#15 · Technology

Software and applications programmers Salary

ABS May 2023 national EEH average $124,904 ($63.21/hr; weekly × 52). ANZSCO 2613. Modeled 2026 take-home, training context, and career comparisons below.

By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026

national EEH average · ANZSCO 2613

$124,904

$63.21/hr · weekly × 52

Baseline take-home

$94,415

24.4% effective

HELP take-home at average

$86,108

31.1% effective

Key takeaways — Software programmers

Software and applications programmers ranks #15 of 55 on this hub with a $124,904 ABS May 2023 EEH average ($63.21/hr).
Modeled baseline take-home at that average: $94,415 (24.4% effective employee levy rate). With HELP: $86,108.
One rank above: ICT security specialists at $125,258 (+$354).
Bonuses beyond cash wages, Super Guarantee (employer-side), and self-employment income sit outside ABS EEH employee cash averages.

About Software and applications programmers wages

The Australian Bureau of Statistics May 2023 Employee Earnings and Hours release publishes average weekly total cash earnings by ANZSCO 4-digit unit group (Data cube 11, all employees). For Software and applications programmers (ANZSCO 2613), the national average annual pay is $124,904 (weekly $2,402 × 52). Common searches mapped here include software engineer salary.

Hourly figures divide the weekly average by 38 ordinary hours, then we apply our 2026 Australia paycheck model so you see modeled take-home, not just gross — federal income tax and Medicare levy only.

Use the compare tool to pit Software programmers against another career, or open the paycheck calculator to model an offer above or below the published average.

Technology · rank context

Software programmers sits at rank #15 between ICT security specialists (#14, $125,258) and Other engineers (#16, $123,916).

Training & licensing context

Tech averages blend junior and senior ICT unit-group roles nationally. CBD total pay often exceeds ABS cash averages because of bonuses and equity taxed at vest.

Take-home at ABS EEH average by scenario

Australian resident, federal income tax + Medicare levy — gross equals the published ABS EEH average. Baseline assumes private hospital cover (no Medicare levy surcharge) and no HELP; the HELP column adds compulsory HELP repayments.

Scenario	Take-home	Effective rate	Calculator
Resident (baseline)	$94,415	24.4%	Open
With HELP repayments	$86,108	31.1%	Open

Model $124,904 in calculator ABS source

Myths vs facts

Myth: Every Software programmers job pays the ABS average.

Fact: The average is a national mean for all employees in the unit group. Entry roles, part-time schedules, and lower-COL markets sit below; senior specialists in high-demand cities sit above.

Myth: Take-home at average is what you will net.

Fact: Our columns use an Australian-resident vignette at the ABS EEH gross average. HELP, private hospital cover (MLS), residency status, and salary sacrifice change your actual paycheck.

Salary planning checklist

Confirm the posting matches ANZSCO 2613 (Software and applications programmers)
Compare baseline vs HELP take-home if you have an outstanding HELP balance
Remember EEH averages mix full-time and part-time employees
Use metro paycheck examples (Australia) when the employer names a city
Model your exact gross in the Australia paycheck calculator