Complete guide

How to find software developers in Melbourne, Australia

Share:

Melbourne, Australia is the second most populous city in Australia and the capital of the state of Victoria. It is known for its vibrant culture, world-class dining, unique architecture, and stunning outdoor spaces. Melbourne is home to a variety of attractions and activities, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Zoo, Eureka Tower, and more. With its mild climate, diverse population, and stunning natural beauty, Melbourne is a great destination for tourists and locals alike. Melbourne, Australia is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Melbourne, Australia are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Melbourne, Australia you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Melbourne, Australia, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Melbourne, Australia is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Melbourne, Australia

The statistics on tech talent in Melbourne, Australia are quite impressive. According to a 2019 report from InfoTech, Melbourne is home to over 250,000 tech professionals, making it the second-largest tech hub in Australia. Melbourne also ranks as the fourth fastest-growing tech ecosystem in the world, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. This growth has been spurred by the city's pro-business climate, which has attracted tech companies like Apple, IBM, and Microsoft. Additionally, Melbourne is home to a large number of universities, producing a steady stream of highly-skilled graduates. These graduates are also benefiting from government incentives, such as the Victorian Government's Digital Innovation Program, which provides grants and loans to tech startups. Overall, the future of tech talent in Melbourne is looking very bright.

The tech ecosystem in Melbourne, Australia

The tech ecosystem in Melbourne, Australia is vibrant and rapidly growing. It is home to a large and diverse range of tech companies, from startups and incubators to multinationals and research institutes. The Victorian Government has invested heavily in the tech industry, providing financial support and resources to help startups and tech companies grow and expand. The city also boasts a strong talent pool of experienced engineers, data scientists, and software developers, as well as a growing number of venture capital investors. Melbourne is the perfect place for entrepreneurs and tech professionals to start and grow their businesses, as it is home to a vibrant tech culture with a supportive community.

Best tech meetups in Melbourne, Australia

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Melbourne Cloud Computing and Big Data Meetup
2. Melbourne Android & iOS Meetup
3. Melbourne Node.js Meetup
4. Melbourne Artificial Intelligence Meetup
5. Melbourne DevOps Meetup
6. Melbourne Internet of Things Meetup
7. Melbourne Blockchain Meetup
8. Melbourne Software Craftsmanship Meetup
9. Melbourne Cyber Security Meetup
10. Melbourne Data Science & Machine Learning Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Melbourne, Australia

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Online Job Platforms: Utilizing online job platforms such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and Seek is one of the best ways to source software development talent in Melbourne.

2. Professional Networking Platforms: Professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn and Stack Overflow are excellent resources for finding software developers.

3. Local Meetups and User Groups: Attending local meetups and user groups related to software development can be a great way to meet developers and source talent.

4. University and College Recruiting: Many universities and colleges in Melbourne offer recruiting services for employers looking to hire software developers.

5. Hiring Agencies: Hiring agencies such as Robert Half, Hays, and Hudson offer specialized recruitment services for the software development industry in Melbourne.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Melbourne, Australia is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Melbourne, Australia

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Seek
3. Glassdoor
4. Indeed
5. Jora
6. Adzuna
7. EthicalJobs
8. Workible
9. Airtasker
10. Gumtree

Best remote job boards to find developers in Melbourne, Australia

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. We Work Remotely
2. Upwork
3. Freelancer
4. FlexJobs
5. AngelList
6. LinkedIn
7. Indeed
8. Remote.co
9. Stack Overflow
10. Remote OK

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Melbourne, Australia

The average salary for a junior developer in Melbourne, Australia is $74,000 AUD per annum. This is equivalent to $44.69 AUD per hour. This salary is usually based on experience, location and skill level. Salaries can range from $50,000 AUD to $90,000 AUD per annum, depending on the individual's experience and qualifications.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Melbourne, Australia

According to PayScale, the average salary for a senior developer in Melbourne, Australia is $97,691 per year. This average may vary depending on experience, the size of the employer, and the industry. The salary range for senior developers in Melbourne is typically between $81,679 and $115,742.Salaries for senior developers are typically broken down into base pay, bonuses, and other forms of compensation. On average, senior developers in Melbourne earn an annual base salary of $83,390. Bonuses can range from $4,000 to $14,301 per year. Other forms of compensation, such as stock options and profit sharing, are also available to senior developers and can add up to several thousand dollars each year.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Melbourne, Australia. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Melbourne, Australia. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Melbourne, Australia.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party provider that can help companies in Melbourne, Australia hire and manage their employees. An EOR provides the employer with the necessary legal, financial and administrative services to manage their employees.

Here’s how to use an EOR in Melbourne, Australia:

1. Identify your needs: First, you need to identify what type of services you need from your EOR. This could include hiring, onboarding, payroll, benefits, and other HR services.

2. Find an EOR: Once you’ve identified your needs, you can begin researching EORs in Melbourne. Look for an experienced provider with a proven track record.

3. Negotiate terms: Contact the EOR and negotiate terms such as fees, services, and contract length.

4. Sign the agreement: Once you’ve agreed to the terms, sign the agreement and begin working with your EOR.

5. Monitor performance: Finally, monitor the performance of your EOR to ensure they are meeting their obligations.

By using an EOR, employers in Melbourne can simplify their HR processes and ensure compliance with local labor laws.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

More content like this

Sign up and receive the best new tech recruiting content weekly.
Thank you! Fresh tech recruiting content coming your way 🧠
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Latest Articles