Software Engineer – ANZSCO 261313

Software Engineer (ANZSCO 261313) is a skill level 1 occupation assessed by Australian Computer Society (ACS) for Australian skilled migration. It is on the MLTSSL, CSOL lists and can be used for subclass 189, subclass 190, subclass 491, subclass 491F, subclass 485, subclass 482, subclass 186, subclass 494, subclass 407. 7 of 8 states and territories currently nominate it.

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Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 261313
Skill level: 1 – Bachelor degree or higher, or at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: ACS
Occupation lists: MLTSSL, CSOL
English test for skills assessment: Not required
ANZSCO unit group: 2613 Software and Applications Programmers

Software Engineer job description and duties

Designs, develops, modifies, documents, tests, implements, installs and supports software applications and systems.

Also known as: Software Architect, Software Designer

Specialisations: Computer Applications Engineer, Database Designer, Systems Architect

Tasks include

Researching, consulting, analysing and evaluating system program needs
Identifying technology limitations and deficiencies in existing systems and associated processes, procedures and methods
Testing, debugging, diagnosing and correcting errors and faults in an applications programming language within established testing protocols, guidelines and quality standards to ensure programs and applications including technical security controls perform to specification
Writing and maintaining program code to meet system requirements, system designs and technical specifications in accordance with quality accredited standards
Writing, updating and maintaining technical program, end user documentation and operational procedures
Providing advice, guidance and expertise in developing proposals and strategies for software design activities such as financial evaluation and costings for recommending software purchases and upgrades
Managing testing and automation of software and application deployments
Collecting and analysing operational metrics
Developing continuous improvement and continuous delivery strategies across system design and software development
The creation and development of the tools required to support software and its management and security
Performing forensic analysis to identify anomalies or threats
Encryption and decryption
Identification and mitigation of risks that may affect the performance and security throughout the lifecycle of the product.

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

What the assessing authority expects: ACS: an ICT qualification (major or minor) assessed against the Australian standard, plus 2–8 years of relevant experience depending on your qualification.

Visa options for Software Engineer

Eligible means the occupation is on a list the visa accepts. You still need to meet every other requirement.

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 407 Training visa: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for Software Engineer

7 of 8 states and territories currently list this occupation: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Onshore means already living in that state; offshore means living outside Australia.

New South Wales: 190 Yes, 491 Closed 26–27, onshore NSW residents, offshore Yes. NSW Skills List — unit group 2613.
Victoria: 190 Yes, 491 Not yet open, onshore VIC residents, offshore Yes. All 190-eligible occupations (no state list).
Queensland: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore QLD residents, offshore No. Onshore list: 190 & 491.
South Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore SA residents, offshore No. SA Graduates: 190 & 491; Skilled Employment in SA: 190 & 491; Outer Regional Skilled Employment: 190 & 491.
Western Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore WA & interstate, offshore Yes. General – WASMOL Schedule 2: 190 & 491; Graduate stream (WA study): 190 & 491.
Tasmania: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore TAS residents, offshore No. Living in Tasmania: Skilled Employment, Graduate or Established Resident pathways; Overseas 491 (OSOP) closed for 2026–27.
Australian Capital Territory: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore Canberra residents, offshore Yes. ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
Northern Territory: 190 Closed, 491 By exception, onshore NT grads/residents only, offshore No. 491 onshore only, by exception for NT Graduate or Resident applicants with urgent visa or age deadlines.

Based on each state's official 2026–27 lists and program pages. Being listed does not guarantee an invitation.

Skills assessment for Software Engineer

ACS compares your IT qualification with the Australian standard, decides whether it is an ICT major or minor and how closely it relates to your occupation, then sets how many years of experience it needs before you count as skilled. Only experience after that point counts for points.

The process

Choose a pathway: General Skills, Post Australian Study, RPL or Qualification Only.
Pay and upload ID: Payment unlocks the portal; you then have 90 days to submit.
Upload evidence: Qualifications, transcripts and detailed employment references (and RPL project reports if applicable).
Assessment: Usually 4–6 weeks for complete applications.
Outcome: Your letter states the date from which you are deemed skilled.

What you need for this occupation

ACS works out how many years of relevant IT experience you need before you count as skilled. Those years are deducted from the experience you can claim for points.

Bachelor or higher, ICT major, closely related: 2 years in the last 10 years, or 4 years at any time
Bachelor or higher, ICT major, not closely related: 4 years at any time
Bachelor or higher, ICT minor, closely related: 5 years in the last 10 years, or 6 years at any time
Bachelor or higher, ICT minor, not closely related: 6 years at any time
Diploma or Associate degree, ICT major, closely related: 5 years in the last 10 years, or 6 years at any time
Diploma or Associate degree, ICT major, not closely related: 6 years at any time
Qualification with insufficient ICT content (RPL): 6 years plus an RPL report
No tertiary qualification (RPL): 8 years plus an RPL report

Experience must be closely related to Software Engineer and at a professional level.

Documents checklist

Passport or other photo ID
Degree certificates and full transcripts
Employment references with duties, dates and hours
Evidence of paid employment (payslips, tax records)
For RPL: two project reports and professional currency evidence (e.g. vendor certificates)

Key facts

General Skills fee: AUD 1,498
Post Australian Study fee: AUD 1,136
RPL / Qualification Only fee: AUD 625 each
Processing: About 4–6 weeks if decision-ready
English test: Not required by ACS
Validity for visas: Home Affairs generally accepts an assessment for 3 years unless the letter says otherwise

English language requirement

For the ACS skills assessment

No English test required. No English test is needed. ACS states that it does not require any English language test for skills assessments; your English is tested for the visa.

For the visa (189, 190 and 491)

Separately, the visa needs at least Competent English. Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

IELTS (Academic or General): Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0
PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
OET: Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330

Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points in the points test.

Related occupations in unit group 2613

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Software Engineer?

The ANZSCO code for Software Engineer is 261313. It is a skill level 1 occupation.

Who assesses Software Engineer for Australian migration?

Software Engineer is assessed by Australian Computer Society (ACS). You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a Software Engineer apply for?

Software Engineer is on the MLTSSL, CSOL lists, so it can be used for: 189 Skilled Independent; 190 Skilled Nominated; 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated; 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored; 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work; 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream; 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry; 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored; 407 Training visa. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Which states nominate Software Engineer?

7 of 8 states and territories currently list Software Engineer: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Each state has extra criteria such as residence, employment and points.

Do I need an English test for the Software Engineer skills assessment?

No. No English test is needed. ACS states that it does not require any English language test for skills assessments; your English is tested for the visa.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0), Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, ACS and state and territory nomination pages. Checked November 2026. General information only, not migration advice. Search all ANZSCO occupations.