Sydney’s Tech Layoffs vs. Rising Job Postings: Ehsan Ali Au Analyzes Market Paradox

In a recent LinkedIn post, Ehsan Ali Au delves into the seemingly contradictory state of Sydney’s tech job market, highlighting a significant disconnect between high-profile layoffs and a simultaneous increase in tech job postings. He points out that Sydney has become the third-highest city globally for tech layoffs, a stark contrast to Australia’s overall trend of growing demand for IT professionals.

As Ehsan Ali Au notes:

“Sydney is now the third-highest tech layoff city in the world. Behind only San Francisco and Seattle. 4,450 tech roles cut in the first few months of 2026. More than 5 times what Australia lost in all of 2025.”

This data, Ehsan Ali Au suggests, explains the palpable panic within the tech community. However, he juxtaposes this with another critical piece of information: Australia is experiencing a rise in tech job postings, both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year, with a notable 8.9% increase in demand for experienced senior IT specialists in the last quarter.

Navigating the Confusing Market Landscape

Ehsan Ali Au articulates that this duality creates a deeply confusing market sentiment. He shares his weekly conversations with senior IT professionals, including Architects, Delivery Leads, and Engineering Managers, who have been unemployed for extended periods, sometimes between four to six months. These are highly qualified individuals who have diligently followed traditional job-seeking methods.

According to Ehsan Ali Au:

“They’ve updated LinkedIn. Fixed the resume. Applied through SEEK. Spoken to recruiters. Made it to final rounds. Then silence.”

This silence, he observes, can erode confidence over time. He contrasts these experiences with success stories, such as Tim, who secured two offers exceeding $300K after 18 months of unemployment, and Pawan, who landed his first Australian offer as a new migrant within 90 days after facing rejection with 500 applications over seven months.

The Real Drivers of Senior IT Hiring

The core of Ehsan Ali Au’s analysis is that the current market, particularly at the senior level, is not solely rewarding qualifications. Instead, he argues, it favors those who are highly visible, clearly positioned, and have established trust before a formal job opening even appears.

In Ehsan Ali Au’s view:

“At senior level, the job search starts months before the JD [Job Description] goes live. In quiet conversations. In referrals. In someone saying, ‘you should speak to this person.’”

He emphasizes that by the time senior roles are advertised on platforms like SEEK or LinkedIn, the selection process has often already begun through informal networks and trusted recommendations. Ehsan Ali Au warns that a strategy solely based on updating resumes and applying online is becoming increasingly ineffective.

Rethinking the Senior IT Job Search Strategy

Ehsan Ali Au posits that professionals relying on outdated methods are not failing due to a lack of skill, but rather due to a lack of timeliness and strategic visibility. He asserts:

“And if your whole strategy is: Update resume. Apply online. Wait. Follow up. Hope. You’re not losing because you’re weak. You’re losing because you’re late.”

To address this, Ehsan Ali Au is hosting live sessions aimed at senior IT professionals. These sessions will break down the critical shifts required to move from overlooked applications to securing genuine conversations, trusted referrals, and significant senior opportunities. The first session was scheduled for Saturday, June 6th, at 4 PM AEST, with details available via direct message.