Qualification level
ICT major, ICT minor, or non-ICT qualification. Level determines how much experience counts.
IT Occupations · 8-10 Week Turnaround · Classification Matters
ACS is the assessing authority for IT occupations.
Software engineer, business analyst, developer, ICT security specialist, cloud engineer, DevOps engineer, data engineer. ACS is one of the most efficient assessing authorities, with an 8 to 10 week turnaround for complete applications, but the classification and experience assessment rules are specific enough that getting them wrong costs real time and points.
How ACS assesses
Four assessment elements.
ACS applies specific rules to qualification and experience. Each element affects the final outcome.
Closely related vs not closely related
Your qualification must be closely related to your nominated occupation. Different assessments apply for closely related vs not closely related.
Deduction years
ACS deducts initial years of experience to account for post-qualification training period. Deduction varies by qualification and relevance: 2, 4, or 6 years.
RPL pathway
Recognition of Prior Learning for applicants without formal ICT qualifications. Two detailed key area projects plus experience assessment.
The deduction rule
Years lost before counting.
The ACS deduction rule is the single biggest factor in how many years of experience are counted for points.
ICT major + closely related: 2 yearsStrong match. Only 2 years deducted. Most experience counts.
ICT major + not closely related: 4 yearsModerate match. 4 years deducted.
ICT minor: 5 yearsLesser ICT depth. 5 years deducted.
Non-ICT qualification: 6 yearsNo ICT qualification. 6 years deducted. Remaining experience counts.
Common ACS issues
Three patterns to avoid.
ACS has specific requirements that trip up unprepared applicants.
Wrong occupation classification
Software Engineer (261313) vs Analyst Programmer (261311) vs Developer Programmer (261312). Each has different duty emphasis. Mismatch causes refusal or re-coding.
Weak reference letters
Duties listed too generically. Specific ICT duties with technologies, platforms, and responsibilities needed.
RPL challenges
RPL projects need substantial technical depth. Generic project descriptions or copied content fails.
Different ACS occupation codes open different migration pathways.
Analyst Programmer (261311), Software Engineer (261313), and Developer Programmer (261312) can feel interchangeable but have different state nomination access, employer sponsored pathways, and occupation caps. Strategic code selection before ACS lodgement is often the highest-value migration decision an IT applicant makes.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For ACS applications, book with Gurjeev Bhalla or Sourabh Aggarwal.
I do not have an ICT degree. Can ACS still assess me?
Yes, via RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning). Two detailed key area projects plus 6 years of deducted experience. RPL is demanding but viable for experienced IT professionals.
Can I change my nominated occupation after submission?
Not directly. Usually requires a fresh application. Getting the occupation right upfront is critical.
How long does ACS take?
8-10 weeks standard. Priority assessment available for additional fee, roughly half that time.
Does my ACS outcome affect my points?
Yes. ACS determines which years are skilled post-deduction. Only post-deduction years count for skilled employment points.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.