The ACS skills assessment is essential for IT professionals who are willing to immigrate to Australia through the skilled stream. The ACS is responsible for the ACS migration skills assessment. It assesses whether your skills and qualifications are equivalent to the Australian standards required for working in the ICT sector. In 2026, applicants should monitor for updates on the wait. In this blog, you will learn about the new rules in relation to the ACS skill assessment and the ACS migration skill assessment.
Why is the ACS Skills Assessment Important for Migration?
The ACS migration skills assessment is the pathway for many skilled visas. A positive outcome means that your skills matched the nominated occupation. It contributes points to your Expression of Interest (EOI). It’s not possible to apply for visas such as the subclass 189, 190 or 491 without it. ACS is guided by SFIA to provide impartial assessments.
Early 2026 Key Holiday Closure and Processing Delays
The ACS Conference is from 19 December 2025 to 5 January 2026. No results are released during this period, not even for complete applications. After reopening, additional delays of up to 4 weeks are expected, which are on top of the normal processing times. Apply early to avoid problems with visa deadlines.
When the office reopens on 5 January 2026, additional delays of up to 4 weeks are expected. The usual timeframe for an ACS skill assessment is 8-12 weeks.
New ICT occupations were added to the ACS list
ACS broadened its occupations in late 2025. Ten new roles joined the list, now 35 in total. These are Data Scientist, Cyber Security Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Penetration Tester, etc., and some jobs in data and security.
These are additions to the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Applications for new codes will be available beginning in 2026. That allows for more routes for professionals in expanding disciplines.
Recent Changes in ACS Occupation Alignment Rules
One of the major changes in the Australian Computer Society ACS skills assessment process is that there is a more detailed occupation matching. ACS is now more thorough in checking whether your job duties really match and are consistent with the ANZSCO occupation you have selected.
Some applicants previously were able to pass by simply loosely matching the tasks. But now, ACS requires that your day, to, day activities closely correspond to the ANZSCO description. In case your duties only partially align, ACS can either decrease the assessed work experience or give a negative decision.
This update is having an impact on applicants who are under the ACS migration skill assessment, more particularly on ICT Business Analysts, Developers, and Managers. You need to demonstrate undoubtedly how your job relates to your selected occupation.
Changes To Work Experience Deductions in the Treatment of Assessment
Another significant change in the ACS skill assessment is related to experience deductions. ACS has a “skills level requirement” period for which they don’t consider your work experience as skilled.
If you have an ICT major degree, ACS can waive two years of experience. For a non-ICT or partial ICT degree, the deduction is from four to six years. Recent updates state that ACS treats these deductions more stringently and uniformly now.
This is relevant under the ACS migration skill assessment points calculation. Many applicants lose points because they misunderstand how much experience ACS will actually count.
Changes to RPL Pathway Expectations
The RPL path is still available, but the ACS is now requiring more evidence. If you are applying without a formal ICT degree, your RPL report must demonstrate depth, complexity and progression within your work.
ACS assessors now require detailed explanations of projects, the use of problem-solving, and justification of technology. General descriptions or plagiarized content may end up in rejection. This development is making the preparation for RPL critical for a successful ACS skills assessment.
Stricter Employment Reference Letter Review
Employment reference letters have always played a major role, but ACS nowadays gives them a lot more attention. According to the updated guidelines, the letter of reference should contain:
- The period of employment is clearly stated
- The exact job titles
- A thorough description of the work performed
- The company’s full contact details
- The signature of the person authorized
ACS can get in touch with the employers for verification purposes. If the information is found to be inconsistent with the details on the payslips, tax records, or LinkedIn profiles and the ACS skills assessment might be postponed or even declined.
Clarification on Self-Employment and Contract Roles
ACS has clarified the document requirements for self-employed/contract individuals. You now need stronger proof, such as:
- Client contracts
- Invoices
- Tax returns
- Bank statements
- Project evidence
Simple statements are not enough anymore. The ACS migration skills assessment requires well-supported proof that your work was legitimate, corrected, and skilled.
Processing Time Updates You Should Be Aware of
Processing times of an ACS skills assessment depend on the nature of your application. Standard applications normally get their assessment done within 8 to 12 weeks. As for priority processing, it can be much quicker.
According to the latest updates, incomplete documentation is still the major factor causing delays. Moreover, ACS doesn’t send automatic requests for missing documents.
Common ACS Skills Assessment Rejection Causes
Rejection reasons have been changed after the updating of rules, and now some rejection reasons surface more often. They are: poor occupation match, weak employment evidence, vague RPL reports, and incorrect experience deductions.
Most applicants wrongly assume that the ACS skill assessment is the same as other authorities. However, it is not the case. ICT relevance and work at a professional level are highly valued by ACS.
How to prepare smart under the new rules from ACS
Begin with the proper ANZSCO code. Then apply your CV, references and reports to that job. Use plain English and genuine examples.
Cross-check dates of employment and consistency in documentation. If you are applying for RPL, spend some time writing strong project reports.
A good ACS skills assessment application is not only a reflection of the experience, but also professionalism.
FAQs
Q. How long does the ACS Skill Assessment take in 2026?
The ACS skill assessment takes 8-12 weeks for complete applications. Expect extra delays after the holidays. Priority speeds up urgent ACS migration skills assessment.
Q. Is ACS Closed for Holidays in 2026?
Yes, ACS closes from 19 December 2025 to 5 January 2026. No results during this period. Submit early for your ACS skills assessment.
Q. What New Occupations Are Added to the ACS Skills Assessment 2026?
ACS added 10 new roles, including Data Scientist, Cyber Security Engineer, and DevOps Engineer. These boost options for ACS migration skill assessment.
