Software and application programmers write the code that makes our technology systems work. The field is expanding and, with the growth of artificial intelligence, Victoria needs new and upskilled workers.
Find out what a software and application programmer does and the related Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and pathways you can take to secure a job.
What is a software and application programmer?
Software and application programmers, design, develop, test and maintain computer code. As a programmer, you will also:
- research and find creative ways to solve problems
- fix bugs by diagnosing and correcting errors in code
- ensure quality and security.
Find out more about software and application programmers(opens in a new window) and these related jobs on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):
- computer network and systems engineer(opens in a new window)
- electrical engineering technician(opens in a new window)
- ICT customer support officer(opens in a new window)
- ICT support technician(opens in a new window)
- ICT security specialist(opens in a new window)
- multimedia designer(opens in a new window)
- multimedia specialist(opens in a new window)
- software and applications programmer(opens in a new window)
- software engineer(opens in a new window)
- systems administrator(opens in a new window)
- web administrator(opens in a new window).
Related training courses
Search for related VET courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):
- computer systems(opens in a new window)
- cyber security(opens in a new window)
- graphic design(opens in a new window)
- integrated technologies(opens in a new window)
- information technology(opens in a new window)
- software and application programmer courses(opens in a new window).
You may be eligible for government funding to help pay for your course.
Median salary
The median weekly earnings for software and applications programmers in Australia is $2,496.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia(opens in a new window)
Note this salary is current as of July 2024 and is indicative only. A range of salaries apply to different roles across the industry.
Job demand in Victoria
Below are the employment forecasts for software and application programmer jobs in Victoria. Figures show the number of workers in 2023 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2026.
‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 years. These forecasts are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.
| Region | Workers 2023 | Workforce growth 2023-2026 | New workers needed by 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 56,838 | 2.9% | 6,448 |
| Melbourne – inner metropolitan | 29,798 | 2.9% | 3,398 |
| Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan | 4,574 | 2.9% | 526 |
| Melbourne – southern metropolitan | 4,025 | 2.7% | 434 |
| Melbourne – northern metropolitan | 3,574 | 3.0% | 422 |
| Melbourne – eastern metropolitan | 6,207 | 3.0% | 731 |
| Melbourne – western metropolitan | 3,507 | 2.8% | 388 |
| Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) | 819 | 2.9% | 93 |
| Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) | 804 | 2.6% | 83 |
| Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) | 1,349 | 3.0% | 160 |
| Gippsland | 779 | 2.5% | 78 |
| Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) | 130 | 1.7% | 10 |
| Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) | 259 | 2.2% | 23 |
| Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) | 370 | 2.7% | 40 |
| Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) | 351 | 2.6% | 36 |
| Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) | 293 | 2.3% | 27 |
Source: Victorian Skills Authority employment forecast dashboard
Career story
Gabriel taps into a future-proof IT career
“Almost every industry needs IT experts, whether they’re in health, education, business or something else. If you study any kind of IT course, you open doors to lots of different jobs.”
Resources to plan your next steps
Visit our digital services, finance and IT industry profile to find out about:
- what it’s like to work in digital services, finance and IT, and some of the jobs you could do
- training and skills to work in the industry, and financial assistance to help pay for your course
- help getting a job in digital services, finance and IT, and industry job forecasts for Victoria
- other free resources and advice to plan your training and career.
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