Developer Programmer Skills Assessment & RPL Pathway

MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au

Developer Programmers (ANZSCO 261312) interpret technical designs and specifications to build, test, maintain and document the code for software applications. For skilled migration a positive skills assessment is usually required, and the Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the relevant assessing authority. We help you align your coding experience and qualifications to ACS requirements.

The skills assessment & RPL pathway for Developer Programmer

A Developer Programmer skills assessment is carried out by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) rather than by a VET provider. Under the standard ACS pathway, your qualifications and employment history are compared against the ICT requirements for ANZSCO 261312, with the volume of relevant skilled employment expected generally depending on how closely your degree relates to ICT. You will normally need to evidence a relevant qualification together with a period of skilled development work.

Where you do not hold a closely related ICT-major qualification, ACS operates its own RPL-style application in which you demonstrate equivalent knowledge through documented project reports and Key Areas of Knowledge responses assessed against ACS criteria. This ACS RPL is distinct from a VET RPL qualification awarded by a registered training organisation. We avoid stating skilled-list status as fact because occupation lists change; we confirm the current position for your circumstances when reviewing your options.

Evidence typically required

• Certified degree and academic transcripts in computing or a related ICT discipline
• Employment reference letters detailing programming duties, employment dates and hours per week
• CV mapped to the ANZSCO 261312 duty statement and development tasks
• Code or project portfolio identifying languages, frameworks and your individual contribution
• Relevant vendor or technology certifications supporting your claimed skills
• For an ACS RPL application, two project reports plus Key Areas of Knowledge responses to current ACS criteria

Looking at the whole journey rather than just the assessment? See the full pathway guide: Migrate to Australia as a Developer Programmer →

Which skilled visa uses this occupation?

Once Developer 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

• Analyst Programmer
• Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• Database Administrator
• 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.