More needs to be done to address a shortage of IT skills in Australia, it has been claimed.

This is according to an article by Visa Bureau, which indicates skilled technology specialists are "in great demand", with many forced to recruit from overseas.

Recruiters questioned by the company reported they are seeking greater access to overseas professionals and more should be done by the government to ease shortages by making hiring workers from abroad easier.

The report warns unless more people are found to fill IT jobs in Australia, major infrastructure projects such as the national broadband network could face delays, with demand growing sharply in Sydney and other areas this year.

Particular skills gaps identified include Java development, voice and data, SAP and virtualization storage.

Australia's unemployment rate held steady in March 2010 at 5.3 per cent, according to the country's Bureau of Statistics, while the number of people in work rose by 19,600 over the month.