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ACS Skills assessment update
Migration Alliance members will be interested to learn about the following ACS updates which were received today:
Dear ,
This email is a notification of up coming changes to ACS skill sassessments.
Temporary Graduate - 485
As of Oct 28, 2013, the Recent Graduate application type will change name to Temporary Graduate - 485.
The assessment criteria will remain the same –
• Bachelor degree or higher with a major in computing that is closely related to the nominated occupation.
All applications lodged on or after Oct 28, 2013, will receive a result letter stating that the result has been issued for the purpose of lodging a visa subclass 485.
Graduate Skills Assessment
As of Oct 28, 2013, the Recent Graduate wanting experience considered application type will change name to Graduate Skills Assessment.
Only applicants that hold a valid Recent Graduate or Temporary Graduate - 485 skills assessment will be eligible to apply for a Graduate Skills Assessment.
The Graduate Skills Assessment is to allow applicants that have previously applied for a Temporary Graduate - 485 to have their work experience assessed for a permanent skills assessment.
The assessment criteria will remain the same and the Skill Level Requirement Met Date will be noted as the completion date of the relevant Bachelor degree or higher on the ACS result letter.
This change will affect all applications lodged on or after Oct 28, 2013.
End of Year Closure 2013
The ACS office will close from Dec 23, 2013 and re-open on Jan 13, 2014.
Phone and email enquiries will be not be available during this time. Please refer to the skills assessment website for information.
All skills assessments not completed before Dec 20, 2013 will be finalized after Jan 13, 2013.
Due to a high number of applications at this time, we cannot guarantee any application time frames.
Kind Regards,
The Skills Assessment Team
Australian Computer Society
Web: www.acs.org.au E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Comments
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Saturday, 26 October 2013Hi Andy,
You can give us a call free of charge to discuss your options for an assessment if you'd like. We are in a position to give you fair and unbiased information, and won't charge you for speaking to us on the phone.
We'll continue to be open to speaking with students and engaging with government and migration agents, however we won't abide sustained attacks of misinformation and fear like those executed by Karl Konrad this week
I remain happy to speak to Karl and quell his fears, as soon as he returns to Sydney.
As always, should you want information about the Assessment changes please fee free to contact the ACS. -
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Thomas why don't you just simply answer the question why other skill assessment bodies are not changing their assessments?
Please don't use the migration regulations as an excuse to implement the one year work experience requirement because students are not stupid and they can see that you have not explained the rational behind this sufficiently.
If the ACS wants to bring in the one year work experience then that's fine, just say you are changing the rules for the skill assessment procedure but use the DIBP changes as an excuse to justify it.
I will be writing an article soon to educate readers what are the law changes on the 28th October. You are welcome to read it to enhance your knowledge regarding immigration law. Once students fully understand what these changes are then they will see that the ACS skill assessment change requiring one year work experience has nothing to do with these proposed laws that come into effect on Monday.
And by the way if you or the ACS can't take the heat of opinions on the Migration Alliance blogs then you may be better off not participating in them. These public blogs are for people who have thick skins where criticism should just fly over their heads as a by product of heated debates.
Please don't send me any more private emails threatening legal action. If you think these public and private threats will quell the spirit of freedom of speech, then think again. Of course we notice that you don't threaten any of the students for their heated opinions. They have the right to voice these opinions and should not feel intimidated by the ACS that they are the type of organisation that threatens some kind of action if they don't like what they here.
We are proud at IMMIGRATION NEWS to bring these stories to international students and we are proud to be the instigator of this debate for if we hadn't challenged the ACS on this matter the students probably would have just found out on Monday what the ACS plans were. It is also possible that no transitional period would have been afforded to this years graduates had this debate not occurred.
Karl Konrad
Editor
IMMIGRATION NEWS -
Friday, 08 November 2013
Hi Karl,
I just spoke to one of the skills assessment manager, I voiced my concerns since I will be graduating next July and this change greatly affects me. After asking him where ACS based the new criteria, eventually I got an answer from him that ACS has full authority to control skills assessment requirement.
"The ACS is designated by the Minister for Immigration in accordance with Regulation 2.26B (1&2) of the Migration Regulations 1994, which provides the Authority for the ACS to determine, at its sole discretion, the standards against which the skills of a person are assessed as being suitable for their nominated occupation."
Eventually I proposed a transitional period just as what they had granted for students this year to be extended to commencing students in their second last and final year. I illustrated that DIAC used the same procedure with Post-Study Work and 485 where students with their first visa applied before the changed date will not be affected. However he refused and said this is for the best of everyone. In the end, he said he would not comment any more on this issue.
I thought this is unfair. How can a non-profit organisation now chasing for $12,000 per person and be allowed? -
Friday, 08 November 2013
Hi Student,
I note you've selectively quoted from your correspondence with us.
Let me be very clear. You are not required to complete at PY. It is an option we offer to assist those people who want to build skills and be more work ready. We also pointed out that there are many pathways to permanent residency - why not ask Karl about the many and varied options open to you?
You have also said that our representative said this was "best for everyone". This was not said, and I am happy to post our full correspondence with you if you like.
I want to be clear again. If you were told by Karl, or another agent, that you could automatically have or apply for permanent residency once you got a degree, that is not the case. If you were told by Karl that you MUST complete a PY in order to get permanent residency, this again is not the case.
I understand people face challenges when they migrate to Australia, however those challenges aren't helped when people willfully spread misinformation, and I stand ready to correct people who are simply not telling the truth.
Kind regards -
Saturday, 09 November 2013
You did not answered what "student" asked Mr Shanahan, not at all!
Question 1:
Please don’t think just because we are international students we are not aware of legal system in Australia, we are just as aware as you are sir!
Please give a proper answer (no twisting), why is it that ACS does not admit any liability for these changes, and keep mentioning that DIBP introduces these changes (which they clearly didn't) and based and the immigration act, regulations and even policies ACS (and every other assessing authorities) has full authority to design, draft and implement the changes they want! Please give a proper answer to this paragraph!
Question 2:
I assume that you do know and well aware of the FACT that chances of finding a job after graduation on a temporary visa like 485 is almost NIL, as to the reason you can clearly see in the job advertisements and the employers taste towards citizens and permanent residence.
Thus, are you trying to imply that the so called “professional year” as an alternative could save us from the one year work experience? And do you realise that this course is not “FREE OF CHARGE” and international students have to spend thousands of dollars on this program?
Question 3
Why ACS resist against the idea of having a longer transitional period so students like myself who counted on the previous assessment and will be graduating next year can still apply?
These changes is a big blow to our chances of staying in Australia after graduation on a permanent basis! Are you try to make us runaway from this country after spending almost 100,000 dollars on our education?
I am looking forward and prompt and proper response. -
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Hi Cyrus,
1. The ACS has introduced changes so that assessments we issue are aligned with the changes introduced by DIBP on October 28. Rather than say to students that they had no option other than a 485 assessment, we introduced a Post Australian Study assessment, enabling students who are appropriately skilled to apply for permanent residency.
2. I can't comment on the hiring policy of employers. A quick search this morning shows most employers seek the right to live and work in Australia - the 485 Visa gives you this right. I also will not comment on why people can and cannot get jobs, as each person, job and process is different.
3. The ACS has offered a transitional period to January 15, 2014. If you had been hoping, based on what you had been told, to achieve permanent residency by using a temporary assessment, then you should have been made aware by your adviser that this was not a suitable assessment for permanent residency. Students who graduate with no other experience can gain this experience while residing in Australia on a 485 class Visa. For permanent residency, we are offering the Post Australian Study skill assessment, which offers yet another option for students to apply for permanent residency once they are appropriately skilled.
We know the costs of education are significant, however this is a matter for education providers.
Kind regards
Thomas Shanahan -
Friday, 08 November 2013
Hi Student,
I note you've selectively quoted from your correspondence with us.
Let me be very clear. You are not required to complete at PY. It is an option we offer to assist those people who want to build skills and be more work ready. We also pointed out that there are many pathways to permanent residency - why not ask Karl about the many and varied options open to you?
You have also said that our representative said this was "best for everyone". This was not said, and I am happy to post our full correspondence with you if you like.
I want to be clear again. If you were told by Karl, or another agent, that you could automatically have or apply for permanent residency once you got a degree, that is not the case. If you were told by Karl that you MUST complete a PY in order to get permanent residency, this again is not the case.
I understand people face challenges when they migrate to Australia, however those challenges aren't helped when people willfully spread misinformation, and I stand ready to correct people who are simply not telling the truth.
Kind regards -
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Hi Thomas,
Let me rephrase "best for everyone" as "favouring students", that's what he said. I like to be selective to post only relevant information and no bureaucracy and formalities in a content.
How can you say you "understand" us? Is that sarcastic or diplomatic statement? To me, it seems very provocative, especially after what ACS had brought us kindly. Even though you said Karl making money out of us for migration, he's still helping our lives. I just imagine how you all laugh in your office while we squirm and cling to our very lives. Condemnation is a very delightful sight, isn't it?
You said PY is an option, well ACS also has the option to give us time. Not only that, you have the authority, right, and our support to boot. Instead, ACS chose to professionally introduce this wise regulation to assist us in getting out of Australia.
I doubt our voices are even worth anything to you, but I hope the people in ACS still have humanity and be thankful that you were not born in a third world country, proud Australian citizens. -
Thursday, 14 November 2013
Hi Student,
Thanks for clearing it up.
When I say I "understand" you, it is because I have experience as someone whose partner has gone through the process, albeit not with the ACS or an agent. I'm not trying to be provocative, I'm merely speaking from my personal experience.
I'm not going to respond to your deeply offensive and untrue claims that I laugh in my office while you squirm. Our staff work hard every day to support ICT professionals and our members, and they deserve, as does everyone, to be treated civilly.
If you have a question about the Recent Graduate Assessment, or the new Post Australian Study assessment, these can be directed to assessment@acs.org.au -
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Hi Karl,
Firstly, I want to clear something up. You wrote a post calling me a liar, questioning my reputation and accusing me of having no substance. I sent you an email offering you a chance to retract those statements and apologise. Instead of replying, you had one of your staff call me and tell me you would refuse to reply. I take my reputation very seriously, as you do also, and I am sure that had the shoe been on the other foot, you would also ask for an apology.
This is not about freedom of speech. This is about a sustained campaign of smear against the ACS, and of personal attacks against me. I've asked you to stop personally attacking me, and you've continued to do so.
I won't answer questions on behalf of other assessment bodies, as I work for the ACS. If you want to speak to other assessment bodies, just pick up the phone and call them.
In terms of the law changes, you can write whatever you like, but people should know that they can, for free, contact the ACS or DIBP for unbiased advice. That's what I have been saying to people.
We are proud at the ACS of being a professional organisation that helps ICT professionals make the most of their career. We are also proud of our assessment teams and the great work they do. We contribute on blogs and forums like this as we want to be open and honest in our community engagement.
We don't spread fear, and we don't set out to attack people.
You can continue your attacks against us, and we'll continue to educate people so they know that they can get free, unbiased information around skills and migration from the ACS and DIBP.
Thankfully, in the last few days I've had a chance to speak with many students and clear up some of the misinformation they've been given. They are universal in their thanks for the free, unbiased information we've been providing.
As always, you can contact me on the details provided on our media contacts page, and I'm looking forward to rescheduling our coffee meeting for when you get back from Japan.
Kind regards -
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Correction
that should read "don't use the DIBP changes..." -
Sunday, 27 October 2013
I hope ACS could broaden the path to the Skill assessment by introducing alternative criteria such as English proficiency requirement which can be used as a substitute for working experience.
-
Monday, 28 October 2013
Hi Thomas,
This is the answer I got from ACS regarding previous related experience when it comes to skill assessment.
My question was "I am currently studying for my masters in business and IT. I have worked in the industry when I was in Sri Lanka for more than and year after my bachelor's degree which is also in business and IT. I will be graduating my masters in next year July.
With recent changes to skilled assessment for recent IT graduates, will I be able to get my skilled assessed without further experience ? How will the criteria and procedures will be?
The answer
"Generally the department of immigration will determine whether the experience will be accepted or not. The ACS will only assess the experience to determine whether it is relevant to the ANZSCO nominated."
This does not make any sense to me why DIAC is determining whether the experience is accepted or not for the skill assessment. I would really appreciate if you could provide me with a clear consice answer.
Regards,
Hashan -
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Hi Hashan,
The answer you've received is correct, and it's a common misconception that the ACS is the organisation that decides on your experience.
As an assessment authority, we ensure that an applicants experience matches the requirements of the relevant ANZSCO code and then issue an outcome letter. This letter is then submitted to DIBP by the applicant, and DIBP make the ultimate decision on the visa application.
Visa decisions take a whole range of factors into account, whereas assessments are quite specific.
Hope this clears it up, but if you need more info, feel free to contact our assessment teams on assessment@acs.org.au or visit www.dibp.gov.au -
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for your reply.
But what I am still confused it to get through the skill assessment for PR, can I use my previous experience I gained prior to myasters degree (after bachelors). I am actually referring to the new addition of 1 year relevant work experience to get through the skills assessment.
Thanks,
Hashan -
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Hi Hashan,
That's a question best answered by the assessment teams - they can give you advice free of charge. Just email them on assessment@acs.org.au
Cheers -
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Is this thread still live?
I have a query!! -
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Hi Vicky,
Best to email assessment@acs.org.au or call 02 9290 3422 as that is the assessment team contact details.
Kind regards -
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for your reply. As you suggested, I contacted the ACS and they asked me to send the query in writing. I hope it all goes well.
Regards
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