PMI Sydney Chapter - Market Update
Event Overview
Building on our latest market update, this session will explore engagement models for 2026 and what they mean for project managers and professionals.
We’ll provide a high‑level market update and walk through the different ways organisations are engaging talent, and why these options are becoming increasingly relevant in the year ahead. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how each model supports project delivery and team build‑out.
The session will cover :
- Common engagement types including contingent, fixed‑term, permanent, and SOW.
- Introduce Staff Augmentation via Scale (by Avec) and how this model helps teams deliver when headcount is constrained. You will hear practical insights into how workforce trends are reshaping project environments and why not all contractor or max-term engagements are created equal.
- Share insights into the financial and tax considerations for contractors, including engagement structures (PAYG vs Pty Ltd), available benefits and deductions, and any relevant legislative updates.
Who should attend
- Professionals considering how they may be engaged in 2026
- Project professionals and leaders looking for alternative ways to staff projects when headcount is limited
Speakers
|
Steve Tompkins |
Steve Tompkins has over 25 years’ experience in the Recruitment Industry in Sydney and the UK, over a decade of which was spent in leadership positions. He is the Head of NSW Government for Talent International in Sydney and has enjoyed working closely with the PMI for the last decade. His main area of specialisation in recruitment is in sourcing, delivery and support of Project Managers, delivery teams and Project resources. Steve will open the session with a recent job market summary and predictions, why the methods of engagement are changing for clients and some tips in today’s job market. |
|
Tom Mackenzie |
Tom Mackenzie leads the launch of Scale by Avec across NSW - a Workforce as a Service model designed for modern ICT project delivery. Working with project and program leaders to rethink how workforce design impacts delivery risk, cost control and long-term capability retention.
His focus sits at the intersection of project performance and workforce strategy, helping organisations move beyond the traditional contractor vs permanent debate and toward structured, fit-for-purpose delivery models.
Scale by Avec delivers Workforce as a Service for complex ICT projects across government and enterprise. Combining specialist consultants with structured governance and stability guarantees, Scale enables organisations to balance contractor flexibility, permanent workforce strategy and managed team delivery.
|
|
Chris Ayling |
Chris Ayling is a registered tax agent and SMSF auditor with more than 28 years of experience advising individuals and businesses on taxation, financial structuring, and corporate accounting. He is a member of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Institute of Public Accountants, and has extensive experience across personal tax, business structuring, and strategic financial planning. Chris regularly works with professionals and business owners to help them navigate complex tax environments and make informed decisions about how they structure and manage their financial affairs. |
-Mackenzie.jpg)
