Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent visa (Points-tested stream)
Submitted EOIsAt least 3,818
Most common submitted EOI points †90 points
Recent invited-status presence<20*
Visa applications lodged<20*
Software and Applications Programmers ( NEC) - ANZSCO 261399
Skilled occupation profile
Software and Applications Programmers ( )
ANZSCO 261399This occupation group covers Software and Applications Programmers not elsewhere classified. Occupations in this group include: Software Tester .
MLTSSLCSOLSkilled Employer Sponsored Regional Occupations
Recent SkillSelect information
Recent SkillSelect information for Software and Applications Programmers ( NEC)
SkillSelect information published for May 2026 provides a historical snapshot of available EOI activity for Software and Applications Programmers ( NEC), ANZSCO 261399. Selected published indicators relevant to this occupation are shown below.
Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated visa
Submitted EOIsAt least 6,687
Most common submitted EOI points †75 points
Recent invited-status presence<20*
Visa applications lodgedAt least 49
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – State or Territory nominated
Submitted EOIsAt least 6,836
Most common submitted EOI points †85 points
Recent invited-status presenceNo published EOIs with invited status appear
Visa applications lodged<20*
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Family Sponsored
Submitted EOIsAt least 55
Most common submitted EOI points †90 points
Recent invited-status presenceNo published EOIs with invited status appear
Visa applications lodged<20*
* <20: the official source published a small-number value below 20. The exact number is not shown by the official source.
† PointsView-calculated indicator: calculated from the published SkillSelect points distribution where sufficient data is available.
This information gives historical SkillSelect EOI information. It does not predict invitation chances, guarantee visa outcomes, or state a minimum invitation score.
Occupation guide
Occupation details and migration pathways
This guide brings together the key occupation tasks, possible visa pathways and skills assessment information for Software and Applications Programmers ( ) ANZSCO 261399.
Typical tasks and duties
Software and Applications Programmers may perform the following tasks:
- identifying, formulating and documenting user ICT requirements
- providing advice, guidance, expertise and assistance in the system project decision making process and in the development of system proposals and strategies
- identifying and evaluating inefficiencies, deficiencies and limitations in existing systems and associated processes, procedures and methods, and recommending optimal business practices, and system functionality and behaviour
- testing, debugging, diagnosing and correcting problems to ensure acceptable quality and integrity of the system, and that programs and applications perform to specification
- designing and developing digital animations, imaging, presentations, games, video clips, and Internet applications using multimedia software, tools and utilities, interactive graphics and programming language
Possible visa pathways
This occupation appears on MLTSSL and CSOL and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Occupations. The right visa pathway depends on factors such as your age, English level, qualifications, work experience, skills assessment, points score, nomination options and employer sponsorship.
Skilled Independent visa subclass 189A permanent skilled visa for invited applicants who may be able to apply without state, territory or employer sponsorship.Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190A permanent skilled visa for applicants nominated by an Australian state or territory government.Skilled Work Regional visa subclass 491A provisional regional skilled visa for applicants nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible family member.Skills in Demand visa subclass 482A temporary employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers where an Australian employer cannot find a suitably skilled Australian worker.Employer Nomination Scheme visa subclass 186A permanent employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa subclass 494A provisional regional employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
Skills assessment
For skilled migration purposes, Software and Applications Programmers ( ) usually requires a suitable skills assessment. Relevant assessing authorities may include:
Additional occupation-specific assessment information
The assessment authority for this occupation is Australian Computer Society (ACS) and the ACS skills assessment will assess if your educational qualifications and work experience are at a professional ICT level and closely related to your nominated occupation for migration purposes.
You are required to receive a positive assessment for your qualifications and work experience from Australian Computer Society if you are planning to migrate to Australia through skill migration program.
Click here to read further information regarding the process of assessment by Australian Computer Society.
Legacy subclass 187 pathway
Do you currently hold, or have you previously held, a subclass 457 or 482 visa?
If you have worked for a sponsoring employer in regional Australia, please note that Software and Applications Programmers ( NEC) — ANZSCO 261399 was included in the legacy Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) occupation list. The subclass 187 Direct Entry stream is closed to new applications, but the Temporary Residence Transition stream may remain available to certain transitional subclass 457 and subclass 482 workers. Eligibility is limited and depends on your visa history, relevant dates, sponsored regional employment, employer nomination, age, English and other requirements. Being included on this occupation list does not establish eligibility.
If this may describe your circumstances, we can assess whether the subclass 187 transitional arrangements may still apply to you.
Check your options
Check your skilled migration options
If Software and Applications Programmers ( ) is your nominated occupation, complete our skilled visa assessment form so we can review your possible migration pathways.
PointsView report available
Software and Applications Programmers ( NEC) historical SkillSelect report
The current PointsView report includes historical SkillSelect data through June 2026 for ANZSCO 261399.
View report detailsPurchase full report
Historical information does not predict invitations, visa outcomes or migration eligibility.
Reviewed by Principal Migration Consultant
Reviewed by Mohammad Reza Azimi
This occupation page has been reviewed for migration context by Shada Migration Services. Mohammad has assisted clients with Australian migration matters since 2009 and holds a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law from the Australian National University.
Last reviewed: July 2026
