Software engineer salary in Australia spans AUD 90,000 to AUD 180,000 per year. According to Indeed, the average software engineer earns AUD 121,000 annually, while Glassdoor reports median total compensation at AUD 137,000.

Software engineer salary in Australia varies widely depending on company, experience, and location. Top earners reach AUD 215,000 per year (90th percentile). The typical pay range falls between AUD 97,000 (25th percentile) and AUD 165,000 (75th percentile) annually.
Many employers also offer stock options, annual bonuses, and flexible benefits, bringing total compensation to an average of AUD 151,800.

This report covers real 2025 salary data for software engineers working at Australia’s top home-grown tech companies.

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What Do Software Engineers Earn in Australia?

In 2025, the average software engineer salary in Australia reached AUD 128,460 per year, including average bonuses of AUD 14,800.
Strong demand in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane continues to push wages upward, especially in AI, fintech, and SaaS sectors.

Average Salary and Bonus Breakdown

  • Base salary: AUD 121,000
  • Average bonus: AUD 14,800
  • Total compensation: AUD 151,800

Developers specializing in AI, cloud computing, or cybersecurity earn 20–30% more than general software engineers.

Salary Range Across All Levels

  • Entry-level (0–2 years): AUD 72,000 – AUD 88,000
  • Mid-level (3–5 years): AUD 95,000 – AUD 125,000
  • Senior-level (6–9 years): AUD 130,000 – AUD 170,000
  • Principal/Lead Engineer: AUD 175,000 – AUD 220,000

High performers at major Australian startups like Atlassian or Canva can exceed AUD 250,000 annually, especially with stock-based bonuses.

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Monthly and Hourly Earnings

On average, software engineers earn AUD 10,705 monthly before taxes, which equals AUD 2,470 weekly or AUD 61.75 per hour.
Senior engineers at the 75th percentile make around AUD 13,750 monthly.

Salary Growth in 2025

Software engineer salaries in Australia increased by 3.8% year-over-year in 2025, exceeding inflation rates.
Growth was strongest among mid-career professionals in fintech, SaaS, and product engineering roles.

Why Experience Level Matters

Experience is the most significant factor influencing compensation. Salaries often double from entry to senior levels.

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Entry-Level Software Engineer Salary (0–2 years)

Entry-level engineers earn between AUD 72,000 and AUD 88,000.
Companies like Atlassian and Canva start at AUD 85,000–AUD 90,000 with performance incentives.

Mid-Level Software Engineer Salary (3–5 years)

Mid-level professionals earn between AUD 95,000 and AUD 125,000, averaging AUD 110,800.
They manage complex systems, lead small projects, and contribute to architectural decisions.

Senior-Level Software Engineer Salary (6–9 years)

Senior engineers earn AUD 130,000–AUD 170,000 on average.
Those leading product design or platform teams at Canva, WiseTech Global, or REA Group reach AUD 190,000+.

Principal and Lead Engineer Salary

Principal engineers earn around AUD 210,000, while Lead Engineers average AUD 175,000–AUD 200,000.
Top performers at Atlassian and SEEK earn more than AUD 230,000 annually with bonuses and equity.

Software Engineer Salary by Location

Location continues to play a big role in Australian tech salaries.

City Average Salary (AUD)
Sydney 136,000
Melbourne 132,000
Brisbane 122,000
Canberra 127,000
Perth 118,000
Adelaide 110,000

Sydney and Melbourne host most of the country’s top-paying tech companies and startups.

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Emerging Tech Hubs

Brisbane, Perth, and Canberra are emerging as strong alternatives for software engineers seeking lower living costs and competitive pay.
Government support for digital innovation is helping new firms like SafetyCulture (Townsville) and Envato (Melbourne) scale their engineering teams.

Software Engineer Salary at Top Australian Tech Companies (2025)

Here’s what engineers actually earn at Australia’s leading home-grown tech companies:

Atlassian

Atlassian engineers earn between AUD 115,000 and AUD 195,000 annually.
Senior software engineers make up to AUD 220,000, with stock options worth AUD 30,000–50,000 per year.

  • Entry Level: AUD 90,000
  • Mid-Level: AUD 140,000
  • Senior Level: AUD 200,000+

Atlassian continues to lead the market for engineering compensation in Australia.

Canva

Canva offers engineers salaries between AUD 120,000 and AUD 210,000.
Lead and principal engineers receive total packages of AUD 230,000–AUD 260,000, including equity and performance bonuses.

  • Average base salary: AUD 160,000
  • Equity bonus: AUD 25,000–60,000 annually

Canva’s rapid global growth has pushed compensation close to Silicon Valley standards.

WiseTech Global

WiseTech Global engineers earn between AUD 110,000 and AUD 175,000.
Senior developers in Sydney average AUD 160,000, while lead engineers can reach AUD 200,000.

The company offers profit-sharing and long-term stock incentive programs.

REA Group

REA Group software engineers earn between AUD 100,000 and AUD 165,000, with senior roles approaching AUD 185,000.
Specialists in cloud, API, and DevOps earn at the higher end of the range.

  • Entry Level: AUD 90,000
  • Senior Level: AUD 175,000
  • Principal: AUD 190,000+

SEEK

SEEK pays engineers AUD 105,000 – AUD 180,000, depending on experience.
Lead software engineers and technical managers can reach AUD 200,000, particularly in data and platform teams.

The company also offers generous learning allowances and hybrid work benefits.

SafetyCulture

Townsville-based SafetyCulture pays software engineers AUD 95,000 – AUD 150,000, with strong career growth opportunities.
Senior engineers earn around AUD 165,000, with bonuses and equity options.

Carsales

Carsales.com engineers earn AUD 98,000 – AUD 160,000, depending on role and location.
Tech leads and solution architects can earn above AUD 180,000 annually.

Envato

Melbourne-based Envato offers software engineers between AUD 105,000 and AUD 170,000, with remote flexibility and strong work-life balance.
Senior developers average AUD 155,000, and lead roles exceed AUD 180,000.

Final Thoughts

Software engineer salaries in Australia remain highly competitive in 2025, particularly among homegrown tech giants like Atlassian, Canva, WiseTech, and SEEK. With demand for digital talent outpacing supply, compensation continues to rise — especially in AI, DevOps, and product development roles.

Take the next step in your software engineering career—compare salaries, explore top Australian tech companies, and Apply Now!