This document covers Professional and Associate Professionals in IT.
The above listed classifications may be varied from time to time.

CONTENTS

1 JOB DESCRIPTION

1.1 Note
1.1.1 See the appropriate entry in the ASCO Dictionary for more details than included below.

1.2 Information Technology Manager
1.2.1 Alternative titles: Computer Services Manager or Data Processing Manager:
1.2.2 Plans, administers and reviews activities concerned with the acquisition, development, maintenance and use of computer and telecommunications systems within an organisation.
1.2.3 Specialisations:

• Information Systems Manager
• Project Manager (Information Technology)
• Quality Manager (Information Technology)
• Support Manager (Information Technology)

1.3 Systems Manager
1.3.1 Controls the operating effectiveness of information technology systems, and arranges systems maintenance and enhancements to meet user requirements.
1.3.2 Specialisations:

• Database Administrator
• LAN/WAN Administrator
• Network Administrator
• Systems Administrator

1.4 Systems Designer
1.4.1 Conducts research into computer and communications systems and develops techniques for their effective application and use.
1.4.2 Specialisations:

• Business Analyst
• Network Designer
• Systems Analyst
• Systems Architect

1.5 Software Designer
1.5.1 Designs and modifies the operating environment software which links computer software and hardware.
1.5.2 Specialisation:

• Database Designer

1.6 Applications and Analyst Programmer
1.6.1 Writes tests and maintains computer programs to meet the application needs of end-users of computer systems.
1.6.2 Specialisations:

• Analyst/Implementor (Information Technology)
• Analyst Programmer
• Applications Programmer
• Systems Designer

1.7 Systems Programmer
1.7.1 Writes, maintains and updates programs which control the overall functioning of computers.
1.7.2 Specialisations:

• Communications Programmer (Systems)
• Database Programmer (Systems)
• Software Engineer

1.8 Computer Systems Auditor
1.8.1 Designs and monitors control systems, which ensure the integrity and security of data, and reviews the organisation’s computing environment and usage of computer facilities.
1.8.2 Specialisation:

• IT Security Manager

1.9 Information Technology (Computing) Professionals
1.9.1 This residual group covers occupations in Unit group 2231 Computing Professionals not included in occupations 2231-11 to 2231-21.
1.9.2 Specialisation:

• Computer Tester
• Consultant in IT
• Data Modeller
• Electronic Engineer
• Other Specialist IT Personnel
• Technical Writer

2 MINIMUM AUSTRALIAN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Education
2.1.1 The entry requirements

• for information technologists – is a recognised three-year Bachelor degree with a major in information technology, or its equivalent, from an Australian or equivalent university; or
• an AQF Advanced Diploma or an AQF Diploma, or equivalent and four (4) years relevant work experience.

2.2 Registration
2.2.1 Not normally required for IT professionals.
2.2.2 Membership of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) may enhance employment prospects.

3 SKILL LEVEL REQUIRED FOR VISA PURPOSES

3.1 Suitable
GROUP A
3.1.1 Full professional members of the Australian Computer Society. Members must be current financial members and must provide documentation to prove their claim. ACS professional membership grades are Fellow (FACS) and Member (MACS). Assessing officer need not look beyond membership to any formal qualifications held.
3.1.2 Full professional membership of the British Computer Society, Hong Kong Computer Society, New Zealand Computer Society or Singapore Computer Society. Members must be current financial members and must provide documentation to prove their claim.
3.1.3 Applicants with

• an Australian Bachelor degree, or Graduate Diploma, or higher qualification, with a major in information technology (see examples below); or
• an overseas qualification assessed as being comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree, or Graduate Diploma, or higher qualification, with a major in information technology (see examples below).

Examples of relevant field include

Applied Science (Computing)
Applied Science (Computer Science)
Applied Science (Information Systems)
Business (Data Processing) (old)
Business (Electronic Data Processing) (old)
Business (Information Systems)
Computer Science
Computer Science Engineering
Information
Information Systems
Information Technology
Management Information Systems
Software Engineering

(Note: Courses should contain at least a major in information technology, and a major objective should be to educate persons to be practitioners in information technology.)

GROUP B

3.1.4 Associate grade of the Australian Computer Society (AACS). Such applicants must be currently financial and must provide documentation to prove their claim. Assessing officers need not look beyond membership for any formal qualification held.
3.1.5 Associate grade of the British Computer Society, Hong Kong Computer Society, New Zealand Computer Society or Singapore Computer Society. Members must be current financial members and must provide documentation to prove their claim.
3.1.6 Applicants with

• an Australian AQF Diploma, or Australian AQF Advanced Diploma in information technology, or an Australian Bachelor degree or higher qualification with a minor (sub-major) in information technology (see examples below).
• an overseas qualification assessed as being comparable to an Australian AQF Diploma, or an Australian AQF Advanced Diploma in information technology, or an Australian Bachelor degree or higher qualification with a minor (sub-major) in information technology (see examples below).

Computing
Computer Science
Information Technology
Business (Information Technology)
Applied Science (Computer Science)
Computing (Microcomputing)
Computing (Network Systems); or

3.1.7 Experience Criteria for Group B

• applicants in this Group are required to have at least four (4) years of relevant IT experience prior to the date of their application for PASA.

3.2 Potentially Suitable
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)
3.2.1 An applicant who has limited or no qualifications but who has extensive and varied experience plus supporting professional development education may refer certified documentation to the ACS for evaluation by the Society.
3.2.2 The ACS will decide which level of qualification is appropriate and based on this advice, an assessing officer can decide the appropriate Group. A fee of A$400* is charged for this service.

3.3 Unsuitable
GROUP C
3.3.1 Applicants assessed as not meeting any of the above criteria are assessed as unsuitable for migration purposes.

4 PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY ASSESSING OFFICERS
4.1.1 Officers should use the current NOOSR Country Education Profiles (CEP) (if a relevant country volume has been published) to establish the educational level of the qualifications held by the applicant. If the relevant Country Education Profile is not held at the office, it should be obtained before an assessment is made. If the qualification is not in the CEP, the file should be forwarded to the Director, Membership Board (or nominee) for a decision.

5 APPLICATION FEE
5.1.1 A remittance in Australian currency in the form of an international bank draft for A$350* drawn on an Australian bank and payable to the Australian Computer Society should accompany each application submitted to the society.
*Note: Fees for assessments, appeals and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be varied over time.

6 CERTIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS
6.1.1 Documents referred to the ACS must be certified by an authorised person as true copies of the originals.

7 ASSESSMENT ADVICE
7.1.1 Persons who apply to the ACS for assessment will receive one of two advices: this person’s qualification and/or experience is suitable for migration purposes or this person’s qualification and/or experience is unsuitable for migration purposes.
7.1.2 Applicants have 60 days from the date of advice to appeal the decision made by the ACS. The fee for an appeal is A$300*, non-refundable.
7.1.3 This assessment advice is valid for one year from the date of this letter.
7.1.4 If requested documentation is not received within 90 days of the letter of request the application will be closed.

8 FURTHER INFORMATION
8.1.1 All applicants may be provided with a copy of the NOOSR booklet Recognition of Computing Qualifications in Australia (http://www.deetya.gov.au/noosr).
8.1.2 GENERAL SKILLED MIGRATION – a publication produced by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA).

9 ADDRESS OF THE AUSTRALIAN COMPUTER SOCIETY Australian Computer Society
PO Box Q534
Sydney NSW 1230

or

Queen Victoria Building
160 Clarence Street
Sydney NSW 1230

Tel: (02) 9299 3666
Fax: (02) 9299 3997
Email: info@acs.org.au
www.acs.org.au