Software engineer PR pathway in Australia, step by step
Settledin Team5 min readThe software engineer PR pathway in Australia starts with ANZSCO code 261313. Home Affairs lists it on both the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), against the 189, 190, 491, 482 and 186 visas, among others. The assessing authority is the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Lists and pages checked on 10 November 2026.
Is software engineer on the skilled occupation lists?
Yes. Home Affairs' skilled occupation lists show "Software Engineer" under 261313, with the same code in ANZSCO 2022 (used for the 186 and 482) and ANZSCO 2013 (all other visas). It appears on two lists, MLTSSL and CSOL, and against these visas:
| Visa | What Home Affairs lists for 261313 |
|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) | Points-tested stream |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | Listed |
| Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) | State or territory nominated, and family sponsored |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) | Core Skills stream |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | Direct Entry pathway |
| Subclass 485, 489, 494 and 407 | Also listed |
Row as shown by Home Affairs on 10 November 2026.
Settledin's software engineer occupation page holds the list details for this code. The lists themselves are explained on the MLTSSL and CSOL pages.
Which body assesses a software engineer's skills?
ACS. On its migration skills assessment page, ACS says it is authorised to assess the skills and qualifications of IT, Data Science and Cyber Security professionals on behalf of the Australian Government. Its list of IT occupations includes 261313 Software Engineer, described as designing, developing, modifying, documenting, testing, implementing, installing and supporting software applications and systems.
The Home Affairs 189 and 190 pages both list a suitable skills assessment for the occupation as a requirement. How skills assessments work across all occupations is covered in skills assessment in Australia, and Settledin has an ACS page.
What does the ACS assessment ask for?
ACS offers four assessment pathways. The documents ACS lists for each:
| Pathway | Who ACS describes it for | Documents ACS lists |
|---|---|---|
| General Skills | Experienced professionals with recognised tertiary qualifications | Proof of identity, evidence of qualifications, evidence of work experience |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) | Experienced professionals without formal IT or Data Science tertiary qualifications | Proof of identity, evidence of work experience, two RPL project reports, professional currency evidence |
| Post Australian Study | International students with an Australian bachelor's degree or higher in an IT, Data Science or Cyber Security major, plus at least one year of relevant Australian IT work experience or the ACS Professional Year | Proof of identity, evidence of qualifications, evidence of work experience or a completed Professional Year |
| Qualification Only | Australian diploma or associate degree holders going to the 485 (Post-Vocational Education Work stream), or those checking a bachelor's ICT content before the Professional Year | Proof of identity, evidence of qualifications |
ACS also says:
- An application can be started and submitted within 90 days.
- Extra documents cannot be added once an application is in process.
- It is not possible to say whether a degree will be accepted until the full assessment is done.
- ACS membership is not required to apply.
Fees and current timeframes are on the ACS site. Settledin does not quote them here because they change.
Which points categories apply to a software engineer?
The 189 and 190 are points-tested. Home Affairs says an applicant must be able to score 65 points or more to be invited, and must be under 45 when invited (189, page updated 5 November 2026; 190, page updated 10 November 2026). Home Affairs does not publish a points score that always leads to an invitation.
Every applicant is scored on the same categories (age, English, skilled employment, qualifications and others), and the occupation does not change how those are counted. The full table is in the Australian PR points test, explained, and English score bands are in English tests for Australian visas.
Settledin adds up an indicative points total from the official points table.
Work out your indicative points
Which states list software engineer?
Each state and territory sets its own nomination list and criteria. Two lists that were readable on 10 November 2026:
| State | What its page shows for 261313 |
|---|---|
| Queensland | 261313 Software Engineer is ticked for both the 190 and the 491 on the onshore skilled occupation list. The page says an occupation not on the list is "not eligible" for Queensland nomination in 2026-27. See Queensland state nomination. |
| South Australia | Listed on the occupations list under the South Australian Graduates stream, for the 190 and 491, with a minimum of 65 points. The page notes the occupation is not available to offshore clients. See South Australia state nomination. |
The other states and territories publish their own lists, which were not read for this post. The state nomination tracker links each one.
What does the sponsored route look like?
For the 482, Home Affairs lists 261313 in the Core Skills stream, and for the 186 in the Direct Entry pathway. Both need an employer to sponsor the applicant.
The 482 is explained in the Skills in Demand visa. Home Affairs publishes a sponsor list, which Settledin shows on its sponsor list page as at 15 January 2025. Being on that list is not a job offer. Confirm any sponsorship with the employer, and never pay for sponsorship.
What are the steps from skills assessment to visa grant?
For the points-tested visas, Home Affairs sets out the same order: an occupation on the relevant skilled list, a suitable skills assessment, an invitation, and the points test (189). The sequence for 261313 runs as follows:
- The occupation is listed by Home Affairs under 261313.
- ACS carries out the skills assessment, under one of its four pathways.
- An accepted English test result is obtained.
- An expression of interest (EOI) is submitted in SkillSelect, which gives an indicative points score.
- For the 190 or 491, a state or territory nomination is also part of the process.
- If invited, the visa application follows.
Home Affairs says a visa can only be applied for after an invitation. The whole process is set out in how to get PR in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Is software engineer on the Core Skills Occupation List?
Yes. Home Affairs lists 261313 on both the CSOL and the MLTSSL, as at 10 November 2026.
Which authority assesses ICT occupations?
ACS, for IT, Data Science and Cyber Security occupations, including 261313.
Can a software engineer apply for the 189?
Home Affairs lists 261313 against the 189 points-tested stream. The visa needs an invitation, a suitable skills assessment and a points score of 65 or more.
Which states nominate software engineers?
Each state sets its own list. Queensland and South Australia list 261313 on pages read on 10 November 2026. Check the others on their own pages.
What is the points requirement?
The 189 and 190 pages say an applicant must be able to score 65 points or more. Home Affairs does not publish a points score that always leads to an invitation.
Where is the sponsor list?
On the Home Affairs sponsor list, as at 15 January 2025. Confirm with the employer, never pay for sponsorship.
This article describes published Department of Home Affairs, ACS and state government information, checked on 10 November 2026. It is general information, not migration advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a registered migration agent. Check the register.