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How to Become a Web Developer: A Fascinating Career With Great Pay

Web developers are creative problem solvers who design and build websites and web applications for clients.

To become a web developer, consider studying an IT course with a development focus, like the Certificate IV in Information Technology (Web Development) (ICT40120). Though formal qualifications aren’t strictly necessary in this profession, study helps you develop the high-level skills this role requires. Other options include university study in website development, computer science, software engineering, or IT.

web-developer
  • Overview
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Skills
  • How to Become
  • Start Learning
  • Reviews

Web developer job description
info Where we source our data

Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.

That’s why we anonymously surveyed web developers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.

While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.

A web developer specialises in web-based applications like web pages, apps, cloud software, and other software that work on an internet connection. Web developers typically create websites for clients and set up related services like emails, calendars, user databases, customer relationship management systems, cloud storage systems, and more. Web developers can focus on front-end development or back-end development. As a front-end web developer, you focus on the interfaces users see and interact with. Back-end developers focus on the structures and server-side code that makes things work. Full-stack web developers work on both the front and back end.
Intellectual

Intellectual
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Imaginative

Imaginative
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Cooperative

Cooperative
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Tasks and responsibilities for a web developer

Day-to-day, the duties and responsibilities of web developers include:

  • Building user interfaces from wireframe designs
  • Building products using different programming languages, including HTML, CSS, PHP, Java, SQL, and JavaScript
  • Coding and deploying applications
  • Understanding what functionality and design a client needs for their web-based applications and functional website
  • Creating and managing relevant databases for web-based applications
  • Debugging and testing for errors and client-side usability
  • Implementing cybersecurity protocols

Reasons to choose this job
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.

High paying

High paying

Individuals and organisations of all sizes usually require a web presence to stay afloat and benefit significantly from web-based tools like emails and cloud storage. This strong demand for web services means that web developers can expect to be well-paid.

Read More
Learning opportunities

Learning opportunities

There are always new developments in the world of tech. This state of flux is especially true for web-based applications, with different products available, upgrades, and recent trends in design. Web developers are always learning more to achieve the best outcomes for clients — and satiate their curiosity.

Read More
Flexible hours

Flexible hours

Many web developer job opportunities allow you to work remotely, choose your hours, or even start your own business. This flexibility enables you to fit your work around family, hobbies, travel, or anything else you’d like to do.

Read More

Job satisfaction

Overall job satisfaction
info
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.

Stress level
info
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.

medium

Fulfilment
info
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.

very-high

Skill level
info
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.

medium

Job market trends for a web developer

Given the importance of web-based applications to daily business, web developers are in high demand and expect high average salaries. The multimedia and web development industry has very strong projected future growth. As of 2020, the sector employs 21,700 people. This number is expected to grow to 27,100 by 2025.

Web developers work in any industry where websites and other web-based applications are needed. They can work at web development or IT firms and organisations that need in-house web development staff. You can also find work as a self-employed web developer.

$82,992 Per Year

Median salary
info Where this data comes from

Median salary

We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.

This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report

Projected job growth

Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.

Projected job growth
info Where this data comes from

Median salary

We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.

This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report

Projected job growth

Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.

Pathway options
info
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.

As you gain experience as a web developer, you may be able to move into higher-level roles, with potential career paths like:

Junior

  • Junior web developer

    Certificate III in Information Technology (ICT30120)

  • QA tester

    Certificate III in Information Technology (ICT30120)

  • Software tester

    Certificate III in Information Technology (ICT30120)

Mid

  • Frontend web developer

    Diploma of Information Technology (ICT50120)

  • Web developer

    Diploma of Information Technology (ICT50120)

Senior

  • Full stack developer

    Advanced Diploma of Information Technology (ICT60220)

Skills you might already have
info
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.

People interested in web development jobs are already likely to love tech and are interested in all things design. Soft skills that you could already have (or can develop naturally from exploring your interests) include:

Problem-solving

Clients you work with have various web wants and needs, and it’s a web developer’s job to come up with ways to meet them. Often there’s no one answer, giving you the freedom to solve your client’s problems in ways that draw on your own experience, research, and ideas. When implementing these ideas, you can also test for bugs and errors and use your problem-solving skills to fix them.

Read More

Creativity

Particularly in front-end development, you design websites and applications that are striking and useable, working alongside web designers. Web developers draw on sources of inspiration to create wireframes and use lateral thinking skills to get an end product that meets your client’s unique requirements.

Read More

Organisation

As a web developer, you may be working on a range of projects — or many aspects of a single project — all simultaneously. This breadth means that you need to be adept at keeping track of multiple priorities, meeting lots of deadlines, and demonstrating that you’ve met key project milestones. You may also work in collaboration with other developers or web designers, which means you need to keep track of their workflows too.

Read More

Hard skills
info
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.

When looking to become a web developer, training comes in handy to develop the necessary technical skills, such as:

Research and analysis

As you understand your clients’ needs, you may need to research different ways of implementing them and compare other possibilities. This research requires strong analytical skills as you weigh up the pros and cons and tease out the client’s priorities.

Read More

General computer operation

Web developers know what’s possible on websites and web-based apps, so you can quickly advise clients what’s involved and how much work it will take to implement their briefs. You need to be a confident programmer in various programming languages and software packages. You also need to know how to use e-commerce platforms, content management systems like WordPress, Github, bootstrap, and more.

Read More

Design

Although you may work alongside web designers, web development is strongly related to design. You ultimately need to make a product that meets clients’ needs in a straightforward and user-friendly way. You also have a flair for making interfaces that look good.

Read More

How to become a web developer

  1. Study

    Get good foundational web development skills with a qualification like Certificate IV in Information Technology (Web Development) (ICT40120), or study website development, computer science, software engineering, or IT. Highly motivated people may also choose to self-study to pick up the relevant skills to put them on track for a web development career.

  2. Get experience

    Make your own website, or volunteer to make websites for friends starting a business. You could also offer to create a website for local community organisations. With experience, you can build a portfolio to show potential employers and clients.

  3. Find work experience

    You can find an internship or job placement with working web developers as you study.

  4. Get a web developer role

    Once you have a solid grounding in what a web developer does and have a track record of developing, you become e a strong candidate for entry-level web developer positions and be on your way to becoming a successful web developer.

Explore related qualifications

Certificate IV in Information Technology (Web Development)

Study method Online

Learn the fundamentals of managing website development projects, including designing a website, building wireframes, search engine optimisation, software development, responsive design, web frameworks, APIs, cybersecurity, version control, website accessibility, e-commerce, coding languages and scripting, and developing and maintaining websites and databases. You get a mix of theory and hands-on website building and collaboration experience. A certificate IV typically takes one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) to complete.

Read More

2 providers offer this course

Upskilled
Australian Institute of ICT

Related subjects

If you’re interested in being creative with technology, you may also be interested in:

Coding
Coding
IT
IT
Web Development
Web Development

Reviews
info How we collect reviews

Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.

Is this your job title?

Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.

Leave a Review

  • All
  • Positive
  • Negative
Jake
Nov 20 2021

Generally it's a great job.

What are the best parts of the job?

Getting along with colleagues, they're great.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

When customers come up with a new 'solution', and it's not very good, but they insisit on doing it their way.

Read More
Qualification Advanced diploma
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Max
Nov 03 2021

Challenges me to be creative.

What are the best parts of the job?

The best parts of the job are having the ability to create and solve problems that require creative thinking and experimentation.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

The most challenging part is meeting certain deadlines on some projects.

Read More
Qualification Bachelor’s degree
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Specialisation Front end development
Julian
Nov 13 2021

Web dev is an awesome job.

What are the best parts of the job?

Everything! I love my job.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Nothing, really. I like it all.

Read More
Qualification Masters degree
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 0-4 employees
Specialisation Programming
Charlie
Nov 22 2021

Good for introverts.

What are the best parts of the job?

You don't have to deal with a lot of people.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

There's nothing bad about it, really.

Read More
Qualification Graduate certificate
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Caleb
Nov 23 2021

Lets you develop skills.

What are the best parts of the job?

You get to constantly work on, and develop, your professional skills.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

I don't like the work environment, it's stressful and boring.

Read More
Qualification Masters degree
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Specialisation Professional skills
Shui
Nov 22 2021

Enjoyable and satisfying.

What are the best parts of the job?

Doing the work, helping coworkers, enjoying spending time with them.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

When the coworkers dont cooperate — and just hard work, in general.

Read More
Qualification Professional doctorate
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Liam
Nov 03 2021

Creating value with my skillset.

What are the best parts of the job?

I can give full play to my professional expertise and reflect my business value.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Professional software development and new employee training.

Read More
Qualification Graduate diploma
Experience 10+
Organisation size 200+ employees
Specialisation Maintenance, upgrade and repair of technical products
Rhys
Nov 04 2021

Playing with code.

What are the best parts of the job?

Solving complex coding problems is a fun challenge that stretches me intellectually.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

When code won't work it can be super frustrating.

Read More
Qualification Advanced diploma
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Specialisation Development
Arun
Nov 13 2021

The people make it good.

What are the best parts of the job?

The best parts of my job are the people I work with.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Getting things right all the time and avoiding costly mistakes.

Read More
Qualification None of the above
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Specialisation Programming
Joshua
Nov 04 2021

Love working with crypto.

What are the best parts of the job?

Finding new ways of making money online is exciting and rewarding.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Hooking all the things up that need hooking up in the right order.

Read More
Qualification None of the above
Experience 3-5
Organisation size Self-employed
Specialisation Cryptocurrency
Sean
Nov 04 2021

Keeps me interested.

What are the best parts of the job?

Always trying new things in a competitive industry.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Flexible work can sometimes mean you work too much, or don't have good work-life boundaries.

Read More
Qualification Professional doctorate
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Specialisation Web design
Jorja
Nov 19 2021

Great job with awesome people.

What are the best parts of the job?

I love the people working with me!

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

It's not that challenging after you've learned how to do everything well.

Read More
Qualification Certificate (nonaccredited)
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Beau
Nov 13 2021

Amazing team.

What are the best parts of the job?

Working with my team, they're amazing.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

None! We are a great team and it makes everything way easier.

Read More
Qualification Diploma
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 0-4 employees
1 2 3 4 5

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The Technologist Take the Career Quiz

Job cluster: The Technologist
info What are job clusters?

The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.

The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.

This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.

Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?

Web developers and other technical roles are suited to the career personality of The Technologist.

Technologists love to tinker with code, websites, programs, and games. You love making and building things that solve problems, inventing, or taking things apart to see how they work. You also relish staying up-to-date with the latest innovations in software and gadgets.

Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.

Learn More

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a web developer?

It takes one year to complete a relevant certificate IV-level qualification, such as the Certificate IV in Information Technology (Web Development). However, you could take more or less time to learn web development, depending on what you already know and how quickly you pick things up. Many of the skills you need as a web developer you can teach yourself — even as a beginner. Or you can pick up skills through coding boot camps, open-source resources, or an online web development course. Suppose you want to deepen your knowledge before moving to full-time work. In that case, a three-year bachelor’s degree in web development, computer science, software engineering, or IT gives you a strong foundation for this role.

Is it hard to become a website developer?

Web developers have to pick up many soft and technical skills to be successful at their job. However, if you’re dedicated to learning these skills, there’s likely a web developer position out there for you.

Is web developer a good career?

Web developers are in high demand due to the business importance of the internet and web applications. It’s a job that pays well, has remote working and flexible opportunities, and even allows you to venture out on your own through self-employment.

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