So you want to work as a software engineer from your home in Australia – maybe from your Sydney apartment, a Brisbane queenslander, or even a beach house in Byron Bay. Smart move. The remote work revolution has permanently changed how Australian tech companies hire, and there are more opportunities right now than ever before.
But here’s what you need to know: finding quality remote software engineering jobs in Australia isn’t just about browsing SEEK and hoping for the best. The market has its own dynamics, certain companies are genuinely remote-friendly while others are just paying lip service, and there are specific strategies that actually work for landing these roles.
I’m going to walk you through everything – where the jobs actually are, what they pay, which companies are hiring remotely, how to position yourself as a remote candidate, and the insider strategies that separate successful applicants from the hundreds who get ignored.
The State of Remote Software Engineering in Australia (2025)
Let’s start with the current landscape because understanding the market helps you navigate it better.
LinkedIn shows 559 remote software engineer jobs currently available in Australia, while Indeed lists approximately 400 remote software engineer positions. Glassdoor reports 235 remote developer jobs in Australia, and Jobgether shows 523 remote software engineer positions with average salaries ranging from $96K to $185K across all experience levels.
That’s hundreds of legitimate opportunities right now. But here’s the nuance: not all “remote” positions are truly remote.
The Three Types of “Remote” You’ll Encounter:
- Remote-Friendly: The company has an office, but you can work from home most days. Expect occasional in-person requirements.
- Remote-First: The company is designed around remote work from the beginning. No office presence required, though they might have co-working stipends.
- Fully Remote/Asynchronous: Work whenever and wherever suits you, as long as you deliver results.
Where to Actually Find Remote Software Engineering Jobs
Major Australian Job Boards:
- SEEK – Use filters for “Remote” work arrangement
- Indeed Australia – 400+ remote software engineer jobs
- LinkedIn Jobs – 559+ remote developer positions
Specialized Remote Job Boards:
- Arc.dev – Connects developers with remote jobs in Australia
- Himalayas.app – Curated remote software engineer jobs
- Jobgether – Specializes in matching engineers with remote opportunities
- WeWorkRemotely, Remote.co, RemoteOK – International boards
Your Search Strategy: Set up daily alerts for: “remote software engineer,” “work from home developer,” “remote developer Australia,” “remote full stack engineer”
The Types of Remote Software Engineering Roles Available
Frontend Engineer – React, Vue, Angular positions, some part-time (15-20 hours/week)
Backend Engineer – Companies like Megaport hiring with Python, Java, C#, Node.js, cloud platforms
Full Stack Developer – Growing FinTech companies offering contract opportunities
AI/Machine Learning Engineer – Part-time, fully remote roles working with AI tools
DevOps/Platform Engineer – CI/CD, Kubernetes, cloud architecture roles
Mobile Developer – React Native, Flutter, Swift, Kotlin positions
Salary Expectations: What Remote Roles Actually Pay
- Junior (0-2 years): $60,000 – $85,000
- Mid-Level (2-5 years): $85,000 – $130,000
- Senior (5-10 years): $130,000 – $180,000
- Lead/Principal (10+ years): $180,000 – $250,000+
- Contract rates: $100-$110/hour ($200,000+ annually equivalent)
Cost of Living Advantage: Earn Sydney salaries while living in more affordable regional areas!
Companies Actually Hiring Remote Engineers
Australian Tech Companies:
- Atlassian – Remote-friendly with flexible policies
- Canva – Increasingly remote-flexible
- Employment Hero – Remote-first culture
- Megaport – Brisbane-based with remote options
- UpGuard – Fully remote working environments
Plus numerous startups, scale-ups, and international companies with Australian teams.
How to Position Yourself as a Remote Candidate
Emphasize:
- Previous remote work experience
- Self-management and discipline
- Strong written/async communication skills
- Professional home office setup
- Time zone flexibility
Your Resume Should Highlight:
- Years working remotely
- Tools proficiency (Slack, Zoom, Jira, GitHub)
- Successful remote projects delivered
- Distributed team collaboration
The Application Process: What Actually Works
- Tailor every application – Reference company specifics
- Lead with remote competency – Establish you’re remote-ready immediately
- Showcase projects – GitHub, portfolio site, open source contributions
- Apply early – Within first 48 hours of posting
- Follow up – After one week if no response
The Remote Interview Process
Technical Prep:
- Coding challenges
- System design discussions
- Take-home projects (2-6 hours)
- Live coding sessions
Virtual Interview Setup:
- Test internet connection
- Professional background/lighting
- Camera at eye level
- Close all other apps
Remote-Specific Questions to Expect:
- “How do you manage time working remotely?”
- “Describe a remote work challenge you overcame”
- “How do you stay connected with distributed teams?”
- “What’s your home office setup?”
Your Questions to Ask:
- “How does the team collaborate remotely?”
- “What tools for communication/project management?”
- “Any in-person requirements?”
- “How do you onboard remote employees?”
Common Challenges and Solutions
“I have no remote experience” → Emphasize transferable skills, independent projects, self-directed learning
“I’m a junior developer” → Target startups/remote-first companies, consider contract work initially
“I keep getting rejected” → Get feedback, practice more, apply to 20-30 positions
“The pay seems lower” → Consider total compensation: no commute costs, location flexibility, time savings
Your Action Plan: Start Today
Week 1:
- Set up job alerts on all major platforms
- Update resume emphasizing remote experience
- Create/update portfolio and GitHub
- Research 10-15 remote-friendly companies
Week 2:
- Apply to 5-10 tailored positions
- Network with engineers at target companies
- Practice technical interviews
- Set up proper home office
Ongoing:
- Apply to 5 new positions weekly
- Follow up on previous applications
- Build side projects
- Network in Australian tech communities
The Bottom Line
With 559+ remote positions on LinkedIn and 400+ on Indeed, the opportunities are absolutely real. Companies like Employment Hero, Megaport, UpGuard, and Canva are actively hiring.
But landing these roles requires positioning yourself as remote-ready, demonstrating self-management skills, and applying strategically to genuinely remote-friendly companies.
The payoff? Work from anywhere in Australia, eliminate commute time, design your ideal work environment, and enjoy better work-life balance.
Remote software engineering isn’t the future – it’s the present. Start your search today
