IT salary in Australia: gross pay, super, and tax explained
Understand how IT salary compares to the national line using the Salary Index. Gross pay, super guarantee, and tax for IT professionals in Australia.
IT salaries in Australia typically sit above the national line, with the professional, scientific and technical industry index at 114.7, but actual pay varies by role, award coverage, and experience.
What 'IT salary' means in Australian pay
'IT salary' refers to the gross remuneration for information technology professionals. In Australia, many IT roles are covered by the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Award, though many employees are above award. The Salary Index helps you compare pay against the national line, where 100 is full-time adult adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, while the professional, scientific and technical industry index is 114.7. That means typical earnings in that industry are about 14.7% above the national line.
Gross pay for IT roles
Award coverage and award rates
The Fair Work Ombudsman sets the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 at $26.74 per hour, but most IT employees are covered by the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Award. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database includes classifications for many awards, but the search did not provide specific IT award rates. The on-site reference shows the professional, scientific and technical industry index at 114.7. For a full-time employee, that suggests average ordinary-time earnings around $124,300 annualised. However, actual IT salaries vary by role, experience, and location. For example, a junior IT support officer might earn near the award minimum, while a senior software engineer could earn well above.
State variations
State indices from the on-site reference show how location affects IT pay: ACT at 109.9, WA at 106.9, NSW at 101.2, VIC at 98.0, QLD at 97.9, SA at 94.6, NT at 95.2, TAS at 88.6. An IT professional in Canberra or Perth may earn more than one in Tasmania or South Australia, even for the same role.
Super guarantee on IT salary
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your gross salary, paid by your employer on top of your pay. For an IT salary of $120,000, that means $14,400 per year into your super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not part of your take-home pay but is a significant long-term benefit. If your salary exceeds the base, the 12% applies only to the first $270,830.
Tax on IT salary
Resident tax rates for 2026-27 apply to your gross salary. For an IT professional earning $120,000, you pay no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% on income between $18,200 to $45,000, then 30% on income between $45,000 and $135,000, then 37% on income between $135,000 and $190,000, then 45% on income above $190,000. Medicare levy 2% applies. For a $120,000 salary, tax is about $29,467 plus $2,400 Medicare levy, leaving around $88,133 after tax and before super. Higher incomes move into the 37% bracket above $135,000 and 45% above $190,000. The figures ignore HELP, salary sacrifice, and other adjustments.
Using the index for IT salary
The Salary Index shows the professional, scientific and technical industry at 114.7, meaning average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in that industry are 14.7% above the national line. To calculate your own index, divide your annual gross salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example, a $120,000 salary gives an index of 110.8. That tells you your pay is about 10.8% above the national average. The states page shows how your location affects the index.
Practical examples
Consider an IT project manager in Sydney earning $130,000. The index is 120.0, well above the national line. After tax (2026-27) and Medicare, take-home is about $93,000. Super at 12% adds $15,600. In contrast, a helpdesk technician in Hobart on $55,000 has an index of 50.8, below the national line but above the minimum wage index of 48.2. Tax on $55,000 is about $8,467 plus $1,100 Medicare, leaving around $45,433.
Key considerations
IT salaries are often above award, so the industry index is a better guide than award rates. The pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman cover many awards, but IT-specific guides are not always published. Always check your award or enterprise agreement if you have one. The how the index works page explains the methodology in detail.
Conclusion
IT salary in Australia varies widely, but the professional, scientific and technical industry index of 114.7 provides a benchmark. Gross pay, super at 12%, and progressive tax all affect your net income. Use the Salary Index to compare your pay against the national line and understand where you sit.
Questions people ask
What is the average IT salary in Australia?
There is no single average for all IT roles. The professional, scientific and technical industry index is 114.7, meaning full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in that industry average about 14.7% above the national line of $108,352 per year. That translates to roughly $124,300 annualised. However, IT salaries vary widely by role, experience, and location. For example, a junior support role may be closer to award rates, while a senior developer could earn well above the industry average.
How is super calculated on an IT salary?
Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid on top of your gross salary. For an IT employee earning $120,000, your employer must contribute $14,400 into your super fund each year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not included in your take-home pay; it is an additional benefit. If you earn above the maximum base, the 12% applies only to the first $270,830 of your salary.
How does tax affect IT salary take-home pay for an IT professional?
Using 2026-27 resident tax rates with the tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy, a gross IT salary of $120,000 would result in approximately $29,467 tax plus $2,400 Medicare levy, leaving around $88,133 after tax and before super. Higher incomes move into the 37% bracket above $135,000, and the 45% bracket above $190,000. The figures ignore HELP, salary sacrifice, and other adjustments.