This is a 2026 step-by-step pathway guide for an ICT Business Analyst migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 261111. 261111 is on MLTSSL and CSOL — the full skilled visa stack is open: Subclass 189 Independent, Subclass 190 State-Nominated, Subclass 491 Regional Provisional → 191 PR, Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494 Regional Employer → 191, and Subclass 482 Core Skills → 186 TRT.
For the cost / timeline view see the 261111 cost & timeline case study. For ACS document details see the skills assessment guide.
Step 1 — Confirm 261111 is the right code
ANZSCO 261111 covers requirements elicitation, stakeholder analysis, business process design, BRD/FSD/user-story authoring, and acceptance testing — sitting between business stakeholders and developers. Use ANZSCO search to verify against 261112 Systems Analyst, 135112 ICT Project Manager, or 261311 Analyst Programmer.
If your role is more technical (data modelling, schema design, API specs in code), 261112 may be a better code-fit.
Step 2 — ACS skills assessment
ACS (acs.org.au) assesses ICT qualifications and experience against the ANZSCO unit group. Pathways:
- Post Australian Study (for graduates of Australian ICT programs)
- Temporary Graduate (for 485 holders)
- Skills Assessment (for ICT-aligned degree + experience): 2-4 years deducted depending on qualification level and ICT-content match.
- RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning): for non-ICT-aligned candidates with 6+ years of relevant experience. Requires two RPL project reports.
ACS provides a suitable date — the date from which experience counts towards your skilled employment points.
Step 3 — English
EOI lodgement requires Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each / PTE 50 each / OET B). Higher tier scores award additional points: Proficient (IELTS 7.0 each = 10 pts) / Superior (IELTS 8.0 each = 20 pts).
Step 4 — Choose a visa pathway
Subclass 189 Independent
Best for fully-qualified BAs with 65+ points. ICT BAs with 7+ years experience and Superior English routinely clear 189 invitation rounds. See Subclass 189.
Subclass 190 State-Nominated
+5 points for state nomination. ICT BA is on most state lists. NSW, VIC and QLD nomination is competitive — see state nomination tracker.
Subclass 491 → 191 (regional)
+15 points for regional nomination. Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Perth count as designated regional zones for many BA roles. See Subclass 491.
Subclass 186 Direct Entry
Best for candidates with employer sponsor — major banks (CBA, Westpac, ANZ, NAB), insurers (IAG, Suncorp), big-4 (Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG), Accenture, NTT, DXC, Atlassian, REA, Carsales — sponsor experienced BAs internationally. See Subclass 186.
Subclass 482 → 186 TRT / Subclass 494
482 Core Skills for 4 years employer-tied work, then 186 TRT after 2 years. 494 for 5-year regional sponsorship → 191. See Subclass 482 and Subclass 494.
Step 5 — Score your points
Use the points calculator. ICT BA's 5+ years experience attracts substantial skilled employment points. Combined with Superior English + age <33, candidates routinely reach 90+ points.
Step 6 — Submit EOI / lodge
Lodge an EOI through SkillSelect for 189/190/491. For 186/494/482, the employer's sponsorship + nomination is lodged first. ICT BA invitation rounds are competitive — track via the invitation rounds tracker.
Useful tools
- Visa fee calculator
- Document checklist — ACS evidence pack
- Eligibility wizard
- Invitation rounds tracker
- State nomination tracker
Authoritative sources
Next step
Want to map your BA profile against 189 vs 190 vs 491 vs 186 vs 494 vs 482? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.