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Study Software Development

Potential Career Outcomes

Course overview

Gaining a qualification in software development will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of all aspect of software and web programming. You will gain knowledge in using programming languages such as  Java, Java Script, Eclipse, Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server and WordPress. With these qualifications, you will acquire skills to work in a diverse range of software development.

Interested in software development? In Australia, there are many courses you can take to start your career in this field. Australia offers courses both at the vocational training level across to higher education. In these courses you will be exposed to topics such as:

  • Debug and monitor applications
  • Apply intermediate programming skills in another language
  • Manage a project using software management tools
  • Create mashups
  • Create cloud computing services
  • Model data processes
  • Maintain custom software

Graduate Outcomes

  • Developer Programmers earn $2,003 per week on average.
  • The number of people working in this field is expected to grow strongly over the next 5 years.
  • It is projected that over the next 5 years there will be around 80,000 job openings.
  • Most people in the field work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Financial and Insurance Services; and Public Administration and Safety industry.

Common Course Requirements

  • Completion of secondary education
  • Meet English proficiency (Usually at least IELTS 5.5 overall for Vocational courses, or 6.5 for University courses).

Related Courses

  • Certificate IV in Programming

Duration: 45 to 52 weeks

Intake: 4 Terms

Cost: $9,500 to $36,000

Locations: Most cities across Australia

  • Diploma of Software Development   

Duration:  26 to 104 weeks
Intake: 4 Terms
Cost: $7,441 to $29,170

Locations:  Most cities across Australia

  • Bachelor of Software Development

Duration:  156 to 208 weeks
Intake: February, July
Cost: $25,000 to 37,000 per year

Locations:  Most cities across Australia

Studying Software Development in Australia: What the Course Covers

Software development courses teach you to build applications for web, mobile, desktop and cloud platforms. You learn programming in languages such as Python, Java, C# or JavaScript, object oriented design, data structures and algorithms, databases, application programming interfaces (APIs), testing and quality assurance, secure coding, version control and agile team methods. Higher level courses add software architecture, cloud and DevOps practices, and capstone projects where you work in a team to deliver software for a client.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate IV in Information Technology (Programming) AQF 4 Junior programmer and software support roles
Diploma of Information Technology (Back End or Front End Web Development, or Advanced Programming) AQF 5 Developer roles building and maintaining applications
Advanced Diploma of Information Technology AQF 6 Senior developer and technical lead roles
Bachelor of Software Engineering, Computer Science or IT AQF 7 Software engineer and developer programmer careers, and the usual level for an ICT skills assessment
Master of IT or Computer Science AQF 9 Conversion into software careers for graduates of other fields

Study Pathways

You can start with a Certificate IV or Diploma of Information Technology and move into a bachelor degree with credit, or enrol directly in a bachelor of software engineering, computer science or IT. Graduates from non IT fields often take a two year master of IT. For migration, ICT skills assessments look at how closely your study relates to the occupation, and qualifications below bachelor level usually need more work experience to be assessed positively.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
Software Engineer 261313 Yes MLTSSL
Developer Programmer 261312 Yes MLTSSL
Software and Applications Programmers nec 261399 Yes MLTSSL
Software Tester 261314 Yes STSOL
Web Developer 261212 Yes STSOL

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for software developers and engineers.

Career Outlook

Software developers work in technology companies, banks, government, consulting firms, telecommunications, retail, health and start ups. The field changes quickly, so employers look for people who keep learning, and experience with cloud platforms, testing, security and modern frameworks is valued. Graduate programs, internships and a portfolio of projects all help you get your first role.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Software Development

For a software development course, show how it builds on your existing skills and leads to a clear role such as developer programmer or software tester, especially if you already hold an IT qualification. The current visa conditions are on our Student visa (subclass 500) page.

Software Development Study FAQs

Yes. As at October 2026, Software Engineer (261313), Developer Programmer (261312) and Software and Applications Programmers nec (261399) are on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the MLTSSL. Software Tester and Web Developer are on the CSOL and the STSOL.

ICT occupations are popular, so competition for 189 and 190 invitations is strong and points scores invited are often high. Local work experience, strong English and state nomination can all improve your chances. Employer sponsorship through the 482 Skills in Demand visa is another pathway.

Possibly, through the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, if you nominate an MLTSSL occupation closely related to your diploma and obtain a positive skills assessment. ICT assessments for diploma holders generally require relevant work experience, so many students find a bachelor degree and the Post-Higher Education Work stream a more reliable route.

Software development and software engineering courses focus on building, testing and maintaining software in teams. Computer science goes deeper into theory, algorithms, mathematics and areas such as artificial intelligence. Both lead to developer roles; for a skills assessment, what matters most is how much ICT content your qualification has and how closely it matches the occupation.

Related guides

Am I eligible for a Student visa? Student Visa Funds Calculator Study a Trade Course Assessment Study a Uni Course Assessment

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