Assessment Pathways for IT and Computing Professionals in Australia

Australia is known for its high quality of life, diverse culture, and vibrant IT industry, which is why it attracts multitudes of IT and computing professionals around the world. 

 

No doubt, IT, computing, and data science professionals play a key role in the innovation and digital transformation of the Australian tech industry. Further, with the inclusion of IT-related occupations on the ANZSCO list, it is clear that skilled tech experts are in demand in Australia.

 

It is a great opportunity for IT and computing professionals to secure a migration place and grow their careers in Australia. Those who want to aspire to a career in the rapidly growing Australian IT industry must undergo a skill assessment to determine whether they meet all the standards of Australia for skilled migration. 

 

In this blog post, I will let you explore various assessment pathways for IT and computing professionals in Australia and what the Australian assessment bodies are.

 

Let’s get started with the assessing body first.

 

Key Assessing Body for IT and Computing Professionals in Australia

 

In Australia, there are many skill assessment bodies or authorities that are responsible for the skill and qualification assessment process of IT and computing professionals, such as:

• Australian Computer Society (ACS)
• Engineers Australia (EA)
• VETASSESS

 

Understand the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and Its Various Assessment Pathways

 

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is a primary assessing authority designed to assess the skills and qualifications of ICT professionals in Australia. It evaluates the IT professionals’ skills, qualifications, and work experience to determine if they meet the IT industry of Australia. 

 

The ACS skill assessment is an essential step for overseas individuals seeking skilled migration visas or professional recognition in the ICT sector in Australia. Its main three assessment pathways includes:

 

1. General Skill Assessment Pathway

 

The ACS works on behalf of the Australian Federal Government to assess the skills of IT and data science professionals who want to migrate to Australia. If you are an experienced IT, computing, and data science professional who wants to live and work in Australia, the General Skills Assessment skill assessment pathway will be suitable for you.  

 

It is mandatory to undergo this step for a successful skill assessment during your journey of migrating and working in Australia. Moreover, this pathway supports some professionals in obtaining permanent residency in Australia. So, it is a great way to start your tech career in Australia. 

  

There are three steps to start and qualify for the general skill assessment pathway:

 

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Criteria

 

To apply for the general skill assessment, you must check your eligibility and ensure you meet the current eligibility criteria for professional qualification and work experience.

 

General Skills Assessment Pathway: IT Criteria

 

Qualification	Major	Relevant Nominated Occupation & ANZSCO Code	Relevant IT Work Experience Required
Bachelor’s degree or higher	IT Major	Closely related	2 years (completed in the last 10 years) OR 4 years (completed anytime in past work history)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	IT Major	Not closely related	4 years (completed anytime in past work history)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	IT Minor	Closely related |	5 years (completed in the last 10 years) OR 6 years (completed anytime in past work history)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	IT Minor	Not closely related	6 years (completed anytime in past work history)
Diploma, advanced diploma, or associate degree	IT Major	Closely related	5 years (completed in the last 10 years) OR 6 years (completed anytime in past work history)
Diploma, advanced diploma, or associate degree	| IT Major	Not closely related	6 years (completed anytime in past work history)

 

General Skills Assessment Pathway:  Data Science Criteria (Computing Professionals)

 

Qualification	Relevance to Nominated Occupation and ANZSCO Code	Relevant IT Work Experience Required
Bachelor’s degree or higher	Major in Data Science	2 years (completed in the last 10 years) OR 4 years (completed anytime in past work history)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	Major in ICT/Computer Science, Math, Statistics, Economics & Engineering	4 years (completed anytime in past work history)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	Minor in Data Science	5 years (completed in the last 10 years) OR 6 years (completed anytime in past work history)
Bachelor’s degree or higher	Minor in ICT/Computer Science, Math, Statistics, Economics & Engineering	6 years (completed anytime in past work history)
Diploma, advanced diploma, or associate degree	Major in Data Science	5 years (completed in the last 10 years) OR 6 years (completed anytime in past work history)
Diploma, advanced diploma, or associate degree	Major in ICT/Computer Science, Math, Statistics, Economics & Engineering	6 years (completed anytime in past work history)

 

Step 2: Gather Necessary Documents

 

Once you have determined your assessment eligibility criteria, your next step is to gather necessary documentation, like:

• A valid passport
• National identity card
• Degrees certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Course description (if required)
• Evidence of work experience

Step 3: Complete Application Process

 

After collecting all the necessary documents, start your application without getting any delays. For professional assistance, consult with expert skilled migration consultants so that your application may not face any rejection. 

 

2. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment Pathway

 

The RPL assessment pathway is designed for IT and data science professionals who have not tertiary qualifications in any way but have relevant work experience.This pathway allows the individuals to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have obtained through their practical work experience. 

 

The following are the essential steps to start skill assessment under recognition of prior learning pathways.

 

Step 1: Check Eligibility Criteria

 

You are required to check their eligibility before collecting documents like:

• Ensure you have at least 6 years of relevant work experience in IT.
• You must have worked actively or within the last 2 years in the relevant field.

 

Step 2: Prepare Important Documents:

 

In the next step, to avoid  any delays in the application process, prepare all required documents, including: 

• Two forms of photo ID
• Name-changing document if eligible
• Two RPL project reposts 
• Professional currency evidence in the nominated ANZSCO code
• Evidence of relevant work experience

 

Step 3: Complete Your Application

 

Complete your application and get professional assistance from our knowledgeable skilled migration consultants to ensure your application meets all the requirements set by the ACS’s recognition prior learning assessment pathway.

3. Post Australian Study Assessment Pathway

 

If you are an international IT and data science postgraduate or you may have completed your studies in Australia, the Post Australian Study Assessment Pathway is designed for you. This pathway helps individuals who want to obtain a skill assessment to migrate to Australia.

 

Here are the critical steps involved in the Post-Australia Study Assessment Pathway:

 

Step 1: Check Eligibility Criteria

 

You are eligible if you meet the current eligibility criteria, such as:

• You have completed a bachelor’s or higher degree with a major in IT or data science ( closely related to the nominated occupation and ANZSCO code).
• You must have at least one year of relevant work experience in IT or data science in Australia or overseas.

Step 2: Prepare your Documents

 

Once you have met all the eligible criteria, you are required to prepare the necessary documents:

• Two photo ID forms include a passport and a driver’s license.
• Proof of any name change (if applicable).
• Evidence of Qualifications
• Academic transcripts.
• Degree certificates.
• Evidence of Work Experience such as:
• Detailed employment references.
• Payslips.
• Employment contracts.
• Job descriptions.
• Evidence of completing the ACS Professional Year (if applicable).

 

What are the Different Types of Skill Assessment Application Processes?

 

The ACS offers different application processes of skill assessment for IT and computing professionals. Some of the most important application processes are:

• Australian Qualification 
• Washington Accord
• Sydney Accord
• Dublin Accord
• Competency Demonstrate Report CDR 

 

Note: For a detailed understanding of the assessment mentioned above application process, read the blog post here: Engineering Australia Skill Assessment

 

What are the Involved Occupations in IT and Computing Professional Skill Assessment?

 

A wide range of occupations is involved in ACS for IT and  Computing Professional Skill Assessment. To apply for your prior general skilled migration visa, you must have relevant experience in the closely related occupation nominated on the current skilled occupation list 2024 Australia.

 

Based on whether your occupation is on the medium- and long-term strategic skills list or the short-term skilled occupation list, you must determine that your occupation is include in ANZSCO cose for your GSM visa application. Here are some of invloved occupations:

 

Occupation	ANZSCO Code
ICT Project Manager	135112
ICT Managers (nec)	135199
ICT Trainer	223211
Web Developer	261212
Software Tester	261314
Database Administrator	262111
Systems Administrator	262113
Network Administrator	263112
Network Analyst	263113
ICT Quality Assurance Engineer	263211
ICT Support Engineer	26212
ICT Systems Test Engineer	263213
ICT Support And Test Engineers (nec)	263299
Web Administrator	313113
Multimedia Specialist	261211
Chief Information Officer	135111
Software Engineer	261313
Software Tester	261314
Analyst Programmer	261311
Systems Analyst	261112

 

What are Visa Pathways for IT and Computing Professionals in Australia?

  

If you are one of those  IT and computing professionals who are seeking a migration pathway to Australia, the General Skilled Migration program is your ultimate route.  If your occupation is on the medium- and long-term strategic skills list, the following are the suitable visa options under the GSM program:

• Skilled Work Regional Visa Subclass 491
• Skilled Nominated Visa subclass 190
• Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189

 

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) 

 

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a points-tested visa for overseas skilled workers who wish to live and work in the designated regional areas of Australia. This visa allows you to stay up to 5 years and give you the chance to get permanent residency in regional Australia. 

Eligibility Criteria 

 

• To be eligible, you must be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative already living in a designated regional area.
• Most importantly, you must also have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and meet the points test requirements.

 

Skilled Nominated Visa subclass 190

 

The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) is a points-tested permanent visa strea for skilled workers who receive a nomination from Australia’s state or territory government. This visa lets you live and work as a permanent resident in Australia

Eligibility Criteria

 

• To be eligible, you must have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, obtain a suitable skills assessment for that occupation, and be invited to apply and meet the points test requirements.

 

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

 

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent visa stram. It is designed for those overseas skilled workers who aren’t sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member in Australia. This visa supports them in living and working anywhere in Australia permanently.

 

Eligibility Criteria

 

• To be eligible for this visa stream, you must have a relevant occupation on Australia’s relevant skilled occupation list. Further, you need to obtain a suitable skills assessment for that occupation and be invited to meet the points test requirements to apply. 

 

How Can The Migration Help?

 

After learning about too many assessment pathways options for IT and computing professionals in Australia, you might need clarification about choosing a suitable option for you.

 

For this purpose, you must consult with the expert skilled migration consultants at the Migration.  Our expert consultants are highly experienced and knowledgeable, and they will help you complete the skill assessment process. 

 

For expert guidance, consult us and ensure your application meets all requirements for a successful skill assessment journey. 

 

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