What is the minimum wage for a software engineer in Australia?

It depends on whether you are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020. If you perform professional engineering duties, the award sets a minimum of $33.71 per hour for a Level 1 graduate (3-year degree). If you are award-free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies. Both rates have 12% superannuation on top.

Does the Professional Employees Award apply to all software engineers?

No. The award covers employees performing professional engineering or scientific duties. Software engineers whose role involves design, development, and testing of software systems are likely covered, but if your role is more managerial or your employer is covered by a different award or enterprise agreement, different rates may apply. Always check your classification with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How does casual loading affect a software engineer's pay?

Casual software engineers receive a 25% loading on top of the applicable minimum rate. For award-covered casuals, that means at least $42.14 per hour (Level 1 graduate). For award-free casuals, the casual national minimum is $33.05 per hour. The loading compensates for lack of paid leave and other entitlements.

Software engineer salary guide: minimum rates and award coverage in Australia

The legal minimum for a software engineer covered by the Professional Employees Award is $33.71 per hour (Level 1 graduate), with super on top; award-free workers receive at least the national minimum of $26.44 per hour.

Understanding the software engineer salary landscape

When researching a software engineer salary in Australia, it helps to separate the legal minimum from survey averages, award rates, and negotiated pay. The legal floor depends on whether you are covered by a modern award or are award-free. Most software engineers are likely covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020, which sets minimum rates for professional engineering and scientific duties. For those not covered, the national minimum wage applies.

The legal minimum: award rates and the national minimum

The Professional Employees Award 2020 (MA000065) includes classification levels for graduate and experienced professionals. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum annual wage for a Level 1 graduate with a three-year degree is $66,825, which works out to $33.71 per hour. For a four- or five-year degree, the rate is $68,538 ($34.57 per hour). More experienced levels go higher: Level 2 experienced professional at $78,836 ($39.77 per hour), Level 3 at $86,157 ($43.46 per hour), and Level 4 at $97,173 ($49.02 per hour). These rates are the minimum for full-time employees; part-time and casual workers receive proportional pay plus applicable loadings.

If you are not covered by any award, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week) applies. This is the backstop for all national-system employees. However, an enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum, and the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it.

Survey averages and what they mean

Jobs and Skills Australia publishes occupation profiles, but median weekly earnings for the specific six-digit occupation of Software Engineers (ANZSCO 261313) are not produced due to sample size. The broader four-digit group (Software and Applications Programmers) may have data, but it is not shown in the available search results. For context, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all occupations averaged $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. This figure includes all industries and is not specific to software engineers. Use it as a rough benchmark only; actual software engineer salaries vary widely by experience, location, and employer.

Negotiated salaries and enterprise agreements

Many software engineers earn well above the award minimum. Enterprise agreements registered with the Fair Work Commission can set higher rates, and individual contracts often reflect market demand. The award is a floor, not a ceiling. When comparing job offers, remember that the advertised salary may be inclusive of super or exclusive. Always clarify.

Superannuation: the 12% on top

All minimum rates and most salary figures discussed here are before superannuation. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid by the employer on top of the base salary. For a software engineer on the award minimum of $66,825, the employer must contribute an additional $8,019 per year to super. This is not deducted from your pay.

Casual loading and age percentages

Casual software engineers receive a 25% loading. For award-covered casuals at Level 1 graduate, that means $42.14 per hour. Award-free casuals get the casual national minimum of $33.05 per hour. For junior employees (under 21) who are award-free, age-based percentages of the national minimum apply. For example, a 17-year-old award-free junior receives 57.8% of $26.44, or $15.29 per hour. However, if covered by the Professional Employees Award, junior rates may be different; check the award.

For more detail on which pay floor applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also browse Rate tables for current award and national minimum figures. Remember, this information is a guide only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a workplace relations professional for your specific situation.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.