Can I start skill assessment from ACS before completing 5 years?
To determine if you can start a skills assessment with the Australian Computer Society (ACS) before completing 5 years of relevant work experience, you need to consider the different assessment pathways offered by ACS.
Temporary Graduate
If you have recently completed an Australian Bachelor Degree or higher with a major in IT or Data Science closely related to your nominated occupation, you do not need to have any work experience to apply for this pathway24.
Post-Australian Study
For this pathway, you need to have completed an Australian Bachelor Degree or higher with a major in IT or Data Science closely related to your nominated occupation, and you must also have 1 year of relevant post-study work experience or complete the ACS Professional Year program12.
General Skills
This pathway is for experienced IT and data science professionals. Here, you typically need to demonstrate at least 8 years of relevant work experience in the 10 years preceding your application submission date. However, the exact requirement can vary based on your educational qualifications and how they align with Australian standards24.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
For the RPL pathway, you need 6 years of relevant work experience, with your most recent work experience being active or within the last 2 years prior to the submission of your assessment application. This pathway does not require any tertiary qualifications2.
Given these criteria, if you have not yet completed the required years of work experience (e.g., 1 year for Post-Australian Study or 6 years for RPL), you would not be eligible to start the skills assessment under those specific pathways. However, if you are applying under the Temporary Graduate pathway or have other qualifying circumstances, you might be able to proceed without the full work experience requirement.
In summary, the ability to start a skills assessment before completing 5 years of work experience depends on the specific assessment pathway you are eligible for and the requirements associated with that pathway.