How to Migrate to Australia as a Software Developer with Job Sponsorship
Australia’s tech industry is thriving, and skilled software developers are in high demand across major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. If you’re a developer looking to relocate, the good news is that many companies offer job sponsorship for international talent. In this post, you’ll learn how to migrate to Australia step-by-step—and discover 5 companies that can help get you there.
Why Australia for Software Developers?
• High demand for developers, engineers, and DevOps specialists.
• Competitive salaries and a strong tech ecosystem.
• Pathways to permanent residency through skilled visa programs.
• High quality of life and a multicultural environment.
Step-by-Step Guide to Migrate with Job Sponsorship
1. Know the Right Visa Options
To work in Australia with sponsorship, these are the most relevant visa types:
a. Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)
• Requires employer sponsorship.
• Valid for 2-4 years.
• Pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186.
b. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) (Non-sponsored)
• Points-tested permanent visa.
• No job offer required, but high eligibility threshold.
c. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) or 491
• Requires nomination by a state or region.
• Can also be tied to employer sponsorship.
For job sponsorship, the Subclass 482 is the most common entry point for developers.
2. Find an Employer Willing to Sponsor You
Here’s what to do:
• Polish your resume to Australian standards.
• Apply on platforms like Seek, Indeed Australia, LinkedIn, and JobActive.
• Target companies listed as Standard Business Sponsors (SBS)—they are authorized to sponsor foreign workers.
5 Australian Companies That Sponsor Software Developers
Here are five companies that actively hire global tech talent and offer visa sponsorship:
One of Australia’s biggest tech giants, Atlassian, hires software engineers worldwide and offers full relocation and visa support.
A global design platform, Canva is known for recruiting international talent and covering both sponsorship and relocation expenses.
A major IT consultancy with offices across Australia, Accenture regularly sponsors overseas developers for roles in cloud, data, and software engineering.
A global accounting software company, Xero actively hires software engineers internationally and provides visa and relocation assistance.
Operating leading real estate platforms, REA Group sponsors tech professionals from abroad and supports permanent residency pathways.
3. Secure a Job Offer and Sponsorship
Once a company offers you a role:
• They will initiate the TSS 482 visa application on your behalf.
• You’ll need to provide documentation: proof of education, work experience, English proficiency (IELTS or equivalent), and health checks.
4. Apply for the visa.
Once sponsorship is approved:
• Apply for the 482 visa online through the Department of Home Affairs.
• Visa processing typically takes a few months.
• Once granted, you can move to Australia and start working immediately.
5. Transition to Permanent Residency (Optional)
After working in Australia for 2–3 years:
• You can apply for permanent residency via the Employer Nomination Scheme (186).
• Or through Skilled Independent Visa (189) if you meet the eligibility points.
Conclusion
Migrating to Australia as a software developer is a very real and achievable goal, especially with job sponsorship. Whether you’re eyeing big names like Atlassian or rising stars like Canva, opportunities abound for skilled developers ready to make the move. With the right preparation, your Aussie tech adventure could be just around the corner.
