02Jan

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Australia’s Growing Demand for Skilled Tech Professionals: 1.3 Million by 2030!

Australia’s Growing Demand for Skilled Tech Professionals: 1.3 Million by 2030!

Australia is facing a pressing need for highly skilled tech professionals, with projections indicating a demand for 1.3 million by 2030. In response, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced the Skills in Demand visa and Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL), expanding the scope of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) assessment process. This includes a significant increase in the number of occupations eligible for ACS assessments, particularly in cybersecurity and data-related fields.

Key Updates in ACS Assessment Scope

With the release of the new Skills in Demand visa, ACS’s scope of assessment has expanded from 25 to 35 ANZSCO codes, adding 10 new occupations to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals. The newly added roles include:

224114 Data Analyst

224115 Data Scientist

261315 Cyber Security Engineer

261316 DevOps Engineer

261317 Penetration Tester

262114 Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist

262115 Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist

262116 Cyber Security Analyst

262117 Cyber Security Architect

262118 Cyber Security Operations Coordinator

This expansion represents the most significant change in over a decade, with a focus on cyber security roles and the demand for highly skilled professionals in data analysis, cyber governance, and related fields.

New Visa Pathways for Skilled Tech Workers

Starting in December, new visa categories and opportunities were introduced for applicants in these occupations. ACS has been actively preparing for this transformation by upgrading its systems, processes, and team to support both applicants and migration agents. This includes improvements to the website and assessment portals, with a planned Go Live date of January 15, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria for ACS Assessment

Occupation

Eligibility Criteria

Data Analyst (224114)

Relevant qualification in data analysis or related field. Minimum 2 years of work experience in the role.

Data Scientist (224115)

Qualification in data science or an associated field. 2+ years of work experience in data-driven roles.

Cyber Security Engineer (261315)

Degree in IT or related fields, specializing in cyber security. Industry experience in cyber security.

DevOps Engineer (261316)

Relevant qualification in software engineering or IT. Proven work experience in DevOps practices.

Penetration Tester (261317)

Relevant qualification in security or IT. Experience in penetration testing or security auditing.

Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist (262114)

Background in IT security and governance. Experience in compliance and risk management.

Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist (262115)

Qualifications in cyber security or related fields. Practical experience in advising and assessing security.

Cyber Security Analyst (262116)

Degree in cyber security or similar IT qualification. Experience in security threat analysis and mitigation.

Cyber Security Architect (262117)

Specialized qualifications in security architecture. Experience in designing and implementing security systems.

Cyber Security Operations Coordinator (262118)

Qualification in IT or cyber security. Industry experience in coordinating security operations.



















Applicants seeking ACS assessment for the new occupations must meet specific eligibility criteria. Here’s a breakdown of the general requirements:

Supporting Documents for ACS Assessment

To complete the ACS assessment process, applicants will need to provide the following:

Academic qualifications (degree or diploma certificates).

Detailed employment references (to verify work experience).

Vendor certifications (optional, especially for specialized roles like DevOps and cyber security).

Proof of relevant skills and knowledge (to demonstrate industry currency).

Planned Changes and Future Support

ACS is committed to supporting applicants through this expansion, with changes to the ACS website and assessment portals set to take effect on January 15, 2025. Applicants can continue using existing pathways such as:

Post-Australian Studies (PAS)

General Skills Assessment

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

These pathways ensure flexibility for applicants, helping them align their qualifications and experience with the new roles.

Upcoming Webinars and Updates

To provide more insights into these changes, ACS will host monthly Live Q&A webinars, including one on 5th February 2025, titled Find Your Path to Migration. This is an excellent opportunity for agents and applicants to clarify any doubts about the new pathways and eligibility requirements.

For the most current updates, visit the ACS MSA Info starting in January 2025.