ANZSCO code
261313 Software Engineer
Source: ABS: ANZSCO 2022 structure (occupation codes), read 2026-10-06 (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Employer guide
Hire a Software Engineer in Australia
To hire a software engineer, define the stack and seniority, decide whether the role is permanent or contract, and check whether an award applies or the role is award-free. CrossNation recruits software engineers for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.
By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.
12% of annual salary
Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.
90-day placement guarantee
See our terms.
Official data
Key facts from official sources
Registration
No registration or licence to work as a software engineer
Source: Australian Computer Society: skills assessment (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Skills assessment for migration
The Australian Computer Society assesses ICT skills for migration purposes
Source: Australian Computer Society: skills assessment (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Pay rules
Whether an award applies depends on duties and pay; the Find my award tool helps
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: List of awards (retrieved 6 October 2026)
What you need to know
How do you define the engineering role?
Name the languages, frameworks and cloud platforms, and the kind of system: a customer-facing web application, internal platform, mobile app, data pipeline or infrastructure. State the seniority, the team size, how the team works and whether the role is hybrid or remote. Explain the hiring process and the technical assessment so candidates can plan. Engineers compare roles by the technical problems and the team, so describe them in concrete terms. A precise stack list lets a recruiter search on real skills rather than job titles.
What checks and conditions should you set?
All roles need confirmed work rights. Government, defence and some financial roles may require Australian citizenship and a security clearance, which you should say up front because clearance takes time and is not something a recruiter can shortcut. Decide the technical assessment and references, and the policy on intellectual property, side projects and remote work across time zones. If engineers will handle personal data, state the privacy and security training you expect.
Permanent or contract, and does an award apply?
Employees receive super, leave and the National Employment Standards, while genuine contractors handle their own tax, super and insurance. Whether a worker is a contractor depends on the real relationship. Some professional employees are covered by awards such as the Professional Employees Award [MA000065], and others earn above the high income threshold and are award-free. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Find my award tool to check your position. We do not publish pay figures here. Set the terms in the contract and seek professional advice if unsure.
What makes a software engineer onboarding effective?
Prepare laptop access, source control and environment setup before day one, and agree a first small change to ship in the opening weeks. Assign a buddy, explain the architecture and deployment process and share the team's working agreements. Set out how code review, on-call and incident response work. Clarify remote working, equipment and security expectations. Engineers judge early whether a team is worth staying with, so clear goals, regular feedback and visible career paths matter as much as the tools.
Before you brief a recruiter: software engineer checklist
Checklist
- List languages, frameworks, cloud platforms and the type of system
- State seniority, team size and hybrid or remote policy
- Say early if citizenship or a security clearance is required
- Explain the technical assessment and interview process
- Decide permanent, fixed-term or genuine contractor engagement
- Check whether an award applies using Find my award
Tell us the role, location and start date
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire a software engineer as a contractor?
Only if the person genuinely runs their own business. If you direct their work as you would an employee's, they may be an employee in law.
Does an award apply to software engineers?
Sometimes. It depends on the duties, the employer and the pay. Use the Find my award tool and check the award text.
Can engineers work remotely?
Yes, if you choose to allow it. State whether they must be in Australia, which time zones apply and how tax and super are handled.
How does CrossNation charge to recruit a software engineer?
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits software engineers for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.
Can I recruit an overseas software engineer through CrossNation?
CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. Skills assessment with the Australian Computer Society and your own approvals are separate steps from finding the person. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.
What should I verify before I offer a software engineer the job?
Software engineers do not need registration. Employers hire on experience, and some government roles need citizenship and a security clearance. There is no single modern award for a software engineer, so confirm pay with the contract, any enterprise agreement that applies and the Fair Work Pay Calculator before you set the offer. Keep a copy of any licence, registration or check you sight for your software engineer, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.