Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants

Australian Computer Society

Skills Assessments
2013
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Important Note: Choosing a Nominated Occupation - ANZSCO code ........................................................................ 2
2. MIGRATION AGENTS .................................................................................................................................................. 3
3. MAKING AN ONLINE APPLICATION ............................................................................................................................ 3
Certified Documents .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Translation of Documents .......................................................................................................................................... 4
4. EMPLOYMENT ............................................................................................................................................................ 5
5. SELF EMPLOYED APPLICANTS ..................................................................................................................................... 6
6. QUALIFICATIONS ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
7. RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) - APPLICATION ......................................................................................... 8
8. VENDOR CERTIFICATIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 9
9. APPLICATION TYPES ................................................................................................................................................. 10
10. APPLICATION INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................. 11
Priority Request ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
Application Status .................................................................................................................................................... 11
Application Processing Time .................................................................................................................................... 12
Payment Methods .................................................................................................................................................... 12
11. ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Unsuitable Results.................................................................................................................................................... 13
REVIEW..................................................................................................................................................................... 13
APPEAL ..................................................................................................................................................................... 13
RE-VALIDATION ........................................................................................................................................................ 14
12. FALSE INFORMATION & PLAGIARISM .................................................................................................................... 14
13. ACS PRIVACY POLICY .............................................................................................................................................. 14
14. ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY ...................................................................................................................................... 14
15. CONTACT INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................................... 15
16. LINKS & RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................................... 15

1. INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants
This document contains all the information you need to submit your ICT skills assessment.
Before Applying for a Skills Assessment
It is highly recommended that you have a clear understanding of your personal visa requirements from
the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Alternatively you can obtain professional assistance from a registered Migration Agent (MARA) to assist
you in applying for your ICT skills assessment.
The ACS can only assist with ICT skills assessment information and is unable to provide visa or migration
advice.
The Role of the ACS
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is authorised by the Minister for Immigration to provide ICT Skills
Assessments for migration purposes as stated in the Skilled Occupation Lists.
Important Note: Choosing a Nominated Occupation - ANZSCO code
Before choosing a nominated occupation ANZSCO code you need to research and evaluate the relevance
of your qualifications and employment in relation to the ANZSCO code requirements.
Your ICT skills assessment will be based on the nominated occupation ANZSCO code criteria and it is
important to nominate the most appropriate ANZSCO code that is relevant to your individual ICT
qualifications and skilled employment to ensure a suitable result.
The ACS is unable to advise you if your qualifications, degree course or employment is suitable until a
full skills assessment is completed.
To evaluate the suitability of your qualifications, degree or employment, please use the following links:
ANZSCO information:
ANZSCO Code Descriptions
ANZSCO Description Search Option
Australian Skills Recognition Information
Result Letter
At the completion of your skills assessment the ACS will issue you with a result letter via email which can
be submitted to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for migration purposes.
Introduction Summary
1. Before submitting your ACS skills assessment, check your personal visa requirements with the
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) or a registered Migration Agent (MARA).
2.

Research and evaluate the relevance of your qualifications and employment in relation to the
ANZSCO code requirements before choosing a nominated occupation.

3.

The ACS will issue your result letter via email.

4.

The ACS result letter can be submitted to DIAC as evidence of your ICT skills assessment.

Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 2

2. MIGRATION AGENTS
You can appoint a Migration Agent to submit your ICT skills assessment on your behalf. It is at your
discretion whether you enlist the service of a migration agent or not.

For detailed information on Migration Agents: Migration Information

To find a registered Migration Agent: Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA)

Please use the Agent Authorisation Form for the following situations:

You have an application in progress and you want a migration agent to take over your
application
You need to change your migration agent
You no longer require your migration agent

3. MAKING AN ONLINE APPLICATION

Your ICT Skills Assessment will be based on the documents you upload into the Online Application Form.
It is your responsibility to ensure the data you enter into the online application form is correct and a
true representation of all your documentation and personal information. An administration charge will
apply for changing incorrect information on result letters.
Preparing Documents to Upload to the Online Application Form:
1. Organise the paper documents you need to submit
2. Create paper copies of all your original documents
3. Have your paper copies Certified by an authorised person Certified Documents
4. Scan and Save the certified copies in a PDF file format
5. Upload the PDF files of your certified copies into the Online Application Form
Required Documents:
1. Birth Certificate or Passport (Certified Copies)
2. Degree or Award Certificate (Certified Copies)
Title of Degree or Award
Name of University or Awarding Institution
Date the Degree or Award was Completed
3. Degree or Award Transcript (Certified Copies)
Unit or Subject Names and Grades or Marks Achieved
4. Employment References (Certified Copies)
5. If you apply for a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) application, you will need to submit an
ACS Project Report Form
After submitting your online application, a confirmation email will be sent to your email address. This
will contain your ACS reference number and password which you can use to check the progress of your
application via the online Application Status.
Please only upload the required PDF documents with your online application. Unnecessary documents
like High School Certificates or Self-Written Statutory Declarations cannot be assessed.
If you have a Master degree, please provide documents for the underpinning qualifications.

Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 3

Certified Documents
All documents must be certified copies of originals and uploaded into the online application form as PDF
files.
A document is a certified copy when the original document is photocopied or scanned and a person
authorised to certify documents stamps and signs the copy, signifying that it is a true copy of the original
document.
The following information is required on each page of your certified copy:
The words Certified True Copy of the Original
The signature of the certifying person
The name, date and provider or registration number or designation (eg: Police Officer) of the
certifying person
Certification details must be legible on the copy
Certification can be authorised within Australia by:
a registered migration agent
a justice of the peace or a bail justice
an Australian lawyer
a member of the police force
a sheriff or a deputy sheriff
a councillor of a municipality
a senior officer of a council
a medical practitioner
a dentist
a veterinary practitioner
a pharmacist
a principal in the teaching service
a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia or the Australian Society of
Accountants or the National Institute of Accountants
a minister of religion authorised to celebrate marriages
a public notary
a member or former member of either House of the Parliament of the Commonwealth
Documents Certified Outside Australia can be certified by an equivalent of the above authorised list
within the country of origin. Legal professionals and embassy officials can provide further information
regarding certifying documents outside Australia.
The ACS is unable to accept documents if the identity of the certifying officer is unclear or the contact
details are illegible.
Translation of Documents
All documents not in English must be translated. The original document and its translation must be
certified copies.
Applications Submitted Within Australia
Acceptable translations may be obtained from translators accredited with the National Accreditation
Authority for Translators and Interpreters NAATI.
Applications Submitted Outside Australia
Acceptable translations can be obtained from:
A Ministry of Justice or equivalent in the country where the qualification was obtained
The Australian Education International Section (AEIS) at an Australian Diplomatic Mission
Australian High Commission, Consulate or Embassy
Private and Commercial Translators
The Awarding Institution
Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 4

Overseas translations must be completed on the organization letterhead and include an official stamp,
the name of the translator, signature and contact telephone number legibly printed with the signature.
It must be possible for the ACS to contact the translator if necessary to verify the translated documents
from the details provided.
The following must be provided when submitting foreign language documents:
Certified copies of all foreign documents
Certified copies of the English translations

4. EMPLOYMENT
Skilled employment must be of a suitable ICT professional level and relevant or closely related to the
nominated ANZSCO code to be counted toward your suitability.
Only employment completed after the date you have met the ACS requirements will be counted as
skilled employment. Please see the Summary of Criteria for additional information.
Please Note: Skilled employment can only be assessed according to the information provided in the
employment reference. The following list indicates the details required to assess your skilled
employment. If these requirements are not met in the employment reference, the employment episode
will not be assessed.
Employment References
Each skilled employment reference must contain:
Start and Finish Dates of Employment
Description of Duties Performed
Hours worked - Full time or Part time
Country where Employment was Completed
Company Letterhead and signed by the author
The employment reference must have a start and finish date, stating the month and year.
Please Note: only month and year will be counted for employment duration, not individual days.
A declaration whether the work was full-time or part-time in nature. Full-time work is considered to be
20 hours or more per week.
It is important that all references contain specific information from the employer regarding the duties
you performed and the skills applied on the job. References without specific information on duties will
not be assessed.
The country in which the employment was performed must be clearly stated in the employment
reference.
Skilled employment documentation or references should describe your duties and responsibilities as
stated by your employer.
Statements must be dated and signed by your employer or a person authorised by your employer.
The name, position and contact details of the person making the statement must be clearly indicated.
For an example of an employment reference please see: Employment Reference Example
Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 5

If you are Unable to Obtain an Employment Reference

If you are unable to obtain an employment reference on a company letterhead from your employer, a
third party official Statutory Declaration from a work colleague may be considered.
The Statutory Declaration must be from a third party work colleague; not written by yourself. Selfwritten statements submitted as a Statutory Declaration will not be assessed.
A Statutory Declaration from a work colleague needs to describe the working relationship with you and
supply details of your duties performed with relevant dates of employment. It is preferable that the
work colleague providing the Statutory Declaration be at a supervisory level.
Acceptance of Statutory Declarations in place of employment references will be subject to the
verification and discretion of the ACS and noted to DIAC for authentication against fraud and plagiarism.
Important Note: Self-written statements submitted as a Statutory Declaration cannot be assessed. Selfreferences in the form of a Statutory Declaration cannot be accepted as evidence of employment.
Statutory Declarations must be from a third party work colleague and signed by an authorised witness
to be considered.
Statutory Declarations
A Statutory Declaration is a written statement declared to be true in the presence of an authorised
witness.
All Statutory Declarations must be clearly signed by an authorised witness to be considered for
assessment: List of Authorised Witnesses
For information and examples of a Statutory Declaration: Statutory Declaration
Other Types of Work Experience
Volunteer work can be considered alongside paid work if there is a specific contract in place with a
statement of duty and references supplied. Post-qualification internships may be considered if this work
is at a suitable professional level.
Work expressed to be at a trainee or junior level is also not normally considered unless the applicant has
already acquired a qualification which would have served as a means of obtaining the skills needed to
perform the duties.
Duties involving the assembling or repairing of computers at an operator level, installing and updating
manufacturer-supplied software, data entry, clerical and administrative interaction with software-based
commercial systems; are not considered to be at a professional level.

5. SELF EMPLOYED APPLICANTS

Documented evidence is required for self-employed applicants with a high level of detail.
Self-employed applicants can submit a formal Statutory Declaration containing the following specific
details:
commencement and completion dates of self-employment
the occupation of employment and the capacity in which self-employed
nature and content of the work performed
number of staff employed and their occupations
business registration certificates covering each period of self-employment
a statement on letterhead from an accountant or legal representative certifying the name and
nature of the business in which self-employed
the exact dates of the self-employed period
statements from clients with full details of the work performed and dates.
Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 6

6. QUALIFICATIONS
For assessment purposes, all your ICT qualifications above an AQF Diploma will be considered.
Please see the Summary of Criteria for additional information about qualifications.
Statement of Academic Record
Statements of academic record or transcript need to show the names of all the subjects studied and
marks or grades received. Result slips or web results are not acceptable. Please include a Legend or
Key explaining the grading system to help clarify information if applicable.
Qualification Completed but Graduate Certificate not awarded
In cases where the degree, diploma or certificate has not been awarded, you are required to provide an
official academic transcript which clearly states the date you met all of the course requirements and
eligible to be awarded the qualification.
Thesis or Research Project Abstract
When the qualification includes a thesis or research project, an abstract of the thesis or research project
is required. The abstract should be endorsed by the primary supervisor where possible. The name of the
University and the date of the thesis publication or project completion should appear on the front page
of the abstract.
Determination of ICT Content in Tertiary Qualifications
For a qualification to be regarded as assessable for its ICT content, the predominant objective of the
course should be to educate persons to be professionals in ICT.
As a guide, a major in a Bachelor degree must have a minimum of 33% ICT content. Such ICT content
must progress through all years of the program with at least one third of it being at a demonstrably
advanced final year level.
The same criteria in relation to ICT content and progression as described for a Bachelor degree, applies
to programs which are postgraduate in time but substantially undergraduate in content.
As a guide, to meet the criteria, a Graduate Diploma or Masters degree which is undergraduate in
content and taken usually after a qualification other than an ICT degree or equivalent, must:

Contain a minimum of 3 semesters or at least 1.5 years of full-time study

Contain at least 2 semesters or 1 year of full-time equivalent ICT content
Contain a minimum of 12 units, subjects, or modules (overseas degrees may contain less units,
subjects or modules)

Where study is completed at a rate less than full-time, then scaling to the equivalent of full-time is
applied.
As a guide, a major in ICT for a Post Graduate Diploma or higher degree qualification which requires as a
pre-requisite an undergraduate degree-level qualification in ICT or equivalent must have an ICT content
of at least one third, all of which must be at post graduate level.
As a guide for an AQF Diploma, an AQF Advanced Diploma or overseas equivalent, the ICT content must
be at least 50%.
As a guide for a minor (sub-major) for a Bachelor degree the ICT content must be at least 20%.
As a guide for a Graduate Diploma or higher degree qualification, a minor (sub-major) must relate to a
program with an ICT content of at least 50%.
Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 7

Skilled Employment Date

The date specified for skilled employment for a Bachelor or above, not relevant to the ANZSCO, is upon
completion of 4 years experience. For a relevant degree, it is either 2 years in the past 10 years or 4
years in any time period, whichever is earlier.
For qualifications below a Bachelor, 5 years in the past 10 years and 6 years in any time period.
If the date specified for skilled employment is earlier than the completion of the qualification; the date
will be noted as the completion date of the qualification. In this case, the date specified for skilled
employment cannot be earlier than the completion date of the qualification.
If the applicant has multiple qualifications, the date will be based on whichever result is the earliest date.
Accredited and Recognised Degrees
"Accredited degree" means a degree awarded by a university to a student who successfully completed a
program of study in ICT, in which the program is recognised by the ACS accreditation process.
Accreditation is valid for students enrolling until the end of the year specified in the list of Accredited
University Courses for each course. Unless otherwise stated, accreditation applies only to the
Accredited University Courses conducted at the named campuses and locations.
"Recognised degree" means a degree normally awarded by a foreign educational institution, after
successful completion of a program of study in ICT, in which the program has been

Accredited by the responsible accrediting body in that country, which is a signatory to the Seoul
Accord, or
Evaluated by the ACS as being equivalent to a degree accredited by the ACS or a signatory of
the Seoul Accord. These programs do not appear on the list of qualifications formally
recognised under the Seoul Accord.

Through the Seoul Accord, the signatories recognise the equivalence of the preparation of graduates of
computing education programs accredited by the signatories for professional computing practice at the
entry level.
If an applicant's degree does not fall in one of the categories referred to above, the ACS will use the
current Australian Education International-National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition AEI-NOOSR
Country Education Profiles (CEP) to establish the educational level of the qualifications held by the
applicant. Qualifications other than those listed in the relevant CEP are assessed individually.
A Bachelor or higher degree course undertaken by an applicant granted advanced standing, credits or
exemptions will only be regarded as undertaken where, in the opinion of the ACS, credits or exemptions
are given for equivalent subjects, particularly in terms of ICT content, taken at an equivalent educational
level in an institution of equivalent academic standing.
No advanced standing, credit or exemption given on the basis of qualifications from overseas will be
considered in relation to an Australian Graduate Diploma or higher degree qualifications.

7. RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) - APPLICATION

If you do not have an ICT-related qualification, you may apply for a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
You will need to have at least 6 years of full time professional ICT work experience if you hold a non ICT
qualification and at least 8 years if you do not hold any tertiary qualifications.
Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 8

The purpose of the RPL application is to give you the opportunity to demonstrate that you have
acquired a level of knowledge equivalent to that of a formal tertiary ICT qualification.
You are required to submit 2 Project Reports for an RPL application - ACS Project Report Form (RPL)
providing a detailed description of a career episode in your employment history with sufficient detail as
evidence of applying the claimed knowledge to a working situation.
Sufficient detail must be provided to demonstrate the depth and breadth of your knowledge associated
with a formal course of study.
The RPL application is the only type of ACS application that requires project reports.

8. VENDOR CERTIFICATIONS
The following vendor certifications are accepted by the ACS as comparable to graduate outcomes of an
ICT major at the AQF Diploma level:
Microsoft Certification
To confirm your Microsoft qualification, we require your Transcript ID and Access Code.
You can do this by the following link: https://mcp.microsoft.com/authenticate/validatemcp.aspx
View my section on the left hand side and click the transcript Sharing Code button.

Microsoft Certified IT Professional - from 2007

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer - from 2007
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer - after 1997
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer - after 1997
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist - from August 2009

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert

MCSE: Server Infrastructure
MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure
MCSE: Private Cloud
MCSE: Messaging
MCSE: Communication
MCSE: Sharepoint
MCSE Data Platform
MCSE Business Intelligence
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer
MCSD: Windows Store Apps
MCSD: Web Applications
MCSD: Applications Lifecycle Management
Microsoft Certified Solutions Master
MCSM Data Platform
MCSM Sharepoint
MCSM Communication
MCSM Messaging
MCSM Directory Services
Novell Certification
Certified Lotus Professional or Certified Novell Engineer (from 1997)
Certified Directory Engineer from Novell
Master Certified Novell Engineer
Certified Novell Instructor
Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 9

Cisco Certification
The following list outlines the Cisco Certification accepted by the ACS. Certifications must be valid at the
time of submitting the skills assessment and display the validation date.
Cisco Professional:
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) - All tracks
Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP)
Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)
Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP)
Cisco Expert:
Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE) - All tracks
Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
Cisco Architect:
Cisco Certified Architect
Other Certifications
CITEC Certified Engineer or Oracle Certified Master (from 2004)
Certified Information Systems Auditor or Certified Information Security Manager from
Information Systems Audit and Control Association (from 14 June 2007)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional from International Information Systems
Security Certification Consortium (from May 2008)
Examination in Computing or Examination in IT from Australian Computer Society
Graduate Diploma (IT) or HDSE Diploma from Aptech
Certificate or Diploma from British Computer Society
Four or six semester Diploma from NIIT

9. APPLICATION TYPES
The following application types are available for migration purposes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Recent Graduates of an Australian University in Australia

Recent Graduates with ICT skilled experience considered
Skills Assessment
Recognition Letter
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

1 - Recent Graduates of an Australian University

The Recent Graduates application is for recent work experience exemption under the Australian study
requirement. Please refer to DIAC for detailed information.
If applying for a recent work experience exemption under the Australian study requirement you will
need a Bachelor degree or higher with an ICT major in a field of study closely related to the nominated
occupation.
The skills assessment result letter will report the suitability of ICT Qualifications to the nominated
ANZSCO code for the purpose of migration and points test.
2 - Recent Graduates of an Australian University with ICT experience considered
The assessment basis of this application is the same as the Recent Graduates application with the
addition for the applicant to have their skilled employment assessed. Please refer to DIAC for detailed
information.
Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 10

The assessment of the work experience for this type of application is only for the purpose of the points
test and will not contribute towards the suitability result of the skill assessment.
3 Skills Assessment
This is a general skills application for applicants with tertiary ICT qualifications and Professional ICT
skilled employment.
The skills assessment result letter will report the suitability of ICT qualifications and skilled employment
to the nominated ANZSCO code for the purpose of migration and points test.
4 - Recognition Letter
Please note: The ACS recognition letter is NOT a skills assessment. This application is if you already hold
a skills assessment and require recognition of your ICT qualifications or ICT skilled employment for
migration purposes.
5 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
This application is for applicants without tertiary ICT qualifications.
Applicants require between 6-8 years of full time professional ICT skilled employment in a field closely
related to the nominated ANZSCO Code.
Applicants are also required to provide proven knowledge of skilled employment through detailed
documentation by completing 2 project reports ACS Project Report Form (RPL).
The skills assessment result letter will report the suitability of ICT skilled employment to the nominated
ANZSCO code for the purpose of migration and points test.
The RPL application is the only type of ACS application that requires project reports.

10. APPLICATION INFORMATION

Priority Request
The priority request option is only for visa deadlines less than 12 weeks from the date of application.
Evidence of the visa deadline must be uploaded as a PDF document to have this request approved.
Examples of PDF scan documentation to upload as evidence:
Passport visa stamp showing the deadline date
Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) web page showing visa expiry date
Department of Immigration and Citizenship email notification of the grant of a visa
Application Status
After completing the Online Application you will receive an acknowledgement email with instructions on
how to access the ACS website.
You can check the progress of your application by using the online Application Status.
Please Note: We are not able to advise further information about the progress of your application other
than the status shown in the online application status. Email and phone enquiries asking for further
status information cannot be answered.
It is important to include your email address and mobile phone number and to check your email on a
regular basis for ACS messages regarding your skills assessment.
ACS will update you via email and SMS if additional documents or information is required.
Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 11

Please Note: Some web email services place ACS emails in the Junk mail folder.
Application Processing Time
A skills assessment is a matter of assessing your specific qualifications and experience against the
nominated occupation ANZSCO code as required by DIAC which can be a complex and lengthy process.
Please allow at least 12 weeks for the completion of your ACS skills assessment.
All applications are processed as efficiently as possible depending on the quality of the documentation
and information provided.
All decision ready applications are processed quicker than applications that do not meet the guideline
requirements and require additional documentation or information.
Payment Methods
Payment can be made by Credit Card or Direct Deposit.
Accepted Credit Cards:
Visa
MasterCard
American Express
Direct Deposit & International Fund Transfers account details:

Bank:
Branch:
Branch Number:
Account Name:
Account Number:

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Corner Liverpool & Castlereagh St, SYDNEY, NSW, 2000, AUSTRALIA
(BSB) 062 - 017
Australian Computer Society Inc. Council Account
80 - 1049 SWIFT Code: CTBAAU2S

Please include your full name and application number in the Remitter Details of the payment advice and
a copy of the transfer paperwork or evidence in the application as proof of payment.
Please Note: ACS is unable to process payments made by Cheque, Money Order or Cash.

ACS Member Discount

Professional Members of the ACS can receive a discount off the skills application if the member holds
nd
more than 12 months membership as a Certified Professional and have the 2 year renewal
membership paid in full. To receive the discount you will need to login to the ACS website before
submitting an application via the Online Application.
Professional Year Discount
If you are enrolled in the Professional Year Program you can receive a discount off your skills application.
To receive the discount you will need to login to the ACS website before submitting an application via
the Online Application.
Refunds & Withdrawals
Payment fees are not refundable after preliminary work or formal assessment has commenced or the
formal assessment has been completed.

Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 12

11. ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES

At the completion of your skills assessment, the ACS will issue you with a result letter via email as a
secure PDF file with a Suitable or Unsuitable designation.
Result letters are valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
Unsuitable Results
You will be assessed as unsuitable if you do not meet the ACS skills assessment criteria.
Your application will be assessed as unsuitable if you do not provide acceptable documentation within
the specified time frame when asked to provide additional documents or information.
Please refer to the Review and Appeal process to attention unsuitable results.
Review & Appeals
A formal Review and Appeal process is in place if you wish to review or appeal the results or details of
your assessment.
You are required to submit a Review or Appeal application to have your results formally actioned.
Review and Appeal applications can only be submitted within 60 days of a finalised skills assessment.
After the 60 days have elapsed, a new application is required.
The ACS is committed to the highest quality standards in conducting assessments with integrity and
professionalism in providing a formal appeal and review process for all applicants regarding assessment
outcomes.
REVIEW
Reasons for Reviews:
If you wish to be assessed for a different ANZSCO Code after your original application is
finalised
If you wish to submit additional documentation that was not included in the original application
to have your result updated
Full review of your skills assessment
Review Details:
A review fee is payable for all review assessments
Please upload additional documentation to support your review application
A review cannot be completed if the result letter has already been used for Migration purposes
To submit a Review, please go to the Online Application Form and use the Linking to an Earlier
Application option.
Please Note: After the 60 days have elapsed, a review is no longer possible and a new application is
required.
APPEAL
Reasons for Appeals:
You disagree with the result for an unsuitable assessment
You disagree with a formal notification of the assessment outcome
Please Note: No new documentation can be submitted for appeals. If you have additional
documentation to submit, please refer to the Review Process.

Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 13

Appeal Details:
The appeal fee will be refunded if your appeal is successful
Appeals can only be processed within 60 days of the date of the original result letter
An appeal cannot be completed if the result letter has already been used for Migration
purposes
To submit an Appeal, please go to the Online Application Form and use the Linking to an Earlier
Application option.
Please Note: After the 60 days have elapsed, an appeal is no longer possible and a new application is
required.
Please include detailed reasons why you believe the original outcome is not appropriate. Only one
appeal can be made per case.
RE-VALIDATION
A revalidation application is for cases where the result letter is about to expire or has expired before the
application for a visa can be lodged.
To submit a Revalidation, please go to the Online Application Form and use the Linking to an Earlier
Application option.
Please note: you will need to submit a new skills assessment application if your previous skills
assessment was received before 1st of July 2010 or you were assessed with an ASCO code.
12. FALSE INFORMATION & PLAGIARISM
Information you provide to the ACS may be used for data matching with Australian Government
agencies such as the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Department of
Immigration and Citizenship, and the Australian Tax Office.
Misleading and false information is viewed as a major breach of ethical behaviour and will seriously
jeopardise your migration prospects.
It is your responsibility to indicate when you have drawn on the work of others. Other peoples original
ideas and methods should be clearly distinguished, and other peoples words, illustrations and diagrams
should be clearly indicated regardless of whether they are copied exactly, paraphrased, or adapted.
Failure to acknowledge your source by clear citation and referencing constitutes plagiarism. All
plagiarism will be reported to DIAC.
The ACS reserves the right to use software applications to screen your submitted work for matches
either to published sources or to other submitted applications. In some cases you may be asked to
submit project reports and other written work submitted with the application for screening by
plagiarism detection services.
If at any stage in the assessment process plagiarism is detected, the information may be provided to
other Australian Government agencies. The assessment will be terminated and the outcome recorded
as unsuitable. A refund of the application fee cannot be provided for cases assessed as containing false
information or plagiarism.
13. ACS PRIVACY POLICY
Please refer to the ACS Privacy Policy.
14. ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY
The ACS is authorised as a relevant Assessing Authority for ICT skills occupations as listed on the Skilled
Occupation Lists.
Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 14

The ACS is designated by the Minister for Immigration in accordance with Regulation 2.26B (1) of the
Migration Regulations 1994 (Commonwealth Regulations) (the Regulations). Regulation 2.26B (2) of the
Regulations provides the Authority for ACS to determine, at its sole discretion, the standards against
which the skills of a person are assessed as being suitable for their nominated occupation.

15. CONTACT INFORMATION

Please only use the skills assessment email to contact the skills team. All emails are answered within the
same or next business day - assessment@acs.org.au
16. LINKS & RESOURCES
Australian Computer Society
Skills Assessments
ACS Membership
ACS Accreditation
Australian Visa and Migration Information
Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
SkillSelect

Information on Nominated Occupation ANZSCO codes

ANZSCO Description Search Option
Skills Assessment Occupations Codes - ANZSCO Code
Australian Skills Recognition Information
Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

Information on the Demographics of Australia

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

Australian Government Websites

Australian Government
Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education

Information on Migration Agents

Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA)

International Education Sector

Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 15

SKILLS ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS

Authors
Berny Martinez
Version History
Date

Document
Version

Revision History (reason for change)

Author/Reviser

2 April 2012

1.0

20hr employment added

Berny Martinez

25 May 2012

1.1

Paperless process added

Berny Martinez

20 August 2012

1.2

Update of CISCO Vendor Certification

Berny Martinez

16 April 2013

2.0

Update of Microsoft Vendor

Certifications and new format of
wording

Berny Martinez

Approvals
Date approved

Version

Approved By

Date in force

Date of Next
Review

1 August 2012

1.0

Ruth Graham

20 August 2012

1 January 2013

16 April 2013

2.0

Andrew Johnson

22 April 2013

1 January 2014

Custodian title &

e-mail address:

Professional Assessments Manager berny.skills@acs.org.au

Responsible
Business Group:

Professional Standards, Learning & Development

Distribution:

General (no restriction on distribution)

Content Security:

Unclassified

Back to Contents

Australian Computer Society | Skills Assessment Guidelines for Applicants | V2.0 | 2013

Page 16