Explore Australia’s booming developer job market—state-by-state demand, top salaries, migration pathways, and the regions hiring software professionals most.

Introduction

Australia’s technology sector is expanding rapidly, with projected IT spending exceeding A$146 billion in 2025 and a market growth rate of 8.7%. Software and applications programmers top the country’s list of most in-demand professionals. As digital transformation sweeps across industries, discover where software developers are hired most and which states offer the best career prospects, highest salaries, and skilled migration opportunities.

Explosive Growth: Demand for Software and Applications Programmers

The demand for software developer jobs in Australia in 2025 is reaching unprecedented levels. With the tech sector valued at A$167 billion and the software segment itself set to grow by 13.4%, Australia will need an additional 286,000 tech workers by 2025 to keep pace with business digitalization, AI adoption, and cybersecurity requirements.

Major drivers of demand include:

  • Digital transformation: Banking, healthcare, retail, and government all require custom software, web, and mobile solutions.
  • Cloud and AI expansion: Enterprises invest heavily in cloud architecture, machine learning systems, and cybersecurity.
  • Skills shortage: The rapid pace of change means companies can’t find enough qualified professionals locally, giving overseas migrants and career switchers excellent prospects.

Technologies such as Python, JavaScript, Java, cloud solutions (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), and AI-ML frameworks are especially sought after. Australian organizations prioritize developers who can manage complex codebases, unlock business intelligence, and deliver robust web, mobile, and enterprise apps.

Where Developers Are Hired Most in Australia

Job opportunities for software engineers in Australia span across all states, with metropolitan areas leading the charge but regional cities and smaller towns catching up.

Sydney (New South Wales)

Sydney remains Australia’s software hiring powerhouse. The city houses the most tech startups, innovation hubs, and corporate HQs. Sectors include fintech, medtech, real estate tech, and enterprise software.

  • Top employers: Atlassian, Canva, WiseTech, Salesforce.
  • Roles: Frontend, backend, full-stack developers, cloud architects, security engineers.
  • Average salary: AUD 110,000–170,000 for mid-senior roles; entry-level starts at AUD 85,000+.

Melbourne (Victoria)

Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest tech hub. While the city shares similarities with Sydney, it’s known for a thriving gaming studio scene, e-commerce platforms, and government-backed digital transformation projects.

  • Top employers: REA Group, SEEK, Australia Post, IBM.
  • Roles: Mobile developers, cloud engineers, UI/UX designers, DevOps.
  • Average salary: AUD 105,000–165,000; senior developers may reach AUD 200,000.

Brisbane (Queensland)

Brisbane is experiencing a tech boom, thanks to investments in AI, agri-tech, and health technology. Regional Queensland cities like Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Townsville are also hiring developers for fintech, healthcare IT, and tourism platforms.

  • Top employers: Technology One, Flight Centre, startups.
  • Roles: Full-stack developers, data engineers, integration specialists.
  • Average salary: AUD 95,000–150,000 for mid-level; juniors from AUD 75,000.

Perth (Western Australia) & Adelaide (South Australia)

Mining, resources, and agribusiness sectors drive IT hiring in Perth and Adelaide. The rise of smart mining tech, automation, and supply chain platforms require skilled developers.

  • Roles: Software engineers, automation developers, data scientists.
  • Average salary: AUD 90,000–140,000; senior AI/data engineers fetch higher pay.

Canberra (Australian Capital Territory)

Government and defense IT projects dominate Canberra’s tech ecosystem. Secure software systems, cloud infrastructure for public services, and cybersecurity solutions form core job markets.

  • Roles: System programmers, cybersecurity experts, government app developers.
  • Average salary: AUD 110,000–155,000 for experienced professionals.

Regional Hotspots

Smaller cities and rural areas—from Geelong (VIC) to Toowoomba (QLD)—are increasingly offering remote tech roles, especially as brain drain and digital business needs force local investment. Many companies prioritize regional candidates with incentives and flexible work options.

State-by-State IT Job Demand: Skills, Sectors, and Trends

Maryland the list of in-demand software and applications programmers, demand varies by state but remains consistently high nationwide.

New South Wales

  • Demand: Highest job volume, especially for enterprise developers, full-stack engineers, and AI practitioners.
  • Growth sectors: Financial tech, SaaS, government digitalization.

Victoria

  • Demand: Frontend web developers, cloud engineers, and mobile app programmers are most sought after.
  • Growth sectors: E-commerce, game development, logistics.

Queensland

  • Demand: Data engineers, healthcare application developers, and infrastructure specialists.
  • Growth sectors: Health tech, smart city, agri-tech.

Western Australia

  • Demand: Cloud platform architects and software integration experts.
  • Growth sectors: Mining tech, resources automation.

South Australia

  • Demand: Embedded systems programmers, application security professionals.
  • Growth sectors: Supply chain, agribusiness, manufacturing.

Tasmania & Northern Territory

  • Demand: Smaller market but significant opportunities in digital agriculture, tourism systems, and local government expansion.
  • Growth sectors: Rural health, hospitality systems, regional e-governance.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

  • Demand: Government application engineers, secure systems programmers.
  • Growth sectors: Public sector transformation, cybersecurity.

Highest Paying Programming Jobs in Australia

Technology salaries outpace most industries, with several programming roles offering exceptional earning potential:

  • Cloud Architect/Engineer: AUD 140,000–280,000
  • Security Architect: AUD 120,000–190,000 (in Sydney/Melbourne)
  • AI/ML Engineer: AUD 125,000–210,000
  • Software Developer/Engineer: AUD 85,000–130,000 (entry to mid-level), up to AUD 200,000+ for seniors
  • Data Scientist: AUD 110,000–190,000
  • Business Analyst (IT): AUD 112,000–141,000
  • DevOps Engineer: AUD 110,000–160,000

Leadership roles—including CTOs and CIOs—frequently earn above AUD 300,000. Base salaries continue to increase each year due to competition for the best talent.

Skilled Migration Pathways for IT Professionals in Australia

Australia urgently requires qualified IT professionals and supports skilled migration through several visa options:

  • Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): Points-tested, suitable for highly qualified IT applicants with recognized in-demand skills.
  • Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): State-nominated, typically for applicants willing to settle in areas with acute tech shortages.
  • Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491): For IT professionals choosing to work outside major metros, leading to permanent residency after three years.

Applicants must achieve skills assessment approval via the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and meet English language requirements. Migration policies favor coding, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and AI talent due to persistent shortages.

International graduates from Australian universities enjoy streamlined migration processes, with temporary graduate visas providing pathways toward skilled migration or employer sponsorship. Australian tech employers—especially in Sydney and Melbourne—actively sponsor talented overseas candidates for roles ranging from junior developer to senior architect.

IT Jobs for Migrants in Australia

IT jobs for migrants in Australia are everywhere—especially for those with experience in high-growth areas such as software development, cybersecurity, data science, and cloud architecture. The skills gap means that both multinational corporations and startups recruit talent from abroad, often offering relocation packages, visa sponsorship, and rapid career progression.

Practical steps for migrants include:

  • Skills accreditation: Obtain ACS assessment before applying for skilled migration or jobs.
  • Professional networking: Engage with industry groups, attend meetups (e.g., TechSydney, Melbourne Developers), and connect via LinkedIn.
  • Upskilling: Pursue Australian certifications, participate in coding bootcamps, or refresh English language competencies.
  • Job search: Look for roles on major platforms (Seek, LinkedIn, Indeed) and approach tech recruiters familiar with migration processes.
  • Regional opportunities: Many rural and smaller cities offer incentives for migrants, including housing support, training, and fast-track migration.

The Future of Software Development Careers: Trends and Opportunities

Software development careers in Australia are evolving fast. Major trends shaping the job market include:

  • AI and automation: Demand for developers who integrate intelligent systems into business processes is soaring.
  • Cybersecurity: As risks escalate, companies want robust app security and encrypted data management.
  • Green coding: Sustainability practices are influencing code optimization and infrastructure architecture.
  • Remote work: Flexible employment, hybrid working, and distributed teams make regional jobs accessible nationwide.
  • Non-traditional pathways: Bootcamps, online learning, and upskilling are opening doors for career changers and migrants, sometimes outperforming traditional degree routes.
  • Diversity initiatives: Businesses commit to hiring more women, non-binary, and minority developers, further enlarging the talent pool and innovating work cultures.

Conclusion

Australia’s software and applications programming sector presents exceptional opportunities for professionals and migrants alike. Explosive state-by-state IT job demand, attractive salaries, digital transformation, and streamlined skilled migration mean skilled developers occupy center stage in the local job market. For those ready to upskill and adapt, the country remains a leading global destination for tech careers—both now and in years ahead.