Australian Computer Society.
ACS
ACS is the assessing authority for all ICT occupations in Australia. This includes software engineers, developers, analysts, network engineers, security specialists, and ICT managers. ACS is one of the most commonly used assessment bodies for skilled migration.
At a glance
- Occupations assessed
- 23
- Assessment fees
- $500-$600 AUD
- Processing time
- 6-8 weeks
- Website
- acs.org.au
Assessment process.
- 1 Determine your ANZSCO code - ACS assesses based on your actual duties, not your job title.
- 2 Choose your assessment pathway: Post Australian Study, Skills, or RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning).
- 3 Prepare your application - qualifications, detailed employment references, and statutory declarations.
- 4 Submit your application online through the ACS portal and pay the fee.
- 5 ACS reviews your application - they may deduct years of experience for 'skill level met' date.
- 6 Receive your assessment outcome with your 'skill level met' date.
Required documents.
- Certified copies of all ICT-related qualifications
- Detailed employment references (on company letterhead) describing ICT duties
- Statutory declaration for any employer who cannot provide a reference
- Passport bio page
- CV or resume
Tips.
- ACS deducts experience years to determine when your 'skill level was met'. With a closely related ICT degree, 2 years are deducted. With a non-ICT degree, 4 years. Without a degree, 6 years. Plan accordingly.
- Employment references are critical - they must describe specific ICT tasks, not just job titles. List programming languages, frameworks, and technologies you used.
- The RPL pathway requires two project reports (2000 words each) describing ICT projects in detail. This is an option if you do not have formal ICT qualifications.
Assessed occupations.
ACS assesses 23 occupations for Australian skilled migration.
Frequently asked questions.
What does 'skill level met date' mean in the ACS assessment?
The skill level met date is when ACS determines you became qualified for your nominated occupation. Only work experience after this date counts for points. ACS deducts years from your experience based on your qualifications.
Can I get assessed without a degree?
Yes, through the RPL pathway. You need at least 6 years of relevant ICT work experience and must submit two detailed project reports. The RPL pathway takes longer and costs more than the standard Skills pathway.
How specific do my employment references need to be?
Very specific. References must describe your ICT duties in detail - mention specific technologies, programming languages, systems, and methodologies. Generic descriptions like 'responsible for IT support' are insufficient.
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