Database Administrator Migration to Australia: CSOL, ACS, Visa 482, 189, PR
Can this occupation migrate to Australia?
Yes — Database Administrator (ANZSCO 262111) is eligible to migrate to Australia through several visa streams. The occupation sits on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and is eligible for the 482 visa (employer sponsorship), the 189 visa (points-tested independent), the 190/491 visas (state nomination) and the 186 visa (employer-sponsored permanent residence).
One point worth noting about the classification: Database Administrator (262111) belongs to unit group 2621 (Database and Systems Administrators and ICT Security Specialists), separate from group 2613 (Software Programmers). This means a DBA is assessed on database administration and optimisation skills, not on application programming skills. Anyone holding the title “Database Developer” may need to confirm the appropriate ANZSCO code with ACS, because the boundary between DBA and Developer can be blurred in practice.
ANZSCO and CSOL: position on the occupation list
Database Administrator carries ANZSCO code 262111, at Skill Level 1 within unit group 2621. The ANZSCO definition covers: designing and maintaining databases, managing performance and security, backup and recovery, query tuning, and supporting system users. Common platforms such as Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL and MySQL all fall within the scope of this code.
The occupation appears on the CSOL with status , making it eligible to enter SkillSelect and receive an ITA for the 189, 190 and 491 visas.
Skills assessing authority: ACS
The assessing authority for Database Administrator is ACS (Australian Computer Society). Even though 262111 belongs to the systems administration group rather than programming, ACS remains the sole authority empowered to assess the entire ICT group, including 2621.
For a DBA application, ACS focuses on evidence of genuine database administration work: schema design projects, performance optimisation, incident handling, and security and backup management. You should not lodge an application skewed toward software development if the actual work is DBA — ACS assesses based on the actual content of the work, not the job title.
The four pathways: General Skills, RPL, Post Australian Study and Qualification Only. Fees (the current fee — check the assessing authority’s official site); processing time is 8–10 weeks.
Suitable visas: an overview
The four main visa groups: visa 482, visa 186, visa 189 and visa 190/491. The most common pathway is 482 → 186 TRT. Applicants with a high SkillSelect score can lodge an EOI for the 189 in parallel.
Visa 482 — employer sponsored
The 482 visa Core Skills Stream allows an employer to sponsor a DBA for up to four years. The eligibility conditions : relevant ICT work experience within the most recent five years, a salary that meets the TSMIT, and Vocational English (IELTS 5.0 in each band). Labour Market Testing is mandatory before nomination.
Demand for DBAs in Australia is steady, particularly in the finance, health and government sectors — areas that still run many traditional databases (Oracle, SQL Server) alongside newer cloud infrastructure.
Visa 186 — employer-sponsored permanent residence
The TRT pathway requires two years of full-time work with the same employer in the past three years, an age under 45, Competent English, and a salary no lower than the market rate . The Direct Entry pathway also applies.
Visa 189 — points-tested independent
Visa 189 (Skilled — Independent) — Database Administrator (262111) is not on the current MLTSSL (LIN 19/051 Compilation No. 5), so the occupation is not eligible for the points-tested independent 189 visa. DBAs seeking permanent residence via the points test should consider the 190 visa (plus 5 points) or the 491 visa (plus 15 points). The 482 → 186 TRT pathway is the most common route for DBAs.
Visas 190 and 491 — state nomination
Database Administrator appears on several states’ nomination lists. The 190 visa adds 5 points; the 491 visa adds 15 points with a pathway to the 191 after three years. Check the state portals, because application windows and conditions change frequently.
English language requirements
Vocational English (IELTS 5.0) for the 482; Competent English (IELTS 6.0) as a minimum for the 189/190; Superior English (IELTS 8.0) to reach the maximum SkillSelect points. Proficient English (IELTS 7.0) for the 186 Direct Entry. ACS also has its own English requirements.
Indicative salary
The figures below are reference points, not guaranteed salaries. Actual pay depends on the city/region, seniority and experience, specialist technology, type of employer, full-time/contract status, compulsory superannuation (super), and the visa/sponsorship context.
Labour market benchmark (official): According to the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile (drawing on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours), the median weekly earnings for the Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists occupation group (ANZSCO 2621) is 2,461 AUD/week — roughly equivalent to 10,660 AUD/month or 128,000 AUD/year on a simple 52-week conversion (a pre-tax reference point only, not a guaranteed salary). This is the median for full-time, non-managerial, adult, pre-tax workers — neither the minimum nor the maximum, and a figure for the whole occupation group.
Salary range from job ads (market): Sites such as SEEK Salary Insights publish salary ranges based on job advertisements. At the time of update, AustraliaHub has not been able to verify the SEEK range; you should look it up directly and cross-check it against the median benchmark above.
Legal minimum floor: Most IT roles are professional occupations that are award-free; in that case the legal minimum is the National Minimum Wage together with the employment contract. Check using the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool (https://calculate.fairwork.gov.au/).
Official sources (checked 12/06/2026):
- Jobs and Skills Australia — Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists occupation profile (ANZSCO 2621): https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/occupation-and-industry-profiles/occupations/2621-database-and-systems-administrators-and-ict-security-specialists
- Fair Work Ombudsman: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/
Pathway to permanent residence: summary
Complete the ACS assessment → obtain a 482 visa → work two years with the same employer → lodge the 186 TRT → receive permanent residence. In parallel, lodge a SkillSelect EOI to track 189/190 opportunities.
Common mistakes
- Confusing 262111 with a programming code: Someone working as a Database Developer (mainly writing code) may be a better fit for 261312 (Developer Programmer). ACS assesses based on the actual role — you need to determine clearly whether the main work is administration or development.
- A generic work description: You need to provide concrete evidence of the databases you have administered, their scale, the incidents you handled and the optimisation results achieved.
- Overlooking the shift to cloud: The Australian market is shifting toward cloud-managed databases. A DBA with only on-premises experience may find LMT harder than a DBA with additional cloud skills.
- Wrong expectations about the 189 occupation ceiling: The number of 189 invitations each year for 262111 is lower than for programming occupations — check the actual figures from SkillSelect before setting expectations.