Your Complete Guide to the ACS General Skills Assessment (2025 Update)

Vikrant Gungash
Oct 9
5 min read

By Vikrant Singh, October 09, 2025

How IT, Data Science, and Cyber Security professionals can prepare for a successful migration skills assessment

Australia’s thriving tech industry continues to attract skilled professionals from around the world. For IT, Data Science, and Cyber Security applicants, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the assessing authority responsible for evaluating skills and qualifications under the General Skills Assessment Pathway — the most common route for skilled migration to Australia.

This guide explains the complete process, key requirements, and document standards for a smooth and successful ACS application.

Step 1: Understand the ACS General Skills Assessment Pathway

The General Skills Assessment evaluates both your academic qualifications and professional experience to determine if they meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation.

Eligibility Criteria

Your eligibility depends on the level, content, and relevance of your qualification to your nominated occupation under ANZSCO. You must also demonstrate professional ICT work experience of at least 20 hours per week.

Here’s a summary of the main qualification and experience combinations:

Qualification Type	Relevance to Occupation	Required Experience
Bachelor’s degree or higher (IT Major, closely related)	Closely related	2 years in the last 10 years OR 4 years anytime in your work history
Bachelor’s degree (IT Major, not closely related)	Not closely related	4 years anytime in your work history
Bachelor’s degree (IT Minor)	Closely related	5 years in the last 10 years OR 6 years anytime
Non-ICT qualification (e.g., Math, Engineering)	Indirectly related	4–6 years depending on relevance

If your qualifications do not meet the above, you may apply under other ACS pathways such as Recognition of Prior Learning or Post-Australian Study Assessment.

Step 2: Prepare Your Required Documents

Once you confirm your eligibility, the next step is to prepare and organize your documents carefully. The ACS will not start your assessment until all documents are verified and accepted.

1. Proof of Identity

You must use your current and valid passport for identity verification. The process involves:

Scanning the QR code provided in your online ACS application portal.
Capturing a live photo of your passport using your smartphone.
Completing face verification by taking a selfie that matches your passport image.

Only original, valid, and unexpired passports are accepted. Photocopies, scanned images, or marked documents will be rejected. During verification, ensure your face is clearly visible without headwear or coverings.

2. Qualification Documents

For every tertiary qualification (Australian or overseas), you must provide two main documents:

Degree or Award Certificate, clearly showing:
- The full title of the qualification
- The awarding institution’s name
- The completion or conferral date
Academic Transcript, showing:
- All subjects and units completed
- Marks or grades for each subject
- A grading legend or key to explain the marking system

If your degree certificate has not yet been issued, you can provide a completion letter from the university confirming the date you met all requirements. For research degrees, include an abstract of your thesis endorsed by your supervisor.

If your qualification documents are not in English, they must be translated by an accredited translator.

3. Employment References

Each period of employment you claim must be supported by a reference letter from your employer that:

Is printed on official company letterhead
Is signed and dated by a supervisor or HR officer
Includes your employment dates, job title, duties, and achievements
Matches your nominated occupation description

If your employment was through a recruitment agency, the reference must be provided by the host company that supervised your work, not the agency itself. Payslips from the agency can be used as supporting payment evidence.

If you are self-employed or unable to obtain a formal reference, you must submit a Statutory Declaration or Affidavit detailing your role and responsibilities.

Avoid uploading documents such as job offer letters, employment contracts, or position descriptions, as these are not considered assessable evidence and may delay your application.

4. Vendor Certifications (Optional for DevOps and Cyber Security Applicants)

ACS recognizes certain industry certifications as supporting evidence for DevOps and Cyber Security professionals.

Examples include:

DevOps Certifications

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer
Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert

Cyber Security Certifications

CompTIA CySA+, Security+, PenTest+
ISACA CISM, CRISC, CISA, CGEIT
ISC² CISSP, CCSP, CSSLP

Your certificate should display your name, certification number, issuing authority, and issue and expiry dates. Proof of renewal is required for time-limited certifications.

Step 3: Format and Upload Documents Correctly

Follow the ACS’s strict document formatting standards:

Document Type	Formatting Guidelines
Paper-based documents	Upload high-quality colour scans (minimum 300 dpi). All edges must be visible and the document should not appear cropped.
Electronic documents	Upload the original digital file (not screenshots or altered copies).
PDF format	Combine all pages related to a single qualification or employment into one PDF file.
Password-protected files	If your PDFs are protected, upload a separate file listing the file names and passwords.

Step 4: Fees and Application Submission

Application Fee: AUD $1,450 (payable by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or PayPal).
Applications can be saved and resumed later before submission.
The assessment begins only after all documents are verified and complete.

You can start the process through the ACS Applicant Portal, where you’ll upload your documents and complete your ID verification online.

Pro Tips for a Smooth Application

Confirm eligibility before choosing the assessment pathway.
Ensure all documents are dated, signed, and consistent with your application.
Provide both degree certificates and transcripts for each qualification.
Do not submit job contracts, offer letters, or position descriptions.
Translate all non-English documents into English by a certified translator.
Keep digital copies of everything you upload for your records.

Final Thoughts

The ACS General Skills Assessment is a critical gateway for IT, Data Science, and Cyber Security professionals planning to migrate to Australia. Preparing your documents carefully, ensuring all details are accurate, and following formatting requirements can help you avoid delays and improve your chances of a successful assessment.

Always review the latest information before submitting your application to ensure compliance with current requirements.

Book free consultation

Weabide immigration services pvt. ltd. is the best immigration consultant in India with a team of highly experienced case managers who have a decade of work experience in the immigration process. We understand the complexities of immigration procedures and the importance of having a knowledgeable and experienced team by your side.

Here are some of the reasons why WeAbide® stands out:

We are committed to providing top-notch services that prioritize your satisfaction. Our case managers are well-versed in the intricacies of immigration regulations and stay up to date with the latest changes in immigration policies. With their extensive knowledge, they can effectively handle your case, ensuring all necessary documents are prepared accurately and submitted on time.
We take pride in providing personalized attention to each client. We understand that every immigration case is unique, and our case managers are dedicated to understanding your specific requirements and tailoring their services accordingly. By choosing WeAbide®, you can rest assured that your immigration process will be handled with utmost professionalism and attention to detail.
We are the leading immigration consultant in India. We have a proven track record of success, and we have helped thousands of people achieve their dream of living in Canada.