ACS Migration Skills Assessment Update

COVID-19 Update:
The ACS Migration Skills Assessment Team would like to assure applicants and migration agents that we have robust business continuity plans in place during this time. All of our systems and processes are functioning as per normal and we would encourage you to continue to submit your migration skills assessment applications with us.
We are aware that applicants may be adversely impacted by the current pandemic and again want to assure applicants and agents that our customer service channels through phone and email are operating as normal. Please reach out to us through these channels should you have any queries or are facing challenges in relation to your migration skills assessment applications.


Notification of changes in ACS Migration Skills Assessment

1. Changes in Assessment of ANZSCO Unit Group 2621
2. Acceptance of Electronics subjects in ICT qualifications
3. Seoul Accord qualification recognition

1. Changes in Assessment of ANZSCO Unit Group 2621

ANZSCO Unit Group 2621 includes 3 occupations:

o 262111 Database Administrator
o 262112 ICT Security Specialist
o 262113 Systems Administrator

With Cyber Security now being its own occupation discipline, applicants applying under the ICT Security specialist ANZSCO occupation code will be assessed based on separate criteria to the other occupations in this Unit Group. This will also align ACS migration skills assessment with current initiatives within ACS cyber security certification and accreditation of cyber security university degrees.
2. Acceptance of Electronics subjects in ICT qualifications
ACS has undertaken a review of Electronics subjects and their relevance within ICT. ACS will now only accept Digital Electronics subjects when assessing qualification unit content. Analogue and other non-ICT related electronics subjects will no longer be accepted when assessing qualifications. Applicants may provide a subject/course outline to support an assessment of “Electronic” related subjects which we will consider.

3. Seoul Accord qualification recognition
Seoul Accord is a multilateral agreement between countries that allows certain University level Bachelor and Master degrees to be recognized by the Seoul Accord signatories. ACS has been a signatory of the Seoul Accord since its conception in 2008.
Qualifications recognised through mutual recognition under the Seoul Accord will be considered to have met the ICT major criteria for migration skills assessment purposes. Assessment suitability is however still subject to assessment against the nominated ANZSCO occupation.
Signatory Countries include:

o South Korea
o USA
o UK
o Canada
o Hong Kong
o Taiwan
o Japan

Should an applicant wish to have their qualification assessed under the Seoul Accord, the onus of proof falls solely on the applicant to notify the ACS of this and to provide the ACS with sufficient evidence that their qualification is mutually recognized under the Seoul Accord. Evidence would include screenshots taken directly from the Seoul Accord website Accredited Programs clearly showing that their qualification is recognised. ACS assessors will have discretion to accept or reject the evidence provided.
Note that these changes will come into effect as of 1 July 2020
Please direct any enquiries to assessment@acs.org.au

https://myvisaonline.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360050617573-ACS-Migration-Skills-Assessment-Update-