261314
Software Tester
Specifies, develops and writes test plans and test scripts, produces test cases, carries out regression testing, and uses automated test software applications to test the behaviour, functionality and integrity of computer software, and documents the results of tests in defect reports and related documentation. It excludes testing of technical security controls.
Relevant occupation lists
STSOL — Short-term Skilled Occupation List This list is relevant to certain nominated and other skilled visa pathways, including the 190 and state-nominated 491 under the applicable rules. It does not provide access to the points-tested 189. “Short-term” is the list’s name and does not mean every visa using it is temporary.
CSOL — Core Skills Occupation List Introduced on 7 December 2024, the CSOL is used for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482, and the Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme visa, subclass 186. Check the stream-specific requirements and any restrictions on the proposed position.
Visa pathways listed for this occupation
Select a visa to read the fuller explanation on this website, including the requirements you need to consider alongside the occupation listing.
Recorded subclass 189 invitation round
–The recorded subclass 189 results for 4 June 2026 do not show an invitation for this occupation.
The lowest invited score describes what happened in one round. It can change with the occupations selected, places available and candidates waiting, so it is not a fixed score to aim for. Where candidates have the same points, invitation order uses the EOI’s date of effect, broadly the time it reached that score. Check the tie-break information alongside the points result.
States and territories select candidates for the subclass 190 and state-nominated subclass 491 pathways through their own programmes. There is no single national invitation cut-off for those pathways, so look at the relevant jurisdiction’s criteria and published selection information.
Skills assessing authority
Where your visa requires a skills assessment, check the designated authority, the assessment pathway and when the result must be available. The authority sets its own criteria for qualifications, experience and evidence; a positive assessment does not by itself establish that every visa requirement is met.
- ACSAustralian Computer Society Incorporatedhttp://www.acs.org.au/
ANZSCO
The material below reproduces the Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO entry. Read it as the occupation’s classification description, alongside the current visa and assessment requirements.
Occupation description
Specifies, develops and writes test plans and test scripts, produces test cases, carries out regression testing, and uses automated test software applications to test the behaviour, functionality and integrity of computer software, and documents the results of tests in defect reports and related documentation. It excludes testing of technical security controls.
ANZSCO skill level 1
Skill level 1 ANZSCO broadly places these occupations at bachelor’s degree level or above. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification in the classification, and some occupations require additional experience or training. This does not automatically replace the qualification requirements of a skills assessment or visa.
In Australia and New Zealand: 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).
Typical 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 including technical security controls 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
- managing testing and automation of software and application deployments
- collecting and analysing operational metrics
- developing continuous improvement and continuous delivery strategies across system design and software development
- the creation and development of the tools required to support software and its management and security
- performing forensic analysis to identify anomalies or threats
- encryption and decryption
- identification and mitigation of risks that may affect the performance and security throughout the lifecycle of the product.
2613 Software and Applications Programmers
Software and Applications Programmers design, develop, test, maintain and document program code in accordance with user requirements, and system and technical specifications.
ANZSCO classification hierarchy
- 2Professionals
- 26ICT Professionals
- 261Business and Systems Analysts, and Programmers
- 2613Software and Applications Programmers
- 261314Software Tester
Other occupations in this unit group
Unsure whether this occupation fits your work?
Choosing an occupation involves more than finding a familiar job title. I can review your duties, qualifications and visa history with you, explain which occupation your evidence may support and identify any gaps before you apply for a skills assessment. That discussion can also help you understand how the occupation choice affects the visa options you are considering.
Book a consultationSources: the Department of Home Affairs for occupation lists, visa links, restrictions and assessing authorities; the Australian Bureau of Statistics for ANZSCO descriptions, tasks, skill levels, alternative titles and specialisations. The directory uses ANZSCO 2022 and, where relevant to the visa framework, ANZSCO 2013. Refer to the original entries for current requirements, attribution and reuse terms.
Home Affairs skilled occupation list · ABS occupation classification entry
Estimate your skilled migration points — Check the points categories for visas 189, 190 and 491
Next step
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