If you are a skilled IT, data science or cyber security professional who wants to migrate to Australia, you must have your skills and knowledge assessed through the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) before you can apply for a visa. ACS is the official assessing authority for specific ICT occupations used in skilled migration. It checks whether you have the right skills, knowledge and experience needed for employment in Australia for occupations related to IT, data science or cyber security.
What Is the ACS Migration Skills Assessment?
The ACS Migration Skills Assessment is a formal process that:
- Reviews your educational qualifications and work experience.
- Determines whether educational qualifications and work experience meet the professional ICT standards required for your nominated occupation in Australia.
- Is conducted by the ACS on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.
Why the ACS Skills Assessment Is Important
Below are the reasons why the ACS skills assessment is necessary:
The Department of Home Affairs Needs It Before You Can Apply for a Visa
According to ACS, if you wish to migrate to Australia as an ICT professional, you are required to obtain a suitable skills assessment through ACS BEFORE lodging any visa application. This is a mandatory step in the migration process.
ACS conducts the skills assessment as part of the overall visa application process on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs. This means the output of your assessment is used by the Department when you lodge your actual visa application.
ACS Determines Your Skills and Knowledge
ACS assesses your qualifications and work experience to see whether:
- Your educational qualifications are comparable to Australian standards (Australian Qualifications Framework or AQF).
- Your work experience is at a professional ICT level.
- Both your qualifications and experience are closely related to the nominated ANZSCO occupation used for migration.
The ACS skills assessment process aligns your profile with the Australian labour market expectations for IT, data science and cyber security roles.
The ACS Skills Assessment Ensures Your ICT Qualifications and Experience Are Recognised
Not all international qualifications are automatically recognised in Australia. ACS carefully reviews:
- Your educational documents to see if your qualification meets Australian standards and contains sufficient ICT content.
- Your employment history to confirm it fits the skills required for your nominated occupation.
Only if both aspects meet ACS standards will your assessment be viewed as suitable for migration purposes.
How ACS Assesses Skills
The ACS assessment process involves:
- Checking identity and documentation.
- Reviewing your qualifications to assess whether they align with the AQF and contain sufficient ICT professional content.
- Evaluating your work experience to ensure it is relevant to the nominated occupation and at the required skill level.
- Providing you with a formal outcome letter which can be used in your visa application.
A suitable outcome means ACS has found your qualifications and experience acceptable for migration purposes; an unsuitable outcome means they have not.
How SALIA Lawyers & Associates Can Help
Navigating the ACS Migration Skills Assessment can be complex, especially when your qualifications or work experience do not clearly align with Australian standards. SALIA Lawyers & Associates helps you get it right from the start.
We assist skilled IT, data science and cyber security professionals by:
- Assessing your qualifications and work history against ACS requirements before you apply.
- Advising on the most suitable ANZSCO occupation for your background.
- Guiding you on how to prepare ACS-compliant employment references and documents.
- Identifying potential issues early to reduce the risk of an unsuitable outcome.
- Managing your ACS skills assessment and the entire Australian migration process, from assessment to visa application.
With SALIA, you receive clear advice, structured guidance and strategic support at every stage of your migration journey.
If you are planning to migrate to Australia as an ICT professional, contact SALIA Lawyers & Associates for tailored advice on your ACS skills assessment and visa options.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided is intended as a general guide and should not be relied upon as legal or migration advice. As migration laws and regulations can change, we recommend consulting an Australian Lawyer or Registered Migration Agent for advice tailored to your circumstances.
