Many new graduates are concerned about software engineer salary starting rates in Australia in 2025. Entry-level software engineers in Sydney currently earn an average of $80,000 per year.
Our salary guide provides specific pay ranges across major Australian cities for new software engineers in 2025. We analyse the figures by location, skills, and company size to help you understand your market value.
Key Takeaways
- Entry-level software engineers in Australia earn $80,000 to $90,000 yearly in 2025. Sydney leads with the highest starting pay of $120,000.
- Full-stack developers can earn up to $110,000 to start. Pay rises quickly to $90,000-$120,000 within 2-3 years as mid-level developers.
- Brisbane ranks second for pay at $110,000. Canberra, Perth, and Newcastle region all offer $105,000 starting salaries.
- Skills in machine learning and rare coding languages boost starting pay. Large tech firms and finance companies pay more than startups.
- The job market stays strong in 2025. Companies offer extras like profit sharing and performance bonuses to attract new talent.
Average Entry Level Software Engineer Salary in Australia in 2025
Entry-level software engineers in Australia earn between $80,000 to $90,000 per year in 2025. The pay varies based on skills, location, and company size. Top tech firms offer higher starting salaries plus bonuses and stock options.
Basic software engineers with .Net or Java skills start at $90,000, while full-stack developers command up to $110,000.
Salary growth progresses rapidly in the tech sector. Software engineers see their pay rise to $90,000-$120,000 within 2-3 years as mid-level developers. Senior roles bring in $110,000-$150,000 yearly.
Major cities like Sydney and Melbourne offer the best pay rates. The job market remains strong as more companies require tech talent.
Salary Variations by Australian Cities
Australian software engineer salaries demonstrate clear variations across major cities in 2025. Sydney leads the pack while regional areas maintain competitive rates to attract top talent.
| City | Starting Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Sydney | $120,000 |
| Brisbane | $110,000 |
| Canberra | $105,000 |
| Newcastle, Maitland & Hunter | $105,000 |
| Perth | $105,000 |
| Adelaide | $100,000 |
| Gold Coast | $97,500 |
| Melbourne | $95,000 |
Key points about salary variations:
• Sydney offers the highest starting pay at $120,000 due to its strong tech hub status
• Brisbane ranks second with $110,000, showing Queensland’s growing tech scene
• Canberra, Perth, and the Newcastle region share equal rates at $105,000
• Adelaide maintains competitive rates at $100,000
• Gold Coast attracts new talent with $97,500 starting packages
• Melbourne’s $95,000 reflects its balanced cost of living
Regional differences stem from:
• Local market demand
• Cost of living factors
• Tech company presence
• Available talent pool
• Industry competition
SoftwareEngineerSalary.com data shows these variations create opportunities for new graduates to choose locations matching their salary goals and lifestyle preferences.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKCKhw-tUPY
Factors Influencing Starting Salaries for Entry Level Software Engineers in 2025
Several key factors influence entry-level software engineer pay rates in Australia for 2025. Technical skills significantly impact salary levels. Engineers proficient in full stack development, machine learning, or rare coding languages earn more.
Location affects compensation – major cities like Sydney and Melbourne offer higher pay than regional areas. The size and type of company influences starting wages. Large tech firms and finance companies typically pay more than small startups.
Your choice of industry specialisation affects your earning potential. Fintech and e-commerce companies often offer above average rates to attract skilled professionals. Benefits like superannuation (currently 11%) contribute to total compensation.
Some firms provide profit sharing or performance bonuses in addition to base pay. Entry-level roles focus on daily coding tasks with supervision. Skills in writing clean code and debugging existing systems help increase starting salary offers.
The job market remains strong as companies actively recruit new software engineers.
Conclusion
Australian tech jobs will remain robust in 2025. Entry-level software engineers can expect favourable pay, with Sydney offering the highest at $90,000 per year. Your skills in coding, problem-solving, and teamwork will increase your starting salary.
The tech market is expanding rapidly, and forward-thinking companies are keen to hire new talent. Visit SoftwareEngineerSalary.com for current pay rates and job trends in your city.
FAQs
1. How much does an entry level software engineer make in Australia?
The average salary for an entry level software engineer in Australia ranges from $65,000 to $85,000 per year. Top companies like Deloitte and Chevron pay more, with total pay reaching up to $95,000.
2. Which cities in Australia pay software engineers the best?
Major cities like Sydney and Melbourne offer the highest paying jobs for software engineers. The national average is higher in these places, and eager companies often pay well above the 75th percentile of all pay data.
3. What skills do I need to earn a good entry-level software engineer salary?
You need solid programming skills and must write clean code. Full stack engineers who can work with minimal guidance often earn more. The technologies you use and your debugging skills affect your pay.
4. How do companies like Deloitte and Chevron pay their entry-level engineers?
Deloitte offers around $75,000 fixed plus bonuses, while Chevron pays about $85,000 fixed. These salaries are based on recent data shared anonymously to Glassdoor by entry-level software engineer employees.
5. Does location affect entry-level software engineer pay in Australia?
Yes, your pay depends on location. Software engineers in major cities earn more than the national average. The Hays Salary Guide shows that salaries can vary by up to $20,000 based on where you work.
6. How does pay change as you gain experience?
As seniority increases, your total pay trajectory grows. Entry-level roles start at the 25th percentile, but with experience, you can move to senior-level positions where salaries are in the 75th percentile of all pay data.
