Software Engineers design, develop, modify, document, test, implement, install, and support software applications and systems.

Skill Level

1

Alternative Titles

• Software Architect
• Software Designer

Specialisations

• Computer Applications Engineer
• Database Designer
• Systems Architect

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Software Engineer is Australian Computer Society (ACS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Qualification comparable to AQF Bachelor Degree or higher with an ICT Major
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is closely related to the occupation of Software Engineer, the following is required:
    • 2 years relevant work experience completed within the past 10 years; or
    • 4 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is NOT closely related to the occupation of Software Engineer, the following is required:
    • 4 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
• Qualification comparable to AQF Bachelor Degree or higher with an ICT Minor
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Minor that is closely related to the occupation of Software Engineer, the following is required:
    • 5 years relevant work experience completed in the past 10 years; or
    • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Minor that is NOT closely related to the occupation of Software Engineer, the following is required:
    • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
• Qualification comparable to AQF Diploma or Vendor Certification
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is closely related to the occupation of Software Engineer, the following is required:
    • 5 years relevant work experience completed within the past 10 years; or
    • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is NOT closely related to the occupation of Software Engineer, the following is required:
    • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history.
• ACS also recognises prior learning (RPL).
  • If the applicant has a Non-ICT Qualification that is comparable AQF Diploma or higher, the following is required:
    • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history; and
    • Recognition of Prior Learning application
  • If the applicant has no tertiary qualification and has work experience only, the following is required:
• 8 years of relevant work experience; and
• Recognition of Prior Learning Application
  • Note: a prior learning application requires you to demonstrate how you acquired your ICT knowledge. You must submit 2 Project Reports with an RPL application.
• The following Vendor Certifications are accepted by ACS as comparable to AQF Diploma level qualification:
  • Microsoft Certifications
  • Cisco Certifications
• Australian qualifications that have been accredited by ACS will most likely meet the ICT Major Criteria. However, it may not necessarily be assessed as being closely related to your nominated occupation. Therefore, it is important to ensure you nominate the correct occupation.
• ACS will only count employment that is completed after the date you have met the ACS Suitability Criteria as Skilled Employment. This means they will not consider pre-qualification employment experience.

Important

ACS has specific requirements relating to some regions.

• Bologna Agreement
  • If your qualification was completed in a country that is a signatory to the Bologna Agreement, please submit the Diploma Supplement
• People’s Republic of China (PRC)
  • If your qualification was completed in China, please provide the graduation Diploma and certificate of award according to the regulations of academic degrees in PRC.
• Pakistan
  • If your qualification was completed in Pakistan, you are required to submit an attested Higher Education Commission Pakistan copy of the award certificate and a full academic transcript.
  • If you have work experience completed in Pakistan, you are required ot provide evidence that the employer is registered with the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan and/or the Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan.
• Philippines
  • If you qualification was completed in the Philippines, you need to supply evidence of passing the Professional Regulation Commission’s Licensure Examinations.

Design, develop, test, maintain and document program code in accordance with user requirements, and system and technical specifications.

Tasks

• 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

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).

Occupations in this Group

• 261311 Analyst Programmer
• 261312 Developer Programmer
• 261313 Software Engineer
• 261314 Software Tester
• 261315 Cyber Security Engineer
• 261316 DevOps Engineer
• 261317 Penetration Tester
• 261399 Software and Applications Programmers nec