ACS Skills Assessment for Australia PR: Your Guide to Skills Assessment & ICT Professionals

Before You Apply

Understanding the ACS Skills Assessment

The ACS conducts skills assessments to determine if applicants possess the ICT qualifications and experience needed for employment in Australia. It's a vital step for various visa applications, including points-tested and employer-sponsored visas. Before diving into the ACS Application Form, familiarize yourself with the specific requirements and the Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants.

Reapplying for a Skills Assessment

If you're reapplying or already have an ACS account, begin by logging into your dashboard. For those unsure about their password, a reset feature is available. Remember, documents from previous applications will transfer automatically to new ones, and while you can't remove these documents, updating them is straightforward—just upload the revised versions.

Choosing the Right Assessing Body

Selecting the correct ANZSCO occupation is crucial as it determines the assessing authority to contact. Each occupation listed in the List of Eligible Skilled Occupations corresponds to a specific authority.

Preliminary Advice and ICT Qualifications

ACS cannot provide preliminary advice on suitability before an application is submitted, nor does it offer career or education advice. Decisions on which ICT qualifications or subjects to study remain the applicant's responsibility.

Course Accreditation and English Language Tests

Skills assessment focuses on migration, with course accreditation playing no part in the assessment outcome. Notably, ACS does not require English language tests for the assessment process.

Qualifications and Employment

Submitting Your Application: General Skills vs. RPL

Applicants must decide whether to submit a general skills application or opt for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), depending on their qualifications and ICT work experience. ACS also recognizes specific vendor certifications and assesses qualifications recognized under the Seoul Accord.

Work Experience Requirements

Work experience is evaluated based on its relevance to your nominated occupation, with professional ICT work considered only if acquired at or after the age of 18. The ACS requires proof of paid employment and assesses full-time employment as 20 hours or more per week.

During Your Application

Application Confirmation and Status

Upon application submission, you'll receive a confirmation email with an ACS reference number. The status of your application can be monitored through your dashboard, where you can also update personal details.

Assessment Duration and Changes

The skills assessment typically takes 8 to 10 weeks. It's crucial to ensure all relevant documentation is included at submission, as changes or additions are not permitted once the application is under review.

After Your Assessment

Result Letter and Validity

Following the assessment, ACS will email you a result letter, valid for 24 months, which you can submit to the Department of Home Affairs. If you identify any errors in your result letter, a 60-day period is allowed for corrections or appeals.

Review & Appeal

Understanding Reviews and Appeals

You can request a review to update your results or an appeal if you disagree with the assessment outcome. Remember, appeals do not allow additional documentation, and fees for review applications are non-refundable.

Conclusion

Our comprehensive guide and the accompanying video aim to demystify the ACS skills assessment process, providing you with the knowledge to proceed confidently. For further details and assistance, reaching out to ACS is always a recommended step. We wish you success in your ICT career in Australia and invite you to watch our video guide for more insights.