Software Engineer Career and Immigration options for Australia

Profile Title: Software Engineer Career and Immigration options for Australia

Alternative Title:Software Architect, Software Designer

ANZSCO Code: 261313 | Unit Code: 2613

Skill Level: Level 1 | Work Experience: 2 Years

Assessing Bodies: Australian Computer Society (ACS)

Skill Occupation List (SOL): MLTSSL

Specialization: Database Designer, Systems Architect

Profile Description: Designs, develops, modifies, documents, tests, implements, installs and supports software applications and systems.

Job Duties:

• 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

Skill Level Description: 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).

Available Visa Options (As on February 2024):

• 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• 189 - Skilled Independent (subclass 189) - Points-Tested
• 190 - Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
• 407 - Training visa (subclass 407)
• 485 - Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) - Graduate Work
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - Family sponsored
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - State or Territory nominated
• 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Medium Term Stream
• 187 - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream
• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated
• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) Family Sponsored

Registration or Licensing: Not Required

Industries: Software and Applications Programmers are mainly employed in: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Financial and Insurance Services; and Public Administration and Safety

Education Profile: The most common level of educational attainment for Software and Applications Programmers is Bachelor degree (61.4 per cent).

Job Opening: Over the five years to November 2019, the number of job openings for Software and Applications Programmers is expected to be above average (between 25,001 and 50,000). Job openings count both employment growth and turnover (defined as workers leaving their occupation for other employment or leaving the workforce).

Age Group: The main age group is 25-34 years (35.6 per cent) and the median age is 38 years (compared to 40 years for all occupations).

Gender: The female share of Software and Applications Programmers is 17.8 per cent and 92.4 per cent of Software and Applications Programmers work full time. Average weekly hours for full time workers are 38.7 (compared to 40.2 for all occupations).

Earning: In August 2014 (latest available data) weekly earnings full-time before tax (and not including employer superannuation) were $1,613 (compared to earnings for all occupations of $1,200).

Employment: Employment for this occupation rose very strongly (in percentage terms) in the past five years and rose strongly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Software and Applications Programmers to November 2020 is expected to grow very strongly.