoft and Cisco, and working knowledge of AI.
Charities such as the Summer Foundation, Indigenous Business Australia, New Zealand Red Cross and the Australian Refugee Association, are all currently actively hiring IT professionals of varying levels of experience and seniority.
Start your tech career in the charity sector
If you want your career to balance solid salaries and progression with positive social impact, a tech or project management career in the charity sector could be ideal for you.
Begin your new career journey by speaking with a Career Consultant today.
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