Demand for contract tech workers, whether they call themselves freelancers or consultants, is increasing, but the trend isn't a green shoot -- a signal of an economic recovery. It may be more an act of desperation by companies struggling to keep up with work in the face of staff cutbacks.

IT contractors are pushing for longer term work, even at the expense of pay, according to research.

The IT job market fell 15 percent in March, crashing to the level of 2005 and down by 53 per cent on the same time last year, according to the Olivier Job Index.

With an abundance of projects on the cards for 2009, the outlook for IT recruitment remains positive, according to Melbourne-based IT recruiter Peter Acheson.