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Skilled Migration Pathway

Software & Applications Programmers (NEC)

ANZSCO Code: 261399 | MLTSSL Occupation List

📈
Strong Future Demand
🔒
High Job Security
🇦🇺
MLTSSL Visa Pathway
💰
$85k – $115k 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

  • Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in IT or related field (AQF Level 7)
  • Course ExamplesBachelor of IT (HE20502) or specialized bootcamps
  • Course Duration3–4 years (Full-time)
  • Course CostAUD $32,000–$50,000 / Year
  • Assessing BodyAustralian Computer Society (ACS)
  • Entry Req.Successful completion of Year 12 or equivalent with strong logical/mathematical foundations; minimum English score of IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no individual band score below 5.5.
  • IntakesFebruary, July, November
Programming Specialisation

Job Description & Strategic Insight

This "Not Elsewhere Classified" (NEC) category serves as a vital catch-all for emerging and niche programming roles. NEC programmers design, develop, test, and maintain software for specialized roles that don't fit into traditional developer classifications.

Blockchain and Platform Development
  • Business Opportunities • Game Development Studios
    • Embedded Systems Consulting
    • Blockchain & Web3 Development
    • Platform Architecture & Strategy

Your Australian PR occupation guide

Select any occupation to see the full skills assessment pathway, study options, English requirements, state nomination status, and visa comparison — all in one place.

90 Occupations
8 Assessing Bodies
6 Visa Pathways
8 States & Territories
Search related occupations, ANZSCO code, or assessing body... ⌕

Simple 4 Step Process

1

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
2

Apply for 485 visa

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

3

Undertake a Full Skill Assessment

Niche ICT occupations under the NEC stream undertake an evaluation with the Australian Computer Society (ACS) which requires an eligible qualification followed by a professional year or 12-months of relevant post-qualification experience.

4

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 selection
  • Full access for MLTSSL roles

Skilled Nominated

Subclass 190
  • Permanent Residency
  • State/Territory nominated
  • +5 Points 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
  • Path to PR available

Regional Employer

Subclass 494
  • Regional Employer Sponsored
  • Priority Processing
  • Direct PR pathway available

MLTSSL Status grants full access to all priority skilled visa streams.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the course entry requirements for Software & Applications Programmers (NEC)?

Entry into a foundational Bachelor's degree (AQF Level 7) generally requires completion of high school or Year 12. International applicants must satisfy English proficiency standards with a minimum score of IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no single band below 5.5.

What are the standard course intakes available during the academic year?

Most major higher education institutes and universities hosting accredited technology or engineering courses provide structural intakes distributed across February, July, and November.

What is the standard course duration to fully complete my qualification?

An accredited Bachelor of Computer Science, Information Technology, or aligned software tracking program typically demands 3 to 4 years of full-time academic study to successfully complete.

Does studying regionally in Australia grant extra points toward PR?

Yes. Completing your academic studies or gaining required workspace milestones in a designated regional area of Australia grants a direct advantage, adding +5 points to your point-tested migration scorecard profile.

Is the Software & Applications Programmers (NEC) role in high demand?

Yes, the role features a strong future demand index nationwide across fintech networks, corporate sectors, specialized cloud setups, and niche systems deployment frameworks requiring highly custom platform architectures.

Do I need a mandatory state license or registration to work in Australia?

No formal state occupational license or board registration is legally required to work. However, traveling or migrating professionals must secure a positive migration Skills Assessment from the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

What is the average salary expectation for this occupational role?

The standard industry baseline compensation ranges roughly between $85,000 to $115,000 AUD per year. Senior developers, full-stack platform leads, and specialty architectures dealing with custom implementations can command packages scaling far past this baseline range.

What permanent skilled migration visa pathways are open to qualified candidates?

Because the occupation resides firmly on the MLTSSL list, professionals have access to all major points-tested skilled paths, including the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190), and Regional Nominated (Subclass 491) visas.

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