Software Engineer Pathway

Australian Visa Options for Software Engineers

Depending on your circumstances, potential pathways may include:

Skilled Independent Visa – Subclass 189

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent skilled migration pathway that does not require employer or state/territory nomination.

Applicants generally need an eligible occupation, suitable skills assessment, English ability and sufficient points before submitting an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. The minimum points threshold is currently 65, but reaching 65 points does not guarantee an invitation.

Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent visa for eligible skilled applicants nominated by an Australian state or territory.

State and territory governments apply their own nomination criteria, which can differ according to occupation, experience, location and other factors.

Skilled Work Regional Visa – Subclass 491

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows eligible skilled workers to live and work in designated regional Australia.

The pathway can involve state or territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship. Eligible 491 holders may later have a pathway to permanent residence through subclass 191, subject to meeting the applicable requirements.

Skills in Demand Visa – Subclass 482

Software engineers may also consider employer sponsorship through the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) where the employer, nominated position and applicant satisfy the applicable requirements.

The current SID program includes the Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams. Software Engineer is included on the current CSOL, which is relevant to the Core Skills stream.

Employer Nomination Scheme – Subclass 186

The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) provides a permanent employer-sponsored pathway.

Eligible software engineers may potentially qualify through the Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry or Labour Agreement stream, depending on their circumstances and the applicable requirements.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa – Subclass 494

For eligible positions with regional employers, the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) may provide another employer-sponsored pathway.

The position must satisfy the applicable regional, occupation, salary and nomination requirements.

ACS Skills Assessment

For many skilled migration pathways, software engineers need a suitable skills assessment before progressing with their application.

ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the assessing authority for ICT and technology occupations. ACS conducts migration skills assessments for IT, data science and cyber security professionals.

The appropriate assessment pathway can depend on your:

• Academic qualification
• ICT content of your qualification
• ICT major or specialisation
• Professional experience
• Employment history
• Relationship between your qualification, experience and nominated occupation

A positive skills assessment does not by itself guarantee a visa. You must also satisfy the requirements of the particular visa subclass.

Software Engineer ANZSCO 261313

Occupation: Software Engineer
ANZSCO: 261313
Skills Assessing Authority: ACS

Your actual employment duties are important when selecting an occupation. The Department states that applicants should select an occupation that aligns with the tasks and responsibilities of the position rather than relying only on a job title.

This is particularly important where job titles such as:

• Software Developer
• Full Stack Developer
• Application Developer
• Backend Developer
• Frontend Developer
• Programmer
• Software Engineer
• DevOps Engineer

may have overlapping responsibilities but can correspond to different occupation classifications.

English Requirements

English requirements depend on the visa pathway and your individual circumstances.

For points-tested skilled visas, English proficiency can also contribute points:

Applicants should use the current Department of Home Affairs requirements and approved English-test rules when assessing their eligibility.

Points Test for Software Engineers

For subclasses 189, 190 and 491, the points test can consider factors including:

• Age
• English proficiency
• Skilled employment
• Educational qualifications
• Australian study
• Specialist education
• Professional Year
• Credentialled community language
• Partner circumstances
• State/territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship

The minimum points threshold is currently 65 points, but a minimum score does not guarantee an invitation.

Software Engineer Pathway – Application Process

Step 1 – Assess Your Profile

Review your age, qualification, employment history, English level and intended occupation.

Step 2 – Confirm the Occupation

Check whether Software Engineer (261313) is appropriate based on your actual duties and the requirements of the intended visa.

Step 3 – Obtain an ACS Skills Assessment

Prepare your qualifications and employment evidence for the appropriate ACS assessment pathway.

Step 4 – Complete an English Test

Obtain the required English result for your intended visa and determine whether you can claim additional points.

Step 5 – Calculate Your Points

Calculate your indicative points score for subclass 189, 190 or 491.

Step 6 – Submit an EOI

Eligible applicants can submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect for subclasses 189, 190 and 491.

Step 7 – State or Territory Nomination

If pursuing subclass 190 or 491 through nomination, you must satisfy the relevant state's or territory's criteria.

Step 8 – Receive an Invitation

If invited, you generally have 60 days to lodge the visa application through ImmiAccount.

Step 9 – Lodge the Visa Application

Provide the required identity, skills, qualification, employment, English, health and character evidence.

Software Engineer Pathway: Which Visa Is Right for You?

The most suitable pathway depends on your occupation, skills assessment, points, employer circumstances, state nomination opportunities and eligibility.

Why Choose The Visa?

The Visa provides professional guidance for software engineers considering Australian migration pathways, including:

• Occupation assessment
• ACS skills assessment guidance
• Skilled visa eligibility
• Points assessment
• EOI preparation
• State nomination pathways
• Employer-sponsored visas
• Regional migration options
• Visa application preparation
• Supporting documentation
• Pathway planning toward permanent residence

Start Your Software Engineer Migration Assessment

If you are a software engineer planning to migrate to Australia, your occupation, ACS assessment, experience, English score, points and preferred visa pathway should be assessed together.

Contact The Visa to discuss your potential Australian Software Engineer migration pathway.

Important: Australian visa requirements, occupation lists, state nomination criteria and processing priorities can change. Eligibility should be assessed against the requirements applicable when you apply.