Given that it focusses on job search for mature age workers, Adage.com.au clearly has an axe to grind. But a survey carried out by the job board confirmed what we've heard anecdotally: over 45s generally get a raw deal from recruiters and employers.

More than 800 job seekers in this demographic were surveyed, and 88% said they were dissatisfied by the response of recruiters, and 77% were dissatisfied with the response of employers.

"Mature age workers have it extremely tough in Australia. Once you are past 45, no one wants to know you," said Adage.com.au managing director Heidi Holmes

"It's an incredibly sad state of affairs and something I think we need to have a good, hard look at in this country - especially as our population continues to age.

"It incredible to me that there is so much discussion about skills shortages in Australia, while so many highly qualified and experienced workers are being overlooked simply because they've got a bit of grey hair.

And it's not through lack of qualifications: half of the respondents have at least an undergraduate degree, around 15% have a masters degree, and there were also some PhDs.

The survey covered employment broadly, but IT workers featured in the respondents.

"Here is an industry purporting to have skills shortages, yet employers are more willing to hire overseas workers, or spend money on training grads, which is necessary, however they should first be looking to engage with this existing talent pool," said Ms Holmes.

"If there is already a 'war for talent' why not look where your competitor isn't? If ageism persists, and employees are no longer considered useful once they are over the age of 45, there's going to be a lot of unemployed IT workers hitting the streets in the next decade."

These points were picked up by some of the respondents - see page 2.

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'Peter' observed that "The Federal Government is issuing 457 visa to young foreign IT workers to come into Australia and take the jobs of mature IT workers. The Federal Government is guilty of creating unemployment and throwing mature age workers on the scrap heap! The latter damages the lives of and causes financial stress to mature age workers and their families."

The supposed shortage of skilled IT professionals is a furphy, he suggested, as there are many unemployed mature age ICT workers with current credentials and work experience.

Peter also pointed the finger at the relative youth of HR staff: "The majority of HR people in employment agencies and companies are in the 20s and early 30s. They only see unreal problems with mature age workers. They do not see benefits mature age workers offer, in addition to their current credentials and experience."

'Des' is convinced age discrimination is rife. "I get call backs because of my resume and experience. But unfortunately when they learn I am 58 I never get an interview and never hear from them again. I know age discrimination is a huge problem and I would like to see it changed as these companies are really missing out on a lot of experience."

And while 'Allan' is a graphic designer rather than an IT professional, he noted the careful use of language in job ads to indicate that older workers need not bother applying while staying within the grey area (pun intended) that falls short of outright discrimination.

Examples he cited include "Be part of a young, energetic team" and "Would you enjoy being part of a fast-paced environment with a fun, youthful, energetic team?"

Ms Holmes pointed to the different attitude in neighbouring countries: "Employers in countries like Singapore and Malaysia, regard the experience gained by hiring mature age workers as an asset.

"They understand the worth of mature age workers and actually seek them out to enrich their companies."