Salary guide · AU
Software Engineer salary in Melbourne: can you afford rent?
A Software Engineer in Melbourne typically earns A$89,000–A$237,000/year, with a median around A$141,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is A$2,300/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Software Engineer salary of A$141,000/year, spending on median Melbourne rent (A$2,300/mo) would take up 20% of gross income. That's within the recommended 30% threshold — a comfortable situation.
Software Engineer salary range in Melbourne
A$89,000
Entry level
lower quartile
A$141,000
Typical
median estimate
A$237,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Software engineers design, build, and maintain applications and systems software. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Melbourne.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford?
Rent landscape in Melbourne
A$1,500
Budget
cheapest 10%
A$2,300
Median
most common
A$3,800
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. Consumer Affairs Victoria rental data + ABS CPI private rent component 2024 (note: ABS SIH 2023-24 cancelled Jul 2025; next SIH results expected 2027) · 2023–2024
Frequently asked questions
What does a Software Engineer earn in Melbourne?
A Software Engineer in Melbourne typically earns between A$89,000 and A$237,000/year, with a median around A$141,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.
Can a Software Engineer afford to live in Melbourne?
At a typical Software Engineer salary of A$141,000/year, median Melbourne rent (A$2,300/month) takes up 20% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget options in Melbourne start around A$1,500/month.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford in Melbourne?
On a median Software Engineer salary of A$141,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is A$3,525/month. Compared to Melbourne's median rent of A$2,300/month, this means median-priced accommodation is within reach.
Other professions in Melbourne
Software Engineer salary in other cities