ANZSCO 262113 · STSOL
Systems Administrator
On the short-term list, so the 189 isn’t available. The route is state or territory nomination (190 or 491).
Path to permanent residence
The steps for the points-tested visas, with this occupation’s own assessing body, lists, cut-offs, fees and processing times.
Skills assessment
Get a positive assessment from Australian Computer Society. It must still be valid when you’re invited: usually 3 years, or less if the assessment says so.
English
Show at least Competent English (IELTS 6 in each band, or an equivalent PTE, TOEFL, OET or Cambridge score). Proficient adds 10 points and Superior adds 20.
Points
Score at least 65 on the federal points test, counting nomination points for the 190 (+5) or 491 (+15). Systems Administrator isn’t eligible for the 189, so the score you need depends on the state that nominates you. Work out your points · see when they change.
Expression of Interest
Submit a free EOI in SkillSelect for the visas this occupation allows: 190 (state nominated), 491 (regional, nominated). It stays active for 2 years, and your points and date of effect decide your place.
State nomination (190 / 491)
3 of 8 list Systems Administrator: ACT, New South Wales, Victoria. Open or inviting now and listing it: New South Wales. Also open, with no published occupation list: Tasmania (check its criteria). Each state ranks applicants its own way. See every state.
Invitation and visa application
When invited, lodge within 60 days. Base fee for the main applicant: AUD 6,140 for the 190, AUD 6,140 for the 491; family members pay extra. You’ll also need health checks and police certificates.
Decision and PR
Home Affairs decides 90% of applications within 190: 16 months · 491: 18 months. The 189 and 190 are permanent visas. The 491 is a 5-year provisional visa; after at least 3 years living and working in regional Australia you can apply for permanent residence (191) if you meet its requirements, including income.
Employer-sponsored route
✓On the Core Skills Occupation List
An Australian employer can sponsor Systems Administrator on a Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, Core Skills stream (base fee AUD 4,015). The Employer Nomination Scheme (186) is the usual next step to permanent residence for 482 holders who meet its requirements.
What a Systems Administrator does
Official description and tasks from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ANZSCO 2022).
Plans, develops, installs, troubleshoots, maintains and supports an operating system and associated server hardware, software and databases ensuring optimum system integrity, security, backup and performance.
Qualifications and experience: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).
- Also calledSystems Manager
- ANZSCO skill level1 of 5 (1 is highest)
- Unit group2621 Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists
Tasks
ABS lists tasks for the whole unit group, Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists. Skills assessments and employer nominations compare the duties you’ve done with the ANZSCO description and tasks, so check yours match.
- Designing and maintaining database architecture, data structures, tables, dictionaries and naming conventions to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all data master files
- Performing the operational establishment and preventive maintenance of backups, recovery procedures, and enforcing security and integrity controls
- Implementing and administering database documentation, guidelines, policies and procedures
- Testing database systems and upgrades, such as debugging, tracking, reproduction, logging and resolving all identified problems, according to approved quality testing scripts, procedures and processes
- Accepting responsibility for the processes, procedures and operational management associated with system security and disaster recovery planning
- Liaising with security vendors, suppliers, service providers and external resources; analysing, recommending, installing and maintaining software security applications; and monitoring contractual obligations, performance delivery and service level agreements
- Troubleshooting and providing service support in diagnosing, resolving and repairing server-related hardware and software malfunctions, encompassing workstations and communication infrastructure
- Preparing and maintaining documentation, policies and instructions, and recording and detailing operational procedures and system logs
- Ensuring that the design of computer sites allows all components to fit together and work properly, and monitoring and adjusting the performance of networks
- Continually surveying the current computer site to determine future network needs and making recommendations for enhancements in the implementation of future servers and networks
State and territory nomination
Whether Systems Administrator is on each state’s current list, and where each program stands.
| State or territory | 190 | 491 | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | ✓ | ✓ | See site |
| New South Waleslisted by unit group | ✓ | – | Inviting |
| Northern Territory | No list | No list | Closed |
| Queensland2025–26 list | – | – | Not open yet |
| South Australia | No list | No list | Not open yet |
| Tasmania | No list | No list | Open |
| Victoria | ✓ | ✓ | Not open yet |
| Western Australia | No list | No list | Not open yet |
Program status is for 2026–27. Being listed doesn’t mean a state is inviting now, and each state has its own criteria. “Nominated so far”: 190 / 491 nominations this program year (Home Affairs).
Shortage rating
No shortage nationally, except shortage in NT.
- NSWNone
- VICNone
- QLDNone
- SANone
- WANone
- TASNone
- NTShortage
- ACTNone
Jobs and Skills Australia’s rating of the labour market. Invitations also depend on planning levels, ceilings and how many EOIs are waiting, so the two don’t always line up.
After an invitation
Home Affairs’ current processing times for the points-tested visas.
| Visa | Half decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (189) | 61 days | 8 months |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | 4 months | 16 months |
| Work Regional (491), state nominated | 5 months | 18 months |
| Work Regional (491), family sponsored | 4 months | 7 months |
Home Affairs, decisions to 31 August 2026. Clock starts when you lodge, which you must do within 60 days of an invitation.
Plan with this occupation
Sources and method
- 189 rounds: Home Affairs invitation rounds and previous rounds. 2022–23 rounds reported offshore and onshore separately; we show the lower score.
- State lists: each state’s official site, checked 15 October 2026. Queensland shows its 2025–26 lists until 2026–27 is announced; NSW lists by ANZSCO unit group; Victoria accepts any occupation on the federal lists.
- Shortage: Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO 2022 codes).
- Processing times: Home Affairs processing times guide.
- Skilled lists and assessing authorities: LIN 19/051, checked 14 October 2026.
- Occupation description, titles and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022, used under CC BY 4.0.
- Employer route: Core Skills Occupation List, LIN 24/089 (compilation 2025-11-07). Fees: Home Affairs visa pages, checked 14 October 2026.
- Agents: embed this occupation on your website.