In recent years, the landscape of technical writing in Australia has changed dramatically.
While the COVID-19 pandemic initially led to a surge in demand for technical documentation, the post-pandemic era has seen a steady decline in opportunities.
As someone who has personally felt the impact, it’s clear that this downturn is reshaping the industry.
During the peak of remote work, I was able to manage multiple clients at once.
I even had the capacity to hire subcontractors to help with the workload.
Now, securing even one client at a time is a challenge.
The demand for technical writing services has dropped, and so has the potential to expand.
Several factors are contributing to this shift, from economic uncertainty to changes in business spending and hiring trends.
Here’s what’s causing the decline—and what technical writers can do to adapt.
📉 The Pandemic Boom and the Sudden Downturn
During the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses rushed to digitise their operations.
Remote work skyrocketed, and companies needed clear, structured documentation to support their teams.
Process documentation, user guides, and knowledge management became urgent priorities.
For technical writers, this was a golden period.
The demand was high, and opportunities were plentiful.
Remote work meant companies could source writers from anywhere, expanding the potential client base.
Now, that demand has sharply declined.
Businesses are cutting back on spending, and documentation teams are often the first to go.
The remote work shift is also reversing, reducing opportunities for freelancers and contractors.
The ability to work with multiple clients at once has become increasingly rare.
💰 Economic Uncertainty and Business Spending Cuts
Inflation and rising operational costs have forced businesses to reassess their budgets.
Documentation, once seen as essential, is now being deprioritised in favour of other cost-saving measures.
Companies are reluctant to hire external writers and are shifting documentation responsibilities to internal teams.
Technical writing roles are being absorbed into broader job descriptions, often assigned to product managers or developers.
This reduces the number of dedicated roles available for experienced technical writers.
For freelancers, this means fewer contracts and lower rates.
🖥️ Decline in Tech Sector Job Postings
The tech industry has historically been a major employer of technical writers.
However, tech job postings in Australia have seen a sharp decline.
At its peak in September 2021, the tech sector accounted for 11.1% of all job postings.
By August 2024, that number had dropped to 5.3%.
With fewer tech jobs, the need for technical documentation has also decreased.
Fewer software launches and product updates mean less documentation work.
This downturn has directly impacted technical writers who rely on tech companies for steady work.
(Source: ia.acs.org.au)
🌍 The Offshoring Shift
To cut costs, many Australian companies are outsourcing their technical writing needs.
Over the past year, more than 20,000 jobs in industries like telecoms and financial services have been offshored.
Countries like India and the Philippines offer lower-cost alternatives, making it harder for local writers to compete.
This trend has significantly reduced domestic opportunities for Australian technical writers.
(Source: theaustralian.com.au)
🤖 AI and Automation in Documentation
Artificial intelligence is changing the game for technical writing.
Many companies are now using AI-powered tools to generate documentation.
While AI can’t fully replace human writers, it can handle basic documentation tasks.
This reduces the need for businesses to hire full-time technical writers.
AI-driven automation is particularly attractive to cost-conscious companies looking to streamline processes.
As AI tools improve, technical writers will need to adapt and find ways to integrate AI into their workflow rather than compete against it.
🏠 The Shift Away from Remote Work
One of the biggest advantages of the pandemic era was the expansion of remote work.
For technical writers, this meant access to more clients across different locations.
However, as businesses push for a return to in-office work, remote job postings are decreasing.
This has limited the flexibility that once allowed technical writers to take on multiple clients.
Fewer remote opportunities mean higher competition for the remaining contracts.
🔍 Statistical Insights on the Decline
Several key statistics highlight the shrinking job market for technical writers:
📉 Job Vacancy Trends – Australia has seen nine consecutive quarterly declines in job vacancies, with a 5.2% drop in August 2024.
📉 Tech Job Contraction – Tech job postings dropped from 11.1% in September 2021 to 5.3% in August 2024.
📉 Offshoring Impact – Over 20,000 Australian jobs in key industries have been offshored in the last year.
(Source: staffingindustry.com)
🛠️ How Technical Writers Can Adapt
Despite these challenges, technical writers can take strategic steps to stay relevant and competitive.
📌 1. Expand Your Skill Set
Consider branching into UX writing, instructional design, or content strategy.
Diversifying your skills makes you more valuable to potential clients.
📌 2. Leverage AI Instead of Fighting It
Learn how to use AI tools to improve efficiency rather than compete with them.
Companies will value technical writers who can integrate AI into their documentation workflows.
📌 3. Explore Growth Industries
Healthcare, renewable energy, and cybersecurity are expanding sectors that require documentation expertise.
Shifting focus to industries that are hiring can create new opportunities.
📌 4. Build a Strong Professional Network
Engage with technical writing communities, attend webinars, and connect with professionals in your field.
Networking can lead to referrals, collaborations, and freelance opportunities.
⚡ Final Thoughts: The Future of Technical Writing in Australia
The demand for technical writing is changing, but that doesn’t mean the profession is dying.
It’s evolving.
The key to success is adaptability.
Technical writers who stay ahead of industry trends, expand their skill sets, and embrace new technologies will continue to find opportunities.
The days of easily juggling multiple clients may be over for now.
But for those willing to adapt, learn, and evolve, there is still a future in this field.
