Australia’s booming technology sector is rapidly expanding and software engineers are at the heart of this transformation. With demand for digital infrastructure, AI development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing growing across industries, the country is seeking talented professionals who can drive innovation and build scalable tech solutions. As a result, software engineer jobs have become some of the most sought-after roles, offering pathways for moving to Australia as a software engineer.
For internationally trained engineers, the Australian migration system provides structured visa options that can lead to permanent residency, making a long-term move increasingly achievable. Whether you’re a back-end developer in Berlin, a full-stack engineer in Cape Town, or a front-end developer in Toronto, Australia may be looking for someone just like you.
At Hitchcock & Associates, we understand that the migration process can be complex but, with the right guidance, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming.
Yes, skilled software engineers are in high demand across Australia. With the ongoing growth of sectors such as FinTech, cybersecurity, health tech, and AI-driven technologies, both public and private organisations are actively seeking qualified professionals to drive innovation and support digital infrastructure.
Australian employers are particularly interested in candidates with experience in full-stack development, cloud computing, data engineering, mobile applications, and DevOps practices. This demand spans both metropolitan hubs like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as regional centres where critical skills shortages exist. If you’re a software engineer with relevant qualifications and relevant post-qualification experience, you may be eligible for skilled migration and, in some cases, companies are willing to offer visa sponsorship to attract the right talent.
Software engineers seeking to migrate to Australia will find that their skills are not only highly valued but also well supported through various visa pathways. The most common skilled visa options for software engineers include:
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This points-tested visa allows eligible professionals to apply without the need for state or employer sponsorship. It provides direct permanent residency, enabling applicants to live and work anywhere in Australia. To qualify, software engineers must meet the points threshold based on age, qualifications, English proficiency, and relevant work experience.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): This visa is also points-tested and provides permanent residency, but requires nomination from a state or territory government. States may have specific criteria depending on workforce shortages, and software engineers often meet these due to consistent demand across Australia’s digital economy.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): Designed for those willing to live and work in regional areas, this visa offers a five-year stay with a pathway to permanent residency. Applicants must be nominated by a state or family member residing in a designated regional area. Additional points are awarded for regional nomination, making it an attractive option for software engineers.
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): This employer-sponsored visa is ideal for professionals with a confirmed job offer from an Australian employer that is an approved business sponsor and willing to nominate the applicant. The new SID visa has replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and features three streams. Most software engineers will fall under the Core Skills stream, which requires a minimum annual salary of $73,150 AUD and at least one year of relevant post-qualification work experience.
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186): This visa offers direct permanent residency and is designed for highly skilled professionals with long-term job offers from Australian employers who are willing to nominate the applicant for a visa. Software engineers sponsored through this route must meet the English language requirements, complete a skills assessment, and be nominated under one of the subclass 186 streams before applying. The common streams are the Temporary Residence Transition stream (after holding a subclass 482 visa) or the Direct Entry stream (if applying from offshore or without a subclass 482 visa).
Generally, Employer sponsored visas are quicker and take 2-6 months, while GSM visas can take 9-18 months. For skilled visas such as the Subclass 189, 190, or 491, you must first complete a successful skills assessment with the Australian Computer Society (ACS), submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, and wait to be invited to apply. Once invited, the formal visa application and supporting documents are lodged. Each step has its own lead time.
If you are applying under an employer-sponsored pathway, such as the new Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) or the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), timelines may differ depending on how quickly your sponsor can complete their nomination and how efficiently your documentation is prepared.
Additionally, factors such as background checks, English language test scheduling, and health or character assessments can influence the overall duration.
Receiving a visa refusal can feel overwhelming and disappointing, especially when you’ve spent months preparing documentation, undergoing assessments, and investing in your dream of moving to Australia as a software engineer. However, it’s important to remember that an unsuccessful visa outcome doesn’t mean the end of your journey. It simply means your migration pathway may need a different approach.
There are many reasons why a visa application might be unsuccessful. Common issues include errors or inconsistencies in documentation, expired English language test results, missing or insufficient evidence for work experience or qualifications, or not meeting the specific criteria for the visa subclass applied for. In other cases, the application might be impacted by rapidly changing migration policies, incorrect nomination information, or a skills assessment that does not align with the nominated occupation.
For software engineers, visa rejections can often be linked to problems with the skills assessment—especially if the assessment has expired which assesses IT professionals. It is also important that the nominated occupation closely reflects your actual qualifications and employment history, especially in a technical field like software engineering where roles and responsibilities can vary widely between countries.
This may involve correcting documentation, updating your skills assessment, submitting a new Expression of Interest, or applying under a different visa subclass that may be more suitable to your profile.
In some instances, there may also be an opportunity to appeal the decision, particularly if there is a strong argument that the visa refusal was made in error or without all relevant information considered. We can advise you on whether an appeal or a new application is the more strategic approach.
On the other hand, applicants might not be invited to apply. Once an Expression of Interest (EOI) is submitted for a points-tested skilled visa, it remains in the system for up to two years. During this period, the Department of Home Affairs does not typically provide status updates or correspondence unless the applicant is formally invited to apply for a visa. Importantly, if no invitation is issued within the two-year timeframe, the EOI will simply expire without notification. Applicants are not advised of the reason they were not selected, nor are they guaranteed any feedback from the Department. This highlights the importance of submitting a strong, competitive EOI and seeking professional guidance to improve the likelihood of receiving an invitation within the active period.
An unsuccessful application should not be viewed as a failure. Many applicants go on to succeed after trying again, with the right support and strategy.
If you’re interested in discovering if you qualify to migrate to Australia as a software engineer, reach out to Hitchcock & Associates. With more than 35 years of experience, our team can guide you with clarity, confidence, and a tailored plan to help turn your goal of working and living in Australia into a reality.
