ICT Quality Assurance Engineer — Subclass 186 Pathway
Employer Nomination Scheme visa · Permanent
At a glance
- Visa
- Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme visa
- Points test
- Not points-tested
- Sponsor
- Employer sponsor required
- Eligibility list
- MLTSSLSTSOLROLCSOL
- Base fee
- from $4,770 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~6-15 months (median)
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing ICT Quality Assurance Engineer for migration purposes is handled by: ACS.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
ICT Quality Assurance Engineer × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
ICT Quality Assurance Engineers (ANZSCO 263211) are eligible for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, with this occupation listed on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). The Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream requires employer nomination from an approved Australian business that must demonstrate a genuine vacancy and complete labour market testing prior to lodgement. The employer nominates the position and assumes ongoing sponsorship obligations. A positive skills assessment from the Australian Computer Society (ACS) is mandatory. ACS evaluates the applicant's ICT qualifications, professional experience, and specialist skills against Australian industry benchmarks. Applicants must demonstrate relevant technical competency appropriate to their nominated role. English language proficiency requirements apply, with minimum scores required in IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or equivalent tests. The Subclass 186 visa grants permanent residence, allowing the holder to live and work in Australia indefinitely. Health and character assessments are required for all applicants. Application fees are payable to the Department of Home Affairs, with processing timeframes varying by case. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Content last generated: 2026-06-26
Key requirements
High-level criteria for Subclass 186. Verify every requirement on immi.gov.au before applying.
- Under 45 years of age at application (with limited exemptions)
- Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Nominated by an approved Australian employer
- Positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation (Direct Entry stream)
- At least three years of relevant work experience (Direct Entry stream)
- Health and character requirements
Other visa pathways for ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
- 190Details →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Details →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Details →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations for ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.