As global demand for skilled technology professionals continues to surge, developer programmers remain highly sought-after in Australia’s evolving digital economy. With consistent listings on Australia’s skilled occupation lists, this profession opens the door not just to exciting career opportunities, but also to long-term settlement and stability through permanent residency.
For developer programmers seeking to make Australia their permanent home, it’s crucial to understand what pathways to permanent residency exist and are accessible. From employer-sponsored options to points-tested independent visas, the Australian migration system offers several avenues, each with specific criteria and benefits. Moreover, securing permanent residency can also pave the way for your family to join you, enjoy access to essential services like Medicare, and build a future together.
Yes, developer programmers can become permanent residents of Australia, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for one of the skilled or employer-nominated visa pathways. In most cases, the pathway to permanent residency begins with securing a positive skills assessment through the Australian Computer Society (ACS), followed by applying for a visa that leads to permanent residency.
Common options include the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), and the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186). These visas differ in terms of whether they require state nomination, employer sponsorship, or a points-tested application, but each provides a clear route to settle in Australia for the long term.
As demand for skilled developer programmers continues across Australia’s technology and business sectors, qualified applicants have good prospects of securing permanent residency through the right visa channel. Hitchcock & Associates can guide you through the process, ensuring your application aligns with current policy requirements and increases your chances of success.
For developer programmers seeking long-term settlement in Australia, permanent residency (PR) provides not only stability but also access to essential benefits like Medicare, public education, and a clear pathway to Australian citizenship. While there are several migration routes, the most relevant PR options depend on your skills, experience, and employment status.
There are three primary visa options that can lead directly to permanent residency for developer programmers:
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189):
This points-tested visa does not require employer or state sponsorship and is available to applicants with occupations on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Developer Programmer (ANZSCO 261312) is currently listed (take note – this may change in the future so be sure to double check the list before submitting any applications). This visa offers full permanent residency from the outset.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190):
Also points-tested, this permanent visa requires nomination by an Australian state or territory. To be eligible, your occupation must be on the relevant State or Territory occupation list, and you must meet the nomination criteria of that state. Once granted, this visa gives you permanent residency immediately.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186):
This is a permanent visa that does not rely on points testing. Instead, you must be nominated by an eligible Australian employer for a full-time position. There are two common streams:
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT): For applicants who have worked with the same employer in Australia on a Subclass 482 visa for at least two years.
- Direct Entry: For overseas applicants or those not eligible for the TRT stream. Requires at least three years of relevant work experience and a positive skills assessment from the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
For most permanent residency visas, a positive skills assessment is essential. The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the assessing authority for developer programmers. They will evaluate your qualifications and experience to ensure they meet Australian standards. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required, and additional post-qualification experience may be necessary depending on your academic background.
All PR visas require applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency, typically through the Pearson PTE or IELTS. If you studied in an English-speaking country like Canada, the USA, New Zealand, or Ireland, you may be exempt, depending on ACS requirements and your specific visa criteria.
Permanent residency opens the door to living and working in Australia indefinitely, and Hitchcock & Associates can assist you every step of the way, ensuring your pathway to PR is clear, compliant, and as smooth as possible.
If you’ve previously held an Australian permanent residency visa which has expired, you may be eligible to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV). The RRV is available to:
- Current Australian permanent residents whose travel facility has expired or is expiring soon.
- Former Australian permanent residents, whose previous permanent residency visa was not cancelled.
- Former Australian citizens who have lost or renounced their citizenship.
In most cases, the applicant must demonstrate the reasons they did not remain in or move to Australia, and they must show substantial ties to Australia or RRV’s with longer validity periods – applicants must meet residence requirements.
For developer programmers who have previously secured PR but delayed or paused their move, this visa can provide a practical solution for regaining the right to live and work in Australia without having to requalify through the standard skilled migration pathways. Hitchcock & Associates can guide you through the RRV process and help assess whether this is the most appropriate next step in your migration journey.
Yes, many of the skilled visa options available to developer programmers allow you to include eligible family members in your application, making it possible to migrate as a family unit. Visas such as the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491), and Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) all provide pathways that permit you to include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children when lodging your visa application.
If your visa has already been granted and your circumstances change later, certain subclasses, like the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand Visa) and Subclass 491, also provide a subsequent entrant stream. This means your family may be able to join you in Australia at a later stage by applying under the relevant subsequent entrant process.
Bringing your family members under a skilled visa generally allows them to work and study in Australia, and access healthcare services through Medicare if the visa is a permanent residency visa (or if they become eligible later). It’s important to ensure that all applicants meet the relevant health and character requirements as part of the process.
Hitchcock & Associates can help you understand the specific eligibility and documentation requirements for becoming a permanent resident of Australia for both you and any family members under your visa. With our experience in skilled migration processes, we can ensure your application reflects your entire household’s goals, supporting your transition not just as an individual, but as a family ready to begin a new chapter in Australia.
