AUSTRALIAN COMPUTER SOCIETY (ACS)
If you work in IT, Data Science, or Cyber Security and are considering migrating to Australia, you will need to undergo a skills assessment with the Australian Computer Society (ACS). The Australian Computer Society (or ACS) is the official assessing authority appointed by the Australian Government to evaluate the skills and qualifications of professionals in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. An ACS skills assessment is a mandatory step for most ICT-related occupations when applying for skilled migration visas such as subclass 189, 190, 491, and in some cases, employer-sponsored visas or DAMA agreements.
1. What ACS Specializes In
ACS focuses exclusively on the ICT industry and evaluates applicants in Data Science, IT, and Cyber Security, and categorizes into different pathways, including:
Temporary Graduate (485) Skills Assessment: for International Students Graduating in Australia.
Post Australian Study Assessment: for ICT graduates from Australian institutions.
General Skills Assessment: for applicants with recognized qualifications and ICT work experience.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): for applicants without formal ICT qualifications but with extensive industry experience.
2. ANZSCO Codes Assessed by ACS
ACS assesses skills for occupations listed under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). Below are the main ICT-related occupations:
Data Science Occupation | 224999 – Information and Organisation Professionals NEC (Data Scientist) | |
224114 – Data Analyst | ||
224115 – Data Scientist | ||
IT Occupation | 1351 – ICT Managers | 135111 – Chief Information Officer |
135112 – ICT Project Manager | ||
135199 – ICT Managers NEC | ||
2232 – ICT Trainers | 223211 – ICT Trainers | |
2611 – ICT Business and Systems Analysts | 261111 – ICT Business Analyst | |
261111 – ICT Business Analyst | ||
261112 – Systems Analyst | ||
2612 – Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers | 261211 – Multimedia Specialist | |
261212 – Web Developer | ||
2613 – Software and Applications Programmers | 261311 – Analyst Programmer | |
261312 – Developer Programmer | ||
261313 – Software Engineer | ||
261316 – DevOps Engineer | ||
261314 – Software Tester | ||
261399 – Software and Application Programmer | ||
2621 – Database and Systems Administrators | 262111 – Database Administrator | |
262113 – Systems Administrator | ||
2621 – ICT Security | 262112 – ICT Security Specialist | |
2631 – Computer Network Professionals | 263111 -Computer Network and Systems Engineer | |
263112 – Network Administrator | ||
263113 – Network Analyst | ||
2632 – ICT Support and Test Engineers | 263211 – ICT Quality Assurance Engineer | |
263212 – ICT Support Engineer | ||
263213 – ICT Systems Test Engineer | ||
263299 – ICT Support and Test Engineer NEC | ||
3131 – ICT Support Technicians | 313113 – Web Administrator | |
Cyber Security Occupations | 261315 – Cyber Security Engineer | |
261317 – Penetration Tester | ||
262114 – Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist | ||
262115 – Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist | ||
262116 – Cyber Security Analyst | ||
262117 – Cyber Security Architect | ||
262118 – Cyber Security Operations Coordinator | ||
(List based on official ACS)
3. Why ACS Assessment Matters
The ACS Skills Assessment is more than just a formality. It’s a critical step that can shape the success of your Australian migration journey if you are an ICT professional.
It validates your skills against Australian standards
Not all degrees or job titles are automatically recognized in Australia. ACS carefully checks your academic background and professional experience to confirm that they meet Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) standards. This ensures your skills are globally aligned and respected within the Australian ICT industry.
It connects your career to the right occupation code
When applying for skilled migration, you must nominate an ANZSCO occupation. ACS determines whether your background is a close match for that occupation.
- A correct match increases your chances of visa success.
- A mismatch could lead to rejection or loss of time and money.
It influences your migration points
Your visa application’s success often depends on points. ACS decides how many years of your work experience are considered “skilled” and therefore count towards your migration points test.
It strengthens your credibility in Australia
An ACS certificate tells the Australian Government and potential employers:
- You have verified qualifications.
- Your skills are relevant and current.
- You meet the professional standards of the ICT industry.
This recognition boosts your professional image and can help with career opportunities once in Australia.
Not sure if your profile is ready for an ACS application? Skill Direct will guide you every step of the way to ensure the best possible outcome.
For more information about ACS, please visit: https://www.acs.org.au/