Australia Computer Society

What is the ACS Skills Assessment?

The Australia Computer Society, commonly referred to as ACS Australia, is an active skills assessment organisation specialising in the review and evaluation of computer and technology expertise. It plays a crucial role for new immigrants entering the technology sector, like IT, in Australia. For individuals immigrating as skilled workers, passing Australia Computer Society (ACS) accreditation is a prerequisite. 

The ACS Australia Skills Assessment carefully reviews an individual’s skills and qualifications, with the review board determining whether these credentials will have a positive impact on Australia’s economy.  The primary objective of Australia Computer Society (ACS) is to attract qualified individuals who can effectively address the country’s employment needs. This evaluation serves as a means for the immigration committee to distinguish between qualified and unqualified candidates.

Comprising various components, the assessment carried out by Australia Computer Society (ACS) includes both a qualifications assessment and a skills assessment. These components play a crucial role in gauging whether an applicant’s education and experience align with the specific requirements of the intended position.

Advantages of the ACS Australia Skills Assessment

• ACS Skills Assessment serves as a validation of ICT skills; it confirms the legitimacy of one’s professional expertise and enhances visa approval prospects.
• The ACS approval letter becomes a vital document supporting your visa application, serving as evidence of your ICT expertise.
• Additionally, successful completion of the ACS Skills assessment may result in a points boost, particularly for years of work experience in the ICT domain, further enhancing your eligibility for a skilled visa.

Types of ACS Skills Assessment Application

The ACS Skills Assessment from Australia Computer Society (ACS) is mainly divided into 4 major groups based on qualifications and skills.

1). Temporary Graduate Skills Assessment

This application category is designed for foreign students who have finished their studies in Australia, specialize in ICT, and intend to seek a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).

Eligibility Criteria 

Have a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an Australian educational institution, specifically in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field, closely related to your nominated occupation.

2). Post-Australian Study Skills Assessment

The Post-Australian Study (PSW) is a distinct skills assessment application category that mandates an Australian qualification, work experience, or the successful completion of an ACS professional year program.

Eligibility Criteria

You must hold an Australian Bachelor’s Degree or higher and have a minimum of one year of relevant post-study work experience or complete the ACS Professional Year program.

3). Skilled-Based Application

Skilled based assessment is for individuals who have an international ICT qualification and relevant work experience but do not hold a professional year certificate from an Australian provider. This assessment type allows them to undergo an assessment of their qualifications and work experience.

Eligibility Criteria

4). Recognition of Prior Learning

If you do not have qualifications relevant to ICT but have experience working in the ICT sector, you can choose to go through a skills assessment using the RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) application. 

Eligibility Criteria

For individuals holding a non-ICT diploma or higher, a successful RPL application and 6 years of pertinent work experience are necessary. In the absence of a tertiary qualification, a successful RPL application and 8 years of relevant work experience are required.

Steps Required for the ACS Skills Assessment Application

Here are the procedures to follow for a successful ACS Australia Skills Assessment application:

Step 1: Identify your occupation

Confirm if your occupation is listed on the ACS Skills Occupation List for the relevant visa category you plan to apply for. Verify that your occupation meets the specified requirements.

Step 2: Collect essential documents

Gather all necessary documents required for the skills assessment application, including educational qualifications, employment reference letters (refer to the provided employment reference letter sample), a CV/resume, and personal documents such as your passport.

Step 3: Create your online account

On the official website of Australia Computer Society (ACS) and create an online account using their application portal. Complete the required details and submit the application form.

Step 4: Submit the required documents

Adhere to the guidelines provided by ACS and upload all required supporting documents, making sure that the documents are clear, easily readable, and meet the specified criteria.

Step 5: Pay the assessment fee

Complete the payment of the skills assessment fee via the online portal. The fee amount can differ based on the specific type of skills assessment you are seeking.

Step 6: Receive the Skills Assessment result

The assessment of your qualifications and work experience takes about 8-10 weeks. You will be notified of the assessment outcome through a letter or notification on the online portal.

Eligibility Criteria for the ACS Skills Assessment

The ACS skills assessment process involves evaluating your qualifications, employment, and work experience against the ANZSCO requirements for your nominated occupation.

The qualification assessment examines the comparability of your qualification level with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and assesses the relevance of your courses to the nominated occupation.

The employment assessment may consider both onshore and offshore work experience to determine the relevance of your professional background in relation to the ANZSCO requirements for the nominated occupation. The specific eligibility criteria for different ACS Skills assessment application types are given in the table.

Documents Required for Skills Assessment by the Australia Computer Society (ACS)

Prior to submitting your application for the ACS Australia Skills Assessment, it is essential to review the document checklist as per Australia Computer Society (ACS) guidelines. Submitting sufficient, genuine documents in your application increases the likelihood of a successful ACS skills assessment. Below is a list of documents required for the procedure:

1). Personal Documents

• A valid Official passport
• CV/Resume 

2). Educational Documents

• Diploma/ degree certificate mentioning name of College/University, date of passing, and the title of the qualification awarded
• Academic transcripts with subjects and grades obtained

3). Employment Documents From the Employer

Proof of employment or volunteer experience mentioning your 

• Designation and responsibilities
• Date of joining
• Number of working hours, pay rate per hour
• Country of employment 
• It should be on the official letterhead of the employer and include the signature of the authorised signatory, along with their name, position, and contact details.

Additional Documents

• Pay slips
• Bank statements
• Evidence showing Tax details

Costs and Processing Times for ACS Australia Skills Assessment

The usual duration of the ACS skills assessment process is 8-10 weeks. However, if the Australia Computer Society (ACS) asks for additional documents, the processing period might extend beyond the standard timeframe.

ACS Australia Skills Assessment costs for various application types are shown in the table given below:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Form in Case of NO ICT Qualification

When opting for the RPL application type, ensure the following:

• Utilize the most recent version of the RPL form, available on our website.
• Align the knowledge and project sections with our provided guidelines.

Note: If any documents are not in English, include the original document along with an English translation from accredited translators.

For more information on the ACS Skills Assessment, get in touch with our expert team of Australia immigration Consultants at Aspire Square.

ACS Occupations

Occupations