Yes, A $150,000 is a strong salary for a tech professional moving to Melbourne in 2027. A single person can live comfortably and save. A couple can do very well. A family on one income can manage, but will need to budget.
After tax, you would keep roughly A$110,000 a year, or about A$9,200 a month, before superannuation. This guide covers take-home pay, health insurance, visas, suburbs, costs and settling in.
All figures are estimates based on information available in November 2026. Salaries are not guaranteed, and tax, rent and visa rules change, so verify the details before you commit.
Quick Answer: Is A$150,000 Enough?
- Single: Comfortable, with room to save.
- Couple, two incomes: Very comfortable.
- Family, one income: Workable, but tight in inner suburbs.
- Visa: A$150,000 sits just above the 2026–27 Specialist Skills threshold.
What Will You Take Home on A$150,000?
It depends on whether you are an Australian tax resident. Check the ATO residency guidance rather than assuming.
For 2026–27, resident rates are nil to A$18,200, 15% to A$45,000, 30% to A$135,000, 37% to A$190,000 and 45% above. The 15% rate drops to 14% from 1 July 2027, which saves only about A$268 a year at your income. See the ATO resident tax rates.
| A$150,000, resident, 2026–27 | Estimate (A$) |
|---|---|
| Income tax | 36,570 |
| Medicare levy (2%) | 3,000 |
| Take-home per year | ≈110,430 |
| Take-home per month | ≈9,200 |
Three things can change this:
- Super is usually on top. Employers pay 12% into your retirement fund. Check whether your offer is a base salary plus super, or a total package.
- The Medicare levy may not apply. Many temporary visa holders who cannot access Medicare can claim an exemption. See the ATO guidance.
- Foreign residents pay more. They pay 30% up to A$135,000 with no tax-free threshold, roughly A$46,000 on A$150,000. See the foreign resident rates.
These are illustrations, not tax advice. A registered tax agent can confirm your figure.
The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS)
The MLS is an extra 1% to 1.5% tax on higher earners who are liable for the Medicare levy but do not hold private hospital cover. It is separate from the 2% levy and is assessed in your tax return.
| 2026–27 tier | Single | Family |
|---|---|---|
| No surcharge | to A$105,000 | to A$210,000 |
| Tier 1 (1%) | to A$123,000 | to A$246,000 |
| Tier 2 (1.25%) | to A$164,000 | to A$328,000 |
| Tier 3 (1.5%) | above | above |
The family threshold rises by A $1,500 for each dependent child after the first. Thresholds are indexed yearly, so confirm them on the ATO surcharge page.
The test uses “income for MLS purposes”, which is broader than taxable income. It can include reportable fringe benefits and reportable super contributions.
What it could cost: a single person on A$150,000 is in Tier 2, so about 1.25%, or roughly A$1,875 a year without cover.
What counts as appropriate cover
- Hospital cover only. Extras-only policies do not remove the surcharge.
- Low enough excess. Generally no more than A$750 for a single person or A$1,500 for a couple or family.
- Everyone covered. A spouse and dependants should be on an appropriate policy.
- Timing. The surcharge is calculated by days without cover, so start early.
- Check visitor policies. Some do not meet the MLS definition, so ask the insurer.
A basic hospital policy often costs A$130–A$200 a month, so cover and surcharge can cost a similar amount, and the policy gives you private hospital access. Compare quotes on PrivateHealth.gov.au.
Temporary visa holders: if you are exempt from the Medicare levy, the surcharge generally follows the same logic for those days. Many Skills in Demand holders also have a visa condition to maintain adequate health insurance. Permanent residents and people from reciprocal-agreement countries may face both the levy and the surcharge. Confirm your position with the ATO or a tax agent.
Which Visa Routes Suit Tech Professionals?
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
This employer-sponsored visa is the most common route for tech workers with a job offer.
| Stream | Suits | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills | Listed occupations | A$79,423 |
| Specialist Skills | High earners, any occupation | A$146,576 |
These apply to nominations lodged 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and the salary must also meet the market rate. Some pre-July commentary quoted slightly different forecasts, so confirm on the Home Affairs salary page.
Most software, data and cyber security roles appear on the Core Skills Occupation List, so A$150,000 clears the lower threshold easily. The Specialist stream is the fallback if your job title is not listed.
2027 warning: thresholds are indexed every 1 July. This year the Specialist threshold rose about 3.8%. A similar rise would put it near A$152,000, above A$150,000. That is my illustration, not an official forecast. If you plan to use the Specialist stream and your nomination is lodged after 1 July 2027, ask your employer about timing.
Other options and assessments
Depending on your age, experience and points, you may also qualify for points-tested or employer-sponsored permanent visas, or regional options like the subclass 491. The official starting point is the Skills in Demand visa page.
ICT skills assessments are usually done by the Australian Computer Society. Allow time for that and for any English test, since English rules were revised in September 2025.
Melbourne’s Tech Job Market
Melbourne has a deep technology and financial services sector. Employers with large tech teams include Telstra, NAB, ANZ and many software and fintech firms. Browse the career pages of Telstra, NAB and ANZ, plus SEEK and LinkedIn. See our High Paying Australia Remote Software Engineering & DevOps Jobs (AUD 120K–150K)
A$150,000 is realistic for a mid-to-senior software, data or cyber security role. Pay varies by sector and seniority, so compare offers with guides from Hays and Robert Half.
Melbourne Living Costs
Rent is your biggest cost. Published estimates vary, but expect roughly A$380–A$480 a week for a one-bedroom apartment in outer suburbs and A$450–A$600 in the inner and middle rings. Vacancies are tight, so competition is strong.
| Monthly item (single) | Estimate (A$) |
|---|---|
| Rent, one-bedroom | 1,900–2,600 |
| Utilities and internet | 200–350 |
| Groceries | 400–600 |
| Transport | 150–500 |
| Health insurance (basic) | 130–200 |
| Phone | 40–80 |
| Dining and leisure | 400–900 |
| Total | ≈3,200–5,200 |
Against about A$9,200 take-home, that leaves roughly A$4,000 or more a month before one-off costs. These are broad planning estimates.
Suburb Guide: Richmond, Fitzroy, South Yarra, Brunswick and Coburg
Rents below are indicative one-bedroom ranges from several public reports that disagree with each other, so check live listings.
| Suburb | 1-bed (A$/wk) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fitzroy | 450–600 | Social, creative lifestyle |
| Richmond | 440–580 | Transport and sport |
| South Yarra | 500–700 | Polish and convenience |
| Brunswick | 400–520 | Lifestyle for the price |
| Coburg | 360–460 | Saving and settling |
Fitzroy (about 2 km from the CBD)
Melbourne’s creative heartland. Brunswick Street and Smith Street are full of cafés, bars and live music, and trams reach the CBD quickly. There is no train station. Expect high rents for small apartments, some late-night noise and little parking.
Richmond (about 3–5 km)
Lively and well connected, with several train stations and tram routes. Swan Street and Bridge Road offer dining, and Victoria Street is known for Vietnamese food. Match days around the MCG bring crowds. Rents are usually a little lower than Fitzroy or South Yarra.
South Yarra (about 4 km)
The polished option. Chapel Street and Toorak Road provide shopping and dining, with the Botanic Gardens nearby. It is a major train interchange, so commuting is quick. It is the most expensive of the five, and weekends can be busy.
Brunswick (about 5–6 km)
One of the best lifestyle-to-cost balances. Sydney Road has Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Asian food plus live music, and Lygon Street in Brunswick East adds cafés. The Upfield train line, Sydney Road trams and bike paths make commuting easy. It attracts creatives, students and tech workers.
Coburg (about 8 km)
Quieter and more residential, on the same train line and tram corridor as Brunswick. It has Greek and Italian heritage, Coburg Lake and the Pentridge precinct. You get more space for your money, but commutes run about 25–40 minutes and nightlife is limited.
Visit at different times of day and check transport times from the actual address. Before signing a lease, read Consumer Affairs Victoria’s renter guidance, and never pay money for a property you have not inspected, which is a common scam against newcomers.
What Will the Move Cost?
- Visa costs: Government charges, skills assessment, English test, medicals, police certificates and translations. Fees change each 1 July. Sponsoring employers generally pay their own nomination fee and levy and cannot lawfully pass them on to you, so treat any request to reimburse them as a red flag.
- Flights and shipping: Often A$2,000–A$10,000 or more.
- Rental setup: A bond (commonly one month’s rent) plus rent in advance, roughly A$4,000–A$5,500 for a one-bedroom.
- Temporary stay: Two to four weeks while you search.
- Furniture: Many rentals are unfurnished, so allow a few thousand dollars.
- Health insurance: Required for most temporary visa holders. See our international health insurance guide.
Aim to hold three months of living costs plus one-off expenses. If you are offered a relocation allowance, get its amount and repayment conditions in writing.
Step-by-Step Relocation Plan
- Confirm your visa route and occupation.
- Start your skills assessment and English test early.
- Secure a sponsoring employer that already sponsors visas.
- Check the offer: base salary, super, bonus, relocation and the salary used for visa purposes.
- Lodge the nomination and visa application.
- Complete health and police checks.
- Book temporary accommodation and arrange housing.
- Set up the basics: TFN, bank account, phone, myki and super.
- Review tax residency and health cover within your first few months.
Settling In: TFN, Banking, Super, Transport and Networking
Tax file number (TFN)
Your employer will ask for your TFN on day one. Apply free through the ATO, usually with your passport and visa details. Avoid sites that charge a fee. Without a TFN, your employer may have to withhold tax at the highest rate.
Banking
Major banks such as Commonwealth Bank, NAB, ANZ and Westpac offer everyday accounts, and several let you start an application before you arrive. Policies change, so check each bank’s migrant page. Bring your passport, visa evidence and an Australian address.
Your credit history starts at zero, so ask your old bank for a reference letter to strengthen rental applications. MoneySmart has independent guidance on banking and scams.
Superannuation
Your employer pays 12% of ordinary earnings into a super fund. Nominate a fund or accept the default, and check whether you already have an Australian account so you do not end up with several. If you leave permanently on a temporary visa, you may be able to claim your super through the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment, which is taxed at a withholding rate. Ask a tax professional about the net result. See our best Superannuation funds guide for workers in Australia.
Transport
Melbourne’s trams, trains and buses use one myki card, with daily and weekly fare caps. Current fares are on the Public Transport Victoria site, and trams in the central city have a free zone. If you plan to drive, check VicRoads for overseas licence rules, since temporary and permanent residents are treated differently.
Tech networking
Melbourne has an active, welcoming tech community, and networking is a fast way to hear about unadvertised roles. Good starting points:
- Meetups: Search Meetup for your language or discipline.
- Professional bodies: The ACS and, for security, the AISA.
- Hubs: LaunchVic and Melbourne Connect.
- Conferences: Developer events such as YOW!.
- LinkedIn and recruiters: Specialist tech recruiters regularly place sponsored candidates.
Calendars change, so check what is currently running. Australian workplaces are informal, and a coffee invitation is a normal way to start a professional relationship.
Practical Considerations
- Salary is not guaranteed. Your contract is the only number that counts, and bonuses or equity are upside, not certainty.
- Policy can change. Visa thresholds, fees and tax rates are updated regularly. Re-check official sources before lodging.
- Think long term. A temporary visa generally runs up to four years. Ask early about permanent pathways.
- Allow for the soft costs. Moving away from family and building a network takes time.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is A$150,000 a good salary in Melbourne?
Yes. It allows comfortable living and regular saving for a single tech professional. It is tighter for a family on one income.
2. How much will I take home?
As a tax resident in 2026–27, around A$110,000 a year, or about A$9,200 a month. Foreign residents pay more tax, and some temporary visa holders may be exempt from the Medicare levy. Super is usually paid on top.
3. Does A$150,000 meet the Specialist Skills threshold?
For nominations lodged 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the threshold is A$146,576, so yes. It is indexed every 1 July, and the salary must also meet the market rate.
4. How much rent should I expect?
Roughly A$380–A$480 a week for a one-bedroom in outer suburbs and A$450–A$600 in the inner and middle rings. Check live listings.
5. Do I need private health insurance, and what is the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
Most temporary skilled visa holders are not eligible for Medicare and are generally expected to hold private cover. The surcharge adds 1% to 1.5% for higher earners liable for the Medicare levy without hospital cover. For 2026–27 it starts above A$105,000 for singles and A$210,000 for families.
6. Can I move without a job offer?
Employer-sponsored visas need a sponsor. Some skilled visas are not tied to an employer, but they depend on points, age, occupation and invitations. Check the Home Affairs website.
7. Is Melbourne cheaper than Sydney?
Generally yes for rent and house prices, while tech salaries can be similar. The gap depends on suburb and property type.
Conclusion
A $150,000 can support a very good life in Melbourne for a tech professional, with about A$9,200 a month in take-home pay for a tax resident and a healthy savings margin. The main risks are the details: whether the figure includes super, your tax and health insurance status, rent movements, and where visa thresholds sit when your employer lodges. Verify key figures on the ATO and Home Affairs pages, get your offer in writing, and treat every estimate here as a planning aid rather than a promise, see our Austin relocation guide.