Melbourne has established itself as Australia’s premier tech hub, attracting thousands of skilled professionals annually with its thriving startup ecosystem, major tech employers, and quality of life consistently ranked among the world’s best. For software engineers, data scientists, and tech professionals earning $150,000 AUD, this comprehensive guide breaks down take-home pay, housing costs, lifestyle expenses, and what to expect when relocating to Melbourne in 2026.
$150K AUD Salary: Take-Home Pay Breakdown
Understanding your actual take-home pay is essential for financial planning. On a $150,000 AUD annual salary, here’s what you can expect after tax, superannuation, and Medicare levy deductions.
Annual Tax Calculation (2025-26 Tax Year)
| Gross Annual Salary | $150,000 |
| Income Tax | −$40,517 |
| Medicare Levy (2%) | −$3,000 |
| Net Annual Income | $106,483 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $8,874 |
| Employer Super (11.5%) | +$17,250 (to super fund) |
Note: Your effective tax rate is approximately 29%. Superannuation contributions are in addition to your salary and grow tax-advantaged until retirement.
How This Compares
- Melbourne median income: $65,000 AUD—you’ll earn 2.3× the median
- Top 15% of earners: $150K places you comfortably in Australia’s high-income bracket
- Savings potential: $3,000–$4,000/month after comfortable lifestyle expenses
Melbourne Housing Costs 2026
Housing represents your largest monthly expense. Melbourne’s rental market offers diverse options depending on your priorities: proximity to work, space, character, or value.
CBD & Inner City (0–2 km)
Areas: Melbourne CBD, Southbank, Docklands
- 1-bedroom apartment: $2,400–$3,000/month
- 2-bedroom apartment: $3,000–$3,800/month
- Best for: Walkability to major tech employers, urban lifestyle, no car needed
Inner Suburbs (2–5 km)
Areas: Fitzroy, Collingwood, Richmond, Cremorne, South Yarra, Carlton
- 1-bedroom apartment: $2,200–$2,800/month
- 2-bedroom apartment: $2,800–$3,600/month
- Best for: Tech professionals—Cremorne/Richmond is Melbourne’s ‘tech precinct’ with startups and scale-ups
Middle-Ring Suburbs (5–10 km)
Areas: St Kilda, Prahran, Brunswick, Northcote, Hawthorn
- 1-bedroom apartment: $1,800–$2,400/month
- 2-bedroom apartment: $2,400–$3,200/month
- Small house: $3,400–$4,200/month
- Best for: Balance of space, lifestyle, and commute; beach access (St Kilda)
Outer Suburbs (15+ km)
Areas: Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Doncaster, Footscray
- 2-bedroom apartment: $1,600–$2,200/month
- 3-bedroom house: $2,800–$3,800/month
- Best for: Families, those wanting more space; car recommended
Additional Housing Costs
- Bond (security deposit): 4 weeks’ rent upfront
- Utilities (electricity, gas, water): $200–$350/month
- Internet (NBN): $70–$100/month for high-speed plans
Transportation Costs in Melbourne
Melbourne’s public transport system is comprehensive within inner and middle suburbs, though the city is more car-dependent than Sydney or European cities.
Public Transport
- Monthly Myki Pass (all zones): $170/month for unlimited trains, trams, and buses
- Daily cap: $10.60/day (Zone 1+2)
- Free Tram Zone: CBD and Docklands trams are free
Car Ownership (If Needed)
- Insurance: $150–$280/month (comprehensive)
- Fuel: $200–$350/month depending on commute
- Registration: $900/year (~$75/month)
- Parking (if not included): $150–$350/month
- Total car costs: $500–$1,000/month
Cycling
Melbourne is expanding its bike lane network, and cycling is increasingly popular among tech workers. E-bikes ($2,000–$4,000 purchase) offer a practical middle ground. Many inner-suburb tech workers commute entirely by bike.
Melbourne Cost of Living 2026
Food & Groceries
- Monthly groceries: $450–$650 (Woolworths, Coles); 20–30% less at Aldi
- Coffee (flat white): $5.00–$6.00
- Brunch/breakfast out: $22–$32
- Casual dinner: $35–$55 per person
- Fine dining: $120–$250 per person
- Monthly dining budget (moderate): $500–$900
Healthcare
- Medicare: Free public healthcare for permanent residents (included in 2% levy)
- Private health insurance: $100–$180/month (basic hospital); $180–$350/month (comprehensive)
- GP visit: Often bulk-billed (free) or $75–$100
- Medicare Levy Surcharge: At $150K income, you’ll pay 1% extra ($1,500/year) if you don’t have private hospital cover
Entertainment & Lifestyle
- Gym membership: $70–$140/month
- Cinema ticket: $22–$28
- AFL match ticket: $30–$90
- Streaming services: $50–$80/month (Netflix, Stan, Disney+, Spotify)
- Monthly entertainment budget: $400–$900
Sample Monthly Budget: $150K Tech Professional
Here’s a realistic monthly breakdown for a single tech professional living in Melbourne’s inner suburbs.
| Monthly Take-Home Pay | $8,874 |
| Rent (1BR, Inner Suburb) | −$2,600 |
| Utilities & Internet | −$280 |
| Public Transport | −$170 |
| Groceries | −$550 |
| Dining & Cafes | −$650 |
| Entertainment & Social | −$450 |
| Gym & Fitness | −$100 |
| Phone Plan | −$60 |
| Private Health Insurance | −$150 |
| Personal & Miscellaneous | −$250 |
| Total Expenses | −$5,260 |
| Monthly Savings | $3,614 |
| Annual Savings Potential | $43,368 |
Savings rate: 41% of take-home pay. Couples sharing accommodation can save 50%+ by splitting rent and utilities.
Melbourne Tech Industry Overview
Melbourne hosts Australia’s largest concentration of tech companies, from established unicorns to emerging startups. The city’s tech precinct centers on Cremorne and Richmond, with significant activity in the CBD and Southbank.
Major Tech Employers
- REA Group: Property tech giant (realestate.com.au)
- SEEK: Employment marketplace, major engineering hub
- Atlassian: Software development tools (Jira, Confluence)
- Canva: Design platform, rapidly expanding Melbourne office
- Culture Amp: Employee experience platform
- Buildkite: CI/CD platform for developers
- Global offices: Google, Amazon, Slack, Zendesk, Square, Stripe
Tech Salary Ranges (Melbourne 2026)
| Role | Annual Salary (AUD) |
| Junior Software Engineer | $75,000 – $95,000 |
| Mid-Level Software Engineer | $100,000 – $140,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $140,000 – $180,000 |
| Staff/Principal Engineer | $180,000 – $250,000 |
| Engineering Manager | $170,000 – $220,000 |
| Data Scientist | $110,000 – $160,000 |
| DevOps/Platform Engineer | $130,000 – $175,000 |
| Product Manager | $130,000 – $180,000 |
Note: Melbourne salaries typically run 10–15% below Sydney but are offset by lower housing costs and lifestyle factors.
Australia Work Visa Options for Tech Professionals
Tech roles consistently appear on Australia’s skilled occupation lists, making visa pathways relatively straightforward for qualified professionals.
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)
- Sponsor: Employer-sponsored; company must be approved sponsor
- Duration: 2–4 years depending on occupation stream
- PR pathway: Eligible for Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) after 2–3 years
- Processing time: 3–6 months
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
- Sponsor: No employer required—points-based system
- Status: Direct permanent residency
- Requirements: Skills assessment, English proficiency, points threshold (currently 65+)
- Processing time: 6–12 months
State Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- Sponsor: Victoria state government nomination
- Status: Permanent residency
- Benefit: 5 additional points for PR application
- Requirement: Commitment to live and work in Victoria
Visa Costs
- TSS 482 visa: $1,455–$3,035 (often employer-paid)
- Skilled 189/190 visa: $4,640 (primary applicant)
- Skills assessment: $500–$1,200
- Health examination: $400–$600
Best Suburbs for Tech Workers
Location choice significantly impacts commute, lifestyle, and community. Here are the top suburbs for Melbourne tech professionals.
Cremorne / Richmond
Melbourne’s ‘tech precinct’ with the highest concentration of startups and scale-ups. Walking distance to REA Group, SEEK, and numerous tech companies. Excellent cafes, bars, and restaurants. Premium pricing but unbeatable for tech networking.
Fitzroy / Collingwood
Creative, vibrant inner suburbs with character housing. Strong cafe culture and nightlife. Easy tram access to CBD and Cremorne tech hub. Popular with designers, developers, and startup founders.
South Yarra / Prahran
Upmarket suburbs with excellent amenities. Close to Chapel Street shopping and dining. Good train connections to CBD. Attracts senior tech professionals and executives.
Brunswick / Northcote
Northern suburbs with strong community feel. More affordable than inner-east alternatives. Excellent live music and food scene. Popular with creative tech workers.
St Kilda
Beachside lifestyle with strong community. Slightly longer commute to tech precinct but excellent for work-life balance. Attracts tech professionals who prioritize outdoor lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $150K a good salary in Melbourne?
Yes. $150K places you in the top 15% of Australian earners. You’ll afford comfortable inner-suburb housing, regular dining out, and save $3,000–$4,000+ monthly. It’s a strong salary that supports an excellent quality of life.
How does Melbourne compare to Sydney for tech?
Sydney salaries are 10–15% higher, but Melbourne’s lower housing costs largely offset this. Melbourne has a stronger startup ecosystem and is considered more ‘liveable.’ Sydney has more financial services tech; Melbourne has more pure-play tech companies.
Do I need a car in Melbourne?
In inner and middle suburbs, no. Public transport and cycling are sufficient for most tech workers. If you live in outer suburbs or want weekend flexibility for road trips, a car becomes practical. Budget $500–$1,000/month for full car ownership costs.
How long to get permanent residency?
On a TSS 482 visa, you’re eligible for employer-sponsored permanent residency (Subclass 186) after 2–3 years. Direct skilled visas (189/190) grant immediate PR. Tech occupations have straightforward pathways due to skills shortage classifications.
What’s the weather like?
Melbourne’s weather is famously variable—’four seasons in one day.’ Summers (Dec–Feb) average 25–30°C with occasional 40°C+ heatwaves. Winters (Jun–Aug) are cool and wet, 7–14°C. Always carry layers. The changeability becomes part of Melbourne’s charm.
Is Melbourne Right for You?
On a $150K AUD salary, Melbourne offers an exceptional quality of life for tech professionals: comfortable housing in desirable neighborhoods, world-class coffee and dining, strong career prospects, and the ability to save meaningfully while living well. The city rewards those who embrace its culture of work-life balance, coffee obsession, and unpredictable weather.
Your Relocation Checklist
- Secure job offer and confirm visa sponsorship pathway
- Research suburbs based on office location and lifestyle priorities
- Budget for first month: 4 weeks rent bond + first month rent + setup costs
- Arrange private health insurance before arrival (avoids Medicare Levy Surcharge)
- Open Australian bank account (some allow pre-arrival setup)
- Connect with Melbourne tech community via LinkedIn and Meetup
- Plan arrival during March–May or Sept–Nov for best weather
Melbourne rewards curiosity and openness. Arrive ready to embrace its culture, and the city will reward you generously.
