Hays, a recruitment agency, surveyed more than 1700 respondents from SME to large multinational organizations across Australia and New Zealand and on Hays' specialist placements made over the last 12 months.

The survey revealed 58 percent of employers on average (across all sectors including IT) increased salaries by 3 to 6 percent and 25 percent increased salaries by less than 3 percent. Some 13 percent of employers raised salaries by 6 to 10 percent and 4 percent lifted salaries by more than 10 percent.

Regional director of Hays Information Technology, Peter Noblet, said that while IT salaries have increased steadily, they have not done so to the same extent experienced between 1999 and 2001.

"Companies have taken control of salary movements, rewarding high achievers through bonuses and performance-related pay rather than through salary increases across the board," he said.

Recruitment practices have also changed. Employers are beginning to widen selection criteria beyond looking purely at certifications, Noblet said.