Skills assessment · ANZSCO 261311
Analyst Programmer Skills Assessment & RPL Pathway
How Analyst Programmer (ANZSCO 261311) is assessed for skilled migration — and where Recognition of Prior Learning fits
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - ANZSCO code
- 261311
- Skill level
- Skill Level 1
- Assessing authority
- Australian Computer Society (ACS)
- RPL relevant
- Yes
MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au
- RPL relevant: Yes — see below (The ACS RPL application (two project reports) is available to applicants without a recognised ICT tertiary qualification; this is the ACS process, distinct from VET RPL through an RTO.)
Analyst Programmer (ANZSCO 261311) is a Skill Level 1 ICT occupation covering the analysis of user needs and the design, coding, testing and documentation of programs and applications. For skilled migration the assessing authority is the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Widen Migration (MARN 1576536) helps ICT professionals prepare a strong ACS application.
The skills assessment & RPL pathway for Analyst Programmer
For an Analyst Programmer (ANZSCO 261311), the ACS assesses whether your qualifications and ICT employment are at the appropriate professional level and closely related to the nominated occupation. A recognised ICT bachelor degree with relevant employment is the most direct pathway. Where the qualification is not recognised as ICT, ACS offers an RPL application in which you demonstrate ICT knowledge through two project reports.
The ACS RPL application is different from VET RPL through an RTO — it is the ACS assessment process for migration, not an Australian qualification. ACS also deducts a period of experience (the "skills met" date) depending on your qualification and its relevance, which affects when your points-tested experience counts.
Evidence typically required
- ICT qualification with academic transcripts (or evidence supporting an ACS RPL application)
- Detailed employment references on letterhead stating role, duties, dates, hours and country
- Evidence of ICT duties closely related to Analyst Programmer (261311)
- Payslips, contracts or tax records corroborating employment
- Passport and identity documents
- For RPL: two project reports demonstrating ICT knowledge areas
Is RPL part of your Analyst Programmer pathway?
Book a consultation to confirm the right assessing authority and whether RPL fits your visa goal for this occupation.
Looking at the whole journey rather than just the assessment? See the full pathway guide: Migrate to Australia as a Analyst Programmer →
Which skilled visa uses this occupation?
Once Analyst Programmer is positively assessed, the assessment supports a points-tested or employer-sponsored skilled visa. The right one depends on your points, age, state nomination and whether an employer will sponsor you.
- Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent (points-tested, no sponsor)
- Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated (state nomination)
- Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (regional nomination)
- Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand (employer sponsorship)
- 482 → 186 permanent residency pathway
- Check your points for 189/190/491
Speak with WIDEN
Related occupations
- Computer Network and Systems Engineer
- Database Administrator
- Developer Programmer
- ICT Business Analyst
- ICT Project Manager
- ICT Security Specialist
- Multimedia Specialist
- Network Administrator
General information only, not migration advice. ANZSCO codes and assessing-authority arrangements change (ANZSCO is transitioning to OSCA) and skilled occupation lists are updated periodically — confirm the current code, authority and requirements for your situation. Skills assessments are conducted by the relevant assessing authority and RPL qualifications are issued by Registered Training Organisations, not by WIDEN. No qualification or assessment guarantees a visa. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid consultation under a written service agreement.
Questions we get asked first
Who assesses Analyst Programmer for migration?
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the assessing authority for Analyst Programmer (ANZSCO 261311) and other ICT occupations. ACS reviews whether your qualification and employment are at a professional ICT level and closely related to the nominated occupation.
What is the ACS RPL and how is it different from VET RPL?
The ACS RPL is an application for people without a recognised ICT tertiary qualification, who instead evidence ICT knowledge through two project reports assessed by ACS. It is part of the migration skills assessment. VET RPL, by contrast, is a process run by a Registered Training Organisation to issue an Australian qualification. They are different processes for different purposes.
Does ACS deduct years from my experience?
ACS applies a "skills requirement met" date based on your qualification and how closely it relates to ICT, effectively deducting a period (often two to six years) before your skilled employment counts. This affects your points-tested experience, so the timing matters — seek advice on your specific situation.
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