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Software and Applications Programmers (NEC) – Career, Skills & Migration Guide

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) rates ANZSCO 261399 Software and Applications Programmers NEC as a Skill Level 1 job for people who want to move to Australia. This group contains ICT professionals whose jobs don’t fit into any of the more particular ANZSCO programming codes. These experts create, test, change, and keep up software programs for enterprises in a wide range of fields, including finance, healthcare, education, and corporate businesses. They usually look at system requirements, write and fix code, put together software components, and make sure that applications run quickly and safely.

As Australia needs more competent ICT workers, this ANZSCO code is a great way for skilled workers to move there. Most of the time, candidates know a lot about programming, analytical thinking, and new ways to make software. They are important for making and enhancing software solutions, helping with digital transformation, and helping the country’s IT sector flourish.

ANZSCO 261399 software and applications programmers nec

Skill Level 1

ANZSCO 261399 is a Level 1 job that usually requires a bachelor’s degree or higher in ICT or a field that is closely related. If you have the same amount of professional experience as someone who has formal ICT qualifications, you may still be considered for the job. This is especially true if you are evaluated using the ACS Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway.

Specializations

Software and Apps Programmers NEC generally focuses on

  • Creating and keeping up unique apps and systems
  • Writing, changing, and improving code to make it run faster
  • Putting together and keeping track of APIs and software parts
  • Testing, fixing bugs, and giving software support on multiple platforms
  • Improving the efficiency and functionality of current systems

Alternative Titles

Common Titles (Used by Employers):

  • Software Applications Programmer (NEC)
  • Software Developer (NEC Applications)
  • Systems Software Developer
  • Custom Software Developer

Occupation Lists Overview

Several state-nominated and employer-sponsored visas in Australia accept ANZSCO 261399. There aren’t many independent 189 visa invitations for this job; however, there are still a lot of other skilled migration channels that need people like this: 

  • State-Nominated Skilled Visas:
    • ✅ 190 (Skilled Nominated – State)
    • ✅ 491 (Skilled Work Regional – State/Family)
  • Employer-Sponsored Visas:
    • ✅ 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (Skills in Demand / TSS)
    • ✅ 494 Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional
    • ✅ 186 Employer Nominated (some state nominations)
  • Training & Temporary Pathways:
    • ✅ 407 Training visa

Occupation under Software and Applications Programmers (2613 Unit Group):

ANZSCO 261399 Software and Applications Programmers NEC is part of Unit Group 2613, which includes programming jobs that don’t fall under any other specific ANZSCO codes. 

Similar Occupations (Different ANZSCO Codes):

Role of 261399:
The job includes making customized software, improving systems, fixing bugs, and putting software together.

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Skill Assessment Authority - ACS

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the official body that evaluates Software and Applications Programmers nec (ANZSCO 261399) and all jobs in Unit Group 2613. ACS evaluates your ICT qualifications, work experience, and skills to confirm they meet Australian professional standards (Skill Level 1). They assess your ability to design, develop, implement, test, debug, and maintain software systems effectively.

Assessment Pathways

  • ICT Degree Holders: ACS compares your qualifications (e.g., bachelor’s or higher in an ICT major) to Australian standards. Relevant experience (2–4+ years depending on qualification) is required.
  • Non-ICT Qualifications/RPL: If you lack a relevant ICT degree, apply via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). You need to have at least six years of relevant ICT experience (the most recent two years) and send in thorough proof for this pathway.

How to Prepare Your RPL

Follow the official ACS Recognition of Prior Learning Form.

Key components:

1. Two RPL Project Reports (mandatory)

  • Submit exactly two detailed reports (using the ACS template).
  • One project must be completed within the last 2 years.
  • The other within the last 4 years.
  • Each report should:
    • Talk about a big project or event in your career.
    • Explain what you did, what your responsibilities were, and what you contributed (for example, requirements analysis, design, coding, testing, debugging, deployment, and integration).
    • Please include the tools and technologies you used, including Git, Docker, AWS/Azure, SQL, C#, .NET, and Python.
    • Put numbers on the results whenever you can. For example, “Reduced application load time by 40%” or “Improved system efficiency by 30%.”
    • Show that you know a lot about ICT and can use it in a business setting. → Choose projects that best show off skills that fit with ANZSCO 261399 (custom or unique programming that doesn’t fit into more specific codes).

2. Key Areas of Knowledge Section

  • Talk about as many significant parts of the ACS Core Body of Knowledge (CBOK) as you can.
  • Covering things like how to analyze and design systems, how to produce software (like Agile), how to program, how to test, how to manage projects, how to deal with ethics and security, how to maintain applications, and how to solve ICT problems.
  • Give detailed instances of how your experience fits into these areas.

3. Other Documents That Help

  • Proof of identity, like a passport.
  • A whole résumé or CV.
  • Letters of reference for jobs on company letterhead that provide information on the job’s duties, dates, and pay.
  • Training records and vendor certifications, like AWS Developer, Oracle Java, and Microsoft Azure.
  • Proof of professional currency, like taking recent courses or getting certificates, or going to a conference (at least two categories).
  • Any extra proof of your expertise or projects, like performance reports or code samples, if you need them. 

Important Notes

  • ACS checks for plagiarism and content created by AI; thus, reports must be original.
  • There must be strong, clear proof for RPL to operate. Most of the time, people don’t accept vague or generic explanations.
  • The restrictions, fees, and processing dates might all vary. Always get the most recent RPL Form and instructions straight from the official ACS website in the Migration Skills Assessment section.

Common RPL Mistakes to Avoid

ACS looks at how innovative and technically deep the work is and how well it aligns with ANZSCO requirements. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Adding tasks instead of achievements

Instead of just saying what you did at work, talk about how you did it, how you dealt with problems on your own, and how you knew you were doing well. For example, “I led the redesign using microservices, which cut latency by 45% and made it easier for more than 10,000 users to scale. “If you only talk about your tasks, it doesn’t mean you know a lot about ICT.

2. Technology information that is vague or too general

Don’t state anything like “used modern tools” that aren’t apparent. Instead, tell us the exact tools, languages, frameworks, and versions you utilized. For instance, “Created the backend with Python 3.10, Django 4.2, PostgreSQL 15, and AWS Lambda for serverless deployment.” ACS has a hard time figuring out how deep it is because they don’t know what it means.

3. Not having the necessary papers

Your application could be turned down if you don’t provide persuasive proof, such as employer reference letters on letterhead with roles, dates, and salary; vendor certifications; and training records. ACS wants at least two pieces of professional currency proof, such as current courses or qualifications, as well as verification that the projects are real.

4. Content that was copied, or made by AI

ACS uses cutting-edge techniques to find this kind of content. You can get banned for even copying a little bit from samples, templates, or AI output. You have to compose all of your reports in your own words and make sure they are not copied from anywhere else.

5. No Link to ANZSCO 261399 Tasks

Don’t expect ACS to do the work for you; instead, make sure your initiatives and Key Areas of Knowledge are clearly connected to the formal ANZSCO obligations. For example, “This project involved writing and maintaining program code to meet system requirements in accordance with quality standards – directly aligning with ANZSCO task #4.”

6. Not paying attention to project deadlines or not having enough recent experience 

One project must have been done in the recent two years, and the other must have been done in the last four years. If you leave this out or say you have old or irrelevant experience, you don’t meet the currency criterion.

7. Not Enough Depth in Important Areas of Knowledge (CBOK Mapping) 

The application is weaker when it doesn’t cover ACS Core Body of Knowledge issues well (including software techniques, testing strategies, ethics/security). Give concrete examples of how your experience relates to CBOK topics.

Visa Options for Software and Applications Programmers (nec) ANZSCO 261399

Visa Type

Description (Short)

Key Notes

189

Permanent, points-tested, no sponsor

✅ Eligible but rare invitations (IT oversupply)

190

Permanent, state-nominated

✅ Yes, with state nomination

491

Provisional regional (5 yrs) → PR after 3 yrs

✅ Yes, state/family sponsored

482 (Core Skills)

Temporary employer-sponsored (up to 4 yrs)

✅ Yes, pathway to PR

494

Provisional regional employer-sponsored → PR

✅ Yes, regional sponsor required

186

Permanent employer-nominated

✅ Yes, Direct or Transition stream

485

Short-term for recent Australian graduates

✅ Possible, not main pathway

407

Short-term training visa

✅ Case-by-case

The rules for gaining an Australian visa and what jobs you can do can change at any time. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs Visa Listing for the most up-to-date information.

Skills Required – Software and Applications Programmers (NEC)

Core Skills

  • Research, analyse and evaluate system/program requirements
  • Identify technology limitations and deficiencies in existing systems
  • Design, develop, write and maintain program code
  • Test, debug, diagnose and correct errors/faults
  • Write, update and maintain technical/end-user documentation
  • Provide advice on software design proposals and strategies

Essential Technical Knowledge 

  • Programming languages: Java, Python, C#, JavaScript, C++, .NET, Go
  • Development practices: OOP, Agile/Scrum, Git/version control, CI/CD
  • Testing & debugging: unit/integration testing, debugging tools
  • Databases: SQL + basic modeling/querying (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle)
  • Cloud & integration: AWS/Azure/GCP basics, APIs, microservices
  • Other: software security principles, performance optimization

ANZSCO 261399 Software & Applications Programmers (nec) - Job Outlook

Metric

Value/Insight (ANZSCO 261399)

Employed (Total)

1,500 workers 

Part‑Time Share

5 % 

Percentage Female

11 % 

Median Age

36 years 

Average Monthly Salary (est.)

~$9,000–$12,000 AUD (estimated from broader group)

Average Full‑Time Hours/Week

~41 hours 

Industries (Top)

Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Financial & Insurance Services; Information Media & Telecommunications 

State/Territory Distribution

NSW ~40.9 %, VIC ~36.2 %, QLD ~11.3 %, WA ~4.5 % (others smaller) 

Education (Highest Attainment)

Bachelor degree ~53.5 %, Postgraduate ~24.0 %, Diplomas and below ~varied 

Typical Tasks

Testing, debugging, diagnosing & correcting application errors to meet specifications 

The figures are different based on when and where you are. Always check the official Jobs & Skills Australia profile for the most up-to-date information.

English Language Requirement

To migrate to Australia as a Software and Applications Programmer (NEC), you must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following:

  • IELTS (Academic or General): Minimum 6.0 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
  • OET: Grade B in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
  • TOEFL iBT: Listening 12, Reading 13, Writing 21, Speaking 18
  • PTE Academic: Minimum 50 in each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): C1 pass or equivalent to IELTS 6.0

English Language Exceptions:

  • You may be exempt if you hold a passport from Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland, or
  • If you have completed at least 5 years of full-time study in English (secondary or tertiary) at a recognized institution in one of these countries or in Australia.

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Key Takeaways for Skilled Migration

If you specialize in personalized software development, system enhancements, debugging, and integration but don’t fit into a more precise code like 261313 Software Engineer, ANZSCO 261399 Software and Applications Programmers nec is still a good ICT career in Australia.

It is a great place for skilled programmers with strong, original ACS RPL evidence focused on specialized coding tasks. There are only about 1,500 people working there (mostly in NSW and VIC), and there is a high demand for professional services, finance, and tech jobs. The average monthly salary is $9,000–$12,000 AUD. There are also possible migration paths through state nomination (190/491), employer sponsorship (482/186), or regional visas (494).

Independent 189 invites are rare because there are so many IT jobs, but this code supports Australia’s digital transformation and business initiatives, so it’s an excellent option for migration if you have a lot of project reports that fulfill official standards.

FAQs - ANZSCO 261399 Software and Applications Programmers nec

Q. What does the term “ANZSCO 261399 Software and Applications Programmers NEC” mean?

ANZSCO 261399 is for software workers that make, construct, test, and keep up with custom software or applications that don’t fit into any other ANZSCO codes. It including IT, banking, healthcare, and government, these jobs frequently include coding, debugging, improving systems, and combining software solutions. 

Q. What is the difference between a Software Engineer and a Software and Applications Programmer NEC?

Most of the time, NEC programmers work on making, testing, fixing, and updating apps. Software engineers (ANZSCO 261313) are often in charge of creating, planning, and building solutions for big projects at a higher level. Both are vital, yet their jobs and areas of responsibility are very different.

Q. What programming languages do you need the most for ANZSCO 261399?

Java, Python, C#, JavaScript, and SQL are the most common languages. A lot of people also desire new frameworks for apps in the cloud and in businesses. Employers really want those who know a lot about the newest development tools and can code proficiently.

Q. What are the best tools for programmers that make apps and software? NEC?

Git is a version control tool, Docker is a containerization tool, JIRA is a project management tool, cloud IDEs are online development environments, and databases like MySQL, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL are also common. 

Q. Top companies hiring Software and Applications Programmers NEC in Australia?

Major employers include Accenture, IBM, Atlassian, Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, and Deloitte, as well as IT departments in banking, healthcare, and government organizations. Many regional and state-nominated roles are also available through skilled migration programs.

Basic RPL Pricing Plan

NORMAL PLAN

15 WORKING DAYS

AUD $600

 ✅ Plagiarism Free Reports
 ✅ Professional Writers
 ✅ Review of Clients Project
 ✅ Documentation Guideline Help 

 ROYAL PLAN

7 WORKING DAYS

AUD $900

✅ Plagiarism Free Reports
✅ Professional Writers
✅ Review of Clients Project
✅ Documentation Guideline Help