IT contractors are not only upbeat and confident about their chosen profession, they are also some of the most generous, according to a recent study.

The University of Monash in Melbourne, Australia surveyed 372 contract professionals in the country and found that satisfaction with their lifestyle and wellbeing has increased from last year.

Additionally, when participants were asked what they would do if they won a multi-million dollar lottery prize, 41 per cent said they would go on doing what they do and 21 per cent claimed they would give half the cash to charity.

Dr Tui McKeown of Monash University commented: "The results of the IPro Index suggest that organisations will also need to put intelligent strategies together to better source, engage and manage this educated, resilient and increasingly self aware workforce."

Monash University was founded in 1958 and now caters to more than 59,000 students from around the world.