Comparing IT Occupations for Migration to Australia: ANZSCO and ACS
The four most common IT occupations for migration to Australia
The IT field has many different ANZSCO codes, and choosing the right one is the first step that shapes the whole pathway. The table below compares four IT occupations that overseas applicants ask about most — all of which are assessed by the ACS (Australian Computer Society). Each ANZSCO code and skill level below is verified directly from the ABS (ANZSCO 2021).
Comparison table
| Occupation | ANZSCO code | Skill Level | Assessing authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 261313 | 1 | ACS |
| Systems Analyst | 261112 | 1 | ACS |
| Network Engineer | 263111 | 1 | ACS |
| ICT Business Analyst | 261111 | 1 | ACS |
All four occupations are in Skill Level 1 (requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher) and all appear on the Core Skills Occupation List, qualifying for both employer-sponsored visas (482, 186) and points-tested visas with state nomination (190, 491).
The core differences between the codes
The easiest pair to confuse is Software Engineer (oriented towards software design, development and testing) and Systems Analyst (oriented towards requirements analysis and system solution design). The ICT Business Analyst leans towards bridging business and technical needs, while the Network Engineer focuses on network and telecommunications infrastructure. ACS assesses based on the actual content of your work, not your job title — so you need to compare your job description against the ANZSCO definition before lodging.
Cybersecurity: occupation codes under review
Cybersecurity is not in the table above because ANZSCO 2021 has restructured this occupation group into several specialised codes (cyber security architect, cyber risk assessment specialist, and so on). The appropriate code depends on the specific role — check directly with ACS and the current occupation list before lodging.
Next steps
After identifying the correct ANZSCO code, the next step is to complete the ACS assessment, then lodge an EOI through SkillSelect (for points-tested visas) or find a sponsor (for the 482 visa). Read the detailed article for each occupation in the related links below to learn the specific process, costs and PR pathway.