Top Software Development Companies in Australia

Australia's software development industry is set to see some of its highest growth in 2024. IT spending is expected to grow to AUS $133 billion in 2024, which is 7.8% higher than the amount in 2023. And considering its shortage of software developers, Australia has a lot of growth potential to attract talent and investors from all over the world.

These statistics are in line with the global tech market, which is predicted to grow to a market volume of US $858.10 billion by 2028.

The widespread adoption of technology is at the center of this growth. In today's digital landscape, software development has become the backbone of every company and organization, not just the top software development companies in Australia. Software development provides businesses with the tools they need to streamline operations, improve customer experiences, unlock data insights, address cybersecurity risks, and more. All to maintain their competitive advantage while creating opportunities for growth.

In this guide, we break down more such trends in Australia's software development industry to give you a better understanding of the market and its movement.

5 Major Software Development Hubs/Cities in Australia

The software development industry in Australia is centered in certain cities. These tech/IT hubs are home to some of the best software development companies in Australia. They're also ideal destinations for job seekers and business owners looking for lucrative work or investment opportunities in the software industry.

Here's a closer look at the top software development hubs in Australia:

Melbourne

The city of Melbourne is the most livable city in Australia and the third most livable city in the world. It is a lively and modern location with a vibrant cultural atmosphere.

The city is also a top destination for the best software development companies in Australia, along with leading companies in retail and finance. Over 50% of the country's gaming industry is in Melbourne.

Sydney

Sydney is Australia's business capital, and it is one of the top tech and IT hubs in the country. The city boasts a rich cultural scene, many educational opportunities, and a high quality of life.

It is home to top software development companies in Australia, such as Wisetech Global, Global Switch, Alibaba Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Rackspace, and Dimension Data.

Brisbane

Brisbane is becoming increasingly popular, with tech companies of all sizes looking to set up bases in Australia. It is an old city with beautiful architecture and lots of green areas.

The city also offers rich educational experiences with prestigious university programs. It is home to companies like TechnologyOne, Apple, and Amazon.

Adelaide

Situated on the southern coast, Adelaide is an ideal city for students, professionals, and families. Its many universities make the city a large talent pool for companies, plus it boasts of a great software program from the University of Adelaide.

Perth

Home to top software development companies in Australia like IBM, Perth is another city with a growing tech scene in Australia. As per reports, the city's startup ecosystem grew by 81% between 2011 and 2023.

Perth is also a top destination for students due to the multiple universities located here.

Market Overview: Software Development in Australia

Australia's software market reflects the global scene, with the majority of investments being made in sectors like cloud-native apps, AI, blockchain, automation, etc. More and more companies are putting behind on-premise software deployment and adopting software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions.

Furthermore, digitization is pushing more companies to transform their operations, hence increasing the demand for software solutions.

If we take a look at the statistics, Australia's software market is predicted to reach a market volume of US $14.10 billion by 2028. Its export value alone is at a whopping US $6.31 billion.

The trends driving the software market in Australia are similar to those around the world. These are the ones driving the most change:

Cloud Native Technologies

A top trend in software right now is developing solutions that are designed for the cloud. These technologies are built, maintained, and deployed on robust cloud infrastructure. Spotify, Netflix, and Airbnb are some of the most prominent cloud-native solutions used worldwide.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is leveraged for a wide range of applications, from automation and machine learning to decision support. Integrating AI into software solutions can benefit businesses that want to offer more features across their apps. Developers can also use it to streamline parts of the software development processes.

Blockchain

Blockchain technology refers to the decentralized maintenance of digital records across network nodes. The main feature of blockchain tech is irreversible record-keeping, which ensures 100% data security. It is one of the main reasons why blockchain is a leading requirement in industries like fintech and healthcare.

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT involves internet-enabled devices and the technologies that enable communication among them. Software solutions further facilitate robust connections between devices, transmit and analyze massive amounts of data, and much more.

Low-Code/No-Code

Low-code/no-code technology allows users with little to no coding knowledge to build software solutions. It is very popular in businesses that want to speed up their software development or those that lack advanced skills or training. This sector's exponential growth is due to the accessibility of advanced technology.

Cybersecurity

Software development in cybersecurity involves software solutions that protect organizations from cyber threats. Increasing digitization has also resulted in the growth of these threats. There has also been a rise in the demand for tools that help businesses protect their operations, consumer data, and other sensitive information from malicious third parties.

Technical Expertise of Australia-Based Developers

It's important to know about the technologies and frameworks used by developers in Australia.

Popular Technologies and Frameworks Used by Australia-Based Developers

Java

Java is a widely used programming language worldwide and a top preference of developers in Australia. Over 30.55% of global developers use Java. 

Java developers in Australia can easily expect a base salary of around $119,081.

Java is most commonly used in developing apps for mobile and desktop devices. It is also the official programming language used in Android app development.

SQL

SQL, or Structured Query Language, enables companies to store, update, retrieve, and process information in a database. In Australia, software developers specializing in SQL technologies earn a base salary of around $116,942 per year.

SQL is used by 48.66% of software developers worldwide. Its most popular applications are in companies like Oracle, Microsoft SQL, Microsoft Access, etc.

C#

Although quite challenging to learn, C# is a popular programming language in Australia. It is also used by 27.62% of global developers. It has many different applications in the development of apps, enterprise software, games, and more.

In Australia, C# developers can earn an annual base pay of around $135,000.

Python

Python is another incredibly popular programming language among developers in Australia, the second after Java. It is used by nearly 49.28% of developers globally.

Python is an open-source language that's beginner-friendly and versatile. Its wide range of applications includes AI, automation, web development, and more. It is also used by companies like IBM, NASA, Pixar, Intel, and Netflix.

Software developers with knowledge of Python have an average base salary of $142,507 per year in Australia.

HTML

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is used to configure certain elements on websites, such as headings, images, links, etc. HTML is also one of the most popular globally used programming languages, with 52.97% of developers using it.

In Australia, HTML developers can get a base pay of around $57,391.

Some other popular programming languages and frameworks used by developers at top software development companies in Australia include:

• NET
• Lua
• Node
• Django
• Ruby on Rails
• PHP
• ASP

Case Studies of Successful Software Development Projects in Australia

Growing investments, a stable economy, and multiple tech hubs have attracted many software development companies to Australia. The island nation is also one of the most urbanized in the world, with 90% of the population living in the urban regions. This further increases the need for software development solutions to make digital operations more efficient.

Here are some of the top software development companies in Australia that are driving the industry's exponential growth:

• SoluLab
• Atlassian Corporation
• Capgemini
• The Appian Company
• Link Administration Holdings
• Hyperlink Information System
• ThoughtWorks
• Overdose
• FPT Software
• LRS
• System HData
• CornerStone

Australia also has a long list of outsourcing companies that provide software development services to companies around the world. These companies develop all kinds of software solutions for the Australian market and beyond. 

Software Developers in Australia: Education and Talent Pool

The best thing about studying programming in Australia is that all certificates and qualifications acquired here are recognized around the world. And graduating from Australia's universities easily puts one on the radar of the top software development companies in Australia. 

For those looking up certificate programs in software in Australia or looking to hire top talent once they graduate, here are some universities to explore:

• University of Melbourne
• Monash University
• University of Sydney
• Swinburne University of Technology
• University of Technology Sydney
• University of Wollongong
• Australian National University
• Deakin University
• Griffith University
• University of Queensland
• University of New South Wales
• Queensland University of Technology

For those looking to upgrade their coding skills for a career promotion, attending a coding bootcamp is the natural next step. These bootcamps require some basic knowledge of programming, but they don't take as long as a certificate course.

Here are some top providers to check out for coding bootcamps in Australia:

• Flatiron School
• Noble Desktop
• Fullstack Academy
• Le Wagon
• University of Sydney Centre for Continuing Education

Software Developers in Australia: Skills, Availability, and Demand

The tech industry in Australia is one of the top employing sectors in the country, which means the demand for tech workers is quite high. The most common tech-sector jobs in Australia are in the fields of software engineering and data science. 

The tech sector reportedly employs 861,000 people in tech-related positions, and it is undoubtedly a highly skilled workforce. Yet, it may not be enough for 2024. A report from Deloitte suggests that Australia will need an additional 445,000 tech workers by 2030 to keep up with global IT growth.

To address the growing demands, the Tech Council of Australia (TCA) has set a goal of employing 1 million tech workers in the industry by 2025.

The TCA also aims to address skill shortages in the tech sector, find ways to employ more workers, and help beginners upskill. 

Some of the primary skill shortages in Australia's tech sector are in the following fields:

• Cybersecurity
• Cloud computing
• AI and machine learning
• Data management and analysis

Software Developers in Australia: Salaries and Compensation

The average salary for software developers in Australia is around 95,000 to 115,000 AUD. 

Here is a list of salaries for common software roles in Australia:

• Web developers get an average pay of around 50,000 to 88,000 AUD
• Front-end developers: 58,000 to 121,000 AUD
• Back-end developers: 105,000 to 125,000 AUD
• Full-stack developers: 58,000 to 121,000 AUD
• Mobile app developers: 115,000 to 135,000 AUD

Higher salary ranges are offered to workers with more experience and advanced certifications.

Location is also a determining factor in salary negotiations. Software developer jobs in the biggest cities like Sydney and Melbourne pay better than those in remote locations.

Large tech giants and top software development companies in Australia are also known to offer the highest salaries for any role in software development. However, startups in Australia tend to offer benefits like flexible working conditions and equity.

Overall, the salaries offered to software developers in Australia are comparatively lower than those for the same roles in the UK or USA. However, salaries do not tell the complete story. One must also consider the cost of living to understand which country offers a better opportunity for software developers.

Cost of Living in Australia

Living in Australia can be quite expensive. The country's cost of living is higher than 88% of countries around the world. And the high cost of living is widespread in cities of all sizes: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Newcastle, Wollongong, Townsville, and Darwin.

On average, a single person needs around $2,920 for all monthly expenses in Australia. Whereas a family of 4 will need approximately $5,280 to pay for their monthly living expenses, including rent, food, utilities, personal care, clothes, transportation, and entertainment.

With such a high cost of living, it is no wonder that the salary expectations are equally high, especially for in-demand software jobs. All this ultimately leads to higher labor costs and, in turn, more expensive projects.

However, Australia's cost of living is still significantly lower compared to the U.S. and the UK, making the lower salaries a good deal nonetheless. Moreover, the growth in IT investments in Australia is likely to increase wages too.

Why Does Australia Make a Good Choice for Software Development?

A robust software industry, high quality of life, competitive pay, and skilled talent pool are only some of the very good reasons why Australia is a fantastic option for those who want to pursue a career or business opportunity in software development.

Here are other reasons that make Australia an excellent destination for stakeholders in IT:

High-Quality Software Solutions

Australia's software development companies follow strict quality assurance processes, which makes their software solutions some of the most reliable in the world. They offer highly specialized and sophisticated solutions, too.

Common Language

Australians are primarily English speakers. This makes it much easier for companies all over the world to communicate and collaborate with their teams in Australia.

Cultural Diversity

Another factor that makes collaboration a breeze is the diversity of the population in Australia. There is a vibrant working environment where the brightest ideas and different mindsets can thrive.

Opportunities for Growth

The shortage of tech workers in Australia creates a lucrative opportunity for job seekers. In addition, a majority of the best software development companies in Australia support employee upskilling and growth through various programs. 

All these reasons make Australia one of the best locations for businesses or software professionals looking to grow.

Conclusions

Increasing digitization is driving the demand for skilled software developers all around the world. And because Australia is one of the most urbanized nations, the need and demand for advanced software solutions are quite high in the country.

In addition, the high investments in software industries make Australia one of the best locations for IT workers and investors alike. So, the top software development companies in Australia have already set up plans to make the most use of these promising opportunities.

Whether it's a career in tech industries or a business you want to partner with, all stakeholders in Australia's software industry can expect to see massive developments in the years to come!