Skilled Migration Pathway

Developer Programmer

ANZSCO Code: 261312 | MLTSSL Priority Occupation

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Very Strong Future Demand

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Very High Job Security

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MLTSSL Migration Pathway

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$90k – $125k Avg Salary (AUD)

PR Pathway Overview

Study

→

Graduate

→

485 Visa

→

Work

→

Skills Assess

→

EOI

→

Invitation

→

Visa Grant

Most applicants aim for 80+ points. Regional Advantage: Studying or working in regional Australia provides a significant advantage and grants an additional +5 points to your total. The estimated total timeline from course commencement to permanent residency grant is typically 4 to 6 years...

Occupation Overview

QualificationsBachelor's degree in IT/Computer Science (AQF Level 7)
Course ExamplesBachelor of IT (HE20502), Diploma of IT (ICT50220)
Course Duration3–4 years (Full-time)
Course CostAUD $32,000–$50,000 / Year
Assessing BodyAustralian Computer Society (ACS)
Entry Req.Year 12 completion (or equivalent secondary school matrix); IELTS Academic score of 6.0 overall with no individual band below 5.5.
IntakesFebruary, July, November

Job Description & Strategic Insight

Developer Programmers develop, test, and maintain software code for applications, systems, and platforms across various programming languages. This role is currently one of Australia's most in-demand tech positions.

Business Opportunities • Freelance development studios
• App development & SaaS startups
• Co-founding technology ventures

Simple 4 Step Process

Enrol to a Course

Firstly, you must enrol in the right course/courses – one that trains you for a position on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

FIND A COURSE

Apply for 485 visa

After graduation, you may be eligible to apply for a temporary work visa called 485 Graduate Visa.

Undertake a Full Skill Assessment

Most tech occupations undertake the ACS skills assessment pathway, which requires an eligible qualification followed by a professional year program or 12 months of post-qualification workspace industry experience.

Apply for 189, 190, 491 visas

Finally... you may be eligible to apply for General Skilled Migration Visas: The Skilled Independent (Subclass 189), State Nominated (Subclass 190) or Regional Nominated (Subclass 491) Visas.

Visa & PR Pathways

Skilled Independent

Subclass 189

Direct Permanent Residency
Points-based (No sponsor needed)
Full access via MLTSSL status

Skilled Nominated

Subclass 190

Permanent Residency
State/Territory nomination
+5 Points bonus for nomination

Regional Skilled

Subclass 491

5-year provisional visa
+15 Points for Regional
Pathway to 191 Permanent Residency

Employer Sponsored

Subclass 482

Temporary Skill Shortage
Medium-term stream sponsorship
Pathway to PR available

Regional Employer

Subclass 494

Regional Employer Sponsored
Priority Processing
Direct PR pathway available

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the course entry requirements for a Developer Programmer path?

To enter a standard Bachelor's degree (AQF Level 7) program in Australia, you typically need to complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification. For international students, a baseline English proficiency of IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no single band score less than 5.5 is required.

What are the standard course intakes for this program?

Most major higher education institutes and university networks across Australia hold three primary enrollment intakes scheduled in February, July, and November.

What is the standard course duration to qualify as a Developer Programmer?

An accredited Bachelor of IT, Software Engineering, or Computer Science program spans 3 to 4 years of continuous full-time study to meet standard qualification baselines.

Does studying regionally in Australia add points to my PR profile score?

Yes. Fulfilling your course timeline parameters or gaining relevant post-qualification experience in a designated regional area grants you an extra +5 advantage points toward your skilled migration points total.

Is the Developer Programmer role in high demand across Australia?

Yes. The Developer Programmer occupation features a very strong, priority demand index nationwide across fintech networks, corporate sectors, cloud systems engineering, and dedicated software solutions design ecosystems.

Do I need an active state license or professional registration to work?

No formal occupational state license is required to practice legally in Australia. However, for visa paths, you must secure a positive Skills Assessment outcome from the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

What is the average salary expectation for a Developer Programmer?

The standard industry baseline compensation ranges roughly between $90,000 and $125,000 AUD per year. Senior software engineers, full-stack platform leads, and specialist systems architects can command figures scaling far above this average.