Last Updated on March 29, 2026 by Ozlinks Education
Why is an ACS skills assessment required?
If you are considering migrating to Australia as an IT professional in occupations such as ICT business analyst, systems analyst, software engineer, developer, programmer, systems administrator, or network administrator, you will need to apply under the general skilled migration program with a points test for subclass 491, subclass 190, or subclass 189 visas.
One of the requirements for migration to Australia is a formal skills assessment for your nominated occupation. It is essential to have your skills evaluated, as this assessment plays a crucial role in the EOI and visa application process.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) serves as the authorised skill assessment authority for the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs. It assesses a diverse range of IT professional occupations. The ACS evaluates applicants’ qualifications, skills, and work experience to ascertain whether they meet the standards set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Key reasons for the ACS skills assessment:
- Mandatory Visa Requirement: A valid and positive skills assessment is essential for the purpose of General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa 491, visa 189, visa 190, and an Employer Sponsor visa 494 and visa 186 DE Stream.
- Suitability Assessment: The skills assessment determines if your qualifications and skills match the industry standards required for your nominated occupation in Australia.
- Migration Points: ACS assesses your work experience to verify your eligibility for the migration points test.
- RPL Skills Assessment Pathway: For applicants without formal IT tertiary qualifications, the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway allows skilled professionals to demonstrate their expertise.
ACS Skills Assessment Assistance
Ozlinks has extensive experience in 35 ANZSCO occupations within the ACS’s IT, Data Science, and Cyber Security fields. These occupations are the most popular, and most of them are listed on the MLTSSL and STSOL skilled migration occupation lists.
Each occupation has specific criteria regarding qualifications and work experience. We assist you in selecting the appropriate ANZSCO occupation that aligns with your migration goals and corresponds to your skills and experience.
Our expertise in checking documents ensures that you have all the required documents for the skills assessment criteria. This approach increases the chances of obtaining a positive outcome for your application.
The key to achieving a positive skill assessment result is selecting the appropriate ANZSCO occupation that aligns with your education and work experience. If you have worked in a similar field in your home country, it is important to note that the job description for the ANZSCO occupation may differ.
An experienced skills assessment agent familiar with document checking and the relevant criteria can assist you in making the right choice from the outset, ultimately saving you time and money and helping you avoid potential mistakes.
What We Do
- We assist you in selecting the most suitable ANZSCO occupation based on your qualifications and work experience.
- We help you prepare all required documents for your application.
- We help with completing the application form.
- We submit your skills assessment application on your behalf.
- We follow up to ensure your application is processed in a timely manner.
I do not have a formal qualification. Am I still eligible to apply for an ACS skills assessment?
Yes, you can apply for an ACS Skills Assessment even if you do not hold formal qualifications. This can be done through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway. Instead of requiring a degree, you will need to demonstrate your ICT knowledge by showcasing significant work experience, a minimum of 6 years in relevant employment.
Additionally, you must provide two project reports that illustrate your skills in real-world scenarios.
Please complete the form to request a free consultation regarding the ACS skills assessment for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway.
General Skills VisasACS Data, IT, Cyber Security Occupations List
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) assesses more than 35 professional occupations in IT, data science, and cybersecurity as part of its Migration Skills Assessment.
Applicants can nominate up to three different ANZSCO occupation codes in one skills assessment application, which may improve their likelihood of receiving a positive skills assessment outcome.
Frequent Ask Questions
Here is a list of common questions that our clients ask us regarding ACS skills assessment for migration. If you need more information do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
You typically require an ACS skills assessment if you belong to one of the following categories:
1-Skilled Migration Applicants:
Individuals applying for General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas, including:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189).
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).
- Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 491).
2-International Graduates:
International student graduates holding an Australian ICT diploma are applying for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
3-Employer-Sponsored Workers:
Individuals applying for Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) Direct Entry Stream and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494) are required to complete an ACS skills assessment.
An ACS Migration Skills Assessment outcome is typically valid for a period of 2 years from the date it is issued.
Ozlinks Agent can assist you in obtaining an ACS skills assessment for migration, utilising our extensive experience in IT, data science, or cybersecurity, specifically for ICT business analysts, systems analysts, software engineers, developers, programmers, systems administrators, or network administrators.
We provide comprehensive step-by-step assistance to help you fulfil all document requirements and prepare your application to achieve a positive outcome.
Yes, the ACS does assess part-time and self-employment, provided it is adequately documented and involves remuneration for a minimum of 20 hours per week. It is crucial to supply all relevant evidence, including project contracts, reference letters, payment records, and personal tax income documentation.
No, an English proficiency test is not required when applying for an ACS skills assessment.
However, you will need to provide your English proficiency test results when applying for an Expression of Interest (EOI) or a visa application.
The fees for an ACS skills assessment will vary depending on the specific pathway applicable to your case. The table below outlines the fees for each pathway.
| Assessment Pathway | Fee (excl GST) |
| Temporary Graduate | $625 |
| Post Australian Study | $1,136 |
| General Skills | $1,498 |
| Recognition of Prior Learning | $625 |
An ACS skills assessment typically takes an average of 8 to 10 weeks for standard applications. The processing time may vary based on the complexity of the application, its completeness, and the current volume of applications being processed.
For individuals who have visa deadlines approaching within 12 weeks, there are priority processing options available that can significantly reduce the assessment time to as little as 2 to 4 weeks, ensuring timely completion of their applications.