Software Tester (ANZSCO 261314): code, lists, and assessment at a glance

Software Tester, ANZSCO 261314

Software Tester is ANZSCO code 261314, skill level 1. The job is technical: writing test plans and test scripts, producing test cases, running regression tests, and using automated testing tools to check that software behaves, functions, and holds together.

Find the full occupation detail at Software Tester (261314).

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Who assesses it

To use this code for a skills assessment in Australia, you need the authority that covers 261314. That authority is not confirmed in this record. The Software Tester (261314) occupation page carries the current assessing authority name and a link to apply. Check that page before you start an assessment application, since authorities and their scope can change.

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Which lists it sits on

Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Both are maintained by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The current skill occupation list shows which visa subclasses each list supports. Check the live page: list membership is reviewed and can change.

2024 Occupation Shortage List. The Jobs and Skills Australia 2024 Occupation Shortage List rates Software Tester nationally as S (in shortage).

One important distinction: being on the CSOL or STSOL opens a skilled migration pathway. The shortage rating is a separate, point-in-time labour market read. The two are related but not the same. Being on a list does not guarantee shortage status, and a shortage rating does not by itself determine your visa options.

NZ Green List. The verified record for this occupation includes NZ Green List Tier 1 in the visa lists. However, no NZ Green List membership detail was supplied in the source record for this piece. Do not rely on this without checking the NZ Green List directly. The list was last updated effective 26 March 2025.

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Near-miss codes to check

If your work crosses into programming or development, two sibling codes sit close:

• Software Engineer (261313): designs and builds software systems. Testing is incidental to the role, not the primary focus.
• Developer Programmer (261312): writes and maintains code to a specification. The distinction from 261314 is that a tester verifies the software, while a programmer writes it.

These all sit in the Software and Applications Programmers group (2613). If your job combines testing with significant development work, the right code depends on what most of your time goes to.

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Find your code

Browse all ANZSCO 2022 occupations at /en/anzsco/2022/. If you are unsure which code fits your background, the CV matcher at app.anzscofinder.com matches your CV to the closest codes and shows its working.

For advice on which visa to apply for, a registered migration agent can read your full situation. We find codes and show sources. We do not give migration advice.