Can anyone advise on ACS requirements?

[faye williams]

Hello,

 

Can anyone help???

 

My husband is an IT test analyst contractor with over 5 years experience and is educated to post grad level that is NOT related to IT. We are desperate to apply for skilled migration, but need to find out if his work experience will be enough or wether he will need to study further for an IT qualification.

 

We know he will be assessed by the ACS and have tried numerous attempts to contact them regarding this but had no reply.

 

We have also attended a recent expo to try and gain more info, but no-one will tell us anything unless we pay out over £100 for a consultation!!:arghh:

 

Does anyone have any info that may help??

 

Thanks!

[millholl]

Hi There,

 

basically...

 

If you don't have any post secondary school qualifications that are relevant to IT, then you will have to do a RPL assessment with the ACS. When I say IT related qualification I think it means at least 20% of the course was IT based.

 

In top of that, if you have no qualification you will need 8 years minimum experience, which you can prove via RPL and PASA asessment with the ACS.

 

If you contact the various Migration Agents you can get a FREE assessment of your chances, although they don't tell you much without parting with some cash. If you want them to help you with the skill assessment you're looking at parting with the thick end of £1000!!

 

I completed my RPL/PASA assessment on 1st March. It took me 50+ hours of blood and sweat but I didn't enlist any agent. My advice is download the forms from ACS, read, read and then read them again, and get stuck in. It's extremely daunting at first but once you get going, it gets easier.

 

Good luck.

[Welshtone]

Just to clarify - If you have ANY qualification, as in non-IT qualification, that is equivalent to at least an Australian Diploma, then RPL plus 6 years of IT experience are required, not 8 years.

 

Regards

 

 

Tony

[surhythms]

Hello,

 

Can anyone help???

 

My husband is an IT test analyst contractor with over 5 years experience and is educated to post grad level that is NOT related to IT. We are desperate to apply for skilled migration, but need to find out if his work experience will be enough or wether he will need to study further for an IT qualification.

 

We know he will be assessed by the ACS and have tried numerous attempts to contact them regarding this but had no reply.

 

We have also attended a recent expo to try and gain more info, but no-one will tell us anything unless we pay out over £100 for a consultation!!:arghh:

 

We recently completed an RPL assessment for the ACS (it was prior to the changes they made in Feb as regards requirements for and RPL assessment). My OH has worked in IT for over 8 years and doesnt have a qualification so basically had to do an RPL and 2 project reports. It was basically to show how you have learnt things under certain categories. We are using an agent however she gave us loads of advice on the whole process and she didnt charge us a cent. We decided to go with her anyway. There are agents out there who will give you advice and there are other agents out there who wont and expect you to pay for it. We have steered away from these agents.

 

If your husband has the relevant experience I would say to go ahead and get his skills assessed.

 

Have you tried looking at the ACS website in relation to requirements for RPL?

 

Have a look at the Pre Application Skils Assessment - it will give you details as to which category your husband might fall into:

 

ACS (Australian Computer Society) - Membership, Professionalism and Leadership for ICT Professionals and the ICT Community

[LYNMACMD]

Hi Faye,

 

My OH completed his RPL with the help of a specialist agent called PTLabs who are great. They do charge but know all the ins and outs of the process and give guidance on what to put into each section if you are on the wrong track. We know lots of IT people who have used him and have been very happy.

 

It does look like your OH will need 6 years experience along with his Degree but have a chat with PTLbas and he will clarify this for you. Peter is his name and his website is Ptlabs Consulting

 

All the best, it is a hard road but can be done, your OH will just need to put down a lot of where and what he learned in the relevant sections. If you PM me I will see if I can send you an example RPL that we got by paying $20 for, it gives some idea of what is expected.

 

Regards,

[faye williams]

Thanks all of you for such quick and helpful responses!!! We will get researching all of your suggestions and keep you posted! thanks again!!

[Guest]

You may not be interested in this route but I expect to be sponsoring up to 6 IT testers this year in Perth. If OH may be interested please ask him to email me via the PM option.

 

Jules

[Guest noskich]

Hi guys. Can anyone advise would I be eligible to apply for 2611 ICT business and systems analysts profession which has been listed on the preliminary new SOL list?

 

I satisfy the 2 year study in Australia provision - I did Master of Commerce with a major in Business Information Systems and now I am doing MComm Honours in BIS Project Management for one semester, all at the University of Sydney. I also hold a BSc degree Information Systems and Management from the University of London.

 

Here s the breakdown of the relevant subjects I have done so far at Sydney Uni (I satisfy the accreditation of ACS minimum requirement - having a major in Information Systems with one core and five advanced subjects):

INFS 5000 Business Information Systems

INFS 6001 BIS Management

INFS 6004 BIS Change Management

INFS 6012 Business Process Integration

INFS 6014 BIS Project Management

INFS 6015 Business Process Management

ECOF 6018 Elective Option 1 - Foundations of Management

 

 

Now doing:

INFS 6013 Information Risk, Governance & Assurance

INFS 7001 Business Information Systems Honours A

INFS 7002 Business Information Systems Honours B

 

I would say that for the profession in question all these are relevant and I made bold the ones I think are an exact fit for the profession.

 

Another thing I am interested in is whether I can lodge the application now since by doing the 3 semesters of my master course I satisfied the requirements for obtaining the degree master of commerce. I am wondering whether it is possible to be assessed as a group C - recent graduate before I finish the whole course of 2 years length since I am eligible for MCom degree and have a BSc degree?

 

Please let me hear some opinions especially from the people who did ACS assessment previously.

 

PS I can t afford an agent. If I could I would have contacted him/her.

Thanks,

[LYNMACMD]

I am almost certain most honest agents will give you a free first consultation Peter at PT Labs is expert on IT

[Guest noskich]

I am almost certain most honest agents will give you a free first consultation Peter at PT Labs is expert on IT

 

Hmm, if they tell you anything useful for free, than why would anyone pay them? I ll try it out. Thanks.

[Welshtone]

Look where you are without taking any professional advice, paid or unpaid ? Check out the ACS website as to what is involved with an RPL and project reports and decide whether you want to take it on or get some help to prepare it. I have never heard anything negative in relation to Peter's ACS preparation services so I would endorse Lyn's recommendation.

 

Regards

 

 

Tony

[Guest]

Hmm, if they tell you anything useful for free, than why would anyone pay them? I ll try it out. Thanks.

 

Our agent, Overseas Immigration, spent an hour with us and gave us an honest assessment of our chances & told us the basis of their assessment. They do not take on clients who they do not believe will be successful & indeed refund your money if you are not.

 

Whether you choose to then appoint them to do the hard work for you remains optional, my OH does not think he would have got through the ACS assessment without their help but he had to do a RPL.

 

Many agents give their time & advice free of charge on this forum!

[Guest harters]

Hi

 

I'm using Complete Migration Solutions in Perth, it's a Lady called Lesley who is very good and has been very helpful.

The only issue I had with my ACS application was that they awarded me a code that wasn't on the WA wanted list but CMS sorted it very quickly.

[Guest noskich]

OH does not think he would have got through the ACS assessment without their help but he had to do a RPL.

 

Yeah, I do not see how can I benefit from having an agent since my application does not involve any previous experience recognition, but solely diplomas, lists of exams taken and that s it. Very straightforward and not very much open to interpretation.

 

Many agents give their time & advice free of charge on this forum!

 

Oh yeah, where are they now? :wink:

[Guest]

Yeah, I do not see how can I benefit from having an agent since my application does not involve any previous experience recognition, but solely diplomas, lists of exams taken and that s it. Very straightforward and not very much open to interpretation.

 

 

 

Oh yeah, where are they now? :wink:

 

I think you will find Tony Coates from OE who assisted with ours did respond unfortunately I'm guessing your attitude has alienated the very people who could help you.

[claireg]

Yeah, I do not see how can I benefit from having an agent since my application does not involve any previous experience recognition, but solely diplomas, lists of exams taken and that s it. Very straightforward and not very much open to interpretation.

 

 

 

Oh yeah, where are they now? :wink:

 

Obviously not helping you, what's with the attitude?

[Guest noskich]

I think you will find Tony Coates from OE who assisted with ours did respond unfortunately I'm guessing your attitude has alienated the very people who could help you.

 

Excuse me, but I don t see any response except: go get yourself an agent. As I am the C category - recent graduate as I said from the first post I do not see how can an agent be of use regarding the application process.

 

I asked for an estimation could I be assessed for a certain profession on the basis of education exclusively. So, please if you want to help give some concrete relevant answers.

 

I can try to contact the agent for the review if it s for free, but until than would like to hear some opinions here.

 

Thanks.

[Welshtone]

Sorry Noskitch

 

I got two threads mixed up and thought I was responding to Marc who had been advised that he did not meet Group A or B and needed to undertake an RPL - so my smart comment was uncalled for. I will have a closer look at your actual query and give any opinion later.

 

Cheers

 

 

Tony

[Guest noskich]

Sorry Noskitch

 

I got two threads mixed up and thought I was responding to Marc who had been advised that he did not meet Group A or B and needed to undertake an RPL - so my smart comment was uncalled for. I will have a closer look at your actual query and give any opinion later.

 

Cheers

 

 

Tony

 

Thank you Tony.

 

PS Relevant subjects from the BSc course were:

 

Introduction to Information Systems

Information Systems Development and Management

Elements of ICT

Software engineering

Information Systems Project

 

Less relevant were:

Introduction to Business and Management

Organisation Theory

 

I also did a BA degree in Journalism with 2 relevant subjects:

Cybernetics and informatics

Contemporary information systems

[Guest noskich]

Just to add my 2 cents. I think the major problem regarding the ACS accreditation right now with regards to the preliminary SOL list published by the Skills Australia is that this list uses the ANZSCO coding system for professions while ACS still have only the ASCO categorisation.

 

Concretely, in the case of 2611 ICT business and systems analysts in the ANZSCO classification the profession is more business oriented - modeling, management, analysis, needs identification etc. :

1220.0 - ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, First Edition, Revision 1

 

Tasks Include:

 

• working with users to formulate and document business requirements
• identifying, investigating, and analysing business processes, procedures and work practices
  
• identifying and evaluating inefficiencies and recommending optimal business practices, and system functionality and behaviour
  
• using project management methodologies, principles and techniques to develop project plans and to cost, resource and manage projects
  
• taking responsibility for deploying functional solutions, such as creating, adopting and implementing system test plans, which ensure acceptable quality and integrity of the system
  
• creating user and training documentation, and conducting formal training classes
  
• developing functional specifications for use by system developers
  
• using data and process modelling techniques to create clear system specifications for the design and development of system software
  
• acting as a central reference and information source, providing guidance and assistance in the system project decision making process
  

 

While, on the other hand the corresponding ASCO code2231-13 Systems Designer is much more technical:

1220.0 - Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) Second Edition, 1997

 

Tasks Include:

 

• conducts research into user interaction with information technology systems and areas in which ease and efficiency of use could be enhanced
  
• reviews and develops computer architecture and design, computer languages, computational techniques, data communication processes, and user interface devices
  
• tests new information technology system designs and rectifies design problems found
  
• performs acceptance testing of new system components
  
• writes reports and papers describing findings for publication
  

 

I called ACS on the phone and they said that currently they only use the ASCO and they cannot comment anything about the preliminary SOL or the possible switch to ANZSCO.

 

This is the reason why I am concerned because my education so far has been more business than technology oriented. I can personally only hope that ACS will adopt the ANZSCO.

 

PS The table comparing the 2 standards can be found here: http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&ved=0CAYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ausstats.abs.gov.au%2Fausstats%2Fsubscriber.nsf%2F0%2FF30E72E1516495BDCA2575DF001C7441%2F%24File%2F12200%2520anzsco%2520first%2520edition%2520revision%25201%2520to%2520asco%2520second%2520edition%2520correspondence%2520tables.xls&ei=ebGpS4jCCI7o7APrwcy4BA&usg=AFQjCNGfiOVsmyk--ZZeYBmrK2dQPMHGiQ&sig2=H-FvIHEP5H8wyTiyHg-sqQ

 

This sheet also states that the compatibility of the profession in the 2 systems is only partial. This is a great source of uncertainty.

 

PSS You may call it wishful thinking, but I think that the profession 2611 ICT business and systems analysts will have to be more business based. There are two reasons for that: firstly the profession IT manager is not present on the current preliminary SOL, if the 2611 would be defined as more technical that would mean that there would not be any business IT profession on the new SOL at all, secondly, other than 2611 there is only one other pro-IT profession on the preliminary SOL and that is software engineering. If 2611 is to be defined as more technical than we would have 2 similar professions on the list which may lead to problems in clear-cut differentiation of the 2. I may be wrong though.

[Guest noskich]

Can anyone give any advice? Tony?

 

Thanks,

[Guest noskich]

Again - any advice anyone?

[Guest]

I suggest you start a new thread with a title specific to your enquiry & this time don't bite the hand that feeds you.

[George Lombard]

Dear Noskich et al,

 

I'm sorry, just stumbled on this thread. We do heaps of IT applications and I think in most cases we do value add for clients, but I won't push it, you'll know if you need help.

 

The question you've raised is of course not capable of resolution, given that we do not know what occupations will be in the new SOL. I think it would be a mistake to regard the Skills Australia discussion paper as anything more than a discussion paper, and there will be significant lobbying and horse trading about the eventual shape of the list.

 

However I think it's quite certain that the ANZSCO will be used for the new SOL and there will need to be transitional protocols for people who obtain positive skills assessments prior to the introduction of the new SOL but do not lodge their applications in time; it's possible that they would insist that any ASCO based skills assessment will be invalid and send you back for an ANZSCO assessment, but that doesn't seem fair.

 

If you are hoping for some greater clarity in how business analyst roles are going to be treated, you might want to look at the specified occupations at the end of the 457 occupation list, see http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/457occupations.pdf

but I know from discussions with ACS this week that DIAC hasn't involved them in definitional discussions concerning the ANZSCO, possibly because they don't want to give anything away about the composition of the new SOL. Probably that will take place after 30 April. But if it's any consolation, the definition of any SOL occupation will ultimately depend on what the assessing body thinks, since reg 2.26B of the Migration Regs gives the assessing bodies that power:

 

(2) The standards against which the skills of a person are assessed by a relevant assessing authority for a skilled occupation must be the standards set by the relevant assessing authority for the skilled occupation.

 

So the short answer is that ACS will be too busy developing standards after 30 April to talk to anyone, and unable to answer enquiries beforehand as they won't know the content of the new SOL. Best advice I can give you is to apply now, if you can.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Cheers,

 

George Lombard

 

[Guest noskich]

I suggest you start a new thread with a title specific to your enquiry & this time don't bite the hand that feeds you.

 

Did that already and received 0 replies.

 

Thanks George.

 

Just one question for you George - if ACS is going to be busy at the end of April does that mean I should not submit my application then and should wait for some time later? What do you think?

I was planning to submit the application as soon as the new SOL is published in case there are any business oriented IT professions listed.

Many thanks,