ANZSCO 261313 · CSOL · MLTSSL
Software Engineer: ANZSCO 261313
Official Home Affairs skilled occupation list · checked 21 October 2026
Software Engineer (ANZSCO 261313) is on the CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List) and MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List). It can be used for the 189, 190, 491, 485, 494, 482, 186 and 407 visas, and the skills assessment is done by ACS. Checked against the Home Affairs list on 21 October 2026.
Occupation lists
CSOL, MLTSSL
Core Skills Occupation List; Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
Permanent visa options
189, 190, 186
Visas that give permanent residence
Assessing authority
ACS
Australian Computer Society Incorporated
Skill level
Level 1
Bachelor degree or higher, or at least 5 years of relevant experience
The job
What a software engineer does
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
Unit group 2613
Tasks of Software and Applications Programmers
- 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.
Qualifications and experience
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).
Assessing authorities check your duties against these tasks, so your experience must match them, not only the job title.
Visa options
Which visas ANZSCO 261313 can be used for
From the Department of Home Affairs combined list of eligible skilled occupations. Every visa also has its own points, age, English, experience and skills assessment rules.
| Visa | Eligible | ANZSCO version | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | |
| 190 Skilled Nominated (state) | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | Needs a state or territory nomination |
| 407 Training visa | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | Post-Vocational Education Work stream |
| 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | |
| 491 State Skilled Work Regional, state nominated | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | Needs a state or territory nomination |
| 491 Family Skilled Work Regional, family sponsored | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | Needs an eligible relative in a regional area |
| 482 Skills in Demand, Core Skills stream | Yes | ANZSCO 2022 | |
| 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry | Yes | ANZSCO 2022 |
Skills assessment
Skills assessment for ANZSCO 261313
Most skilled visas need a positive skills assessment from the authority below before you can lodge. It must be for the same occupation you nominate.
Australian Computer Society Incorporated (ACS)
We prepare your ACS assessment with you and check that your duties match ANZSCO 261313 before you apply.
States and territories
State and territory nomination
Software Engineer is on a list that allows state nomination for the 190 (permanent) and for the 491 (regional, provisional). Each state then decides which occupations it will nominate, and on what conditions.
State lists, points cut-offs and residence or job offer rules change during the program year, and some states close streams once their places are used. Ask us which states are nominating software engineer now.
Similar occupations
Other occupations in Software and Applications Programmers
If your duties fit one of these better, that is the code to nominate.
Questions
ANZSCO 261313: common questions
What is the ANZSCO code for software engineer?
What does a software engineer do?
Which skilled occupation list is Software Engineer on?
Can I get a 189 visa as a software engineer?
Is Software Engineer eligible for state nomination (190 or 491)?
Can an employer sponsor a software engineer?
Who assesses software engineer skills for Australian migration?
Talk to us
Is ANZSCO 261313 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, qualifications, experience and English scores. We will confirm the right occupation and the visas that fit.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, checked 21 October 2026. Descriptions: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0). General information only, not immigration advice.
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