ACS Skills Assessment Australia: Complete ICT Guide 2026

What Is the ACS Skills Assessment?

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the official assessing authority for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) occupations in Australia. Before you can apply for most skilled migration visas (like the 189, 190, or 491), you must prove to the Australian Government that your IT skills meet their national standards. You do this by passing the ACS skills assessment.

The assessment evaluates your formal educational qualifications and your relevant work experience to determine if you are suitably skilled for your nominated ANZSCO occupation.

Who Needs an ACS Skills Assessment?

Anyone applying for an Australian skilled visa under an ICT occupation requires a positive skills assessment from the ACS. This includes popular roles such as:

• Software Engineer (261313)
• Developer Programmer (261312)
• ICT Business Analyst (261111)
• Systems Analyst (261112)
• Computer Network and Systems Engineer (263111)

The Four ACS Assessment Pathways

ACS offers four different pathways depending on your background. It's crucial to select the correct one.

1. Temporary Graduate (TG)

Exclusively for recent graduates of an Australian Bachelor's degree or higher in an ICT field. This pathway is only for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa and cannot be used for PR points.

2. Post Australian Study (PAS)

For graduates of an Australian ICT degree who want to apply for PR. You need either 1 year of relevant post-graduate work experience OR completion of an ACS Professional Year program.

3. General Skills

The most common pathway for overseas applicants. It evaluates your tertiary qualifications and employment history. The amount of work experience required (2 to 6 years) depends on whether your degree is an ICT Major, Minor, or non-ICT degree.

4. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

For applicants with no tertiary qualifications or a degree with zero ICT content. You must demonstrate your skills entirely through work experience and specific vendor certifications (like Cisco, Microsoft, AWS).

How ACS Assesses Occupation Alignment

ACS determines if your degree is an "ICT Major" or "ICT Minor" based on the percentage of ICT units you completed. They then evaluate whether those units closely align with your nominated occupation. If your degree is highly relevant to your nominated occupation, you require less work experience to pass the assessment.

The Work Experience Deduction Rule

This is the most critical and often misunderstood part of the ACS process. ACS will deduct a portion of your work experience to meet their "suitability criteria." Only the work experience you accumulate after you meet this "Skill Level Requirement Met Date" can be claimed for PR points.

ANZSCO Codes Assessed by ACS

ACS assesses a broad range of occupations. Some of the most common include:

• Software Engineer (261313)
• Developer Programmer (261312)
• ICT Business Analyst (261111)
• Computer Network and Systems Engineer (263111)

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Gather Documents: Degree transcripts, completion letters, passports, and highly detailed employment reference letters.
2. Format Correctly: ACS has strict guidelines on how documents must be formatted, translated, and certified. Employment letters must state specific duties, hours worked, and salary.
3. Submit Online: Create an account on the ACS portal and upload your documents.
4. Pay the Fee: The application will only begin processing once the fee is paid.

Fees and Processing Time 2026

Processing times vary, but a "decision-ready" application usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. If ACS needs to request more information, this can extend to several months. The current fees (subject to change) are approximately AUD $625 for TG/RPL pathways, AUD $1,136 for Post Australian Study, and AUD $1,498 for General Skills.

Why ACS Assessments Are Rejected

The most common reason for rejection or a negative assessment is poor employment documentation. If your reference letter is vague, doesn't list specific duties, or looks like a template copied from the internet, ACS will not accept it. The duties listed must strongly align with the ANZSCO definition of your nominated occupation.

What Happens After Your ACS Assessment

Once you receive your positive ACS letter, you can use it to claim points for your qualifications and valid work experience. You will use the reference number from this letter when submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. Remember, the letter is only valid for 24 months.