When I left Melbourne’s tech scene to move back to Ballarat, plenty of colleagues thought I was ending my career. That was five years ago. Since then, I’ve watched the remote work revolution transform what’s possible for regional tech workers.

Here’s the reality in late 2024: you can build a serious tech career while living pretty much anywhere in Victoria with decent internet. Let me break down the opportunities.

Fully Remote Tech Roles

Software Development

This is the most established remote-friendly field. Companies have been hiring remote developers for years, and COVID accelerated acceptance dramatically.

Junior roles: Harder to find fully remote, but not impossible. Many companies want juniors on-site for mentoring. Look for companies with established remote cultures.

Mid-level roles: The sweet spot. Once you’ve got 2-3 years of experience, remote opportunities open up significantly.

Senior roles: Abundant. If you’re good, companies will accommodate your location.

I know developers in Bendigo, Shepparton, and rural areas working for companies in Melbourne, Sydney, and overseas. The key is demonstrable skills and a reliable internet connection.

UX/UI Design

Design has gone remote faster than many fields. Tools like Figma are built for collaboration, and the deliverables are easily shared digitally.

A designer I know in Geelong works for an agency in Brisbane. She’s never met her colleagues in person. It works fine.

Product Management

More companies are accepting remote product managers, though this varies. The role requires significant collaboration, so some employers prefer hybrid arrangements.

That said, fully remote PM roles exist. Look at tech companies that were remote-first before COVID—they’ve figured out how to make it work.

Data Analysis and Data Science

Strong remote opportunities, especially for experienced analysts. The work is deliverable-focused, making location less relevant.

A data scientist living near Hamilton works for a Melbourne fintech. “I fly down quarterly for planning sessions. Otherwise, everything’s remote,” he told me.

Technical Writing and Documentation

Often overlooked but solidly remote-friendly. Tech companies need people who can explain complex products clearly. If you can write and understand technology, this is worth exploring.

Customer Support and Success

Many tech companies have remote support teams. If you’ve got technical aptitude and communication skills, these roles can lead to other opportunities.

Finding Remote Opportunities

Job Boards

Remote-specific:

• FlexJobs (paid but quality listings)
• We Work Remotely
• Remote OK
• Dynamite Jobs

Australian-focused:

• Seek (filter for “work from home”)
• LinkedIn (filter for “remote”)
• The Aussie tech job boards (Austechjobs, etc.)

Company Research

Some companies are remote-first by design. These tend to have better remote cultures than companies that grudgingly allow it.

Look for: Atlassian, Canva (both hire remote), SafetyCulture, and various US companies that hire in Australia. The best way to find these is to search “[company name] remote jobs Australia.”

Networking

LinkedIn is essential. Connect with other regional tech workers. Join remote work communities. Many roles are filled through networks before they’re publicly posted.

The regional tech community is smaller than you’d think. Building relationships matters.

Making It Work

Remote work from regional Victoria requires some intentionality:

Internet: Non-negotiable. Get the best connection available to you. Have a backup option for critical calls.

Workspace: Dedicate somewhere for work. Doesn’t need to be fancy, but working from the couch gets old fast.

Boundaries: Remote work can bleed into all hours. Set clear start and end times.

Connection: Combat isolation. Find local tech meetups, coworking spaces, or even regular coffee with other remote workers.

Professional development: Without office colleagues, you need to be proactive about learning. Online courses, virtual conferences, side projects.

The Salary Question

Let’s be honest: some companies pay less for remote workers outside capital cities. Others pay the same regardless of location.

My advice: aim for companies that pay based on role, not location. They exist, and they’re generally better employers anyway.

The cost of living difference in regional Victoria means that even a slight pay cut can leave you financially ahead. No Melbourne rent, shorter commute (or no commute), lower childcare costs.

Getting Started

If you’re in regional Victoria wanting to transition into remote tech work:

1. Skill up. Free resources abound—use them.
2. Build a portfolio. Show what you can do.
3. Start networking. LinkedIn, local meetups, online communities.
4. Apply broadly. Rejection is part of the process.
5. Consider contract work first. Often easier to land than permanent roles.

The barriers are lower than ever. What’s stopping you?

Business Victoria has resources for remote workers and businesses considering regional relocation, including information about support programs and regional opportunities.