Australia has emerged as one of the most attractive hubs for IT professionals in the Asia–Pacific region. With competitive salaries, a thriving startup scene, and strong demand for tech skills, it’s no surprise that developers, data scientists, and cloud engineers are flocking here.
But how much can you realistically earn? In this guide, we’ll break down IT salaries across Australia, compare them with New Zealand and Singapore, and factor in cost-of-living and taxation so you know what your take-home pay might look like.
Executive Summary
- Salaries are strong: Australian IT professionals earn well above New Zealand peers, and senior compensation is often comparable to Singapore once bonuses and equity are included.
- City differences matter: Sydney leads the pack, followed by Melbourne. Other hubs like Brisbane and Perth are growing but slightly lower.
- National average earnings: The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average full-time weekly earnings of A$2,010 (May 2025), or about A$104,520 annually.
IT Salaries by Role in Australia
The following table outlines typical salary ranges for core IT roles in Australia:
| Role | Typical Range (AUD/year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Software Engineer | A$65,000 – A$95,000 | Entry-level, startups lower; corporates higher |
| Software Engineer (Mid) | A$95,000 – A$140,000 | Sydney/Melbourne at top end |
| Senior Software Engineer | A$140,000 – A$200,000+ | BigTech + equity push higher |
| Backend Developer | A$88,000 – A$170,000 | Depends on stack (Java, Go, .NET) |
| DevOps / Cloud Engineer | A$110,000 – A$185,000 | Cloud certifications = premium |
| Data Scientist / ML Engineer | A$106,000 – A$178,000 | Median ~A$130k |
| Product Manager (Tech) | A$110,000 – A$200,000 | Senior PMs often exceed A$180k |
| UX / UI Designer | A$80,000 – A$140,000 | Agency vs in-house differences |
| QA / Test Engineer | A$70,000 – A$120,000 | Automation skills increase pay |
| IT Manager / Head of IT | A$130,000 – A$220,000+ | Depends on company size |
(Data aggregated from Glassdoor, Robert Half, and industry placement guides.)
Salaries by City
Sydney — Highest Paying Market
- Average software engineer salaries around A$137k–139k.
- Premium of +10–20% compared to national median.
- Tech giants and finance-sector IT hubs drive pay upward.
Melbourne — Competitive but Slightly Lower
- Software engineers average around A$128k.
- Strong demand in fintech, consulting, and product startups.
Other Hubs: Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide
- Salaries typically 5–15% lower than Sydney/Melbourne.
- Growing demand in mining tech (Perth), fintech (Brisbane), and health-tech (Adelaide).
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Salary Comparison with Nearby Countries
Australia vs New Zealand
- Australian salaries are 10–20% higher for equivalent IT roles.
- New Zealand averages ~NZ$113k–115k (≈A$105k) for software engineers.
Australia vs Singapore
- Senior tech roles in Singapore often match or exceed Australian pay due to equity and bonuses.
- Median total compensation for engineers in Singapore hovers around SGD116k (≈A$130k).
- Factor in higher housing costs and different tax systems when comparing offers.
Cost of Living & Take-Home Pay
Housing
- Sydney and Melbourne are expensive rental markets.
- Central Sydney: A$2,500–3,500/month for a 1–2 bedroom apartment.
Food & Transport
- Groceries: ~A$500–600/month for one person.
- Public transport: A$180–220/month in major cities.
Taxes
- Income tax brackets (residents):
- 0% up to A$18,200
- 19% up to A$37,000
- 32.5% up to A$80,000
- 37% up to A$180,000
- 45% above A$180,000
- Add 2% Medicare levy and 11%+ employer superannuation contributions.
Example: A mid-level software engineer earning A$120,000 pays a marginal tax rate of ~32.5–37% and must budget carefully for Sydney housing costs.
Benefits Beyond Base Salary
- Superannuation contributions (11%+ employer pension).
- Equity & stock options (common in startups and BigTech).
- Sign-on bonuses and relocation packages for overseas hires.
- Flexible work arrangements (hybrid and remote).
Hiring & Salary Negotiation Tips
For recruiters:
- Always list a clear salary band (min–max).
- Add relocation support (visa, housing assistance).
- Offer sign-on bonuses or equity for senior hires.
For candidates:
- Benchmark against Glassdoor, Seek, and Robert Half data.
- Add a 5–15% premium for specialized skills (cloud, ML, security).
- Negotiate non-salary perks if base is capped.
FAQs
Q: What is a realistic starting salary for junior developers in Australia?
A: Around A$65k–95k, depending on city and company size.
Q: Do Australian IT salaries beat New Zealand?
A: Yes. On average, salaries are 10–20% higher in Australia.
Q: How important is equity in Australian tech offers?
A: Increasingly important, especially for senior hires at scale-ups and BigTech offices.
Conclusion
Australia offers one of the best salary environments in the APAC region for IT professionals. While the cost of living in Sydney and Melbourne is high, competitive pay, strong benefits, and career growth opportunities make the move worthwhile. For recruiters, offering transparent salary bands and relocation support is key to attracting global tech talent.
