Security / Penetration Tester salary in Australia
Security / Penetration Tester pay in Australia centres on A$200k a year ($130k) at mid-level. Expect A$160k at the low end and A$240k at the high end. That is 28% below the US median for the same role. Australia ranks 4 of 36 countries on our pay index. Juniors start near A$150k, leads reach A$300k.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by level in Australia
Gross annual pay in AUD. Junior pay is A$150k, lead pay is A$300k: leads earn 100% more. The bar spans p10 to p90 with the median marked.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | A$120k | A$150k | A$180k | $100k | |
| Mid-level | A$160k | A$200k | A$240k | $130k | |
| Senior | A$200k | A$250k | A$300k | $170k | |
| Lead | A$250k | A$300k | A$370k | $200k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only. p10 and p90 are 0.82× and 1.22× the median. Methodology.
Security / Penetration Tester pay by city in Australia
Sydney pays most at 1.06× the national median. Pay factor 1.00 equals the country median of A$200k.
| City | Tier | Pay factor | Mid-level median | p10–p90 | USD | QA jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | A | 1.06× (+6%) | A$210k | A$170k–A$250k | $140k | 22 |
| Melbourne | B | 1.00× (0%) | A$200k | A$160k–A$240k | $130k | 7 |
| Brisbane | B | 0.93× (-7%) | A$180k | A$150k–A$220k | $120k | 10 |
| Perth | C | 0.93× (-7%) | A$180k | A$150k–A$220k | $120k | 2 |
| Adelaide | C | 0.90× (-10%) | A$180k | A$140k–A$210k | $120k | 2 |
City factors are estimates (tier A = largest tech hubs). Remote roles are paid to the employer's pay band, which can differ from the city rate.
From gross to take-home in Australia
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester on A$200k gross keeps roughly 71–77% after income tax and social contributions, about A$140k to A$150k a year.
In Australia, pay is usually quoted as annual package, usually quoted with or without 11.5% superannuation. Estimate only: a single earner with no dependants and typical deductions. Bonuses, benefits, pension choices and regional taxes change the result. It is not tax advice.
QA roles open in Australia
No Security / Penetration Tester role is open today. Showing the closest matches from 81 QA listings in Australia.
Automation Architect: AI-Driven Test Automation Leader
Junior iOS/Android Tester (Playwright)
Performance Tester
1 listing in Australia show a real posted pay range (0 for Security / Penetration Tester). Others carry a model estimate marked “est.”.
Who hires Security / Penetration Testers in Australia
Employer mix by share of listings (81 listings in Australia). Names are withheld; we show the type of company.
- Software companies28%
- E-commerce companies20%
- AI companies14%
- Games studios10%
- Automotive technology companies9%
What this estimate rests on
The Security / Penetration Tester baseline uses 22 US posted pay ranges. For Australia, the country index is calibrated on 122 non-US observations in Asia-Pacific, so the regional sample is usable but still modest. Evidence score 5 of 8.
Security / Penetration Tester salary and jobs by city in Australia
Security / Penetration Tester salary in Australia: FAQ
What is the average Security / Penetration Tester salary in Australia?
The median gross salary for a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in Australia is A$200k a year ($130k). The p10 is A$160k and the p90 is A$240k. This is an estimate based on posted pay ranges.
How much does a senior Security / Penetration Tester earn in Australia?
A senior Security / Penetration Tester in Australia earns a median of A$250k ($170k), with a range of A$200k to A$300k. Leads earn A$300k, 100% more than juniors at A$150k.
Which city in Australia pays Security / Penetration Testers the most?
Sydney has the highest pay factor at 1.06x the country median, which puts a mid-level Security / Penetration Tester at about A$210k ($140k). Adelaide sits at 0.90x, around A$180k.
How does Australia compare with the US for Security / Penetration Tester pay?
A mid-level Security / Penetration Tester in the US earns a median of $180k. In Australia the equivalent is $130k, which is 28% below the US figure. Australia ranks 4 of 36 countries; the Asia-Pacific median for this role is $79k.
What is the take-home pay for a Security / Penetration Tester in Australia?
Roughly 71–77% of gross stays after income tax and social contributions for a single mid-level earner, which is about A$140k to A$150k a year on a A$200k gross salary. This is a generic estimate, not tax advice: benefits, family status and regional taxes change the result.
How many Security / Penetration Tester jobs are open in Australia?
PassRidge lists no live Security / Penetration Tester listing in Australia today, and 81 QA listings across all roles in Australia. 0 of the Security / Penetration Tester listings and 1 of all listings in the country show a real posted pay range; the rest carry a model estimate.
Other roles in Australia
| Role | Mid-level median | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Manual QA Tester | A$88k | $59k |
| QA Automation Engineer | A$130k | $87k |
| SDET | A$140k | $94k |
| QA Lead / Manager | A$120k | $79k |
| Mobile QA Engineer | A$110k | $76k |
| Performance Test Engineer | A$160k | $110k |
| Game QA Tester | A$71k | $47k |
| Accessibility Tester | A$110k | $70k |
| Business / Test Analyst | A$96k | $64k |
| Data / ETL QA Engineer | A$110k | $72k |
| Localization QA Tester | A$52k | $35k |
| AI / LLM Evaluation QA | A$110k | $75k |
| Release / DevOps Engineer | A$160k | $100k |
| Technical Writer (QA / Docs) | A$97k | $65k |
World view: Security / Penetration Tester salary by country · Security / Penetration Tester role guide · Hire a Security / Penetration Tester · Salary finder.