Technology
Bendigo Tech Firm Ligantic Leads Regional Automation Race This Month
As local firms scramble to bridge the digital skills gap, one home-grown AI partner is setting the pace for regional automation.
How we reported this
For local businesses in Central Victoria, the definition of digital transformation is shifting from simple cloud migration to active artificial intelligence implementation. At the center of this movement is Ligantic, a Bendigo-founded tech firm that has recently stepped up as a Gold Partner for Be.Bendigo. As industries ranging from e-commerce to health explore new efficiencies, Ligantic’s focus on making emerging technology accessible is becoming the benchmark for regional innovation, according to reports from Regional Development Australia (RDA) Melbourne.
The Bottom Line on AI Integration
The urgency to adopt these tools is backed by clear operational data. Businesses in the Bendigo area that have integrated AI-powered automation currently report saving more than 25 hours per week on manual tasks. For the local e-commerce sector, the impact is even more granular: brands utilizing AI-powered subscription management have seen processing speeds increase by 78% while simultaneously reducing order errors by 94%. According to data provided by RDA, these firms are frequently reaching a full return on investment within 30 days of implementation.
This shift comes as the broader local labor market continues to diversify. LinkedIn data confirms that there are currently 472 broader IT roles listed in the Bendigo area, including roughly 37 dedicated technology positions and over 100 specific IT openings. With an average annual salary of $103,000, the market supports a wide range of expertise, spanning entry-level roles that start at $60,000 up to senior positions commanding $164,000.
Connecting with the Local Tech Ecosystem
For those looking to enter the sector or upskill, the local support network is expanding. The Bendigo AI Thinkspace, co-hosted by Monash University, La Trobe Rural Health School, the Bendigo Tech School, and Ligantic, meets on the third Thursday of every month at the Emporium Creative Hub. These sessions provide a low-barrier environment to discuss AI opportunities, building on the momentum of larger forums held at La Trobe University between 2024 and 2025, which engaged over 540 stakeholders.
Entry-level practitioners should monitor roles in education and government-backed sectors. ICT Support Technician positions in local schools, for instance, offer a structured career path with salaries ranging from $71,623 during training to $91,230 upon completion. Whether you are aiming for roles at organizations like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Super Retail Group, or the Njernda Aboriginal Corporation, the focus for the remainder of 2026 remains on core technical proficiency. Candidates who can demonstrate skills in AWS, Node.js, API development, and digital media are currently in high demand as the region’s 100-gigabit broadband network continues to draw enterprise-level interest.