The Australian Computer Society (ACS) assesses work experience for skilled migration visas. If you're an IT professional applying for a skilled visa to Australia, understanding what experience ACS accepts is essential. Your experience assessment directly affects your visa eligibility and points score. This guide explains the ACS experience requirements, how they evaluate your background, and what you need to do before applying.

What Experience Does ACS Accept for Visa Assessment

ACS evaluates work experience in information and communication technology (ICT) roles. They assess whether your experience is relevant to your nominated occupation and meets Australian standards. Not all IT work counts equally. ACS distinguishes between relevant experience and non-relevant experience.

Relevant experience is work in an ICT role that directly relates to your nominated occupation. This includes roles as a software developer, systems administrator, network engineer, database administrator, or similar positions. Your job title must match an occupation on the Australian skilled occupation list. ACS typically requires that your role involved substantial ICT work, not just IT support or basic computer use.

Non-relevant experience is work in roles that do not directly relate to ICT. This might include general business roles, management positions without technical content, or work in unrelated fields. ACS may count some non-relevant experience if you can demonstrate it contributed to your ICT skills development. However, non-relevant experience receives fewer points and is harder to justify.

ACS also recognises overlapping experience. If you worked in multiple roles simultaneously, ACS may count both periods, but only if both roles were relevant to your occupation. You cannot double-count the same time period across different roles.

Preparing Your Experience Documentation Before Assessment

Before you submit your ACS assessment application, gather detailed evidence of your work history. ACS requires specific documents to verify your experience claims. Incomplete documentation is the most common reason for assessment delays or rejections.

Start by listing every ICT role you have held. Include the job title, employer name, employment dates (start and end month and year), and a brief description of your duties. Be precise with dates. ACS will cross-check these against your supporting documents. Vague dates like "2020 to 2022" without specific months can cause problems.

For each role, gather these documents:

  • Employment reference letters from your employer or direct manager, on company letterhead, confirming your job title, dates, and duties
  • Payslips or salary statements showing your employment during the claimed period
  • Tax returns or tax assessment notices that cover the employment period
  • Employment contracts or offer letters
  • Performance reviews or appraisals
  • Project documentation showing your technical contributions

If you worked for a company that no longer exists, or your employer cannot provide a reference letter, ACS may accept alternative evidence. This includes statutory declarations from colleagues, university records if you studied while working, or professional body membership records. However, this alternative evidence is weaker and may result in a lower assessment outcome.

Translate all documents not in English into English. Use a professional translator. ACS will not accept documents in other languages. Keep copies of both the original and translated versions.

How ACS Calculates Your Experience Points

ACS awards points based on your total relevant experience. The points system is straightforward but strict. Only experience after you completed your qualification counts. If you completed your ICT degree in 2018, experience before that date does not count, even if you worked in IT roles.

ACS uses this points scale for relevant experience:

  • Less than 1 year: 0 points
  • 1 to 2 years: 5 points
  • 2 to 3 years: 10 points
  • 3 to 5 years: 15 points
  • 5 to 8 years: 20 points
  • 8 years or more: 25 points

These points contribute to your overall skilled migration points score. For skilled independent visas (subclass 189), you typically need 65 points total. Experience points are only one component. Your age, English language ability, and qualifications also contribute points.

ACS may discount your experience if they find gaps in your employment history or inconsistencies in your documentation. A gap of several months between jobs may be acceptable, but unexplained gaps of a year or more can reduce your points. If you took time off for study, travel, or personal reasons, explain this clearly in your application.

Submitting Your ACS Assessment Application

Once you have gathered your documents, you submit your application through the ACS website. The process takes several weeks. ACS typically responds within 8 to 12 weeks, though complex cases may take longer.

Create an account on the ACS portal at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. You will need to provide your personal details, passport information, and employment history. Upload all supporting documents in PDF format. ACS accepts documents in English only.

Pay the assessment fee. As of 2026, the ACS assessment fee is approximately AUD 600 to 700, depending on your circumstances. This fee is non-refundable, even if your assessment is unsuccessful.

After submission, ACS may request additional information. They might ask for clarification on specific roles, additional references, or evidence of your technical skills. Respond promptly to these requests. Delays in responding can extend the assessment timeline significantly.

ACS provides three possible outcomes: positive assessment, positive assessment with conditions, or unsuccessful assessment. A positive assessment means your experience and qualifications meet the requirements for your nominated occupation. You can then proceed with your visa application. A positive assessment with conditions means you need to meet certain requirements, such as completing additional training or gaining more experience. An unsuccessful assessment means ACS does not consider your background suitable for your nominated occupation.

After Your ACS Assessment: Using Your Result for Your Visa

Once ACS approves your assessment, you receive a formal assessment letter. This letter is valid for three years. You must include this letter with your skilled visa application to the Department of Home Affairs.

Your ACS assessment is not a visa. It is a qualification assessment. You still need to apply for your visa separately through the Department of Home Affairs. The visa application requires your ACS letter, along with other documents such as your passport, police clearance, health examination, and English language test results.

Different visa subclasses have different requirements. The skilled independent visa (subclass 189) does not require sponsorship from an employer or state. The skilled nominated visa (subclass 190) requires nomination by a state or territory government. The skilled work regional visa (subclass 491) requires sponsorship by an employer or state and is for work in regional Australia.

Your ACS assessment letter will state your occupation code. This code must match the occupation you nominate in your visa application. If you change your nominated occupation after your ACS assessment, you may need a new assessment.

Keep your ACS assessment letter safe. You will need it for your visa application and potentially for future employment verification in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs may contact ACS to verify your assessment, so ensure all information in your application is accurate and consistent with your ACS letter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your ACS Application

Many applicants make preventable errors that delay or derail their assessment. Knowing these mistakes helps you avoid them.

Overstating your experience is a common error. Do not claim experience you do not have or exaggerate your role. ACS verifies employment details with your employers. If your claims do not match their records, your assessment will be rejected. Honesty is essential.

Submitting incomplete documentation is another frequent problem. If you claim five years of experience but only provide payslips for three years, ACS will only count the documented period. Gather all available evidence before you apply.

Mismatching your job title with the occupation list causes confusion. If you worked as a "Software Engineer" but apply for "ICT Business Analyst," ACS may question whether your experience is relevant. Choose your occupation carefully and ensure your job duties align with that occupation's description.

Providing poor quality reference letters is a significant issue. A reference letter that is vague, lacks specific details, or does not confirm your job title and dates is weak evidence. Ask your employer or manager to write a detailed letter that clearly states your role, responsibilities, and employment period.

Useful Official Sources

For detailed information about ACS assessments and the skilled migration process, consult these official sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

What experience does ACS accept for skilled visa assessment?

ACS accepts work experience in ICT roles that directly relate to your nominated occupation on the Australian skilled occupation list. Experience must be after you completed your ICT qualification. Non-relevant experience may be counted in limited circumstances but receives fewer points.

How many points do I get for work experience in an ACS assessment?

ACS awards points based on total relevant experience: less than 1 year gets 0 points, 1-2 years gets 5 points, 2-3 years gets 10 points, 3-5 years gets 15 points, 5-8 years gets 20 points, and 8 years or more gets 25 points.

What documents do I need to prove my work experience to ACS?

You need employment reference letters on company letterhead, payslips, tax returns, employment contracts, and project documentation. All documents must be in English or professionally translated. If your employer no longer exists, you may provide statutory declarations from colleagues.

How long does an ACS assessment take?

ACS typically responds within 8 to 12 weeks of receiving your complete application. Complex cases may take longer. If ACS requests additional information, the timeline extends until you provide it.

Can I use my ACS assessment letter to apply for a visa immediately?

Yes, once ACS approves your assessment, you can use the letter with your skilled visa application to the Department of Home Affairs. The assessment letter is valid for three years from the date of issue.

What happens if ACS rejects my experience assessment?

If ACS rejects your assessment, you cannot proceed with a skilled visa based on that occupation. You may reapply after gaining more experience or choose a different occupation. You can also request ACS to review their decision if you believe they made an error.

Does experience before I completed my ICT degree count toward my assessment?

No. ACS only counts work experience after you completed your ICT qualification. Experience before your degree does not contribute to your points score, even if it was in an ICT role.

Can I count overlapping work experience from two jobs at the same time?

ACS may count overlapping experience if both roles were relevant to your nominated occupation. However, you cannot double-count the same time period. Each month of experience is counted only once, regardless of how many jobs you held.

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