tech
Cairns tech jobs surge past 100 listings as local startup scene gains momentum
More than 100 technology roles are now open across Cairns, with entry-level pay starting at $70,000 and experienced roles reaching $100,000, as the city's startup ecosystem expands with regular meetups and a major festival.
How we reported this
Cairns is experiencing a surge in tech employment, with approximately 100 technology-related positions currently advertised across major job boards, including 49 dedicated Information Technology roles and more than 50 software development opportunities, according to listings on Seek, Indeed, and Jora.
Entry-level IT positions in Cairns start around $70,000 per year, with the average pay for tech roles sitting at $85,000 and experienced workers earning up to $100,000 annually, based on current market data. The figures signal that the city is becoming a competitive destination for tech talent beyond the traditional metropolitan hubs.
Growing demand for specialised skills
Key technical skills in demand across Cairns include SQL, AWS, PHP, project management, and linguistic capabilities, reflecting a market that values both deep technical expertise and broader communication abilities. Cairns Regional Council is actively recruiting for senior tech positions, including Coordinator, Infrastructure & Operations and Coordinator, Project Delivery, with advertisements promoting the opportunity for a "sea change" tech career.
The broader Cairns economy, which supports more than 88,000 jobs and over 14,800 local businesses, is seeing sustained investment. Major developments such as the $60 million Cairns Central redevelopment, completed in 2025 and adding more than 160 stores and 125 ongoing retail jobs, and the Ghassan Aboud Group's $120 million conversion of Rydges Tradewinds into a 300-room five-star hotel, alongside an $80 million inner-city hotel with 200 rooms and 100 apartments, are fuelling demand for technology infrastructure and support roles.
Startup scene builds momentum
The local startup and innovation community is thriving through regular in-person events. The Tropic Tech Developer Meetup, held on the first Thursday of each month from 5-7 PM at the Tropic Tech coworking building at 254 Mulgrave Road in Cairns, is a free gathering for developers and tech professionals. Tropic Tech also hosts monthly socials and "green drinks" for sustainability interests, recognised by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and local business networks.
For entrepreneurs and investors, the Tropical Innovation Festival 2026 is scheduled for June 19-26 at the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, featuring keynote speakers, product demos, and networking sessions. The Cairns Startup & Entrepreneurs Meetup operates regularly in Cairns City, running workshops such as "Kickstart Professional Communication" at The Bunker coworking space, while the Women in Tech Digital and Innovation group and the FNQ Innovation Meet Up are recurring events hosted by the Tropic Tech & Innovation Network at their Westcourt location, accessible upstairs through orange doors.
For those considering a move into Cairns tech, the combination of competitive salaries, a growing roster of senior council roles, and a connected community of meetups and festivals means there has never been a better time to make the leap. The next Tropic Tech Developer Meetup is the first Thursday of August at 254 Mulgrave Road, an easy way for newcomers and locals alike to plug into the scene.