ItchyFeet76 Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 (edited) My husband did his ACS skills assessment last year and didn't get the desired result so we cancelled as didn't have enough points for PR and didn't really want to go down the 457 route (although this is now a possible option as my husband is terrified of taking the IELTS!). We're now considering trying again as, although ACS only recognise 3 out of his almost 7 years' experience, we're hoping the discounted time will still be accepted as being in a closely-related occupation (Computer / Network Engineer as opposed to his 262112 ICT Security Specialist / Penetration Tester), plus it's now been over a year so he can hopefully tick the "8+ years' experience" box. Question: who decides whether or not his discounted years (ie discounted as being 262112) are closely-related or not? Presumably we have to upload the actual document from ACS at some point, and they'll see that, despite his work history going back just over 8 years (in IT), ACS only gave him 3 years 18 months ago? Do we need to apply for a review of his skills assessment so they can confirm his extra experience or will the fact that he's still in the same job (and it's been 18 months since it was done) make that obvious? They gave my husband's vendor qualifications the equivalent of an AQF Diploma, but will his extra experience possibly mean they might give him an equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree? (not sure if the qualification is equivalent to x years' experience....) Many thanks in advance, Itchy-Feet Edited October 6, 2015 by ItchyFeet76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainC Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 My husband did his ACS skills assessment last year and didn't get the desired result so we cancelled as didn't have enough points for PR and didn't really want to go down the 457 route (although this is now a possible option as my husband is terrified of taking the IELTS!). We're now considering trying again as, although ACS only recognise 3 out of his almost 7 years' experience, we're hoping the discounted time will still be accepted as being in a closely-related occupation (Computer / Network Engineer as opposed to his 262112 ICT Security Specialist / Penetration Tester), plus it's now been over a year so he can hopefully tick the "8+ years' experience" box. Question: who decides whether or not his discounted years (ie discounted as being 262112) are closely-related or not? Presumably we have to upload the actual document from ACS at some point, and they'll see that, despite his work history going back just over 8 years (in IT), ACS only gave him 3 years 18 months ago? Do we need to apply for a review of his skills assessment so they can confirm his extra experience or will the fact that he's still in the same job (and it's been 18 months since it was done) make that obvious? They gave my husband's vendor qualifications the equivalent of an AQF Diploma, but will his extra experience possibly mean they might give him an equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree? (not sure if the qualification is equivalent to x years' experience....) Many thanks in advance, Itchy-Feet The ultimate decision on the work experience accepted is down to DIBP. The assessing authorities only provide an 'opinion'. That being said, DIBP will rarely consider more work experience than the opinion that the assessing authority provide. You will endure a high risk of a visa refusal if you claim more than the assessing authority opinion. You would generally have to reapply for a new skills assessment, and make a good case for the previous employment to be considered as closely related. Your husband shouldn't worry about the IELTS. There are plenty of study materials in order for him to practice. Also a lot of applicants are turning to the Pearson Testing of English which appears to be a fairer testing method and less dated than the IELTS, so that could be an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungo Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I am struggling a little bit to follow all of your post. What are the two occupations that you want to claim are closely related? Do you know the two occupation codes? I am also not sure I understand why extra work experience would upgrade diploma level qualifications to degree level qualifications? And are you thinking of doing a brand new skills assessment or belatedly appealing the previous one? It does sound like it would be a lot safer for you to spply without claiming eight years of work experience points at the moment. What point score can you reach with just the threee years? All sounds a bit complicated to me, I don't default to advising to use a migration agent, but it just feels like there could be a costly mistake made here without professional help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItchyFeet76 Posted October 6, 2015 Author Share Posted October 6, 2015 (edited) Thanks for your answers both of you, I appreciate your input. Here is an excerpt from last April's skills assessment:- "Your skills have been assessed to be suitable for migration under 262112 (ICT Security Specialist) ofthe ANZSCO Code. Your qualification has been assessed as follows: Your Microsoft Certified IT Professional from Microsoft completed October 2008 has beenassessed as comparable to an AQF Diploma with a major in computing The following employment after June 2012 is considered to equate to work at an appropriately skilledlevel and relevant to 262112 (ICT Security Specialist) of the ANZSCO Code." His IT experience started in 2007 when he was an IT Support / Systems Engineer. Can't understand why they only started counting from June 2012!?! (His first penetration testing job was in Jan 2011). So we presumed that the experience they discounted would be closely-related and thus eligible to claim points with, as the question specifically asks about experience in the designated occupation or closely-related one. The EOI we did today is for a 190 (Vic ss) and we got 45 points (inc ss). So he needs to get top marks in the English test!! ? Edited October 6, 2015 by ItchyFeet76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetMeDownUnder Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Thanks for your answers both of you, I appreciate your input. Here is an excerpt from last April's skills assessment:- "Your skills have been assessed to be suitable for migration under 262112 (ICT Security Specialist) ofthe ANZSCO Code. Your qualification has been assessed as follows: Your Microsoft Certified IT Professional from Microsoft completed October 2008 has beenassessed as comparable to an AQF Diploma with a major in computing The following employment after June 2012 is considered to equate to work at an appropriately skilledlevel and relevant to 262112 (ICT Security Specialist) of the ANZSCO Code." His IT experience started in 2007 when he was an IT Support / Systems Engineer. Can't understand why they only started counting from June 2012!?! (His first penetration testing job was in Jan 2011). So we presumed that the experience they discounted would be closely-related and thus eligible to claim points with, as the question specifically asks about experience in the designated occupation or closely-related one. The EOI we did today is for a 190 (Vic ss) and we got 45 points (inc ss). So he needs to get top marks in the English test!! Have you read sections 4 & 5 of the ACS document which explains the skilled date? https://www.acs.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/7319/Skills-Assessment-Guidelines-for-Applicants.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungo Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Thanks for your answers both of you, I appreciate your input. Here is an excerpt from last April's skills assessment:- "Your skills have been assessed to be suitable for migration under 262112 (ICT Security Specialist) ofthe ANZSCO Code. Your qualification has been assessed as follows: Your Microsoft Certified IT Professional from Microsoft completed October 2008 has beenassessed as comparable to an AQF Diploma with a major in computing The following employment after June 2012 is considered to equate to work at an appropriately skilledlevel and relevant to 262112 (ICT Security Specialist) of the ANZSCO Code." His IT experience started in 2007 when he was an IT Support / Systems Engineer. Can't understand why they only started counting from June 2012!?! (His first penetration testing job was in Jan 2011). So we presumed that the experience they discounted would be closely-related and thus eligible to claim points with, as the question specifically asks about experience in the designated occupation or closely-related one. The EOI we did today is for a 190 (Vic ss) and we got 45 points (inc ss). So he needs to get top marks in the English test!! Well looks like they might have knocked five years off because he has a diploma not a degree. In which case nothing to do with work not being relevant. Also means no way should you be claiming the work experience points. The English test is not that hard, remember it is a literacy test not an English GSCE and any literate native speaker should be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItchyFeet76 Posted October 7, 2015 Author Share Posted October 7, 2015 Oh dear.... looks like we're 5 points short then (and that's assuming OH can get 'superior' in the PET) :-( Our only other option is to reapply for the ACS and see if they come back with a different opinion, or waiting 2 years, by which time my husband will be pushing 44... It's the age at the time of application that counts though, right? (so we could apply when he's 44y11m and still get 5 points for his age). Cheers, I-F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungo Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Oh dear.... looks like we're 5 points short then (and that's assuming OH can get 'superior' in the PET) :-( Our only other option is to reapply for the ACS and see if they come back with a different opinion, or waiting 2 years, by which time my husband will be pushing 44... It's the age at the time of application that counts though, right? (so we could apply when he's 44y11m and still get 5 points for his age). Cheers, I-F The age points will be based on age at time of invitation, trouble is you don't know how long invitations will be taking in two years time and other things might have changed too. Have you factored in any points for state sponsorship? I guess you could get: 15 (age), 20 (English), 10 (diploma), 5 (work experience), 10 (regional state sponsorship) = 60. The big downside is the regional state sponsorship of course is limiting on where you can live and work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItchyFeet76 Posted October 7, 2015 Author Share Posted October 7, 2015 The age points will be based on age at time of invitation, trouble is you don't know how long invitations will be taking in two years time and other things might have changed too. Have you factored in any points for state sponsorship? I guess you could get: 15 (age), 20 (English), 10 (diploma), 5 (work experience), 10 (regional state sponsorship) = 60. The big downside is the regional state sponsorship of course is limiting on where you can live and work. Hmmm yes I think SA is the only state whose capital is actually classed as regional, and don't think there are many pen-testing jobs there. We've just applied for another assessment but this time under a different occupation (general computer something-or-other) with the hopes that the work experience they previously discounted for his security occupation will this time be relevant for the new code. He's be in IT for over 10 years so it's annoying that they only count the past 3! Also confused as to why they only started counting his skilled experience from June 2012 as he's been a pen-tester since 2011... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrussell Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Hmmm yes I think SA is the only state whose capital is actually classed as regional, and don't think there are many pen-testing jobs there. We've just applied for another assessment but this time under a different occupation (general computer something-or-other) with the hopes that the work experience they previously discounted for his security occupation will this time be relevant for the new code. He's be in IT for over 10 years so it's annoying that they only count the past 3! Also confused as to why they only started counting his skilled experience from June 2012 as he's been a pen-tester since 2011... Have you considered running your case past a registered migration agent who has experience in the area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItchyFeet76 Posted October 9, 2015 Author Share Posted October 9, 2015 Yes I think I'll have to, but we have no money spare to pay to hire them, just a free assessment I guess... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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