You've decided to move to Australia on a skilled migration visa. You have the IT qualifications and work experience. But before you can apply for your 189 visa, you need something that feels like a barrier: an ACS (Australian Computer Society) skill assessment. Without it, your visa application will be rejected. This guide walks you through exactly what that assessment is, how to get it, and what to expect at each stage.

Understanding the ACS 189 Skill Assessment Requirement

The ACS skill assessment is a mandatory step for anyone applying for an Australian skilled migration visa (subclass 189, 190, or 491) in an IT occupation. The Department of Home Affairs requires proof that your skills and qualifications meet Australian standards before they will even look at your visa application.

The ACS does not award points or decide whether you get a visa. That's the Department of Home Affairs' job. What ACS does is verify that your qualifications, work experience, and English language ability are genuine and relevant to your claimed occupation. Think of it as a gatekeeper: you cannot proceed to the visa application stage without passing through it first.

The assessment typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from the time you submit your application. During this period, ACS will review your documents, check your employment history, and assess whether your skills align with the occupation you're claiming. If they find gaps, they may deduct years from your claimed work experience or reject your assessment entirely.

The cost is AUD 530 as of 2026. This is a one-time fee, and it's non-refundable even if your assessment is unsuccessful.

Gathering Your Documents Before You Apply

The single biggest reason applications are delayed or rejected is incomplete documentation. ACS is strict about what they accept. You cannot submit your application until you have everything they ask for, and submitting incomplete documents will result in a request for further information that adds weeks to your timeline.

Start by downloading the ACS Skills Assessment Handbook from the ACS website. This document lists every piece of evidence they require. Do not rely on memory or what you think they might need. Print it out and work through it methodically.

Here is what you will need to gather:

  • Passport or national ID: A clear colour copy of the information page. If your passport has been renewed, provide copies of both the old and new versions.
  • Educational qualifications: Official transcripts and degree certificates from every tertiary institution you attended. These must be in English or officially translated. If you studied in a non-English-speaking country, you must provide certified English translations.
  • Employment references: Written references from your employers covering the period of work you are claiming. ACS requires these to be on company letterhead, signed by a manager or HR representative, and dated. They must include your job title, dates of employment, and a description of your duties. If you worked for a company that no longer exists, you may provide references from colleagues or supervisors, but this weakens your case.
  • Curriculum vitae (CV): A detailed CV listing all employment, education, and relevant skills. This must match the dates and job titles in your employment references.
  • Evidence of English language proficiency: If English is not your first language, you need a test result from IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or CAE taken within three years of your application. You need a minimum score of 6.0 in IELTS (or equivalent) in each band.
  • Statutory declaration: A signed declaration confirming the accuracy of the information you are providing. This must be witnessed by a notary public or justice of the peace.

Collect these documents now, before you start the application. If your qualifications are from overseas, contact your university's international office and request official transcripts and degree certificates. This process alone can take 4 to 8 weeks, especially if the institution is in a different time zone.

For employment references, contact your previous employers or managers directly. If you left a job years ago, LinkedIn can help you track down former supervisors. Be prepared to explain to them why you need the reference and what information it should contain. Some employers are reluctant to provide detailed references, but ACS will not accept vague or generic statements.

Submitting Your ACS Application Online

Once you have all your documents, you will create an account on the ACS website and submit your application through their online portal. The process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail.

Log in to the ACS portal and select "Apply for Skills Assessment". You will be asked to choose your occupation from the ACS list. This is critical. You must select the occupation that matches your work experience and the occupation code you intend to claim in your visa application. Common IT occupations assessed by ACS include Software Developer (261311), ICT Security Specialist (262112), and Systems Analyst (261112). If you select the wrong occupation, your assessment will be based on the wrong criteria.

You will then fill in a detailed form covering:

  1. Personal details (name, date of birth, contact information)
  2. Passport and visa information
  3. Educational history (every qualification, institution, and graduation date)
  4. Employment history (every job, employer, dates, and job title)
  5. English language test results (if applicable)
  6. A summary of your skills and experience relevant to your claimed occupation

Be precise. If you worked at a company from January 2015 to June 2018, write those exact dates. If you cannot remember the exact month, ACS will ask you to clarify. Inconsistencies between your CV, employment references, and the application form will trigger a request for further information.

Upload all your documents as PDF files. Ensure they are clear, legible, and in the correct order. ACS receives thousands of applications, and they will not chase you for clarification if a document is blurry or hard to read. If you cannot read it, neither can they.

Before you submit, review everything one more time. Check that your occupation selection is correct, that all dates match across documents, and that you have included every piece of evidence ACS requires. Once you hit submit, you cannot make changes. If you need to update anything, you will have to contact ACS and request a modification, which delays your assessment.

What Happens During the Assessment Period

After you submit, ACS will send you a confirmation email with your application reference number. Save this. You will use it to check the status of your application online.

ACS typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to complete an assessment. During this time, they may contact your previous employers to verify your employment history. They may also request additional documents or clarification if something in your application is unclear. If they do, you will have 28 days to respond. Missing this deadline can result in your application being rejected.

You can check the status of your application by logging into the ACS portal and viewing your application dashboard. The status will show whether it is "Under Review", "Further Information Requested", or "Completed". Do not email ACS asking for updates before 12 weeks have passed. They will not provide one.

If ACS requests further information, respond immediately. Do not wait. Delays in providing evidence can result in your application being rejected due to insufficient information. If you cannot provide what they ask for, explain why in writing and provide alternative evidence if possible.

Understanding Your Assessment Outcome

ACS will issue one of four outcomes: Positive, Positive with Conditions, Negative, or Not Suitable.

A Positive assessment means your qualifications and experience meet the requirements for your claimed occupation. You can now proceed to apply for your 189 visa. This is the outcome you want.

A Positive with Conditions outcome means ACS has assessed you as suitable, but they have deducted years from your claimed work experience. For example, they might say "Positive: 5 years of work experience recognised" when you claimed 8 years. This affects your visa points calculation. You can still apply for a 189 visa, but you will have fewer points, which may affect your chances of being invited to apply.

A Negative assessment means ACS has determined that your qualifications or experience do not meet the requirements for your claimed occupation. You cannot apply for a 189 visa with this outcome. You can request a review, but this is rare and only succeeds if you can provide new evidence that was not available during the original assessment.

A Not Suitable outcome means your occupation is not on the skilled occupation list for visa purposes, or ACS has determined that your experience is not relevant to the occupation you claimed. Like a Negative outcome, you cannot proceed with a 189 visa application.

ACS will send you a formal letter with your outcome and a detailed explanation. Keep this letter safe. You will need to upload it when you apply for your 189 visa.

Useful Official Sources

For the most current information on ACS skill assessments and the 189 visa process, refer to these official sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an ACS skill assessment take?

ACS typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to complete an assessment from the date you submit your application. If they request further information, you have 28 days to respond, which extends the timeline.

What happens if ACS deducts years from my work experience?

If ACS issues a 'Positive with Conditions' outcome, they may recognise fewer years of experience than you claimed. This reduces your points in the 189 visa application, but you can still apply for the visa.

Can I apply for a 189 visa without an ACS assessment?

No. An ACS skill assessment is mandatory for all IT occupations on the skilled occupation list. You cannot submit a 189 visa application without a positive or positive with conditions assessment.

What should I do if ACS requests further information?

Respond within 28 days with the documents or clarification they request. Delays or failure to respond can result in your application being rejected.

How much does an ACS skill assessment cost?

The ACS skill assessment costs AUD 530 as of 2026. This fee is non-refundable, even if your assessment is unsuccessful.

Can I reapply for an ACS assessment if I get a negative outcome?

You can request a review, but this is rare and only succeeds if you have new evidence that was not available during the original assessment. You must wait at least 12 months before reapplying.

Do I need an English language test for ACS assessment?

If English is not your first language, you must provide a test result from IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or CAE taken within three years, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each band.

What if my employer no longer exists and I cannot get an employment reference?

You can provide references from former colleagues or supervisors, but ACS may view this less favourably. Provide a written explanation of why the employer reference is unavailable.

This is general information only. It is not legal, migration, financial, tax, medical, or professional advice. Always check official sources before acting.