Quick Answer: South Australia is currently the most accessible state for IT and ICT professionals seeking Subclass 491 or Subclass 190 nomination, particularly for local graduates and regional-shortage roles. NSW remains the most competitive pathway — successful software engineer invitations in 2025–26 are landing at 95–110 points for 190 nomination. For the Subclass 189 independent pathway, ICT occupations now sit in Tier 3 under the 4-tier system introduced May 2025, with realistic invitation thresholds of 90–95+ points — and some applicants reporting that anything under 100 points is near-impossible to invite in competitive rounds.
Cross-State Comparison: IT / ICT Professionals (2025–26)
| State | 190 List | 491 List | Competitive Points Range | Key Requirement | Offshore Viable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 95–110 (190) | Strongly prefer onshore + NSW work experience | Very difficult |
| Victoria | ✅ Yes | Check official latest | Check official latest | ROI-based; high competition; check current VIC criteria | Check official latest |
| South Australia | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Check official latest | Local graduate / shortage pathway available | More accessible (local grads) |
| Queensland | Check official latest | Check official latest | Check official latest | Check QSOL for ICT inclusion and priority | Check official latest |
| Tasmania | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Check official latest | Friendly to local study/work; offshore harder | Limited |
| Western Australia | ✅ 491 active | ✅ Yes | 90+ (491 reported) | Offshore accepted; EOI lodged offshore viable | Yes (491) |
Sources: State skilled nomination programs 2025–26; migration agency summaries as of 2026. Check each state's latest skilled occupation list before applying — allocations shift mid-program-year.
Which Australian state is easiest for IT / ICT professionals to migrate to?
No single state is universally easiest, but South Australia and Tasmania offer the most accessible entry points for IT and ICT professionals who either study locally or work in genuine shortage roles. NSW has the largest quota (~3,600 places for 2025–26) but the fiercest competition — the Digital/ICT stream requires roughly 95–110 points and heavily favours onshore applicants with NSW work experience.
For offshore software engineers without Australian experience, South Australia's local-graduate and talent pathways, and Tasmania's study/work track, are the realistic starting points. Western Australia has recently invited offshore applicants via the Subclass 491, as reported by an applicant we assisted — more on that below.
The broader market reality matters here: ICT is a globally oversaturated field right now, and Australia's SkillSelect rounds reflect that. Several applicants we've spoken to confirm that the IT job market in major metro areas is saturated, which indirectly affects state nomination appetite when states assess whether nominees can genuinely find work.
Tip: If you are onshore, prioritise NSW or Victoria. If you are offshore with a local-study option, SA or Tasmania deserve serious consideration before NSW.
→ Further reading: State Nomination 190/491 Requirements & Points
IT / ICT professionals state nomination requirements and points in NSW?
NSW is the highest-volume state nominator in Australia, but for ICT it is also the hardest to crack. The 2025–26 program allocates approximately 3,600 places (190: 2,100 / 491: 1,500 total across all occupations), and the Digital/ICT stream is acutely competitive — realistic thresholds sit at 95–110 points depending on the round.
The most important fact about NSW Subclass 190 for software engineers: approximately 90% of recent nominations have gone to applicants who are onshore and working in NSW in their nominated occupation. Offshore applicants without NSW work history face near-impossible odds at present (as of 2025–26).
One applicant we helped through NSW 190 nomination, a software engineer, shared their timeline:
"Initial EOI with 80 points in November 2024, updated to 90 in February 2025, then to 95 in [mid-2025] after clearing 3+ years onshore experience. Finally got the invite at 95 points — 90 base plus 5 for state nomination. Points breakdown: English 20, Age 30, Work 10 (3+ years onshore), Education 15, Australian study 5, Partner 10, state nomination 5." — a software engineer we helped with NSW 190 nomination, 2025
| NSW 190 / 491 — ICT | Detail |
|---|---|
| 190 on list | ✅ Yes |
| 491 on list | ✅ Yes |
| Total quota 2025–26 | ~3,600 (190: 2,100 / 491: 1,500) |
| ICT competitive range | 95–110 points |
| Offshore viable | Very difficult |
| Key differentiator | Onshore NSW work experience in nominated occupation |
As of 2025–26, source: NSW skilled nomination program. Check NSW's latest list — allocations can be exhausted mid-year.
Tip: If you are at 85–90 points offshore targeting NSW, invest the 12–18 months needed to build onshore NSW experience before submitting your EOI — the marginal return is significant.
→ Further reading: State Nomination 190/491 Requirements & Points
IT / ICT professionals state nomination in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland?
Victoria actively nominates Digital/ICT occupations via its Subclass 190 program, but operates a Registration of Interest (ROI) system — you do not simply submit and wait, you register and Victoria selects. Competition is high and Victoria commonly requires evidence of Victorian work or residence. Whether the Subclass 491 is currently open for ICT occupations, and any points thresholds: check Victoria's latest skilled occupation list before applying — these parameters shift between program years (as of 2025–26, source: Victoria skilled nomination program).
South Australia is the standout alternative for ICT professionals, particularly because it maintains dedicated pathways for:
- Local SA graduates in ICT / STEM
- Skilled workers in genuine shortage roles (which ICT sub-specialisations can qualify for)
Both the 190 and 491 are available for ICT in SA. Specific current point requirements and whether offshore applicants qualify for the general stream versus the graduate stream: check South Australia's official nomination website before applying (as of 2025–26, source: South Australia skilled nomination program).
Queensland operates the Queensland Skilled Occupations List (QSOL), which governs both 190 and 491 nominations. ICT occupations have appeared on the QSOL, but whether they are active and prioritised in the current program year varies. Whether Queensland is nominating ICT for 190 or 491 right now, and any point thresholds: check Queensland's latest QSOL before applying (as of 2025–26, source: Queensland QSOL 2025–26).
| State | 190 | 491 | Key Access Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | ✅ Yes | Check official latest | ROI system; VIC work/residence preferred |
| South Australia | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Local graduate pathway; shortage roles |
| Queensland | Check official latest | Check official latest | QSOL-dependent; verify ICT priority |
→ Further reading: State Nomination 190/491 Requirements & Points
IT / ICT professionals nomination in Tasmania and other states?
Tasmania is a genuine option for ICT professionals who are already in Tasmania — studying, working, or both. The state lists both Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 for ICT occupations, and its nomination process is friendlier to applicants with on-the-ground Tasmanian connections than to offshore applicants chasing a points game.
For offshore applicants with no Tasmanian study or work history, Tasmania is competitive — the state prioritises genuine regional need over volume. Whether current ICT-specific point thresholds or dedicated offshore quotas exist: check Tasmania's latest skilled occupation list before applying (as of 2025–26, source: Tasmania skilled nomination program).
Western Australia is worth flagging separately. One applicant we processed for WA 491 nomination — a software engineer — lodged their EOI offshore in October 2023, relocated to Australia in March 2025, then updated their EOI to onshore status:
"Received a 491 invite from WA with 90 + 15 (NAATI) = 105 total points. Age 30, Education 15, English 20, Overseas Experience 10, NAATI 5, Partner Skills 10." — a software engineer we helped with WA 491 nomination, 2025
WA's offshore acceptance (at sufficient points) distinguishes it from NSW. Check WA's current skilled occupation list for whether ICT remains listed and any updated thresholds.
ACT, Northern Territory, and other territories also run nomination programs — for ICT, check each territory's current list, as technology occupations are sometimes prioritised for regional development needs.
→ Further reading: State Nomination 190/491 Requirements & Points
How does the ACS skills assessment for IT / ICT professionals work?
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the sole assessing body for ICT occupations in Australia's skilled migration program — there is no alternative authority for ANZSCO codes in the 26xxxx ICT range.
ACS assesses three things:
| Assessment Component | What ACS Evaluates |
|---|---|
| Qualification relevance | Is your degree in an ICT-major, ICT-minor, or non-ICT field? This determines how much work experience is required |
| Work experience | Paid, skilled ICT employment — ACS determines your "skilled date" (the date from which your ICT work experience counts) |
| ANZSCO match | ACS nominates which ANZSCO code(s) your skills best match — they may identify you as suitable for multiple codes |
One applicant we helped through ACS assessment, a software engineer (ANZSCO 261313), documented their timeline:
"Submitted 18 July 2025 — pre-screening started same day, additional documents requested 21 July. Positive outcome received. ACS also found me suitable for Analyst Programmer and Developer Programmer, in addition to Software Engineer." — a software engineer we helped with ACS assessment, 2025
Key facts about ACS assessment:
- ACS does not test English — English is assessed at visa stage
- The "skilled date" ACS assigns directly affects how many points you claim for work experience — get this right
- ICT degrees from overseas universities are assessed for equivalency to an Australian ICT bachelor's degree
- Non-ICT degrees require more work experience to demonstrate ICT competency (see career-changer section below)
- Current ACS fees and processing timeframes: check the ACS official website before applying — these change and vary by application type (as of 2025–26, source: ACS)
Tip: Request a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway only if your formal qualifications are genuinely insufficient — ACS RPL assessments are more intensive and take longer.
→ Further reading: Skills Assessment & Qualification Documents Guide
How many points does IT / ICT professionals need? Real invitation cut-offs
The honest answer: ICT is one of the most competitive occupation groups in SkillSelect, and the 4-tier system introduced in May 2025 has not made this easier.
Under the May 2025 Subclass 189 reform, most ICT occupations (software engineers, analysts, programmers) sit in Tier 3, alongside accountants and engineers. Tier 3 receives fewer invitations than Tier 1 (genuine shortage trades) and operates at higher effective cut-offs.
| Pathway | Realistic 2025–26 Cut-off | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 189 (independent) | 90–95+ points | Tier 3; some rounds report 100+ needed |
| 190 NSW | 95–110 points | Onshore + NSW work experience effectively required |
| 190 SA / TAS | Check official latest | More accessible; verify current thresholds |
| 491 (regional) | 90+ points | WA offshore case at 105 points succeeded |
Multiple applicants in our caseload and community confirm the pattern:
"Anything under 100 points for software engineer is nearly impossible for an invite these days." — an applicant tracking 189 rounds, 2025
One applicant at 75–80 points asked whether they were competitive. The honest assessment: at 75–80 points, a 189 invitation is not realistic under current conditions. At 80–85, a 190 from a lower-competition state is theoretically possible but requires other favourable factors.
Points levers specific to ICT applicants:
| Points Factor | Maximum | ICT Applicant Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age (25–32) | 30 | Peak window — apply before turning 33 |
| English (Superior/IELTS 8+) | 20 | Worth investing in — 10 extra points vs Competent |
| Onshore skilled work (8–10 yr) | 20 | ACS skilled date determines what counts |
| Australian study | 5 | Particularly valuable for SA/TAS pathways |
| Partner skills/English | up to 10 | Skilled partner adds 10 points |
| State nomination | 5 (190) / 15 (491) | The 491's 15-point bonus is transformative |
The 491's 15-point nomination bonus is the single most impactful points lever available to most ICT applicants — it turns a 90-point profile into 105, which is competitive for several state programs.
→ Further reading: 189 vs 190 vs 491 Visa Cost Comparison
How important is onshore NSW work experience for IT migration?
For NSW Subclass 190 nomination specifically, onshore NSW work experience is effectively a prerequisite in the current program year. Approximately 90% of NSW Digital/ICT nominations in 2025–26 have gone to applicants who are onshore and employed in NSW in their nominated occupation (as of 2025–26, source: NSW skilled nomination program / migration agency summaries).
This is not a written rule — it is an allocation reality. NSW assesses nominations holistically and gives strong preference to applicants who demonstrate:
- Current residence in NSW
- Current employment in NSW in the nominated ICT occupation
- A plausible contribution to the NSW digital economy
An offshore software engineer with 95 points and no Australian work history will typically lose to an onshore applicant with 90 points who has been working in Sydney for 18 months. The points score is a filter, not a ranking guarantee.
"I updated my EOI several times — first at 80 points offshore, then built up onshore experience in NSW. The invite came at 95 points, but I'm convinced the NSW work experience was what made the difference, not the extra 5 points." — a software engineer we helped with NSW 190 nomination, 2025
For other states, the work-experience requirement varies:
- SA and TAS: local study or work experience is an advantage but not uniformly required
- WA 491: offshore applications with strong points (100+) have succeeded
- Victoria: typically requires Victorian connection; check current requirements
Tip: If you are offshore and targeting NSW, the most strategic move is to secure a 482 or 485 visa first, build 1–2 years of NSW ICT work experience, then re-enter the 190 EOI process at a genuinely competitive points level.
→ Further reading: State Nomination 190/491 Requirements & Points
Which ICT ANZSCO (software/network/security/data) is best for migration?
The honest answer: no single ICT ANZSCO code is clearly "best" — what matters is whether your skills genuinely match the code, and whether that code appears on the relevant state lists. Misrepresenting your ANZSCO to chase a better list position is a serious visa integrity issue.
That said, the codes differ in competitive pressure:
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation | 189 Tier (post May 2025) | General Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 261313 | Software Engineer | Tier 3 | Very high |
| 261111 | ICT Business Analyst | Tier 3 | High |
| 261312 | Developer Programmer | Tier 3 | High |
| 262113 | Systems Administrator | Check official latest | Moderate |
| 263111 | Computer Network and Systems Engineer | Check official latest | Moderate |
| 262112 | ICT Security Specialist | Check official latest | Growing demand |
| 263213 | ICT Systems Test Engineer | Check official latest | Lower than SE |
| 272311 | ICT Trainer | Check official latest | Lower volume |
Cybersecurity / ICT security (262112) is an area where genuine skill shortage arguments have more traction — state nomination programs that specifically target shortage roles may be more receptive to security specialists than to generalist software engineers, which are perceived as abundant.
Network engineers (263111) and systems administrators (262113) tend to face lower EOI competition than software engineers simply because fewer applicants hold those specific profiles.
ACS may assess you as suitable for multiple ANZSCO codes, as documented by applicants we have helped — this gives you flexibility when lodging your EOI to select the code that best fits both your experience and the current state list priority.
Tip: Check each target state's current skilled occupation list against your eligible ANZSCO codes before selecting your primary code in SkillSelect. A code that is "on the list" in SA but not actively invited in NSW may guide which state you prioritise.
→ Further reading: Skills Assessment & Qualification Documents Guide
Can career changers / non-ICT degrees migrate via ACS?
Career changers can and do get positive ACS assessments — but the bar is higher, and the pathway requires careful documentation. ACS assesses qualifications across three categories, and non-ICT graduates sit in the most demanding category:
| Qualification Type | ACS Requirement |
|---|---|
| ICT-major degree (e.g. Computer Science, Software Engineering) | Standard experience requirement — skilled date typically from graduation or shortly after |
| ICT-minor degree (e.g. Engineering with computing minor) | Longer required work experience period |
| Non-ICT degree (e.g. Commerce, Sciences, Arts) | Longest experience requirement; skills must be demonstrated entirely through documented work history |
For non-ICT graduates, ACS uses a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process — applicants submit a detailed project-based portfolio demonstrating ICT competency. Each project report must describe the technical problem, the applicant's specific contribution, tools used, and outcomes.
One applicant we know of with a Masters in Computer Science (ICT-major) from Germany asked about migrating as a software engineer at age 23. The ACS pathway for a foreign ICT-major degree is well-established — the key question is whether the overseas university's ICT curriculum maps to an Australian equivalent bachelor's level. German Diplom and Masters programmes in Computer Science generally do map positively, but the ACS assessment is not guaranteed.
Practical realities for career changers:
- The ACS skilled date will be later than for ICT graduates, reducing points for work experience
- A positive assessment is achievable, but the visa points calculation may suffer
- Some career changers find the 491 pathway more viable because the 15-point nomination bonus compensates for lower base points
Tip: If your degree is non-ICT but your work history is primarily ICT for 5+ years, invest in a thorough RPL submission — weak project descriptions are the most common reason ACS assessments are delayed or refused.
→ Further reading: Skills Assessment & Qualification Documents Guide
Book a Consultation with VJ Consulting
ICT migration in 2025–26 is highly competitive — the difference between an invitation and a two-year wait is often a strategic decision made 12 months earlier: which state to target, whether to build onshore experience first, which ANZSCO code to prioritise, and how to maximise points before lodging your EOI.
VJ Consulting is a MARA-registered immigration consultancy in Melbourne. We work with IT and ICT professionals at every stage — from ACS assessment preparation through to state nomination EOI strategy and visa lodgement.
To book a consultation: Contact VJ Consulting — we'll review your current points profile, identify your most viable state pathway, and give you a clear assessment of what it will realistically take to receive an invitation.
This guide reflects publicly available information and applicant-reported experiences as of 2026. Immigration policy changes frequently — always verify current state occupation lists, points cut-offs, and visa conditions with a registered migration agent before lodging any application.
