What is the ACS Skill Assessment?
The Australian Computer Society Skills assessment (ACS Skill Assessment) is a comprehensive process conducted by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) to determine the suitability of an applicant’s qualifications and work experience in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for migration and employment purposes. This process is an important step for individuals seeking to work or migrate to Australia in ICT-related roles. The ACS assesses the alignment of an applicant’s qualifications and work experience with the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) codes to ensure that they meet the skill level requirements.
This procedure considers factors such as the applicant’s education, relevant work experience, and the content of their degree or qualifications to ascertain their compatibility with a professional ICT role. The assessment outcome, which is issued in a formal letter, signifies whether the applicant’s background aligns with the standards set by ACS and whether they have achieved the required skill level for their nominated occupation. Understanding the ACS migration skill assessment is vital for those pursuing careers or migration opportunities in the ICT sector of Australia.
What Are the Four Pathways for ACS Skills Assessment?
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) provides four distinct pathways for skills assessment, each catering to different circumstances and individuals within the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) field.
- Temporary Graduate (TG) – Exclusively applicable to Australian Bachelor degree holders or higher, this pathway of ACS migration skill assessment allows recent graduates to confirm their ICT qualifications for post-study employment or migration.
- Post Australian Study (PAS) – Similarly, this pathway is exclusively reserved for Australian Bachelor degree holders or those with higher qualifications. It is specifically designed to assist graduates who have completed their Professional Year in Australia after earning their degree in the country. This pathway enables these graduates to effectively showcase their ICT qualifications upon completing their studies.
- General Skills Assessment (Skills) – Open to applicants with ICT qualifications from both Australian and international institutions, this pathway of ACS migration skill assessment designed to evaluate a wide range of ICT qualifications and work experiences.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – Ideal for individuals without formal ICT qualifications but possessing substantial ICT work experience, this pathway enables applicants to demonstrate their expertise through a comprehensive skills portfolio submission.
These pathways serve as essential tools for applicants to validate their qualifications and skills, facilitating their pursuit of a successful ACS skills assessment and enhancing their career and migration prospects in Australia.
What Are the Key Documents Required for Filing ACS Skills Assessment?
To file an ACS (Australian Computer Society) Skills Assessment, you’ll need to prepare several important documents. These documents are crucial for evaluating your qualifications and work experience. It’s important to note that the documents should be coloured scans of the original documents. Please be aware that ACS does not accept true copies of documents. Make sure to provide high-quality coloured scans to facilitate the assessment process. Here’s a simple breakdown of the documents required:
- Identity Documents:
- Passport (applicant details page only)
- Two additional government-issued identity documents from your country of birth or current residence, with at least one containing your photograph.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) – uploaded in your personal documents section.
- Evidence of a change of name if applicable.
- Education Documents:
- Degree or Award Certificate:
- Title of Degree or Award
- Name of University or Awarding Institution
- Date the Degree or Award was completed (Important: Ensure you have documented evidence of the completion and awarding of the degree).
- Degree or Award Transcript:
- Unit or Subject Names and Grades/Marks Achieved (uploaded in chronological order).
- For research degrees, provide the abstract of the thesis or research project, preferably endorsed by your primary supervisor.
- Employment Documents:
- Employment Reference: An employment reference is a crucial document that should be provided by your employer or immediate manager. It serves the purpose of confirming your job responsibilities and should align with the duties outlined in the ANZSCO framework. This reference plays a vital role in supporting your ACS Skills Assessment application.
- Evidence of Paid Employment: You should provide evidence of paid employment to support your application. This evidence may encompass various items such as tax returns, bank statements, pay slips (on official company letterhead), or any other forms of payment documentation as stipulated in the guidelines. It’s important to include two pieces of evidence from the beginning of your employment and two from the end of your employment to establish a comprehensive record.
- Other Documents:
- Migration agent authorization form (if applicable).
- For Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications, you’ll need to complete and submit the current ACS Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Form.
- ACS Professional Year Certification if applicable.
It’s essential to ensure that your documents are clear, complete, and properly organized. Following these document requirements will help you navigate the ACS Skills Assessment process successfully.
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Criteria requirement for ACS Skills Assessment
Pathway 1 – Temporary Graduate (TG)
Required Level of Qualification ICT Qualification Related to the Work Experience Needed Australian Bachelor degree or higher ICT Major Closely related to the nominated occupation – Nominated occupation on subclass 485 MLTSSL.
– Australian bachelor’s degree or higher in ICT closely related to the nominated occupation
Pathway 2 – Post Australian Study (PAS)
Required Level of Qualification ICT Qualification Related to the Work Experience Needed Australian Bachelor degree or higher ICT Major Closely related to the nominated occupation – Australian Bachelor’s degree in ICT closely related to the nominated occupation.
– One of the following: 1 year of relevant work experience after degree completion OR completion of ACS Professional Year Program.
– Satisfy the Australian Study Requirement (ASR) for visa purposes.
Pathway 3 – General Skills Assessment
| Required Level of Qualification | ICT | Qualification Related to the Work | Experience Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor Degree or higher | ICT Major | Closely related to your nominated occupation | – 2 years relevant work experience completed within the past 10 years to meet the suitability criteria |
| Bachelor Degree or higher | ICT Major | Not closely related to your nominated occupation | – 4 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your past work history to meet the suitability criteria |
| Bachelor Degree or higher | ICT Minor | Closely related to your nominated occupation | – 5 years relevant work experience completed within the past 10 years to meet the suitability criteria |
| Bachelor Degree or higher | ICT Minor | Not closely related to your nominated occupation | – 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your past work history to meet the suitability criteria |
| Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree | ICT Major | Closely related to your nominated occupation | – 5 years relevant work experience completed within the past 10 years to meet the suitability criteria |
| Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree | ICT Major | Not closely related to your nominated occupation | – 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your past work history to meet the suitability criteria |
Pathway 4 – Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
| Required Level of Qualification | ICT | Qualification Related to the Work | Experience Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tertiary qualifications with insufficient ICT content | N/A | N/A | – AQF Diploma or higher with insufficient ICT content: 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your past work history + RPL application. |
| No recognized tertiary educational qualification | N/A | N/A | – 8 years relevant work experience + RPL application. |
Understanding Point Structure for Skills Assessment
Post Australian Study (PAS)
General Skills Assessment (Skills)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
ACS skill assessment fee structure
When applying for a skills assessment with ACS (Australian Computer Society), it’s important to understand the fee structure. The fees are divided into different categories based on the type of application you’re submitting. Here’s a breakdown of the ACS skill assessment fee:
- Temporary Graduate – 485 Skills Assessment fees
This application type is specifically designed for individuals seeking a skills assessment as part of their TemporaryGraduate visa(subclass 485) application. The fee for a Temporary Graduate assessment is AU$600.
- Post Australian Study Skills Assessmentfees
This application is intended for those who have completed their studies in Australia and now require a skills assessment for various purposes. The fee for Post Australian Study Skills Assessment is AU $1,100. - Skills (general application)fees
The general skills application is suitable for applicants with standard qualifications and work experience seeking a skills assessment for migration purposes. The fee for the general application is AU $1,450.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)fees
If you’re applying for a skills assessment through the RPL pathway, a separate fee is applicable. RPL is for individuals with non-traditional ICT qualifications. The fee for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is AU$ 605.
- Appeal Application
If you wish to change your nominated occupation, include additional qualifications or work experience, or review the original assessment decision, you can opt for a review application. The fee for Application Review is AU$ 500. This is assessed by an independent ACS assessor.
If you are still unsatisfied with the decision, there is an option to go for Level-2 Appeal in $600. An external assessor will be assessing the application in this case.
All skills assessment fees include a total of eight assessment episodes per application. An assessment episode can be made up of qualifications or employment documentation. This means you have the flexibility to submit any combination of qualifications and employment episodes as long as the total does not exceed eight episodes per application. For each extra qualification or employment record exceeding the maximum of eight allowed per application, there is a charge of AU$50.
The standard processing time for Australia ACS skill assessment typically falls within the range of 10 to 12 weeks. However, ACS has recently announced a more expedited process for applications that are deemed “assessment ready,” meaning they are submitted with all the necessary information and documentation. In such cases, ACS aims to complete the assessment within just 3 weeks. To ensure a swifter and successful outcome, it is advisable to seek expert assistance with your application. This proactive approach can significantly reduce the waiting period and enhance the likelihood of a prompt and positive assessment result.
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