IT Skills assessment - Advice needed

[HappyCat]

I completed my Bachelor of IT degree recently. However, I didn't study for 2yrs in Australia. Therefore, I'm going to do another 1 yr. Master of IT program, starting next month.


My questions are,
1. Practically, how long does it take for ACS skill assessment?
The ACS website says, it takes 6-8 weeks. But, in practice does it really take that long?


2. Should I apply for ACS skill assessment now, or after my MIT?
I already have most of the documents ready for TR/PR. I'm thinking of getting my skills assessed now (only with BIT). So that I can apply for TR/PR as soon as I finish MIT.
The other option is to wait till I complete MIT, and then get skills assessed. But, if it takes 6-8 weeks, I might not be able to get it before my visa expires.


Thanks,
HappyCat

[Fiona]

You are on to it!!!!!!! I know of several students that dont look at this senario and end up with no time to lodge due to expiring visas. If you meet the criteria for a positive assessment then do it now.
I thought that you needed the 2 years study to meet ACS criteria also -ie to apply as a graduating Overseas student with minumum 2 years study in Australia ( Exempting you from needing work experience).
ACS do take a long while! the time frame is correct.
You must apply for TR or PR within 6 months of the completion of your 2years study.
The other thing to take in to consideration is that if you need a IELTS get it well in advance of completion of your course as there is no dates left when you get to the end of the year or book the test months in advance or you wont get a date (i know heaps of people in this situation).
Go to DIAC now and get them to extend your visa to give you the time to make an application, tel them you do not graduate until the Feb/March and need results to apply for 485/885. Let me know how you go!! Stand your ground while you are there until they give you what you are asking for!!!
Tell everyone you no to book IELTS way in advance of completion and have there skill assessments reay to go!!!! Expiring visas will be the problem for all. ( i have met heaps of recent graduates facing all of the above)!!!!

[HappyCat]

Hi Fiona,


Thanks for your extended reply.


I checked the ACS website again, and couldn't find anything about the 2yr. study requirement for a skill assessment.

Then I checked the ACS IT guidelines document, and this is the closest information I got.

"2.4.3. There is no requirement for work experience for Group C applicants who apply within six months of course completion.
The length of study in Australia and the time limit for submitting an application for an Onshore Overseas Student General - Skilled Migration (GSM) visa are not components of the PASA (Pre Application Skills Assessment) and are not assessed by ACS. These requirements are set and assessed by DIMA."

So as I can understand, 2yr. requirement is only a DMIA requirement and not an ACS requirement. However, I think I'll get this clarified from ACS before submitting my application.

And for IELTS, I did the test last month and managed to get all 7 (8.5 overall).
When I went to register last November, the General module waiting list was till February, and the Academic waiting list was on January. Even though I try to explain this to some of my friends, they just ignore it - and get shocked at the end. I have a friend who traveled to Sunshine Coast to get a recent test date. :)

If I can get the skill assessment done now (probably will), then I'll apply for TR/PR after completion of MIT.
If not, a visa extension will be the only option. (which I'm not looking forward to) :p


Cheers,
HappyCat.

[naimkanj]

Hi HappyCat,

Please let me know if you got your skills positively assessed by ACS before fulfilling the two year study requirement, or if they don't look at this requirement, i.e. i've finished my MIT in one year and willing to lodge a skills assessment application, but i can see in ACS application form that you have to tick if you satisfy the 2 year rule( Exempting you from needing work experience) as Fiona mentioned before.

Regards,
Naim

[Fiona]

You must meet the 2 year study requirement to apply...

[naimkanj]

OK FIONA,

But how do you explain the following statement in ACS guidelines:

""2.4.3. There is no requirement for work experience for Group C applicants who apply within six months of course completion.
The length of study in Australia and the time limit for submitting an application for an Onshore Overseas Student General - Skilled Migration (GSM) visa are not components of the PASA (Pre Application Skills Assessment) and are not assessed by ACS. These requirements are set and assessed by DIMA."


Best Regards,
Naim

[Fiona]

I believe though to be exempt from the work experience component for assessment you need to meet the 2 years study in Australia. DIAC do have there own criteria that may be different to that of the assessing authourity... It is always necessary to remember that alot of the information is ambiguous.Check and doudle check.. Email them it cant hurt

[naimkanj]

Well Fiona,

This is what mentioned ACS guidelines according to the degree requirements:

(a) Contain a minimum of three semesters*; and

(b) Contain a minimum of twelve units; and

(c) Contain two semesters* of full-time equivalent ICT content.


Best Regards,
Naim KANJ

[Fiona]

Thanks for the info i dont do assessments per say but do know the sooner you get it done the better.. good on you for being pro active ... so does that mean you ned to complete 1.5 years ie 3 semesters?

[dammika_1975]

Hi,
I am from sri lanka and i have submit my RPL for evaluation for ACS to last OCT 2008 via local agent so i checked with ACS and they have told me case finalced last novenber and send back to address wich has mentined in document.
Then i have spoked with mt agent and they told me it it has recieved one address in melboun some where ..
so pls guide me some one what i sholud take next action because of any how they will take my document and they will submit me ....
so pls tell me if i qulified for apply visa then can i apply direct with out any agents supports.

[dammika_1975]

if i am aligibile for apply visa after ACS evaluation can garantee PR and What is the IELTS rate for IT Professionals

[shatirgill]

Dear if you appeared in the IELTS exam so now submit your visa form / application as soon as possible.
if not so appear in the IELTS exam.

and Please help me too, which documents you had sent to ACS, if any format you may ( or any example of the reference letter, experiance letter) please provide on the forum or send to my email ( shatirgill@yahoo.com ) i will be very thankful to you.

[perthino]

possible to apply to acs for 60 points whitout having degree,only 2 years study in diploma course in it(networking administrator)????
thx

[Fiona]

No

[fasi83]

Hi all,
I have 3 years and 3 months of full time working experience as Systems Analyst and have 1.5 years part time experience during my studies. ACS shows that 4 years of equivalent experience is required for successful assessment, how can i claim my part time work experience to fulfill 4 years equivalent full time work experience?

Urgent reply.

Regards,
Faisal Habib

[GladToHelp]

The purpose of skills assessment is to determine if you have the required skills to meet the minimum standard in Australia for work.

As such so long as you have completed a Degree, it is irrelevant if you satisfy the 2 year study rule for Skills Assessment purposes.

I totally agree with Fiona, IETLTS tests and preparing Skills Assessments prior to graduation is mandatory. Currently IELTRS tests are booked until Sept/Oct in Sydney so people need to book in a time NOW.

If you are an onshore applicant under the 2 years study rule, you dont need a Skills Assesment result to apply for the 885/6 visa you just need to show at the time of application that you have applied for the Skills Assessment. The visa wont be granted of course until the result comes through.

Hence the processing time for the Skills Assessment is really irrelevent as invariably the Visa takes longer to process than the Skills Assessment.

cheers

Mark

markh@ausmigrate.biz

[soniajn]

I am an IT professional with 9 years of experience and I recently got a degree in IT. The 9 years experience was before attaining the qualification.

1. Can anyone suggest me what option should I go for, skill assessment or RPL?
2. What are the project submission guidelines for RPL?
3. Can anyone send me samples of bio-data, detailed reference letters, experience certificates so that I can be sure of the model to use.
4. Will there be any reference checks by the ACS? If yes, then how?
5. If I clear skill assessment and I choose to go to Australia on a student visa, will I be eligible to apply for PR before completion of studies in Australia?
6. How long can I stay on a 457 visa?

my email address if soniantony@gmail.com

[fmarek]

Hi Soniajn.
If you have 9 years in IT and will be able to prepare detailed employment references which incude: exact period of employment, received salary, your responsibilities (with emphasis on IT technologies used), you will receive positive ACS assessment. More details you put into reference, more chances you would have. Jut include in your application all information they require you to include (read it carefully).

In case you are not able to get some of references from your past employers, I advise you to do as I did: 1) I explained in details while I cant ask for reference from employer (sad to admint, but one of my previous bosses just refuses to give one), 2) I included job contract to show that it was full time 3) I included payslip given by accountant of this organisation 4) I explained what I was doing while on position. Wor me It was a critical moment. I covered 2 years of my working experience in this way and ACS accepted it.

Please not, I am not an expert, just sharing my own experience with ACS.

It is true, that ACS processing time takes nearly 2.5 month.

[soniajn]

Thank you for the reply. My main question remains unanswered. The question is the 9 years of experience I possess was before attaining my professional IT degree, therefore, the option in front of me is "RPL" or "skill assessment"?

[fmarek]

I think you should decide what group of qualification you are meeting with your IT degree: A, B or C (https://www.acs.org.au/assessment/docs/PIMGuidelines23February2009.pdf)

Next think of your working experience. If it full time in IT and you have documents as evidence, then you should apply for skills assessment

When I applied for skills assessment I had 6 years of experience in IT and 4 years of education. But with 2 years overlap. Experience from 2002 - 2008 and education from 2000 - 2004.

ACS recognised my education level as Group B and at the same time recognised 6 years of experience. They ignored the fact of overlapping years!

In ACS FAQ it is stated clearly:

--------------------------------------------------
33. Does my work experience need to be post qualification?
No, IT experience at professional level gained prior to a qualification will be considered. Pro-rate experience will also be included where appropriate.
--------------------------------------------------

[shatirgill]

Thank you for the reply. My main question remains unanswered. The question is the 9 years of experience I possess was before attaining my professional IT degree, therefore, the option in front of me is "RPL" or "skill assessment"?

Dear you can apply for Skill Assessment, 4 years experience is required for Skill Assessment and you have experience of 9.
It does not matter whether it is achieved before or after the qualification.

[soniajn]

I have checked with a consultant recently and I was told that I am not eligible to apply for skill assessment rather I should I apply for RPL. Is there anyone who can confirm the same?

[carlmm]

I have a q related to skills assessment by ACS. Please be kind enough to answer it.

Summary of My profile:
4 years of IT related education, full time
3.5 years of relevant IT experience, full time.

I intend to get assessed by ACS under Group A. They say that we need 4 years of IT experience for this. Though I have only 3.5 years of full-time work experience with my current employer, I have about 6 months of IT experience in a Government agency, but I wasn't being paid for it as I was working there as a trainee (full time) during the last year of my education. PLEASE let me whether I can go ahead and apply for assessment by ACS or whether I have to wait for another 6 months to complete 4 years of IT exp.

A reply would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[HappyCat]

Wait another 6 months and save yourself from the pain.

[carlmm]

Thanks!!

[bholaimmu]

Hi Soniajn.
If you have 9 years in IT and will be able to prepare detailed employment references which incude: exact period of employment, received salary, your responsibilities (with emphasis on IT technologies used), you will receive positive ACS assessment. More details you put into reference, more chances you would have. Jut include in your application all information they require you to include (read it carefully).

In case you are not able to get some of references from your past employers, I advise you to do as I did: 1) I explained in details while I cant ask for reference from employer (sad to admint, but one of my previous bosses just refuses to give one), 2) I included job contract to show that it was full time 3) I included payslip given by accountant of this organisation 4) I explained what I was doing while on position. Wor me It was a critical moment. I covered 2 years of my working experience in this way and ACS accepted it.

Please not, I am not an expert, just sharing my own experience with ACS.

It is true, that ACS processing time takes nearly 2.5 month.



I am going to apply for Skill Assessment. I have a Master Degree (MIT 2 years) from Australia and have 4.9 years (Full time) of Work experience as a Programmer. Currently I am outside Australia and want to apply for Offshore PR.

I have my previous company Experience Certificate and current company Employment certificate. Other then Employment details, Pay Slips and Education details what I have to submit for Skill Assesment.

You are talking about some References from the Employers. Is it manadatory to submit the References ? If yes then what should be the format & contents ?

Can you please explain me in details.

Regards,
Khan.

[fmarek]

I am going to apply for Skill Assessment. I have a Master Degree (MIT 2 years) from Australia and have 4.9 years (Full time) of Work experience as a Programmer. Currently I am outside Australia and want to apply for Offshore PR.

I have my previous company Experience Certificate and current company Employment certificate. Other then Employment details, Pay Slips and Education details what I have to submit for Skill Assesment.

You are talking about some References from the Employers. Is it manadatory to submit the References ? If yes then what should be the format & contents ?

Can you please explain me in details.

Regards,
Khan.

Hi

From your question I can see you haven't read ACS requirements. Why don't you do it before? Reference is a letter from your boss in free form. What need to be included as stated by ACS in their requirements. It is better to periodically check for updates before you lodge your ACS application.

[bholaimmu]

Hi

From your question I can see you haven't read ACS requirements. Why don't you do it before? Reference is a letter from your boss in free form. What need to be included as stated by ACS in their requirements. It is better to periodically check for updates before you lodge your ACS application.

Thx for your reply.

As PASA guidelines says that we need to verifiy all our Education & Employment documents. So, I am sending all the Photocopies of required Documents such as My Master Degree, Previous Job Experience certificate + Salary Certificate + Pay Slips, Current Job Employment certificate + Salary Certificate + Pay Slips, Passport Copy to my home country for verification from the Police Officer or Lawyer. Do I request them to mention anything after verifying on the photocopies such as "True Copy Verified + Officer's Stamp + Signature".

In addition to this, I am sending "Statutory Declaration" in which I am mentioning about my Roles & Responsibilities in the various different jobs. Do I have to do Notary for this Statutory Declaration as well or something else I have to do ?

My previous & current manager will never give their references. So, what shall I do ? In this case, my Statutory Declaration will work without their signature in the declaration.

Regards,
Imran.

[fmarek]

And still try your best to get paper signed by your past employer with manager details address and company logo. I had the same problem as you but not for all past jobs, only for one. And I wrote explanation letter why I am unable to give referense from that employer (law in my country doesn't requires employer to give any paper except for pay slip). I have included the paragraph from Law text, then explanation letter, then pay slip, then job contract and then detailed description of my duties there.
Why you are unable to ask for reference if you worked there?