Software Engineers — Australia Visa Sponsorship
Primary route: Subclass 482 Skills in Demand
Why Software Engineers matter in Australia
Software engineers are on Australia's Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), qualifying for the Skills in Demand (SID) 482 visa with a 4-year term and a direct permanent residence path via Subclass 186. Atlassian and Canva are prolific sponsors.
Visa rules overview
SID 482 requires: sponsorship by an Australian business, TSMIT salary (AUD 73,150+ for 2025), 2 years work experience, and a Skilling Australians Fund contribution from the employer. After 2 years on 482, eligible to transition to permanent residence via 186 ENS.
Available routes:
- Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand)
- Subclass 186 (ENS)
- Subclass 494 (Regional)
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)
Top Australian sponsors for Software Engineers
- Atlassian
- Canva
- REA Group
- SEEK
- Commonwealth Bank
- Westpac
- Macquarie
Common hiring cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a Australia visa as a Software Engineer?
SID 482 requires: sponsorship by an Australian business, TSMIT salary (AUD 73,150+ for 2025), 2 years work experience, and a Skilling Australians Fund contribution from the employer. After 2 years on 482, eligible to transition to permanent residence via 186 ENS.
Which companies sponsor Software Engineers?
Atlassian, Canva, REA Group, SEEK, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, Macquarie — plus smaller and regional employers not listed.
What salary should I expect?
Typical range: AUD 110,000 – 220,000 AUD. Salaries trend higher at large-cap tech, finance, and consulting employers.