263111 Skills Assessment for Australian Migration

The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, or ANZSCO, is a system that categorizes all jobs and occupations in the Australian and New Zealand labor markets. For skilled professionals aiming to migrate, these codes are a foundational component of the visa application process. The code 263111 is designated for the role of a Computer Network and Systems Engineer, a profession currently in demand within Australia. Successfully aligning one’s professional background with the 263111 code is a prerequisite for moving forward with a skills assessment and subsequent visa application.

Defining the Computer Network and Systems Engineer Role

The official ANZSCO description for a Computer Network and Systems Engineer outlines a role responsible for planning, developing, deploying, testing, and optimizing network and system services. This involves configuration management, ensuring the operational readiness of network systems, and providing high-level troubleshooting for any network problems that arise. Core responsibilities also include researching network architecture, managing hardware and software, monitoring network performance, and maintaining detailed documentation for network inventory and maintenance.

Several specific job titles fall under the 263111 classification, such as Computer Network Engineer and Computer Systems Integrator. Individuals working as a Network Administrator or Network Analyst may also find their duties align, provided their responsibilities encompass the high-level design, development, and optimization tasks central to the ANZSCO definition, rather than purely operational support. The assessment focuses on the substance of the work performed, making the alignment of your duties with the ANZSCO tasks more important than your job title.

Skills Assessment Authority and Requirements

The designated assessing authority for this occupation is the Australian Computer Society (ACS). A positive skills assessment from the ACS is a mandatory requirement before applying for most skilled migration visas.

The ACS assesses qualifications based on their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) content, categorizing them as an ‘ICT Major’ (high content), ‘ICT Minor’ (significant content), or ‘Non-ICT’. This classification influences the amount of work experience you need to demonstrate.

The ACS also determines a date when an applicant is considered ‘skilled.’ This date is set after subtracting a number of years from your work history to account for acquiring professional knowledge. For instance, an applicant with a closely related ICT Major degree will have two years of experience deducted, while someone with a Non-ICT degree needs six years of relevant experience to meet the criteria. Any experience claimed for migration points must be after this ‘skilled’ date.

Required Documentation for Skills Assessment

The ACS requires specific evidence to verify your identity, qualifications, and work history. Each document must be a high-quality color scan of the original and, if not in English, must be accompanied by an accredited English translation.

For personal identification, a color scan of your passport’s bio-data page is required, which must show your full name, date of birth, and photograph. Qualification evidence includes both your academic transcript and your degree certificate or a letter of completion. The transcript must show the university, course name, subjects, and grades, while the certificate confirms the completion date.

The primary document for work experience is an employment reference letter from each employer you are claiming experience with. This letter must be on official company letterhead and include:

• Your specific start and end dates of employment
• Your official job title
• A detailed description of the duties you performed
• The hours worked per week, specifying full-time or part-time
• The country where the employment took place
• The date, signature, name, and title of the authorized person

In situations where obtaining a reference letter is impossible, a statutory declaration can be submitted. This is a legal document you write yourself, detailing your employment, which must be witnessed by an authorized person. It should be accompanied by other evidence, such as payslips, tax records, or employment contracts, to substantiate the claims made in the declaration.

The Skills Assessment Application Process

The application is submitted through an online portal on the ACS website, where you begin by creating a personal account. You will be guided through an online form to enter your personal details, qualification information, and employment history. The system will then prompt you to upload your prepared documents into the corresponding sections of the application.

Following the document upload, you must pay the assessment fee via credit card through the portal. Applicants should consult the ACS website for the current fee schedule. After payment, you can submit the application.

Upon successful submission, you will receive an email confirmation from the ACS containing your application reference number. The standard processing time for an ACS skills assessment is between 8 to 12 weeks. Once the assessment is complete, you will receive an outcome letter via email, which will state whether your skills have been assessed as suitable for the nominated occupation.

Visa Pathways and Occupation Lists

A positive ACS skills assessment opens several skilled migration visa pathways. The Computer Network and Systems Engineer occupation (263111) is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), signifying high demand and providing access to a broader range of visa options.

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a points-tested visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored. This permanent visa allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia. Because it is highly competitive, applicants often need a high points score to receive an invitation to apply.

Another pathway is the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). This is a points-tested permanent visa that requires a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. This nomination provides additional points but includes an obligation to live and work in the nominating state for two years.

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is for those willing to live and work in designated regional areas. This visa is points-tested and requires nomination by a state or territory or sponsorship by an eligible family member. It provides a pathway to permanent residency, and all these pathways begin by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect system.