Master the ACS Skills Assessment Guidelines | 2024

The ACS Skills Assessment is a formal evaluation conducted by the Australian Computer Society (ACS). It assesses the qualifications and experience of ICT professionals seeking to migrate to Australia. This assessment checks if a person’s skills meet the Australian ICT sector’s hiring standards. It is vital for the General Skilled Migration visa application.

If you are an IT or data science professional considering migrating to Australia, you are in the right place. Before applying for a visa, you must have your skills and knowledge assessed through the ACS Migration Skills Assessment.

Did you know?

Skilled ICT migrants have high employment rates in Australia, with over 90% finding jobs, 80% of which are in the IT sector.

Who is the Australian Computer Society (ACS)?

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the professional association for the tech sector in Australia. It is also the largest tech community in Australia. ACS assesses the skills of IT and data science professionals migrating to Australia on behalf of the federal government.

What is the ACS Migration Skills Assessment?

The ACS Migration Skills Assessment checks your IT skills and work experience. It determines your eligibility for skilled migration to Australia.

Steps to Get Your ACS Migration Skills Assessment

Make sure ACS is the right assessing authority for you.

ACS assesses a wide range of IT and Data Science occupations. Before you apply, make sure your occupation is on the list. Check the list of ANZSCO codes assessed by ACS.

IT occupations and ANZSCO codes

Data Science occupations and ANZSCO codes

Choose your Assessment Pathway

There are four assessment pathways you can choose from.

Check your eligibility

Below are the different criteria for the various assessment pathways.

Temporary Graduate 485

• An Australian bachelor’s degree or higher with a major in IT or Data Science that is closely related to the nominated occupation and ANZSCO code.

The Post-Australian Study

• An Australian bachelor’s degree or higher with a major in IT or Data Science that is closely related to the nominated occupation and ANZSCO code.
• One year of relevant IT work experience in Australia or overseas. It must be after the completion date of the relevant degree or the ACS Professional Year. Relevant IT work experience must be professional IT employment and at least 20 hrs per week.

General Skills

This is the most common assessment pathway for experienced IT and data science professionals.

IT criteria for general skills

Qualification	IT content	Relevance to nominated occupation and ANZSCO code	Relevant IT work experience required*
Bachelor’s degree or higher	IT Major	Closely related	2 years, completed in the last 10 years^ OR 4 years completed anytime in past work history (whichever provides the earliest skill date)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	IT Major	Not closely related	4 years relevant work experience completed anytime in past work history
Bachelor’s degree or higher	IT Minor	Closely related	5 years completed in the last 10 years^ OR 6 years completed anytime in past work history (whichever provides the earliest skill date)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	IT Minor	Not closely related	6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in past work history
Diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree	IT Major	Closely related	5 years completed in the past 10 years^ OR 6 years completed anytime in past work history (whichever provides the earliest skill date)
Diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree	IT Major	Not closely related	6 years completed anytime in past work history

Data Science criteria for general skills

Qualification	Relevance to nominated occupation and ANZSCO code	Relevant IT work experience required*
Bachelor’s degree or higher	Major in Data Science	2 years, completed in the last 10 years^ OR 4 years completed anytime in past work history (whichever provides the earliest skill date)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	Major in ICT/Computer Science, Math, Statistics, Economics & Engineering	4 years relevant work experience completed anytime in past work history
Bachelor’s degree or higher	Minor in Data Science	5 years completed in the last 10 years^ OR 6 years completed anytime in past work history (whichever provides the earliest skill date)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	Minor in ICT/Computer Science, Math, Statistics, Economics & Engineering	6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in past work history
Diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree	Major in Data Science	5 years completed in the past 10 years^ OR 6 years completed anytime in past work history (whichever provides the earliest skill date)
Diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree	Major in ICT/Computer Science, Math, Statistics, Economics & Engineering	6 years completed anytime in past work history

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• 6 years of relevant work experience – your most recent work experience must be active or within the last 2 years prior to submission of your assessment application.

The RPL assessment pathway does not assess any tertiary qualifications. 

Prepare your documents

1. Proof of Identity documents

• Passport
• One additional government-issued identity document
• Evidence of change of name (if applicable)
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (optional)

The portal will prompt you to scan and upload these documents using a QR code and your smartphone camera.

2. Qualifications’ evidence

• Clear original colour scans of all Degree or Award certificates (Testamurs).
• Clear original colour scans of all Degree or Awards Transcripts (Academic Transcripts).

3. Experience evidence

A. Employment references

• Clear original colour scans of Employment References detailing periods of employment and other key details.
• OR, if you are unable to obtain an Employment Reference, clear original colour scans of statutory declaration from a colleague (deponent) confirming your duties, position title, start and finish dates and their work relationship with you.
• Clear original colour scan of your service/employment certificate.
• Clear original colour scan of the deponent’s service/employment certificate (if applicable).

B. Payment evidence

• Clear original colour scans of two forms of Payment Evidence covering the beginning and end of each period of employment.

4. Completed ACS Recognition of Prior Learning Form

• You must submit two Project Reports within an ACS Recognition of Prior Learning Form to demonstrate how you applied your IT knowledge in a working situation.

5. Professional Currency Evidence

• You must submit at least two forms of evidence from the Professional Currency Evidence list that demonstrate your skill and currency in the nominated ANZSCO code(s).

Evidence of English Language Proficiency

The ACS Skills Assessment requires proof of English proficiency for non-native speakers, with valid test results from IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or CAE, not older than two years, meeting ACS’s minimum scores. This demonstrates the applicant’s ability to communicate in professional contexts, essential for the nominated occupation. Applicants must include these scores in their ACS application documentation.

• Valid English Language Test Results: Include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or CAE test scores, not older than two years.
• IELTS: A minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing, and speaking).
• TOEFL iBT: A minimum total score of 79, with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking, and 17 in writing.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 50, with no individual score less than 36 in each of the four modules.
• CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced): A minimum overall score of 169, with no individual score less than 162 in each of the four skills.

Complete and submit your application

Complete and submit your ACS Migration Skills Assessment application via the online portal.

• You can scan your proof of identity documents directly into the portal.
• The system automatically suggests one or more ANZSCO codes that match your skills.
• You can select up to three ANZSCO codes for assessment within the same application fee, boosting your chances of a positive outcome.
• When uploading documents, the system provides visual examples to help you avoid errors.
• You can authorize a Registered Migration Agent to complete your application for you.

Receive your results letter

Once ACS assesses your application, you will receive an ACS Outcome Letter. It will confirm whether your application was successful.

You must submit this letter to the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) when applying for your visa.

Payment of ACS Migration Skills Assessment Fee

The ACS Skills Assessment Fee structure is determined by the Australian Computer Society and is subject to change; therefore, you should verify the current rates on the ACS website prior to making a payment.

Assessment Pathway	Assessed on	Application Fee
Temporary Graduate 485	Qualification-only assessment	$600
Post Australian Study	Qualification and experience and/or ACS Professional Year required	$1,100
General Skills	Qualification and experience require	$1,450
Recognition of Prior Learning	Work experience and completed RPL form required	$605
Level 1 Appeal		$500
Level 2 Appeal		$600
Global Talent Visa Suitability Assessment		$960

• Payment is made at the start of the application process when you choose your Application Pathway on the ACS Migration Skills Assessment portal. 
• This payment unlocks the rest of the online portal. You can then proceed to upload your documents and submit your application.
• You can pay for your application by credit card (Visa/MasterCard/American Express) or PayPal.
• Fees are not refundable after preliminary work or if a formal assessment has commenced. 

Assessment Outcomes

Assessment outcomes for applicants undergoing the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or general skills assessment through the Australian Computer Society (ACS) are categorized based on the degree to which they meet the standards for skilled employment in the ICT sector.

Suitable (Meeting the Criteria for Skilled Employment)

A “Suitable” outcome means the applicant meets the criteria for skilled employment in their chosen occupation, verified by evaluating evidence of their ICT skills, knowledge, and experience against Australian standards.

Getting a “Suitable” assessment is vital for validating qualifications and experience for migration and eligibility for various visas under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. Applicants with a “Suitable” outcome are advised to continue their migration process, showing they’re ready to join Australia’s ICT workforce.

Not Yet Suitable (Requiring More Experience or Education)

A “Not Yet Suitable” outcome means the applicant hasn’t met the criteria for skilled employment in their chosen occupation in the Australian ICT sector. This result can occur if the evidence doesn’t show the necessary ICT skills, knowledge, or professional experience to meet Australian standards.

Those with a “Not Yet Suitable” result should consider further professional development, like gaining more relevant ICT work experience or additional education in ICT. This will not only improve their ICT understanding but also increase their chances of a successful reassessment through the RPL process or similar routes. Applicants must heed the ACS feedback to better meet the skilled employment criteria in Australia’s ICT workforce.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment Result

After completing the RPL assessment process, each applicant receives a detailed report summarizing their assessment results. This report acts as official proof of the applicant’s eligibility for skilled employment in the Australian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, based on their previous learning and professional experience. Applicants should carefully review this report for valuable insights into how their skills and knowledge match up with Australian standards.

The outcome, marked as “Suitable” or “Not Yet Suitable”, is decided by the ACS’s strict evaluation criteria, focusing on the candidate’s ICT competencies. Those receiving a “Suitable” outcome meet or exceed the standards for professional practice in their chosen occupation, qualifying them for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.

For a “Not Yet Suitable” result, the report offers feedback and recommendations on areas to improve, which might include gaining more professional experience or further education. Candidates are encouraged to use this feedback to better align with the professional standards needed for a successful reassessment and entry into the Australian ICT sector.

Review/Appeal Process

In the pursuit of fairness and transparency, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) provides a structured Review/Appeal Process for applicants seeking reassessment of their Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or skilled employment assessment outcomes. This process is integral for applicants who believe that the initial evaluation did not accurately reflect their qualifications or experiences.

Initiating a Review

Applicants desiring a review of their assessment outcome must formally request this within a specified period following the receipt of their results. This request should be accompanied by a detailed justification, highlighting specific areas of disagreement with the assessment findings and, when applicable, providing additional evidence that supports their claim.

Appeal Process

If the applicant is still dissatisfied after the review, they can escalate their case to the Appeal Process. This involves a deeper re-evaluation of their submission by a separate panel within the ACS, made up of professionals not involved in the initial assessment, to ensure an unbiased review.

During both review and appeal phases, applicants must follow the ACS’s guidelines and deadlines. Successfully navigating the Review/Appeal Process requires a clear understanding of the ACS assessment criteria and presenting additional evidence or arguments to support re-evaluation eligibility.

The Review/Appeal Process aims to ensure each applicant receives a fair and thorough assessment, maintaining the evaluation system’s integrity and upholding the ACS’s commitment to high standards in the Australian ICT workforce.

Conclusion

Understanding each step of the ACS Skills Assessment Guidelines is crucial for IT professionals seeking migration to Australia under the skilled migration program. It is advised to carefully prepare and check all required documents and information prior to submission to ensure a smooth and successful assessment process.

Frequently Asked Questions