Key Changes in ACS Skill Assessment for 2025

ACS has recently expanded its skill assessment scope and added new ANZSCO occupations for 2025.

 

Throughout 2024, the ACS Skills Assessment has announced significant changes in the overall migration skill assessment program, effective from April 15, 2025. The most prominent change is the introduction of the occupation option for applicants who intend to select up to three ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) codes in a single skill assessment application.

 

In this blog post, I will explain the key changes in ACS skill assessment that will be implemented in 2025.

 

What is the ACS Migration Skills Assessment?

The ACS Migration Skill Assessment is an initial process for the IT or Data Science professional who wants to migrate to Australia. They must undergo this skills assessment, which is conducted by the Australian Computer Society (ACS). 

 

The ACS evaluates the skills, qualifications, and practical experience of IT, data science, and computing professionals to ensure they meet Australia’s standards for skilled migration. 

 

Read More About the Skill Assessment Pathways for IT and Computing Professionals

  

Context of ACS Updates in the Migration Skills Assessment

Currently, Australia is experiencing serious skill shortages in many sectors, specifically the technology sector. So, in order to address this critical issue, Australia has introduced key updates in IT occupations. The country will require approximately 52,000 new technology professionals each year to fill the gap and to reach 1.3 million technology workers by 2023. 

 

So, in response to the increasing demand for IT, computing, and data science professionals, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) has updated its Migration Skills Assessment process. In these significant changes, the inclusion of 10 new IT occupations to the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) list was also introduced, which is expanding the range of assessable roles from 25 to 35. 

 

Key Changes in the ACS Skill Assessment Process in 2025

 

Multiple ANZSCO Code Selection

With the recent changes, applicants now have the flexibility to choose three different ANZSCO codes for a single application simultaneously. This flexibility lets the applicants apply for multiple IT roles that are aligned with their qualifications and work experience, which will increase their chance of obtaining a positive skill assessment.

 

Single Fixed Fee

If you apply for three multiple ANZSCO codes, you will pay a single fixed fee. This significant change has made the ACS migration skill assessment process more cost-effective for the applicants who wish to qualify for various occupations within the ICT sector in Australia.

 

Separate Outcomes

After these changes, each ANZSCO code will be assessed separately, and the ACS will provide separate outcomes for each code. Now, applicants who have applied for three different occupations will receive different outcomes, which will also showcase their suitability for each role.

 

Separate Outcomes

Each ANZSCO code is evaluated independently, and ACS provides separate outcomes for each code. This means that if an applicant qualifies for more than one occupation, they will receive different assessments that will reflect their suitability for each role.

 

Streamlined Process

With this new updated ACS skill assessment process, applicants will experience fast skill assessment processing. With significantly reduced processing time, from now on the skill assessment outcomes will be released within 8 to 10 weeks. 

 

Improved Transparency

This updated application portal will offer improved tracking and transparency regarding the current status of the applications. Now, applicants will stay informed throughout the complete assessment process with an intuitive dashboard on the ACS website that will provide instant updates. 

 

Enhanced Support and Guidance

The ACS has introduced a new system that will provide enhanced guidance and support to applicants throughout their ACS skill assessment application journey. This support system, access to an intuitive application dashboard, will enable easy tracking of application progress and applicant briefing sessions to help navigate the new system.

 

Expedited Processing Times

In short, this updated ACS skill assessment process promises faster processing times for submitted applications, making it more efficient for all applicants to receive their assessment outcomes. In many cases, decisions can be made in as little as 15 days. 

 

Book a discussion with our general skilled visa consultants regarding your ACS skill assessment application.

 

 

New ANZSCO Occupations for IT and Data Science Professionals in Australia

With significant changes in the ACS migration skill assessment process, the ACS has also broadened the ACS occupations from 25 to 3. Due to a projected need of 1.3 million tech specialists in Australia by 2023, there are 10 additional key roles added in the ANZSCO occupations code to make them more accessible. 

 

These new updates on occupations, with AZNSCO code, include:

SR	New Occupation	ANZSCO Code
1	Data Analyst	224114
2	Data Scientist	224115
3	Cyber Security Engineer	261315
4	DevOps Engineer	261316
5	Penetration Tester	261317
6	Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist	262114
7	Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist	262115
8	Cyber Security Analyst	262116
9	Cyber Security Architect	262117
10	Cyber Security Operations Coordinator	262118

 

Visa Categories After ACS Migration Skilled Assessment

 Here are the suitable visa options that can be availed of after a successful ACS skill assessment:

1. General Skilled Migration  Visas 

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) — Points-tested stream
• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
• Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491)

 

2. Employer-Sponsored Visas

• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)

 

3. Skills in Demand Visa

4. Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)

 

Consult with our skilled visa consultants for detailed information regarding suitable skilled visas for IT and data science professionals, updated visa requirements, application fees, and more.

Final Thoughts

The recent updates in the ACS Migration Skills Assessment process highlight the commitment of the Australian Computer Society’s to addressing the increasing demand for tech professionals in Australia for the upcoming years. 

 

Further, the recent updates, which are about to expand the assessment scope, introduce multiple ANZSCO code selections, and enhance the application process, are also supporting Australia’s migration policies.

 

With these changes, ACS has made it easier for IT, computing, and data science professionals to obtain faster skill assessment outcomes and more employment opportunities in Australia.

 

Similarly, the new ANZSCO Codes are introduced to support the Core Skills List (CSOL) and Skills in Demand Skills (SID) visas and align the ACS skill assessment score with the new ACS skill assessment system.

 

Book An Appointment with our Expert Skilled Visa Consultants!

If you want to join the Australian Computer Society and contribute to its economy as an IT, computer, and data science professional, undergoing the ACS skill assessment is a must. However, you need to prepare for it first. 

 

Furthermore, if you want in-depth information regarding new changes in ACS skill assessment, contact us at the Migration. Our professional consultants aim to provide accurate information and assist you in improving your chances of getting a positive ACS skill assessment. Contact us and book your consultation today.

 

 

The ACS will start accepting the ACS migration skill assessment applications and the new 10 ANZSCO codes at the end of January 2025. 

 

FAQs

Q: 1 What is the Australian Computer Society ACS?

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is a professional association for IT professionals across Australia. It is an authorized body that assesses the skills and qualifications of IT and data science professionals for migration purposes. 

 

Q: 2 Why is the ACS Migration Skill Assessment Process Important?

For IT, computing, and data science professionals, the ACS Migration Skills Assessment is mandatory. The ACS evaluates these professionals’ skills and qualifications. ACS works on behalf of the Australian Government and was constructed by SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age). After completing the ACS assessment, overseas-qualified IT and data science professionals can find employment and professional development opportunities in Australia.

 

Q: 3 When Will This New ACS Skill Assessment System Start Working?

This new updated ACS Skill Assessment System will start working on January 15, 2025.

 

Q: 4 What are ACS Migration Assessment Pathways?

The applicants can use Post-Australian Studies (PAS), General Skills, and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as ACS migration skill assessment pathways.