Centrelink sites IT shop in Adelaide

Canberra's shortage of IT skills is good news for Adelaide where Centrelink will build its new IT shop and have access to graduates from the city's three universities.

Human Services Minister Joe Hockey said Centrelink will directly target IT graduates from the University of South Australia, Adelaide University and Flinders University to help fill positions within Centrelink's IT business.

It is estimated the Adelaide office will create up to 100 jobs for local IT workers. The state's Centrelink office has 240 staff, 150 or which are permanent positions.

Hockey said Adelaide was chosen over other capital cities because of the IT programs offered by local universities and the Centrelink systems testing centre and user assurance centre is already based in Adelaide.

"A number of national IT functions and positions will be moved to Adelaide during 2007, which will help build the team internally," Hockey said.

"Centrelink will then directly target IT graduates from the University of South Australia, Adelaide University and Flinders University to help fill positions in growing areas of Centrelink's IT business.

"This hub will encourage graduates to stay and work in Adelaide, meaning South Australia is able to retain skills globally. It's also likely graduates from other states will be attracted to Adelaide to work for Centrelink."