Software Engineer Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship
Software Engineer Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship
Software Engineer Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship The software engineer job market in Australia is undergoing a significant transition in 2025/2026 with the introduction of the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa, which replaces the old “482” visa.
The following guide details these changes, including where to find jobs, which companies sponsor, and how to navigate the new visa rules.1
1. The “New” Visa: Skills in Demand (SID)
As of late 2024/2025, the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa is being replaced by the Skills in Demand visa. When searching for jobs, you must be aware of the new terminology:
- Core Skills Stream: Most software engineers will fall under this stream.
- Salary Requirement: You must earn at least $76,515 AUD per year (the new Core Skills Income Threshold as of July 1, 2025).
- Experience: A major positive change is that you now only need 1 year of work experience (down from 2 years) to be eligible.
- Specialist Skills Stream: For highly paid seniors/leads.
- Salary Requirement: You must earn at least $135,000+ AUD.
- Benefit: Faster processing times (often under 7 days) and no “occupation list” restrictions.
2. Where to Find Visa Sponsorship Jobs
Don’t just search for “software engineer.” Use these specific strategies to filter for companies that actually sponsor.
A. Specialized Recruitment Agencies
Some agencies have special “On-Hire Labour Agreements” with the government, allowing them to sponsor you directly and then “lease” you to client companies. This is often easier than finding a direct company sponsor.
- Paxus: One of the few agencies with a specific “On-Hire Labour Agreement” for tech roles. They can sponsor you directly if they have a contract role for you.
- Halcyon Knights: Specializes in tech/IT recruitment across APAC and often handles roles open to sponsorship.
- Michael Page / Hays: Large global agencies with dedicated “Global Opportunities” teams that assist with international moves.
- Techforce: Focuses on international recruitment and migration support.
B. Job Boards with “Smart” Filters
- Seek.com.au: The biggest job board in Australia.
- Search Query: “Software Engineer visa sponsorship” or “Skills in Demand visa”
- Tip: Filter by salary $100k+ to ensure you meet the visa income thresholds.
- LinkedIn Jobs:
- Use the “1 year experience” filter if you are junior, as this is a new competitive advantage.
- Look for the “promoted” jobs by the agencies listed above.
- SponsorHire / OzJobList: These niche sites aggregate jobs specifically from companies that are approved sponsors.
3. Companies That Frequently Sponsor
While lists change, these companies are “Accredited Sponsors,” meaning they have VIP status with the Department of Home Affairs to process visas quickly.
- Big Tech: Atlassian, Canva, Google Australia, Amazon (AWS), Rokt, SafetyCulture.
- Consulting & Services: Deloitte, PwC, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro. (Note: The consulting firms often sponsor heavily but may require travel).
- Telecom & Banking: Telstra, Optus, Commonwealth Bank (CBA), Macquarie Group, NAB.
- Mid-Sized Tech: AirTasker, WiseTech Global, TechnologyOne, Xero.
4. How to Verify a Sponsor (The “Gold Mine” List)
You can check if a company is legally allowed to sponsor you by looking at the “Register of Accredited Sponsors.”
- Action: Search Google for “List of Accredited Temporary Resident Sponsors 2025 Australia pdf”.
- Source: Look for the PDF released by the Department of Home Affairs (often found in their Freedom of Information disclosure logs).
- Strategy: If a company is on this list, they have pre-approval to sponsor. You can mention this in your cover letter: “I see you are an Accredited Sponsor, and I am eligible for the Core Skills Stream visa…”
5. Critical Application Advice
Resume Format: Use the Australian format—no photo, no personal details (age, religion, marital status), and focus on “Key Achievements” rather than just responsibilities.
Terminology: Update your CV/Cover Letter to say “Eligible for Skills in Demand Visa (Core Skills Stream)” rather than “Need 482 sponsorship.” It shows you are up-to-date.
Salary Expectation: Do not negotiate below $76,515 AUD. It is illegal for them to sponsor you for less.
Requirements
To secure a Software Engineering role with sponsorship under the new Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (formerly TSS 482), you must meet two sets of criteria: the government’s legal requirements and the employer’s professional expectations.
A. Visa / Legal Requirements (Department of Home Affairs)
- Job Offer: You must have a confirmed offer from an Australian company that is an approved sponsor.
- Work Experience: You must have at least 1 year of full-time, relevant work experience (post-qualification).
- Note: This is a reduction from the previous 2-year requirement, making it easier for junior/mid-level engineers to qualify.
- English Proficiency: You must prove “Vocational English” (usually IELTS 5.0 or PTE 36+), though many tech employers prefer “Proficient” (IELTS 7.0/PTE 65).
Requirements
To secure a Software Engineering role with sponsorship under the new Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (formerly TSS 482), you must meet two sets of criteria: the government’s legal requirements and the employer’s professional expectations.
A. Visa / Legal Requirements (Department of Home Affairs)
- Job Offer: You must have a confirmed offer from an Australian company that is an approved sponsor.
- Work Experience: You must have at least 1 year of full-time, relevant work experience (post-qualification).
- Note: This is a reduction from the previous 2-year requirement, making it easier for junior/mid-level engineers to qualify.
- English Proficiency: You must prove “Vocational English” (usually IELTS 5.0 or PTE 36+), though many tech employers prefer “Proficient” (IELTS 7.0/PTE 65).
How To Apply
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Conclusion
The landscape for Software Engineers seeking visa sponsorship in Australia is highly favorable heading into 2026.
The transition to the Skills in Demand (SID) visa has lowered the barrier to entry by reducing the experience requirement to just one year. However, while the legal barrier has lowered, the competition remains high. Companies are willing to pay the high costs of sponsorship (roughly $5,000–$10,000 AUD per employee) only for candidates who can hit the ground running.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I get Permanent Residency (PR) through this job? A: Yes. Under the new Skills in Demand visa, you have a clear pathway to PR. After working for your sponsor (typically for 2 years), you can apply for the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa. Unlike the old system, you will not get stuck on a temporary visa indefinitely.
Q: Can I bring my family? A: Yes. You can include your spouse/partner and dependent children on your visa application. Your partner will have full work rights in Australia and can work for any employer in any industry.
Q: Is there an age limit for sponsorship? A: For the temporary work visa (Skills in Demand), there is technically no age limit. However, to transition to Permanent Residency (PR) later, you generally must be under 45 years old at the time of the PR application. (Exceptions exist for “High Income Earners” making over ~$175k AUD, but this is specific).
Q: How long does the visa processing take? A:
- Standard Sponsors: 1 to 3 months.
- Accredited Sponsors: 1 to 2 weeks (Priority processing).
Q: Do I need a skills assessment (ACS) for the sponsorship visa? A: Not usually. If you have a relevant degree and the employer nominates you, the Department of Home Affairs usually waives the skills assessment for the Skills in Demand visa. (Note: You will need a skills assessment
