alexa7

Hi. We are getting everything ready to send off to ACS. But I have couple of questions, would really appreciate if somebody could give me some advise.
On immi.gov.au site it says that you should have at least 3 out of 4 years experience for 60 points occupation. Which I have (I worked for 3 years after uni where I graduated with computer degree) but in ACS guidelines it says that only groups A,B and C will be assessed as acceptable. For group A you need at least 4 years experience in ICT but I have only 3 does it mean that I will be assessed as unsuitable? Could I count my placement year where I worked full time as an extra year? (but then I went back to uni for another year before graduating)…
It seems hat 2 websites contradict each other, immi says you can have 3 out 4 and ACS says you should have 4! Help!!!!!!!
Another thing is I can't really place myself having any particular specialisation, I'm doing different bits and bobs, if I put my ASCO code as Computing Professionals not elsewhere classified do I have to explain what other particular specialisation do I have? Because I work with different things and don't really have anything particular more then other…
Thanks a lot for your replies in advance!!!

welshtony

To make a valid application, before immigration even look at your points, you must nominate your occupation and supply evidence of a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing body. ACS need a minimum of 4 years of IT experience unless it is a recognised Australian Qualification. This 4 years for ACS does not have to be recent experience except if you want to get assessed against a MODL - then at least 12 months MODL experience would have to be in the last 4 years. ACS are unlikely to count your placement year as it will be considered to be part of your course.

So these requirements are independent of Immigration requirements. Immigration then require 12 months recent skilled work experience in ANY skilled occupation, to meet threshold requirements, again, before they even look at the points test. When we finally get to the points test assessment, they would then award 10 points if you had 3 years experience, in the last 4 year period, working as a Computer Professional (or closely related occupation) or 05 points if you had 3 years out of 4 working in a different skilled occupation (that was not closely related to a Computer Professional).

As for your occupational coding, you can put whatever you think it is, ACS will assess your most recent IT experience and classify (code) it as they see fit.

So immigration are saying they just NEED 12 months recent skilled work experience in ANY skilled occupation in the last 18 months as well as a suitable skills assessment. The 3 years in the last 4 is needed by you if you need the extra 5 or 10 points for Specific Work Experience. ACS are saying they need, for example, an IT Degree plus minimum of 4 years skilled IT experience to recognise you for Immigration purposes, but this 4 years does not have to be recent, just skilled.

If you have a degree, you may have other visa options by getting assessed by VETASSESS for a 50 point occupation.

Regards


Tony Coates
MARN 0635896

alexa7

does it mean that even though i worked 1 year full time before coming back to uni for the final year they won't count it as a full time cos it was during my education?

welshtony

I think it unlikely, up to you to convince them that after 2 years study you were working at a skill level that would normally require a degree.

Have a look at their site www.acs.org.au and their guidelines explain their process. see FAQ - it states there that experience does not have to be post qualification, they will consider pre-qualification experience and will ook closely at the detail provided in the reference letter, however, my opinion is that they are unlikely to accept Course placement experience as skilled. OF course, I do not have the details and it may be that you can convince them - as long as you are aware of the risk.

Regards


Tony Coates
MARN 0635896

alexa7

thanks a lot...I was working as technical support and it was pretty easy after 2 years at uni so hopefully they'll look at it like that as well...
So would i have to write all this in a resume or should i write an aditionall letter where i would explain everything?

welshtony

Would be good to match your resume to the references and/or vice versa - but from what you say, I would still be doubtful that your technical support at that stage in your career would be recognised as Skilled IT experience - again, the FAQ on experience on their web-site gives some guidance.

Regards


Tony Coates
MARN 0635896

George Lombard

Hi Alexa,

I think you ought to run the details past an agent professionally. Peter Chiam, Tony, myself, Alan Collett are all experienced in this area so take your pick and I think you're prima facie in a very difficult area. Whether ACS would be satisfied with your experience would, I'm sure, depend on your presentation of the evidence.

Cheers,

George Lombard

sssstew

Yep agreed, my first year in first level support for a database company was discarded as being not auitable, so be careful.

alexa7

noooooo. so what did you do?
I studied for 2 years in IT then took placement year to work as IT Security Operations Analyst (to be precise) and then came back to uni for a year. then i worked for another 3 years...
do you think i have a chance? what do i do to get a supporting letter right so they accept that year?

sssstew

I had to lodge a new application (another £150!) because when they discounted my first years employment it left me 3 months short of the required 6 years. Since i am still in my same job 4 months after my first application i just had to get a letter to say im still here and working.

Its very pedantic, they take the date that the application is lodged, they could have just contacted my references and asked if he is still working but then that wouldnt earn them another £150 would it... sigh.

alexa7

So were you still at uni (or before uni) when you had 1st level support job? Why didn't they count it? could it depend on how detailed was the reference?
thx

sssstew

No i wasnt at Uni, it was my first job straight out of Uni. not sure exactly why they discounted it, it was vaguely put on the result letter (Not Suitable). I had to write a Stat Dec for my first job as the company no longer exists, so i made it as detailed as i could, so im still really in the dark as to why they didnt like it.

Thats the thing about ACS, the feedback is very poor, and for a computer society they have a very slow response time to emails.

alexa7

sorry, one more question...
does it mean that if i have degree in IT i can apply to VETASSESS as "business&information professional" for example? (i would get 50 points for that which is 10 points less but it'd be simpler then applying to ACS?). How do they define "business&information professional"?

ptlabs

Don't forget: you'll be effectively getting 10 points less for skilled occupation and a further 5 point discount for specific work experience.

As George mentioned, it might be worth your while to run your IT experience past a competent agent.

Regards
Peter

alexa7

Thanks, i'm waiting for a call back from the agent...But why 5 points discount for work experience? if work experience is in IT which could be part of "business & information professional" job (how do they define whi is business&information professional btw?) then it should be ok?i would still get 10 points for woking 3 out of 4 years before applying...is that right?