ACS Skill Assessment

ACS or Australian Computer Society, a designated skill assessment authority that evaluates ICT (Information and Communications Technology) professionals on the basis of their education and work experience for immigration. The ACS ensures the applicant's profile and skills match the Australian workforce.

 The Australian Immigration is a sequenced procedure for skilled professionals, aiming to move overseas through a legitimate manner. Applicants dreaming of Australian Immigration have to move through subsequent checklists, such as 65 points in the point assessment grid, occupation to be listed on the Australia Skilled Occupation List, with a valid ANZSCO code and a positive skill assessment report from the designated skill assessment authority.

 Though Australian Immigration requires applicants to assess their profiles from designated skill assessment authorities. There are four major assessing authorities, bifurcating them on the basis of their skills, such as VETASSES, Engineers Australia, ACS, and CPA. The IT professionals who are seeking to relocate to Australia would require ACS to assess their profiles and proceed further for Australian Immigration.

 ACS Skill Assessment Pathways

There are four pathways through which applicants can submit their applications for ACS skill assessment:

 1.   General Skills Pathway

The General Skills Pathway is the most common pathway for any experienced IT, Data Science or Cyber Security professional with a recognised tertiary educational qualification. This pathway effectively evaluates the practical and tertiary education of professionals.

 2.   Recognition of Prior Learning Pathway

Another pathway applicable for skill assessment is RPL, as it allows applicants with ample experience in the IT field without formal IT tertiary educational qualifications to submit their applications for skill assessment. They are being assessed on the basis of the practical knowledge they have earned throughout their career.

 3. Post-Australian Study Pathway

Applicants eligible for the Post-Australian Study Pathway are those with:

●     an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher with an IT, Data Science or Cyber Security major.

●    Completed one year (365 days) of relevant Australian IT work experience.

OR

●    Have completed the ACS Professional Year.

 4.   Temporary Graduate 485 [ Post-Vocational Education Work Stream] Pathway

This pathway is applicable for international students who already have an Australian diploma or associate degree with an IT, Data Science or Cyber Security major. With this pathway, they can stay in Australia on a temporary basis and submit their profiles for skill assessment. If applicants receive a positive skill assessment report, they can apply for a Subclass 484 visa, securing temporary stay in Australia with the freedom to live, study and work for a specific duration.

 ACS Occupation List

ACS lists in-demand occupations and their corresponding ANZSCO code in the Skilled Occupation List. ACS further bifurcates the list into 3 major categories.

1.   Data Science Occupations

2.   IT Occupations

3.   Cyber Security Occupations

 List of Data Science Occupations

 List of IT Occupations

 List of Cyber Security Occupations

 Application Process for ACS for Skill Assessment

 1.   Choose the Correct Pathway

The principal factor in the application process is to choose the correct pathway applicable for the ACS skill assessment. ACS welcomes IT, Data Science, and Cyber Security professionals who have practical knowledge, tertiary education and work experience in the relevant field. There are four valid pathways through which applicants can apply for skill assessment, such as

●    General Skilled Pathway

●    Recognition of Prior Learning Pathway

●   The Post-Australian Study Pathway

●    Temporary Graduate 485 Pathway

 2.    Gather Documents

After examining the eligibility criteria, gather all the necessary documents to be submitted along ACS skill assessment. The list of essential documents are:

●    Passport’s photo page (photo should not be older than 6 months)

●    Resume

●    Educational credentials. ACS accepts educational documents into 2 forms:

➔  Degree or Award Certificate (inclusive of title of degree or award, name of the university or awarding institution, date the degree was completed)

➔  Degree or Award Transcript (inclusive of all subject names, all marks or grades achieved)

●    Employment reference letter

 3.   Online Application

The next step under this process is to submit an online application through the ACS Migration Skill Assessment portal. Applicants should submit all the above-mentioned essential documents along with the application form. Applicants should apply for the nominated occupation with the correct ANZSCO Code available in the Australian Skilled Occupation List with the application fee.

 4.   Application Status

After completing the online application, applicants receive a confirmation email that includes an ACS reference number. With this ACS reference number, applicants can check their application status.

 5.   Assessment Outcome

The last step on this ladder is the assessment outcome, as it decides the fate of the application process. If the assessment report turns out to be positive, then the applicants will receive an official letter confirming the assessment.  

 Updated Fees for ACS Skill Assessment 2025

 Processing Time for ACS Skill Assessment

Skill assessment for ACS requires at least 8 to 10 weeks. ACS also accepts priority applications, which is processed within 5-10 working days with an additional cost of AUD $ 800.

 ACS Skill Assessment Validity

A positive skill assessment report is valid for 2 years from the date of its issue.

 Common errors to avoid while assessing the ACS Skill Assessment

There are some of the errors that applicants perform while submitting their profiles for skill assessment, which often lead to rejection. To eradicate the possibility of rejection, keep in mind these simple mistakes:

➔  Selection of the Wrong ANZSCO Code 

One of the most common errors that is performed by most of the applicants. Selecting the wrong ANZSCO Code can reject your application

★   Ensure selecting the correct ANZSCO Code for the occupation selected that aligns with the job description.

 ➔  Insufficient Proof of Educational Qualification

Submitting insufficient proof of educational qualifications can ruin the chances of receiving a positive skill assessment report.

★   Submit clear and valid education transcripts.

 ➔  Incomplete Work Experience Evidence

Another minor error that most of the applicants perform is the submission of incomplete documents, such as work experience, employment period, and company letterhead.

★   Provide valid employment reference letters.

 ➔  Poor RPL Report

This is a major mistake while performing skill assessment, as applicants choosing the Recognition of Prior Learning Pathway could not deny its importance. Submitting a poor presentation of an RPL report can receive a negative assessment report.

★   Submit a plagiarism-free RPL report.

 ➔  Not Taking Professional Help

Often, DIY methods lead to negative assessment reports. It is always advisable to seek professional help for ACS skill assessment.

★   If still confused about the ACS skill assessment, consult professional help for immigration services. Consult the Province Immigration for ACS skill assessment for Australian Immigration services.

 The ACS Skill Assessment is one of the four skill assessment authorities that allows ICT professionals to migrate to Australia. By choosing the correct pathway, valid educational documents with ACS guidelines and determination, one can receive a positive skill assessment report. ICT professionals with a positive skill assessment report can fulfil their long-held dream of Australian Immigration.