Occupation Data

Software Engineer — Visa Sponsorship in Australia 🇦🇺

Explore visa sponsorship statistics for Software Engineer in Australia. Track grants over time and find top sponsor companies.

28,246
Total Grants
759
Grants in 2025
-58%
Year-over-year

Software Engineer is one of the most sought-after occupations for visa sponsorship in Australia, with a total of 28,246 sponsorships granted over the years. The demand for skilled Software Engineers has shown consistent strength, especially notable in years like 2021 and 2022, which saw nearly 3,000 sponsorships each. The yearly trend data highlights periods of steady growth, occasional dips, and recent rebounds, reflecting shifts in global tech demand and regional labor markets. For example, after a lower point in 2017 with 1,156 grants, the numbers surged to a peak of 2,969 in 2021, indicating strong recovery and resilience in this field. Job seekers targeting Software Engineer roles in Australia should be aware that the occupation remains a core focus for employer-sponsored visas. While top sponsoring employers are not listed in this data, the high total number of grants suggests that a wide variety of tech companies and businesses across industries rely on international talent. This presents opportunities for candidates with the right skills and experience. The outlook for Software Engineers in Australia continues to be positive, though candidates should note that sponsorship levels can fluctuate year by year, as seen in the recent decrease from 2,967 in 2022 to 1,806 in 2024. This reflects both changes in the tech sector and adjustments in immigration policy. Applicants should be proactive, keeping track of annual trends and aligning their job search with periods of higher demand. Candidates considering visa sponsorship as a Software Engineer should ensure their qualifications and experience align with employer expectations. The application process often involves demonstrating technical proficiency, relevant certifications, and the ability to contribute to Australia's tech ecosystem. Staying informed on sponsorship trends and preparing a strong, occupation-specific application can improve chances of success.

Key Requirements for Software Engineer

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
  • Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, or similar
  • Demonstrated experience with software development lifecycle and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum)
  • Familiarity with cloud computing platforms and modern development tools
  • Proven track record of working on complex software projects, either independently or as part of a team

Software Engineer — Yearly Grants

1,390 approvals
2016
1,156 approvals
2017
1,817 approvals
2018
1,487 approvals
2019
1,566 approvals
2020
2,969 approvals
2021
2,967 approvals
2022
1,878 approvals
2023
1,806 approvals
2024
759 approvals
2025

Top Visa Sponsor Companies in Australia

Related Occupations

Tips for Software Engineer Visa Sponsorship

  • Monitor annual sponsorship trends for Software Engineers in Australia; peak years like 2021 (2,969 grants) may present more opportunities, so time your applications to align with increased demand.
  • Highlight relevant programming and technical skills on your CV and in applications, as employers seek candidates with proficiency in current technologies.
  • Stay informed about visa policy changes that impact software engineering roles, as yearly sponsorship numbers can fluctuate, such as the recent dip to 1,806 grants in 2024.
  • Build a portfolio of completed software projects, ideally with recent work, and include links or references to demonstrate your impact and abilities.
  • Network with Australian employers and recruiters in the tech sector, since the high total number of sponsorships (28,246) suggests many companies are open to hiring global talent.

AI Resume Tailoring

23%
Before
87%
After

Tailor your resume for Software Engineer roles in Australia

Skills & keywords matchedATS-optimized format

Get Software Engineer jobs delivered to your inbox

Job Radar monitors thousands of verified sponsors and sends you matching jobs instantly.

  • AI matches your skills to Software Engineer openings
  • Only from verified visa sponsors
  • Instant alerts — be first to apply
  • Filter by salary, location, remote
Set up Job Radar (free)

Find recruiters hiring for Software Engineer

Get direct access to hiring managers and recruiters — emails, LinkedIn profiles, and job titles.

A
Talent Acquisition Lead
Email LinkedIn
R
Senior Recruiter
Email LinkedIn
K
Hiring Manager
LinkedIn
  • Works for any company — just search by name
  • Verified emails and LinkedIn profiles
  • Filter by role: recruiters, HR, hiring managers
Try Recruiter Finder (free)

Frequently Asked Questions — Software Engineer in Australia

How many Software Engineers have been sponsored for visas in Australia?

According to the data, a total of 28,246 Software Engineer positions have been sponsored for visas in Australia over recent years. The yearly trend shows varying demand, with the highest number of sponsorships occurring in 2021 (2,969 grants) and 2022 (2,967 grants).

What is the recent trend in visa sponsorships for Software Engineers?

Visa sponsorships for Software Engineers have fluctuated, with a notable increase from 1,566 in 2020 to 2,969 in 2021. The numbers remained high in 2022 but saw a decline to 1,806 in 2024. This reflects both market demand and policy shifts, so candidates should watch for such trends.

Are there specific employers sponsoring Software Engineer visas in Australia?

While the provided data does not list specific employers, the total of 28,246 sponsorships suggests a broad range of companies, including large tech firms, consultancies, and startups, are actively hiring and sponsoring Software Engineers from overseas.

Is it difficult to get employer sponsorship as a Software Engineer in Australia?

Despite some fluctuations, Software Engineering remains one of the most commonly sponsored occupations in Australia. High numbers in recent years, such as nearly 3,000 grants in both 2021 and 2022, indicate strong demand. Candidates with in-demand technical skills and relevant experience have good prospects.

What qualifications do I need to be sponsored as a Software Engineer in Australia?

Most employers require a bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science or a related field. They also look for proficiency in key programming languages and experience with modern development practices. Demonstrable project experience and adaptability to new technologies are also important.

Salary & Compensation — Software Engineer in Australia

While specific salary figures are not provided in the data above, Software Engineers in Australia typically receive competitive compensation in line with global tech markets. Salaries can be influenced by experience, skill set, and location. Visa sponsorship does not usually affect base salary but may come with relocation support or benefits to offset the cost of living in major Australian cities.

Australia Visa Guides

Your toolkit for landing Software Engineer roles

AI Resume Tailoring
Recruiter Finder
Job Radar Alerts
Application Tracker