Top IT companies to work for in Australia

By Jenny Eagle on May 6, 2009 9:30AM

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The study was based on research from the Great Place to Work Institute Australia, which surveyed more than 15,000 employees.

It is the second consecutive year NetApp Australia has achieved a top-two ranking on the Best Companies list.

'An egalitarian culture, open communication, salary, unique benefits and down-to-earth management style are what have earned the company the number-two spot for 2009' it said.

Peter O'Connor, managing director for NetApp A/NZ said its exceptional employees are the heart of the company and the strength of its culture reflected throughout its offices.

"We live by the values of teamwork, productivity, leadership and innovation, which help us create bigger customer breakthroughs and retain top talent," he said.

"I am very proud of this accomplishment and thank all of our employees for their continued commitment to achieving great results and providing customers with an outstanding experience."

BRW said 'the data storage and management company prides itself on a fun, egalitarian workplace. More than half of last year's new hires came from employee referrals.

'Management and staff work in an open-plan office and share ideas and information across every conceivable web-based medium.'

To put the list together, the Great Place to Work Institute works with companies to fill out an anonymous employee survey and a culture audit.

The survey audits company culture and the sense of trust they have for their employer, measuring qualities such as company policy, procedures, credibility and fairness.

Companies are selected as a Best Company primarily on the basis of their employees' responses to the Great Place to Work Trust Index, a proprietary employee survey developed by the institute.

Further information used for the selection process is provided by completion of the Great Place to Work Culture Audit, a two part management questionnaire, also developed by the institute.

Distribution Central has almost doubled its staff numbers year on year, with 21 employees in 2007, 37 in 2008 and 60 in 2009.

The company has also been listed in the BRW Fast 100 list of Australia's fastest growing companies four years in a row.

"We are very proud to have been listed as one of Australia's best places to work. Our employees are the best differentiator we have in a competitive market," said Scott Frew, CEO of Distribution Central.

Distribution Central runs an employee recognition program that rewards an 'Employee of the Year', offers flexible working hours and has an active social calendar ranging from get-togethers over dinner to paintball.

"We have doubled our staff numbers and turnover, launched several new business units and opened new regional offices in a few short years. Our success is testament to the value we place in our employees," added Frew.

The magazine hailed Google as the number one place to work in Australia because it has a 'legendary corporate culture' with some great staff perks including ping-pong tables, beanbag-filled meeting rooms and a free cafeteria.

BRW said the over-riding theme for a company to be popular with its employees was perks.

This includes anything from free iPods, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, international travel, education subsidies, on-site fitness centres, flexible work timings, telecommuting, health insurance plans, senior management opportunities for women and child care.

Top IT companies to work for in Australia 2009 (the brackets indicate where they came in the top 50)