Software engineer salary in Australia: how to compare job offers

Compare the whole package, not the base

• Base pay, bonus, and any equity or stock — and when each is actually paid.
• What you take home after tax and mandatory deductions.
• Benefits: health cover, retirement contributions, leave, and equipment.
• Work arrangement: office, hybrid or remote, and what the commute costs you.
• Growth: who you will learn from, and what the next role looks like.
• Stability: how long the company has been going and how its last year went.

What is specific to Australia

• Check whether the salary is quoted including superannuation. A package that includes it pays less than one that adds it on top.
• Compare the take-home amount after tax, and any bonus, leave and flexible work arrangement.
• Compare cities on rent and commute: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth differ a lot.
• If you are moving to Australia, ask whether the employer sponsors your visa.

Where to find the salary numbers

Use a salary-reporting site or ask people in the same role and city for current ranges, because the right number depends on the company, the city and your experience. Then put the offers into the same table.

Score the offers

Put each offer in a weighted decision matrix: list the factors above, give each a weight for how much it matters to you, score each offer, and see how close they are. If one offer fails a deal-breaker, remove it before scoring — see how to eliminate options one at a time. To research the employers themselves — reputation, reviews, benefits — name them in compare⁄io and it compares them with sources.