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ACS Skill Assessment
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What is ACS?
The ACS skill assessment officially called the Australian Computer Society Migration Skills Assessment is the mandatory skills evaluation that ICT professionals must complete before applying for most Australian skilled migration visas.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the government-authorised body appointed to assess the qualifications and work experience of IT, Data Science, and Cyber Security professionals. It checks whether your skills meet the Australian standard for your nominated occupation.
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Why Is the ACS Skill Assessment Important?
A positive ACS skill assessment is a prerequisite — not optional — if you are applying for:
- Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa
- Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
- Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
- Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme
Without a valid positive assessment from the Australian Computer Society, your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect cannot proceed for these visa subclasses.
Your ACS assessment result also directly affects your points score in SkillSelect. The ANZSCO occupation code you are assessed under determines how many migration points you can claim for your Australian work experience — which in turn influences whether you receive an invitation to apply
ACS Skill Assessment
Who Needs an ACS Skill Assessment?
You need an ACS skill assessment if you are an ICT professional planning to migrate to Australia through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. The ACS assesses your qualifications and work experience to determine whether they meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation.
Eligible ICT Occupations
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 261111 | ICT Business Analyst | ICT Professional |
| 261311 | Analyst Programmer | ICT Professional |
| 261312 | Developer Programmer | ICT Professional |
| 261313 | Software Engineer | ICT Professional |
| 261314 | Software Tester | ICT Professional |
| 262111 | Database Administrator | ICT Professional |
| 262112 | ICT Security Specialist | ICT Professional |
| 263111 | Computer Network & Systems Engineer | ICT Professional |
| 263112 | Network Administrator | ICT Professional |
| 263113 | Network Analyst | ICT Professional |
| 272311 | ICT Quality Assurance Engineer | ICT Professional |
| 263299 | Telecommunications Network Engineer | ICT Professional |
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Expanded Occupation List from April 2025
ACS expanded its occupation list from 25 to 35 ANZSCO codes, introducing in-demand technology roles including Data Scientist, Cyber Security Engineer, DevOps Engineer and Penetration Tester.
This expansion creates more opportunities for ICT professionals to access Australian permanent residency pathways through an ACS skill assessment.
ACS Skill Assessment Pathways
The Australian Computer Society offers four assessment pathways. You must choose the one that best matches your qualifications and work experience. Choosing the wrong pathway is one of the most common reasons for an unfavourable outcome.
1. General Skills Pathway
This is the most common pathway for internationally qualified ICT professionals.
Eligibility: You hold an overseas ICT degree and have ICT work experience. Your qualification is assessed against the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and your work experience is checked against your nominated ANZSCO code.
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent) with a major in ICT + 1 year of relevant experience
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent) with a minor in ICT + 2 years of relevant experience
- AQF Diploma or equivalent + 3 years of relevant experience
- No formal ICT qualification + 5–6 years of relevant IT work experience (in the past 10 years)
2. Post-Australian Study (PSW) Pathway
For professionals who have completed an ICT degree in Australia and have relevant work experience in Australia.
- Bachelor degree or above from an Australian institution with a major in ICT
- Plus a minimum of 1 year of closely related Australian work experience
3. Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Pathway
Designed for international students who completed their ICT studies in Australia and are applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). No work experience is required for this pathway.
4. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Pathway
The RPL pathway is for experienced ICT professionals who do not have a formal ICT qualification. Instead of a degree, you must submit detailed project reports demonstrating your practical skills and competencies aligned to your nominated ANZSCO occupation.
An RPL pathway application requires more preparation but is a genuine option for professionals who have built their skills through hands-on industry experience.
ACS Skill Assessment: Step-by-Step Process
The specific guidelines and criteria for the skill assessment process are:
1. Identify your ANZSCO occupation code
this must closely match your actual job duties and responsibilities.
2. Choose your assessment pathway
General Skills, Post-Australian Study, Temporary Graduate, or RPL.
3. Gather all required documents
see the checklist in the next section
4. Create an account on the ACS Migration Skills Assessment online portal.
5. Complete the online application form
Enter your education history, employment history, and upload documents.
6. Pay the assessment fee
All fees are non-refundable.
7. ACS reviews your application
qualifications are compared against the AQF; work experience is checked against your ANZSCO code
8. Receive your outcome
— a positive or negative assessment is issued in writing.
9. Use your positive assessment to submit an EOI through SkillSelect.
Updated ACS Fees 2025–2026
ACS Skill Assessment Fees
ACS revised its Migration Skills Assessment fees from November 2025. All fees are charged in Australian Dollars (AUD) and are generally non-refundable. The applicable fee depends on the assessment pathway you choose.
| Assessment Pathway | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Qualification Only | AUD 625 |
| Post Australian Study | AUD 1,136 |
| General Skills Assessment | AUD 1,498 |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) | AUD 625 |
| Level 1 Appeal | AUD 516 |
| Level 2 Appeal | AUD 620 |
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Accepted Payment Methods
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- PayPal
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Additional Costs
- Certified translations (AUD 80–200+ per document)
- Document certification or notarisation fees
- Migration agent assistance (optional)
- Courier and document handling charges
Important Information
The General Skills Assessment pathway is the most commonly used option for overseas ICT professionals applying for Australian skilled migration visas such as Subclass 189, 190 and 491.
ACS may revise its fee schedule from time to time. Always check the official ACS website before submitting your application to confirm the latest charges and requirements.
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ACS Skill Assessment Processing Time
Standard ACS skill assessment processing time is typically 8 to 12 weeks from the date a complete application is submitted. Applicants who require faster results can choose Priority Processing for an additional fee.
| Processing Type | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Standard Processing | 8–12 Weeks |
| Priority Processing | 10–15 Working Days |
| Re-assessment / Review | Additional 4–8 Weeks |
Important: Processing times may increase during peak
periods, public holidays, or when ACS issues a Request for Information
(RFI) due to missing or unclear documents.
✅
Validity of ACS Skill Assessment
A positive ACS Skill Assessment remains valid for two years from the date of issue.
You must hold a valid assessment when you:
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Subclass 189 or 190 visas
- Apply for a Subclass 491 visa invitation
- Lodge a Subclass 186 employer-sponsored visa application
- Lodge a Subclass 494 employer-sponsored visa application
If your assessment expires before you lodge your visa application,
you will need to obtain a new ACS Skill Assessment.
🚀
2026 Key Updates to the ACS Skill Assessment
| Update | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 ANZSCO Codes Per Application | Nominate up to three ANZSCO occupations under one standard application fee. |
| 10 New Occupations Added | Expanded list includes Data Scientist, DevOps Engineer, Cyber Security Engineer, and Penetration Tester. |
| Stricter Occupation Matching | Greater focus on ensuring your duties match your nominated ANZSCO code. |
| Improved Online Portal | Real-time application tracking and step-by-step guidance. |
| Fee Increase (Nov 2025) | ACS fees increased by approximately 3.3% across assessment pathways. |
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Common Reasons for ACS Skill Assessment Rejection
Understanding the most common mistakes can significantly improve your chances of receiving a positive assessment outcome.
❌
Employment duties do not closely match the nominated ANZSCO occupation.
❌
Generic HR letters submitted instead of detailed duty-specific reference letters.
❌
Overlapping study and employment periods are not properly explained.
❌
Insufficient ICT content in the academic qualification.
❌
Self-employment claims without supporting evidence and documentation.
❌
Documents not translated by certified translators.
❌
Incorrect ANZSCO occupation selected for actual job duties.
❌
Insufficient work experience for the chosen assessment pathway.
ACS Skill Assessment & ACS Degree Assessment
Ensure a smooth career transition and international recognition of your skills with ACS skill assessment. Our trusted assessment services evaluate your qualifications and work experience, providing you with a globally recognized certification.
