From Hay Street startup to top employer: how this Perth tech founder is reshaping the local jobs market

When Sarah Chen opened her doors on Hay Street three years ago, Perth's tech sector was still finding its feet. Today, her software development firm Nexus Digital employs 87 people across two floors of a heritage-listed building in Northbridge, with plans to double headcount by 2027.

Chen's trajectory mirrors a broader shift in Perth's employment landscape. As the city grapples with post-mining diversification, homegrown tech, renewable energy, and creative industries are increasingly filling the gap left by resource sector volatility. The latest ABS data shows the local unemployment rate holding at 3.8%—slightly below the national average—but it's the quality and sustainability of new roles that's capturing business leaders' attention.

"Five years ago, if you wanted to build a tech career here, you'd probably move to Melbourne or Sydney," Chen reflects. "Now we're seeing talented developers, designers, and project managers actively choosing Perth. The lifestyle, the lower cost of living, and access to growth opportunities in emerging sectors—it's a compelling package."

Nexus Digital's specialisation in renewable energy software puts it at the intersection of two boom industries. With Western Australia's commitment to net-zero by 2050, and major solar and wind projects underway across the state, demand for intelligent grid management systems is surging. Chen's team recently won a contract with a major operator in the Pilbara, signalling that Perth-based innovation can service the resources sector in new ways.

But perhaps most significant is how she's reshaping hiring practices. Nexus offers graduate apprenticeships with local universities, paying salaries between $55,000 and $65,000 for entry-level technical roles—well above the Perth median for such positions. The firm also operates a flexible remote policy, allowing staff to work from co-working spaces in Fremantle, Subiaco, and the CBD.

"We're not just creating jobs; we're creating careers," Chen says. "Our staff turnover is 8 percent annually, compared to the tech industry average of 15 percent. That matters for business stability and for workers' sense of security."

For Perth's economic development strategy, Nexus Digital represents the model planners are actively courting: high-value, locally-rooted, scalable, and deeply connected to the state's future priorities. As traditional employment sectors continue to evolve, entrepreneurs like Chen are proving that Perth's next economic chapter needn't be written elsewhere.

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