The occupation definition lead statement is identical to the statement in ANZSCO 2022 and is not repeated here. View the shared definition.
Skill level: 1
Unit group 2613 · SOFTWARE AND APPLICATIONS PROGRAMMERS
design, develop, test, maintain and document program code in accordance with user requirements, and system and technical specifications.
Indicative skill level for this unit group
In Australia and New Zealand: 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).
Indicative tasks for ANZSCO 2013 v1.2 unit group 2613
Unit-group tasks are representative examples. They do not mean that every listed task applies to every occupation in the group.
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 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
Unit Group 2613 · Software and Applications Programmers
Software and Applications Programmers design, develop, test, maintain and document program code in accordance with user requirements, and system and technical specifications.
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).
Indicative tasks for unit group 2613 Software and Applications Programmers
Unit-group tasks: These are representative tasks for the wider classification group, not occupation-specific duties and not necessarily applicable to every occupation in it.
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.
Federal list and assessing-authority source matches
Edition-tagged mappings checked 2026-10-31. Each row links to its source instrument. A mapped row does not establish personal eligibility or a current invitation; source conditions and current rules still apply.
Classification titles help identify the indexed record; they do not decide how an individual’s work is classified or whether assessment or visa requirements are met.
ABS says most occupations in this unit group are commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher. At least five years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification may substitute for the formal qualification; additional experience or on-the-job training may also be required. This is classification context, not a visa or skills-assessment determination.
Indicative tasks for unit group 2613 Software and Applications Programmers
Indicative tasks for ANZSCO unit group 2613; not tasks unique to Software Engineer.
Research, consult on, analyse and evaluate software and system needs.
Identify limitations in existing systems and related processes, procedures and methods.
Test, debug, diagnose and correct software errors against testing and quality requirements, including relevant technical security controls.
Write and maintain code to meet system requirements, designs and technical specifications.
Maintain technical and end-user documentation and operating procedures.
Advise on software design proposals and strategies, including evaluation and costing.
Manage deployment testing and automation, analyse operational metrics, and develop continuous-improvement and delivery approaches.
Develop support and security tools, perform forensic analysis for anomalies or threats, and identify or mitigate lifecycle risks.
Classification source: ABS ANZSCO 2022 Australian Update · unit group 2613 · checked 2026-11-02 · released 2022-11-22. Cited subclass 186 and 482 instruments refer to ANZSCO as in force on 23 November 2022. ABS now lists OSCA 2024 as its latest classification; this page does not convert the code to OSCA. Edition information.
Classification descriptions and indicative group tasks help identify an occupation; they do not decide how an individual’s work is classified, whether an assessing authority will accept an application, or whether a visa requirement is met.
State nomination
Select a state or territory to see its plain-English overview, current 190/491 comparison, key notes and official program link.
✓ Open · × Closed · ? Not confirmed
Captured pathway status for subclasses 190 and 491; conditions apply
Jurisdiction
190
491
Notes
?Not confirmed
?Not confirmed
Program review due — check official sourceProgram checked 2026-11-10 · Program review due
?Not confirmed
?Not confirmed
Program review due — check official sourceProgram checked 2026-11-10 · Program review due
?Not confirmed
?Not confirmed
Program review due — check official sourceProgram checked 2026-11-10 · Program review due
?Not confirmed
?Not confirmed
Program review due — check official sourceProgram checked 2026-11-10 · Program review due
?Not confirmed
?Not confirmed
Program review due — check official sourceProgram checked 2026-11-10 · Program review due
?Not confirmed
?Not confirmed
Program review due — check official sourceProgram checked 2026-11-10 · Program review due
?Not confirmed
?Not confirmed
Program review due — check official sourceProgram checked 2026-11-10 · Program review due
?Not confirmed
?Not confirmed
Program review due — check official sourceProgram checked 2026-11-10 · Program review due
Open: The pathway is accepting the listed step, subject to its rules. Not confirmed: The available sources do not establish whether the pathway is open for this occupation. An open pathway does not confirm personal eligibility or an invitation.
Australian Capital Territory
Program checked 2026-11-10 · Occupation list checked 2026-11-10 · Federal list checked 2026-10-31 · Review due — check official sources
Captured program context (checked 2026-11-10): The ACT uses the Canberra Matrix to select people for skilled visa nomination. The Matrix is available for both visas, with different pathway requirements.
Current intake not confirmed — source review due
Pathway status for this occupation
Subclass 190:Not confirmed
Subclass 491:Not confirmed
Captured note: Matrix open; conditions apply
Next step: Check the Canberra Matrix and the requirements for your occupation and circumstances.
Scope: ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List for Canberra Matrix
Source dated 2025-10-10
Checked 2026-11-10
Listing match: Exact six-digit occupation code
The source row has an exact six-digit code match; its other source fields keep their stated scope.
The source includes explicit subclass 491-only occupation qualifiers; unmarked rows do not independently establish program intake.
The source says occupations may be capped.
New South Wales
Program checked 2026-11-10 · Occupation list checked 2026-11-02 · Federal list checked 2026-10-31 · Review due — check official sources
Captured program context (checked 2026-11-10): NSW selects candidates for 190 nomination by invitation using the state unit-group and federal lists. Its 491 page has an undated closure notice alongside general pathway instructions; current 491 availability is not confirmed.
Current intake not confirmed — source review due
Pathway status for this occupation
Subclass 190:Not confirmed
Subclass 491:Not confirmed
Captured note: 190 by invitation; 491 closure notice needs checking
Next step: Check the NSW skills list and nomination requirements, then submit a SkillSelect expression of interest if they apply to you.
190 · Selection-based invitationBy invitation; no public round dates
Applicants cannot apply directly for NSW nomination. The official page describes invitations throughout the financial year but does not confirm a particular current or next round.
The official page has an undated program closure notice alongside generic pathway instructions. The notice does not identify its program year. Current subclass 491 availability is not confirmed; do not treat general Pathway 2 instructions as evidence of active invitations.
Status as of 2026-11-10
491 · Pathways 1 and 3 direct nomination applicationsCurrent 491 availability not confirmed; undated closure notice
The official page has an undated program closure notice alongside generic pathway instructions. The notice does not identify its program year. Current subclass 491 availability is not confirmed; do not treat general Pathway 2 instructions as evidence of active invitations.
Status as of 2026-11-10
The NSW 190 list uses ANZSCO unit groups and must be combined with the relevant federal visa list.
Scope: NSW Skills List, subclass 190, at ANZSCO unit-group level.
Checked 2026-11-02
Listing match: Four-digit occupation group
NSW source row 2613 is a unit-group match only. This lookup does not expand it into an occupation-code listing.
A unit-group match does not establish that every occupation in the group is eligible, that an invitation is available, or that an individual meets federal or NSW criteria. The NSW page says the regional 491 list is awaiting a further update.
Northern Territory
Program checked 2026-11-10 · Occupation list checked 2026-11-02 · Federal list checked 2026-10-31 · Review due — check official sources
Captured program context (checked 2026-11-10): The Northern Territory is accepting new 491 applications only for certain onshore applicants by exception. New 190 and offshore applications are not being accepted in the captured update.
Current intake not confirmed — source review due
Pathway status for this occupation
Subclass 190:Not confirmed
Subclass 491:Not confirmed
Captured note: 491 onshore exceptions
Next step: Check the NT Graduate or NT Resident requirements and the exception conditions before applying.
190 · NT nomination pathwaysNo new subclass 190 nomination applications accepted
The NT update says no new subclass 190 applications are accepted at this time; it does not provide an exception for this subclass.
Status as of 2026-10-13
491 · Offshore Priority Occupation, Job Offer and Family streamsNo new offshore stream applications accepted
The exception is limited to qualifying onshore NT Graduate or NT Resident subclass 491 applicants; offshore streams remain closed.
Status as of 2026-10-13
491 · NT Graduate / NT Resident; urgent visa deadline exceptionsException applications only for qualifying onshore applicants
The exception requires a substantive visa deadline, age 45, or points deadline on or before 30 Sep 2027, meeting the listed NT criteria. Nominations before a visa deadline are not guaranteed.
Status as of 2026-10-13
We couldn’t confirm an occupation-list entry from the state sources checked.
No new nomination applications will be accepted at this time for Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa.
491 · nomination application
No new nomination applications will be accepted at this time for any offshore streams.
New nomination applications will only be accepted by exception for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) for onshore applicants.
Queensland
Program checked 2026-11-10 · Occupation list checked 2026-11-02 · Federal list checked 2026-10-31 · Review due — check official sources
Captured program context (checked 2026-11-10): Queensland accepts registrations of interest from eligible onshore and offshore skilled workers. The occupation list, visa subclass and pathway criteria must all be checked.
190 · Skilled visa Registration of InterestEligible onshore and offshore ROIs can be submitted
The current onshore and offshore pathway pages welcome eligible ROIs and their 2026-27 forms are available. Occupation, visa, location and pathway criteria still apply. Read-only form availability was checked; successful submission was not tested. The homepage still contains the earlier future-tense 6 November announcement.
Status as of 2026-11-10
491 · Skilled visa Registration of InterestEligible onshore and offshore ROIs can be submitted
The current onshore and offshore pathway pages welcome eligible ROIs and their 2026-27 forms are available. Occupation, visa, location and pathway criteria still apply. Read-only form availability was checked; successful submission was not tested. The homepage still contains the earlier future-tense 6 November announcement.
Classification edition: 2013 (no minor version specified)
Checked 2026-11-02
Listing match: Exact six-digit occupation code
The source row has an exact six-digit code match; its other source fields keep their stated scope.
Any local titles are exact-code references from the local ANZSCO 2013 v1.2 file, not titles captured from or attributed to the Queensland list. QLD states 2013 ANZSCO without a minor version; local edition is not a claim about QLD source edition.
A blank source cell is recorded as a blank tick marker only; it is not proof that intake is open/closed or a determination of personal eligibility.
South Australia
Program checked 2026-11-10 · Occupation list checked 2026-11-02 · Federal list checked 2026-10-31 · Review due — check official sources
Captured program context (checked 2026-11-10): South Australia has nomination pathways for people living and working in the state and for candidates overseas. The current onshore registration is limited to a specified visa-expiry group.
Current intake not confirmed — source review due
Pathway status for this occupation
Subclass 190:Not confirmed
Subclass 491:Not confirmed
Captured note: Onshore; visa-expiry limit
Next step: Check the occupation list and the requirements for your onshore or offshore stream.
Offshore applicants: The South Australian occupation list marks this occupation as unavailable for this stream.
Program Pathways
190 or 491, subject to stream and occupation pathway · SkillSelect EOI; invitation directly from EOI reviewOffshore candidates use EOI; ROI not required; invitations issued to suitable candidates
A current SkillSelect EOI is required. The visa subclass and stream depend on occupation and program criteria; this does not mean every EOI will be invited.
Status as of 2026-10-22
190 or 491, subject to stream and occupation pathway · Onshore Registration of InterestOnshore ROI open for the stated visa-expiry cohort
This is limited to people living and working in SA whose current visas expire by 31 Jan 2027. Subclass and invitation treatment vary by stream and occupation; this status is not a nomination or eligibility decision.
Status as of 2026-10-22
ICT Professionals
South Australian Graduates
Applicant scope: South Australia
Minimum points shown: 65
Conditions: South Australian Graduate You must have completed a minimum Bachelor qualification in South Australia that meets the South Australian study requirements Eligible SA Graduates working full-time in South Australia, and in employment closely related to their nominated occupation, are able to register their interest for SA nomination. For more information, see the South Australian Graduates page.
Skilled Employment in South Australia
Applicant scope: South Australia
Minimum points shown: 65
Conditions: Eligible temporary visa holders working full-time in South Australia, and in employment closely related to their nominated occupation, are able to register their interest for SA nomination. For more information, see the Skilled Employment in South Australia page
Outer Regional Skilled Employment
Applicant scope: South Australia
Minimum points shown: 65
Conditions: Eligible temporary visa holders working full-time in Outer Regional South Australia , and in employment closely related to their nominated occupation, are able to register their interest for SA nomination. For more information, see the Outer Regional Skilled Employment page.
Offshore
Applicant scope: Offshore
Minimum points shown: 65
Conditions: This occupation is not available to offshore clients.
Scope: South Australia Skilled Occupation List membership with separately scoped stream-card facts
Checked 2026-11-02
Listing match: Exact six-digit occupation code
The source row has an exact six-digit code match; its other source fields keep their stated scope.
Absence of a subclass link in a captured detail block is recorded as not shown, not as ineligibility.
South Australian Graduates · subclass 190: link shown in the source
South Australian Graduates · subclass 491: link shown in the source
Skilled Employment in South Australia · subclass 190: link shown in the source
Skilled Employment in South Australia · subclass 491: link shown in the source
Outer Regional Skilled Employment · subclass 190: link shown in the source
Outer Regional Skilled Employment · subclass 491: link shown in the source
Tasmania
Program checked 2026-11-10 · Occupation list checked 2026-11-02 · Federal list checked 2026-10-31 · Review due — check official sources
Captured program context (checked 2026-11-10): Tasmania has skilled nomination pathways for people living in Tasmania and some overseas applicants. Registrations of interest are open; the offshore occupation-profile pathway has a separate pause.
Current intake not confirmed — source review due
Pathway status for this occupation
Subclass 190:Not confirmed
Subclass 491:Not confirmed
Captured note: ROI open; offshore pause
Next step: Check the pathway requirements and any occupation conditions before submitting a registration of interest.
491 · Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles — invitation-onlyNo invitations planned for this offshore 491 pathway in 2026-27
Migration Tasmania says it will not issue invitations through this specific pathway this program year. Overseas health/teaching applicants with a Tasmanian job offer have a separate 190 pathway.
Status as of 2026-08-05
190 or 491 · Tasmanian Skilled Migration ProgramROIs opened 17 August 2026
Other nomination pathway and occupation requirements apply. No invitations are planned in 2026-27 under the offshore Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles pathway.
Status as of 2026-11-10
Tasmania says all occupations on the relevant federal 190 and 491 lists have at least one nomination pathway; conditions vary.
Business and Systems Analysts, and Programmers
Conditions: Employer must have operated in Tasmania for at least three years.
The source row has an exact six-digit code match; its other source fields keep their stated scope.
Applicants must have a valid skills assessment for an occupation listed in the “TSE Priority Occupations - eligible skills assessments” column to be eligible for the Tasmanian Skilled Employment Pathway under subclass 190.
Applicants must also be working in a closely related role - one that falls in to the same ANZSCO 3-digit group. Examples of roles in the same group are listed in the second column.
For example, if someone has a skills assessment for Management Consultant but are employed as an Economist they may be eligible for subclass 190 nomination in the Tasmanian Skilled Employment Pathway.
The table is for the subclass 190 TSE Priority Occupation option and does not describe every Tasmanian nomination pathway or subclass 491.
The exact skills-assessment occupation is the first column. The second column gives examples of related employment roles in the same three-digit ANZSCO group, and the page explicitly says the examples are not exhaustive.
A row or occupation match does not establish that a role is accepted in a person’s circumstances, that an invitation or nomination is available, or that any person meets all program criteria.
The page does not state the ANZSCO edition; exact-code mapping to other directories must remain edition-unverified.
The source page contains row-specific caveats and a future-effective note beginning 1 December 2026; those notes must not be generalized to other rows or displayed as already effective before that date.
Victoria
Program checked 2026-11-10 · Occupation list checked 2026-11-02 · Federal list checked 2026-10-31 · Review due — check official sources
Captured program context (checked 2026-11-10): Victoria uses a registration of interest to select candidates for skilled nomination. The 190 registration is open in the captured notice; 491 registrations are not yet being accepted.
Current intake not confirmed — source review due
Pathway status for this occupation
Subclass 190:Not confirmed
Subclass 491:Not confirmed
Captured note: 190 ROI; 491 not yet open
Next step: Check the federal occupation list and Victoria’s nomination requirements before submitting a 190 registration.
Victoria’s 2026–27 skilled visa nomination program is now open for Registrations of Interest for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).
491 · registration of interest
Registrations of Interest for subclass 491 nomination are not currently being accepted.
Nomination places for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) have not yet been finalised.
Western Australia
Program checked 2026-11-10 · Occupation list checked 2026-11-02 · Federal list checked 2026-10-31 · Review due — check official sources
Captured program context (checked 2026-11-10): Western Australia publishes 2026-27 invitation activity for 190 and 491. Eligible occupations and requirements vary by nomination stream; those historical rounds do not establish current intake for every occupation.
Current intake not confirmed — source review due
Pathway status for this occupation
Subclass 190:Not confirmed
Subclass 491:Not confirmed
Captured note: 2026-27 rounds published; check current stream
Next step: Check WA's current occupation, visa and stream requirements; historical invitations do not confirm present availability.
190 · General, Defence industry or Graduate stream; current occupation/stream availability not confirmed2026-27 invitation rounds published; current intake not confirmed
The official current-round section reports 14 October invitations. Its 2026-27 table records 1,100 invitations in September and 1,227 in October, across 190 and 491 tracks. This is historical invitation activity, not proof of current availability for every occupation or stream. Do not carry 2025-26 criteria forward without verification.
Status as of 2026-11-10
491 · General, Defence industry or Graduate stream; current occupation/stream availability not confirmed2026-27 invitation rounds published; current intake not confirmed
The official current-round section reports 14 October invitations. Its 2026-27 table records 1,100 invitations in September and 1,227 in October, across 190 and 491 tracks. This is historical invitation activity, not proof of current availability for every occupation or stream. Do not carry 2025-26 criteria forward without verification.
Scope: WA occupation-search export snapshot; captured source context does not state a program year
Checked 2026-11-02
Listing match: Exact six-digit occupation code
The source row has an exact six-digit code match; its other source fields keep their stated scope.
Submitted EOIs by visa
As at 31 October 2026 · SUBMITTED status · counts are EOI records, not people or invitations; visa tracks may overlap.
Points-Tested Stream (189PTS)
9,464
Skilled Australian Sponsored (190SAS)
20,258
Family Sponsored - Regional (491FSR)
575
State or Territory Nominated - Regional (491SNR)
21,815
Earnings · unit group 2613 · Software and Applications Programmers
May 2025 median full-time earnings · Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate; before tax and salary sacrificed amounts.
Median weekly
2,537 AUD/week
Median hourly
67 AUD/hour
Earnings are four-digit unit-group estimates, not this six-digit occupation. See the population description above. The exported statistics do not state their ANZSCO classification editions.
Sources: Home Affairs SkillSelect EOI Dashboard · Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles.
Related occupations in the same ANZSCO unit group 2613
These occupations share the first four digits of the ANZSCO unit-group code in the stated edition(s). This is a classification relationship only; it does not indicate a visa-list match, assessing-authority scope, or eligibility.