ICT Support Technicians nec Visa Pathway to Australia: Complete 2026 Guide
Updated: 13 May 2026
Australia classifies ICT Support Technicians nec under ANZSCO 313199. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) conducts the Migration Skills Assessment. The occupation sits on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), unlocking subclasses 190, 491, 482 and 186. Typical 2026 salaries range AUD $65,000-$95,000. The 482 employer-sponsored route is the dominant pathway, with the Core Skills Income Threshold of AUD $76,515 as the binding constraint.
Quick Facts: ICT Support Technicians nec Migration Pathway
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ANZSCO Code | 313199 (ICT Support Technicians not elsewhere classified) |
| Skill Level | 2 (AQF Associate Degree, Diploma or Advanced Diploma) |
| Skills Assessment | TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) |
| Occupation List | CSOL and STSOL |
| Visa Options | 190, 491, 482, 186 |
| Demand Level | Moderate — varied roles bridging niche specialisations and generalist ICT support |
| Salary Range | AUD $65,000-$95,000 (SEEK 2026) |
| Typical 189 Score | Not eligible — 189 requires MLTSSL listing |
| Key Challenge | Proving duties don't fit a more specific 3131xx code |
What This Role Covers in Australia
ICT Support Technicians nec is the residual code for ICT support roles that don't squarely fit one of the dedicated codes — Hardware Technician (313111), ICT Customer Support Officer (313112) or Web Administrator (313113). In practice, applicants in 313199 work as deployment technicians, audiovisual and conferencing support specialists, telephony and unified communications technicians, healthcare-device support specialists, retail point-of-sale specialists, and field-services engineers covering mixed hardware and software stacks.
Australian employers in this code span MSPs handling specialist client portfolios, large institutions with bespoke technology estates (universities running AV-heavy lecture theatres, hospitals running specialist clinical devices, stadium and venue technology teams), and government agencies with niche operational technology. Major employers include the audio-visual and unified communications integrators (Pro AV Solutions, AVI Australia, Diversified, Convergint), specialist healthcare IT teams at major hospitals, and the in-house tech teams at venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Optus Stadium and Sydney Opera House.
Demand is shaped by niche specialisations rather than mass-market support. Hybrid working has sustained demand for AV and unified communications technicians. Healthcare digitisation drives demand for clinical-device support specialists. Sports and entertainment venues are continuously upgrading their technology fit-outs, which creates ongoing operational support work.
ANZSCO 313199 in Detail
The 313199 code is the "not elsewhere classified" residual within the ICT Support Technicians unit group. The ABS ANZSCO 2022 rev 1 description lists tasks broadly aligned with the parent unit group: installing, configuring, troubleshooting and maintaining ICT systems and equipment, providing technical advice, and supporting end users.
Because it's a residual code, TRA scrutinises whether the role could have been nominated under a more specific code. The most common boundary disputes:
- Versus 313111 Hardware Technician — if the work is predominantly physical hardware installation and repair, use 313111
- Versus 313112 ICT Customer Support Officer — if the work is predominantly user-facing helpdesk and software support, use 313112
- Versus 313113 Web Administrator — if the work centres on web platforms and content systems, use 313113
- Versus 263213 ICT Systems Test Engineer — if the work focuses on systems testing, use 263213
The 313199 code fits where the role legitimately combines elements across these areas without a clear primary alignment, or where the niche specialisation (AV, UC, clinical-device, OT) doesn't fit any of the named codes.
Skills Assessment — TRA Migration Skills Assessment
TRA assesses 313199 under the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) programme. The MSA evaluates whether your qualifications and employment history meet the Australian Certificate IV or Diploma standard for the nominated occupation.
Requirements:
- Relevant vocational qualification — Certificate IV, Diploma or equivalent in IT, computer systems, networking, or a specialist field relevant to your niche
- At least 3 years of post-qualification employment aligned with the ANZSCO 313199 task list
- Full employment evidence — payslips, contracts, tax records, employment certificates, detailed duty statements
- Identity, work rights and English-language evidence
Assessment Cost: TRA Migration Skills Assessment fees start from approximately AUD $300 for the documentary stage. Total programme cost depends on whether further evidence or a Technical Interview is required. Current pricing is published in Section 1.5 of the TRA MSA Applicant Guidelines.
Processing Time: TRA targets a 120-day finalisation for MSA applications. Complex cases involving niche specialisations can run longer where the assessor requests additional evidence.
Common rejection reasons: Two patterns dominate. First, applicants who use 313199 as a fallback when the work clearly fits 313111, 313112 or 313113 — TRA expects the most specific code to be used wherever possible. Second, applicants whose qualifications and references don't show the Skill Level 2 depth required — generic IT support work with no specialist focus or limited technical breadth often falls short of the 313199 standard.
Visa Pathways
Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand (Core Skills Stream)
The dominant pathway. CSOL listing makes the Core Skills stream available.
- Visa fee: AUD $3,210 (primary applicant, Core Skills stream)
- Salary threshold: Core Skills Income Threshold AUD $76,515
- Duration: Up to 4 years
- Pathway to PR: 186 TRT transition after 2 years
Specialist roles in AV, unified communications, clinical-device support and venue technology typically pay above the CSIT, which makes the 482 viable. Generic mixed-support roles can sit at or below the threshold — confirm the offered salary before committing to the 482 pathway.
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
State-nominated permanent residency. Adds 5 points.
- Visa fee: AUD $4,910
- Obligation: Live and work in the nominating state for 2 years
- Reality: Tasmania and SA are the most realistic 190 channels for 313199
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional
Regional state or family-nominated provisional visa. Adds 15 points.
- Visa fee: AUD $4,910
- Duration: 5 years provisional, with PR via subclass 191 after meeting income and residence requirements
- Reality: Regional universities, regional health services and regional venue technology teams are the typical 491 employer base
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme
Permanent residency through employer sponsorship.
- Visa fee: AUD $4,910
- Streams: Direct Entry or Temporary Residence Transition (after 2+ years on 482)
- Reality: TRT is the standard route — start on a 482 and transition
State Nomination
Tasmania
Tasmania consistently includes ICT support occupations on its skilled lists where applicants meet one of the state's pathway triggers — Tasmanian Graduate, Skilled Employment (current Tasmanian role), or Overseas Applicant (with a Tasmanian offer). The University of Tasmania, the state government and Hobart-based MSPs are the typical sponsoring employer base.
South Australia
South Australia includes selected ICT support roles where applicants meet pathway triggers — SA employment, SA study, or close SA family. Adelaide's defence-adjacent ICT sector, the Australian Submarine Agency ecosystem, and university IT teams create steady demand.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT periodically includes 313199 where applicants have current Canberra-based employment. Federal departments, Defence-adjacent contractors and parliamentary IT services generate niche specialist roles, especially in AV/UC and secure-environment support.
Salary and Employment Outlook
What 313199 Roles Earn in 2026
| Role | Typical Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Mixed-stack ICT Support Technician | AUD $65,000-$80,000 |
| AV / Unified Communications Technician | AUD $80,000-$100,000 |
| Senior AV/UC Specialist | AUD $100,000-$130,000 |
| Clinical-Device Support Specialist | AUD $85,000-$110,000 |
| Field Services Engineer (Specialist) | AUD $85,000-$110,000 |
| Venue Technology Technician | AUD $80,000-$105,000 |
Salary sources: SEEK Career Advice (April 2026), Indeed Australia (March 2026), and job-listing analysis in early 2026. Total packages include the 12% Superannuation Guarantee (from 1 July 2025). On-call and event-based loadings are common in AV/UC and venue technology roles.
Highest-Paying Sectors
- Defence and secure government — niche specialist support with clearance premiums
- Healthcare — clinical-device support specialists in major public hospitals
- Major venues — MCG, Optus Stadium, Sydney Opera House, ICC Sydney, Marvel Stadium
- Higher education — large universities with extensive AV, lab and research technology estates
- Specialist integrators — Pro AV Solutions, AVI Australia, Diversified, Convergint
Tips for a Successful Application
1. Confirm 313199 is the Right Code
TRA refuses 313199 applications where the work clearly fits 313111, 313112 or 313113. Map your duties carefully against each of the named codes before nominating the residual. If you do most of your work in one specific area — physical hardware, end-user support, or web administration — use that code instead.
2. Lean Into Your Specialisation
Generic "IT support" applications struggle. Specialist applications — AV/UC, clinical-device support, venue technology, OT support — succeed at higher rates because the role's distinctness justifies the use of the residual code. Write your duty statements around the specific specialisation: name the platforms (Crestron, Cisco Webex, AMX, Q-SYS for AV; specific clinical-device platforms; specific venue systems), describe the technical depth, and quantify the work where possible.
3. Target Sectors Where Specialisation Pays
Defence-adjacent contractors, large hospitals, major venues and tier-one AV integrators pay well above the AUD $76,515 CSIT. Generalist MSP roles often sit closer to the threshold. Choose your target sector based on whether the typical salary clears the 482 income gate.
4. Use Vendor Certifications That Match Your Specialisation
For AV/UC roles: AVIXA CTS, Crestron Certified, Cisco CCNP Collaboration, Microsoft Teams Voice Engineer. For clinical-device support: vendor-specific training from major medical-device manufacturers. For venue tech: specific platform certifications. These certifications justify higher offers and strengthen the visa case.
5. Plan for the TRA 120-Day Window
TRA's Migration Skills Assessment has a 120-day target finalisation. Build that into your overall timeline alongside English testing, employer onboarding and the 482 nomination/visa stages. Allowing 12-15 months from first TRA lodgement to visa grant is realistic.
Step-by-Step Migration Roadmap
- Confirm 313199 fits your role — review the ANZSCO code finder and rule out 313111, 313112, 313113 and 263213
- Verify CSOL listing — confirm 313199 remains on the Core Skills Occupation List for the current program year
- Compile TRA evidence — qualifications, detailed employment references, payslips, tax records, contracts, ID
- Lodge TRA Migration Skills Assessment — documentary stage, 120-day target processing
- Sit your English test — IELTS, PTE Academic, or equivalent (Vocational English minimum for 482)
- Find an Australian employer — target specialist integrators, healthcare, venue tech, defence contractors
- Confirm the offer clears AUD $76,515 — the Core Skills Income Threshold gates the 482 pathway
- Or apply for state nomination — Tasmania, SA or ACT where 313199 is listed in the current program year
- Lodge the visa application — 482, 491, 190 or 186 depending on pathway
- Complete health and character checks
- Receive grant and relocate — meet visa conditions including regional residence where applicable
- Transition to PR — 186 TRT after 2 years on 482, or 191 after 3 years on a 491
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 313199 a residual "nec" code?
The ABS designed the ANZSCO ICT Support Technicians unit group with three named occupations — Hardware Technician (313111), ICT Customer Support Officer (313112), Web Administrator (313113) — and a residual 313199 to capture roles that don't fit those three. The residual is appropriate where the work legitimately spans the named codes or involves a niche specialisation (AV/UC, clinical-device, venue tech, OT support) not covered by the named codes.
When should I use 313199 instead of 313111, 313112 or 313113?
Use 313199 where the role's primary focus is a recognisable ICT support specialisation that doesn't match the three named codes. AV/UC technicians, clinical-device support specialists, venue technology technicians and operational-technology support roles typically fit 313199. Avoid 313199 as a generic fallback when 313111, 313112 or 313113 is a closer match — TRA will identify the mismatch.
What happens if my salary offer is below the Core Skills Income Threshold?
The 482 Core Skills stream is unavailable below AUD $76,515. Options: negotiate the offer up (often achievable in specialist roles with relevant certifications), shift target sector to defence/healthcare/venue tech where pay typically clears the threshold, or pursue the 491 via Tasmania or SA where state nomination has no minimum salary requirement.
How does the TRA assessment differ from ACS for the 313199 occupation?
TRA assesses 313199 because the occupation is classed at Skill Level 2 within the ICT Support Technicians unit group. ACS handles Web Administrator (313113) within the same unit group, but TRA handles the other three including 313199. The practical difference: TRA places more weight on practical workplace evidence (payslips, contracts, on-the-job duties) and less on academic qualifications than ACS does for the closely related codes.
Can a specialist AV/UC technician realistically migrate under 313199?
Yes — and this is one of the strongest 313199 patterns. AV/UC technicians with AVIXA CTS, Crestron, Cisco Webex or Microsoft Teams Voice credentials, and 3+ years of integration or operational support work, present well to TRA. Australian AV integrators (Pro AV Solutions, AVI Australia, Diversified, Convergint) actively recruit and sponsor international staff. The 482 is the standard route, with 186 TRT after 2 years.
For a wider view of skilled migration options, see the most in-demand occupations in Australia for 2026 and the complete skills assessment bodies list.
