Navigating Melbourne's Tech Scene as a Software Engineer

Insights and experiences from working as a software engineer in Melbourne, Australia. What makes the tech scene here unique.

• 4 min read
Career Melbourne Tech Industry Australia

Moving to Melbourne

In 2024, I moved to Melbourne to pursue opportunities in Australia’s growing tech sector. Coming from Nepal, the transition was both exciting and challenging. Here’s what I’ve learned about Melbourne’s tech landscape.

The Tech Ecosystem

Melbourne has a vibrant and diverse tech scene:

Startup Culture

The city has a thriving startup ecosystem, particularly in fintech, healthtech, and climate tech. I’ve been fortunate to work with companies like Sensand (carbon trading platform) and Outback Yak (digital consultancy) that are building innovative solutions.

Major Tech Hubs

Key areas for tech companies:

  • CBD - Corporate tech, fintech, established startups
  • Richmond/Collingwood - Startups, creative tech, agencies
  • Southbank - Enterprise software, consulting firms
  • St Kilda Road - Mix of startups and established companies

Remote-First Mindset

Post-COVID, many Melbourne tech companies have embraced remote or hybrid work. This flexibility has made the tech scene more accessible and diverse.

The Developer Community

Meetups and Events

Melbourne has an active developer community:

  • React Melbourne - Monthly React meetups
  • Melbourne Ruby - Established Ruby community
  • JavaScript Melbourne - JS/TS focused events
  • DevOps Melbourne - Infrastructure and automation

These meetups are great for networking and learning about new technologies.

Coffee Culture Meets Code

Unique to Melbourne: the combination of world-class coffee culture and tech. Many informal tech discussions happen in the city’s countless specialty coffee shops. It’s not uncommon to see developers doing code reviews over flat whites.

Based on my observations and job hunting experience, here’s what’s in demand:

Frontend:

  • React and Next.js dominate
  • TypeScript is essentially mandatory
  • Tailwind CSS gaining popularity
  • Growing interest in Astro and modern meta-frameworks

Backend:

  • Node.js and Python are popular choices
  • .NET still strong in enterprise
  • Growing adoption of Go for microservices
  • PostgreSQL remains the database of choice

DevOps:

  • AWS is the dominant cloud provider
  • Docker and Kubernetes are standard
  • GitHub Actions for CI/CD
  • Terraform for infrastructure as code

Salary Expectations

For junior to mid-level developers (2-5 years experience):

  • Junior: $70k - $90k AUD
  • Mid-level: $90k - $130k AUD
  • Senior: $130k - $180k AUD
  • Lead/Principal: $180k+ AUD

Startups might offer lower base salaries but equity, while established companies offer more stability.

Work Culture

Compared to Other Countries

Having worked in both Nepal and Australia, some observations:

  • Work-life balance is genuinely respected
  • Flat hierarchies - less formal than Asian corporate culture
  • Direct communication - feedback is more explicit
  • Flexible hours - results matter more than face time

Visa Considerations

For international developers:

  • 482 TSS Visa - Temporary skill shortage (2-4 years)
  • 189/190 Skilled Visa - Permanent residence pathway
  • 485 Graduate Visa - For Australian graduates

Software engineering is on the skilled occupation list, making pathways clearer.

Challenges

Cost of Living

Melbourne is expensive:

  • Rent: $300-500/week for a room in shared apartment
  • Transport: ~$180/month for public transport
  • Food: $15-20 for lunch in CBD

Budget accordingly, especially when relocating.

Competition

The market is competitive, especially for mid-level roles. Many experienced developers from around the world are attracted to Australia’s quality of life.

Interview Process

Expect:

  1. Initial HR screening
  2. Technical assessment (take-home or live coding)
  3. Technical interview with engineers
  4. Culture fit interview
  5. Sometimes a final round with management

The process can take 2-4 weeks.

Advice for Newcomers

  1. Build Your Network Early - Attend meetups, connect on LinkedIn, be active in tech communities

  2. Contribute to Open Source - Demonstrates your skills and commitment

  3. Tailor Your Resume - Australian employers value clear, concise resumes (2 pages max)

  4. Be Patient with Visa Processes - Immigration takes time, start early

  5. Embrace the Culture - Australians value directness and informality

The Future

Melbourne’s tech scene is growing. With increasing investment in AI, climate tech, and fintech, there are exciting opportunities ahead. The city offers a great balance of:

  • Competitive tech opportunities
  • High quality of life
  • Diverse, welcoming community
  • Access to Asia-Pacific markets

Closing Thoughts

Moving to Melbourne has been one of the best career decisions I’ve made. The tech scene is mature enough to offer stability, yet dynamic enough to stay exciting. If you’re considering making the move, I’d encourage you to take the leap.

Feel free to reach out if you have questions about working in Melbourne’s tech scene. I’m always happy to help fellow developers navigate this journey.

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