Web developer: salary vs cost of living
Job Outlook publishes a full-time weekly-earnings figure of $1800 for Software and Applications Programmers. After estimated PAYG income tax, the 2% Medicare levy and any HECS-HELP compulsory repayment, take-home pay is approximately $1,311.15 per week.
From gross to take-home
| Component | Annual AUD | Weekly AUD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | $93,600 | $1800 |
| Income tax (2024-25 resident scale) | -$18,868 | -$363 |
| Medicare levy (2%) | -$1,872 | -$36 |
| HECS-HELP compulsory repayment | -$4,680 | -$90 |
| Take-home pay | $68,179.8 | $1,311.15 |
| Without HECS | $72,859.8 | $1,401.15 |
Sanity check: income tax 18868 AUD plus Medicare and HECS-HELP repayment of $4680 AUD.
Rent as a share of take-home pay
The 30% threshold is the conventional definition of rental stress. Anything below is considered comfortable; anything above squeezes everything else.
| City | Unit rent (/wk) | % of take-home | House rent (/wk) | % of take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | $460 | 35% | $580 | 44% |
| Brisbane | $580 | 44% | $650 | 50% |
| Canberra | $580 | 44% | $700 | 53% |
| Darwin | $600 | 46% | $700 | 53% |
| Geelong | $460 | 35% | $520 | 40% |
| Gold Coast | $620 | 47% | $800 | 61% |
| Hobart | $480 | 37% | $560 | 43% |
| Melbourne | $580 | 44% | $600 | 46% |
| Newcastle | $560 | 43% | $640 | 49% |
| Perth | $600 | 46% | $670 | 51% |
| Sydney | $720 | 55% | $780 | 59% |
Weekly earnings figure is sourced from Job Outlook (jobsandskills.gov.au). Tax and Medicare estimates use the 2024-25 ATO resident scale; HECS-HELP repayment uses the 2024-25 ATO Schedule. ExamExplained does not provide financial advice. For tailored advice, see a licensed financial adviser or registered tax agent.