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Australian Computer Society
 
 
 
 
 

Migration Skills Assessments

 
ICT Skills Assessment: 10–12 weeks
Review and Appeal Assessment: 8 weeks
 

Please Note: Only one application can be active at any one time

Please read our updated Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants, ACS  Application Checklist  and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page prior to submitting your application


Any urgent applications due to VISA expiry, please contact ACS at assessment@acs.org.au with your application ID and any relevant details.

We also offer a webinar series where you can ask us questions live online and get tips on how to properly complete your application. Register for the next Webinar here.

 

 
 

Welcome to ACS Migration Skills Assessment

 

ACS is the authorised assessing authority that undertakes skill assessments for the purposes of skilled migration. Our role is to assess the skills and qualifications of ICT professionals who are considering migration to Australia to work in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

 

This is an important role in Australia’s national interest, intended to supplement the Australian workforce with skills in areas of domestic shortage to ensure continued economic growth and enable the country to best position itself for continued prosperity. 

 

Before you submit a migration skills assessment please review the Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants. We also are running a webinar series where we answer your questions about how to complete your application. Register here for the next session

 

These Guidelines describe the eligibility requirements in applying for a skills assessment under the Migration Skills Assessment program. They do not provide specific information on migration or visa requirements. All enquiries relating to visa and migration requirements must be directed to the Department of Home Affairs.

 
Apply now
 
 

NOTICE

ACS Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants will be updated on 22 April 2023. We will be allowing a grace period from 22 April 2023 to 20 May 2023 for the use of the existing guideline V7.0. Applications from 21 May 2023 must comply with the new guideline V8.0.

 

Here is the snapshot of key changes we are making in this update:

 

  • ICT content (Major/Minor) requirements for Postgraduate qualifications are now updated. All post graduate qualifications will be assessed in the same way irrespective of the underlying Bachelors qualification being ICT or otherwise. (section 2.4.1)
  • ICT content (Major) requirement for Diploma is now updated. The minimum requirement is 1-year ICT content. (section 2.4.1)
  • Introduced alternative employment evidence (e.g., government issued work permit) for countries with no income tax. (section 2.7)
  • Above snapshot of key changes does not include ALL the changes affected to the guideline. The applicant must ensure they are fully informed of all application requirements prior to making an application

 

ACS regularly reviews and updates assessment suitability criteria in line with emerging ICT industry and technology trends.

 

Skills Assessment Pilots – Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants

 

Opportunity for free and fast skills assessment for migrants – from 28 February 2022 until June 2023

 
Do you have a partner, family member or friend in Australia who is on a family, partner, humanitarian, or refugee visa and is looking to improve their chances of getting a job at their skill level?

Skilled migrants play a vital role in Australia’s workforce. They may be able to get a free and fast-tracked skills assessment if they are on a family, partner, humanitarian, or refugee visa and have experience in a priority occupation.

 

Skills Assessment Pilots – Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants is an Australian Government initiative that offers skilled migrants a fast-tracked way to gain employment in a job where there is strong demand for skilled workers. This will help support Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

A successful skills assessment outcome letter can be used by skilled migrants to support job applications, giving employers confidence that the applicant has the skills needed for working in Australia.

 

 

What is the Employability Assessments Pilot?

 

This Pilot offers onshore migrants with suitable skills assessments:

  • One employability assessment

  • One check-in session

  • One coaching session

  • One personalised plan to develop your employability skills

  • Up to $3,000 to cover employability skills training

  • This Pilot enables applicants to gain the specific skills required in the Australian job market.

 

 

Who is this Pilot for?

 

You may be eligible if you:

  • Received a suitable skills assessment outcome in a priority occupation on or after 1 January 2019.

  • Have held your suitable skills assessment in a priority occupation for at least 12 months.

  • Are in paid employment below your skill level at the time of applying.

  • Have worked at least 40 hours per fortnight within the last month. This includes work you have performed with more than one employer.

  • Are residing in Australia at the time you submit your application.

  • Hold an eligible permanent visa subclass.

  • Are not registered as a job seeker or have an active referral with Workforce Australia, Disability Employment Services or the Community Development Program.

  • Have not previously been involved with the Pilot.

  • Why should you apply for this Pilot?

  • An employability skills assessment and subsidised training may help you gain the skills you need in the Australian job market.

 

 

Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants Pilot resources

For updates and further information resources on all PILOT program please go to this link: PILOT RESOURCES

More information about priority occupations and how to apply can be found at Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

 

 

For all inquiries, please contact the ACS PILOT Team at  acspilot3@acs.org.au

Skill Assessment Information

 

Cost & Charges:

 
To ensure you submit the correct skills application, please review the Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants for a detailed explanation of the application type criteria. 
 
Temporary Graduate - 485 Skills Assessment
Fee
$525
Post Australian Study Skills Assessment
Fee
$560
Skills (general application)
Fee
$560
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Fee
$605
Review Application
Fee
$420
Appeal Application
Fee
$420
Application type
Fee
Temporary Graduate - 485 Skills Assessment
$525
Post Australian Study Skills Assessment
$560
Skills (general application)
$560
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
$605
Review Application
$420
Appeal Application
$420
 

All skills assessment fees include a total of eight assessment episodes per application. An assessment episode can be made up of qualifications or employment documentation. This means you can submit any combination of qualifications and employment episodes that total eight episodes per application.

A $50 fee applies for each additional qualification or employment episode that exceeds the maximum of eight per application. Fees are in Australian dollars (AUD).

Please note that we delayed normal annual costs and charges increases for skilled migration due in July, 2023 due to MSA systems upgrade.

 
 

Global Talent Visa Program

 

The Global Talent Visa (GT) program is designed to attract the best and brightest skilled migrants to Australia, from a range of target sectors.

 

A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their experience as a highly skilled professional or senior executive and demonstrate that their skills are at the cutting edge of innovation, within the target sectors listed below. Additionally, candidates will need to demonstrate their ability to attract a salary that meets the high income threshold as well as their ability to help create opportunities for Australia by promoting innovation and creating jobs.

 

To be eligible to apply for a Global Talent visa, applicants must:

  • prove they are internationally recognised with ​ evidence of outstanding achievements
  • still be prominent in their field of expertise
  • provide evidence that they would be an asset to Australia, in their area of expertise
  • have no difficulty obtaining employment in Australia or becoming established in their field
  • have a recognised organisation or individual with a national reputation in the same field in Australia nominate them as global talent.
 

Target Sectors:

 
Agri-food and AgTech, Energy, Health Industries Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space, Circular Economy, DigiTech, Infrastructure and Tourism, Financial Services and Fintech, Education and EdTech.

ACS assesses nominations for the following target sectors only:
 

This sector includes, but is not limited to, the following specialisations:

  • Data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Automation and robotics
  • Big data, data management and analysis
  • Blockchain technology
  • Cloud computing
  • 5G
  • Cyber security detection, prevention and response
  • Data and eResearch infrastructure
  • SmartTech and disruptive technologies
  • Front-end development
  • Internet of Things
  • Immersive technologies including virtual, augmented and extended reality
  • IT integrated control systems for plant and machinery
  • Machine learning engineering
  • Network engineering/architecture
  • Production and development of digital (video) games and game engine technology
  • Quantum information and computing
  • Smart cities
  • Specialised knowledge in software and mobile application development

(If predominantly ICT focused)  

(If predominantly ICT focused)  

 

High Income Threshold:

 
Candidates should have the ability to attract a salary at or above the Fair Work high income threshold of $158,500. This figure is adjusted annually on 1 July. When assessing this, ACS will consider:
  • current salary shown through payslips or a contract
  • future job offers outlining remuneration
  • recent PhD graduates in the target sectors.

 

ACS charges candidates a non-refundable $400 for a Global Talent Visa suitability assessment. ACS Assessors will review the candidate’s submission to confirm the above criteria has been met. Any candidate that receives a suitable assessment will be invited to submit a formal Global Talent Visa application for a non-refundable investment of $560.


Please email gti@acs.org.au to apply for a Global Talent Visa suitability Assessment.

 

Candidates looking for further information about their suitability for a Global Talent Visa should review The Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) website.