Software Developer Jobs Salary: Where Australian Pay Sits on the Salary Index

Where does a software developer jobs salary sit on the Australian salary index?

If you're looking at a software developer jobs salary in Australia, the first question is usually: is this a good offer? The quickest way to answer that is to compare it against the national line – the Salary Index. An index of 100 equals the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings for all Australians, which is currently $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for Software and Applications Programmers (the official ANZSCO group that covers software developers) is $2,496. That annualises to about $129,792 and puts the occupation at an index of roughly 120 – 20% above the national benchmark. To put that in perspective, the all-occupations median is $1,697 per week (index 81), so software developers are comfortably ahead of the average worker.

But a median is just a midpoint. Your actual software developer jobs salary will depend on experience, location, industry, and the specific company. Let's break down what the public data tells us.

The public data sources

The most occupation-specific figure comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics via Jobs and Skills Australia. Their Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2023) gives the $2,496 median for full-time, non-managerial Software and Applications Programmers. That's the best single number we have for the role.

The ABS also publishes broader data. In August 2025, the median weekly earnings for all Professionals was $1,900 (index 91). That's lower because it includes many lower-paid professional roles like teachers and social workers. Software developers are on the higher end of the professional spectrum.

For award-covered roles, the Fair Work Commission maintains the Modern Awards Pay Database. Most software developers are above award, but if you're in a junior or entry-level position covered by an award like the Professional Employees Award, the minimum hourly rate from 1 July 2026 is around $25.74 for the lowest classification. That's well below the median, but it's a legal floor.

How the index works for software developers

The Salary Index is simple: take your annual gross salary, divide it by the national line ($108,352), and multiply by 100. So a software developer earning $130,000 has an index of 120. One earning $90,000 has an index of 83. The index lets you compare any salary to the national benchmark without worrying about inflation or year-to-year changes.

For a software developer jobs salary, the index can vary widely:

• Junior/graduate: $65,000–$80,000 → index 60–74
• Mid-level: $110,000–$140,000 → index 102–129
• Senior/lead: $150,000–$200,000+ → index 138–185

These are rough ranges based on industry reports. The public median of $129,792 (index 120) sits comfortably in the mid-level band.

Location matters

Where you work affects the real value of your salary. The Salary Index adjusts for state-level earnings: the ACT has an index of 109.9, Western Australia 106.9, New South Wales 101.2, while Tasmania is 88.6. A software developer earning $130,000 in Sydney (NSW index 101.2) is close to the state benchmark, but the same salary in Hobart (Tasmania index 88.6) would be well above the local average. Check the states page for your region.

Industry context

Most software developers work in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, an industry with an index of 114.7. That means the industry itself already pays above the national line. Developers in Financial and Insurance Services (index 115.4) or Mining (index 154.7) can earn even more. The industries page has full details.

Awards, super, and tax

Most software developers are not on awards – they negotiate individual contracts. But if you're covered by an award, the minimum rates apply. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, index 48.2). Award minima rose by 4.75% from that date.

Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of your salary. So a $130,000 salary means an extra $15,600 into your super fund. The maximum contribution base is $270,830.

For tax, the 2026–27 resident rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; 45% above $190,000. Plus the 2% Medicare levy. A software developer earning $130,000 would pay roughly $29,467 in tax plus Medicare, leaving about $100,533 take-home. That's an estimate – it ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge.

How to use this information

When you see a software developer jobs salary offer, compare it to the index. If it's below 100, it's below the national average for full-time workers. If it's above 120, it's in line with the occupation median. Use the how the index works page to run your own calculations.

For more context, browse the pay guides for related roles, or explore topics like junior rates and industry comparisons.

The bottom line

A typical software developer in Australia earns around $2,496 per week – an index of 120. That's a solid 20% above the national line. But your actual salary will depend on your experience, location, and employer. Use the public data and the Salary Index to see where any offer sits.

FAQs

What is the average salary for a software developer in Australia?

The most reliable public benchmark comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports median full-time weekly earnings of $2,496 for Software and Applications Programmers. That works out to about $129,792 per year. However, this is a median – half earn more, half earn less. Entry-level roles pay less, while senior developers and specialists can earn significantly more.

How does software developer pay compare to the national average?

The national line (index 100) is $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 annually. Software developers at the median of $2,496 per week sit at an index of about 120 – meaning they earn roughly 20% above the full-time adult ordinary-time benchmark. This places the occupation well above the all-occupations median of $1,697 per week.

What factors influence software developer salaries?

Experience is the biggest factor – junior developers earn less than the median, while senior and lead roles can push the index above 150. Location matters too: developers in the ACT (index 109.9) or WA (106.9) often earn more than those in Tasmania (88.6). Industry also plays a role – those in financial services or mining tend to earn more than those in retail or education.