Australia’s Growing Demand for Skilled Tech Professionals: 1.3 Million by 2030!
Australia’s Growing Demand for Skilled Tech Professionals: 1.3 Millionby 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 cybersecurity 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 a 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
cybersecurity. Industry experience in cybersecurity. |
|
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 cybersecurity 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 cybersecurity. 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 cybersecurity).
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, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 How many tech professionals will Australia need by 2030?
Q.2 How many new occupations have been added to the ACS assessment scope?
Q.3 What is the Skills in Demand visa for tech professionals in Australia?
The Skills in Demand visa is a new Australian visa pathway introduced by the Department of Home Affairs to address the country's growing tech talent shortage, offering skilled tech professionals in cybersecurity, data analysis, and related fields new opportunities to work and migrate to Australia.
Q.4 What are the eligibility criteria for ACS assessment for a Data Scientist in Australia?
To be eligible for ACS assessment as a Data Scientist (ANZSCO 224115) in Australia, applicants must hold a qualification in data science or an associated field and have a minimum of 2 years of work experience in data-driven roles.
Q.5 When did the new ACS assessment portal changes take effect in Australia?
The new ACS website and assessment portal upgrades were planned to take effect on January 15, 2025, with ACS actively upgrading its systems, processes, and team to support both applicants and migration agents through the expanded assessment scope.