Young IT Professional Needs Advise On Immigration

Hi,

I'm an IT Specialist working in Jordan for an American Federal Agency (Peace Corps) for the last three years, I'm married, I have no kids, and not planning to have any in the near future. I need sincere advise whether my case would stand for Immigration under the Skilled Independent Category of Australian Immigration. I'm well informed about the requirements and the procedures as I have read almost all of the manuals and booklets in regard to my case, both of ACS and DIMIA. What I lack though is a clear and concise vision of Australians way of thinking when evaluating people and experiences, bearing in mind that I'm 25 years old.

My case is as follows:

Qualification:
- Bachelor Degree in Computer Science and Information Systems from a University in Jordan (4 Years of study)

Experience - Professional Level:
I have 4 years of experience as a Computing Professional (Systems Manager) ASCO Code 2231-11.

However, one year out of the 4 years of experience is prior to qualification, which based on ACS FAQ would be considered; as you can read below:

source: https://www.acs.org.au/assessment/migrationassmt.htm
"33. Does my work experience need to be post qualification?
No, IT experience at professional level gained prior to a qualification will be considered."

To elaborate more on my experience:

One year (2001-2002): (Prior to qualification, in my senior year at University) I worked as a Network Administrator and Technical Support Manager, I was in charge of the Technical Support department at the Computer and Networking Company I worked for as well as being in charge of designing, configuring and installing networks for the clients, in terms of both hardware and software systems. I used to work Full-time for 7 hours, 6 days a week, from 2:00pm till 9:00pm (A total of 42 hours a week)

Three years (2002-2005 currently): (Post qualification) I work as an IT Specialist (a job that required 4 years of experience) I report directly to Washington D.C headquarters, my job classification under the United States Government is at an expert level, I perform the following tasks:

- Network Administration (LAN/WAN)
- Database Administration (Two SQL databases)
- Systems Management (24 computers in two sites running WinNT, Win2000, Win2003 Server, SBS, ISA 2003, Exchange, Active Directory, etc...)
- Technical Support (Software and Hardware)
- IT Training for staff on the use of Microsoft Office, Internet and Software applications)
- IT Security Officer (DMZ, Firewalls and logs)
- Applications Development (HTML and JavaScript based)

I've been sent twice to Washington D.C to attend Information Technology Training.

Points Test:
Based on the points test I have collected 125 Points, the Pass Mark for the category I'm applying for is 120 Points.

Skill: 60 Points
Age: 30 Points
English language ability: 20 Points
Specific work experience: 10 Points
Occupation in demand/job offer: Zero Points
Australian qualifications: Zero Points
Regional Australia: Zero Points
State/Territory sponsorship: Zero Points
Spouse Skills: Zero Points
Bonus points: 5 Points (Fluency in one of Australia's community languages - Arabic/Lebanese)
Relationship: Zero Points

Total: 125 Points

Considering the fact that I’m on the extreme end of the eligibility scale in terms of experience,

Do I have a chance of getting a "Suitable" skills assessment from the ACS? and if so,
Do I have a chance of getting my immigration application accepted? (Again, I’m 25 years old)

I’d be grateful for any advise I could get, and I would gladly clarify anything in regard to this issue.

P.S: Both my spouse (22 years old, less than vocational English ability) and myself are Jordanian Citizens, we both hold a 4 years bachelor degree.

You can contact me at: rani.hasan@gmail.com

Regards,
Rani

Hi Rani,


I don't know much about ACS but if you meet the guidelines set by them then don;t worry you'll be alright. Just go for it as this is a basic element of your application.

Do you have IELTS? you would need original IELTS score card for applying.
For fluency in the regional language please do check that you meet the required cirteria and have relevant documentation or not.

Apart from the above consideration the points you are claiming are the ones usually claimed by all engineers/CS people with about 4 years of experience and they do get approval so don;t worry just complete all the pre-requisites and submitt the application and hope for a good news.

You can also choose the expensive way of hiring an immigration consultant to represent you if it makes you feel better.

regards,
Shoaib

Dear Shoaib,

Thanks a lot for your valuable advise and encouragement.

As for my IELTS, I haven't taken the test yet, but I'm pretty confidant about my ability of achieving the band score DIMIA are requesting, I'll take the exam as soon as I get my positive ACS assessment -insha'la-.

It's really great to know that the pointes I'm claming are about what most engineers/CS people are claming -when they have 4 years of experience-and yet they get approved

Based on the information you laid out, and on everything I have read so far, I guess I better start preparing my pre-requisites and submit my ACS assessment application. Which I think I can handle by myself, rather than having an -expensive- immigration agent helping me out.

Thanks a lot Sohaib, you have been of a great help,

Regards,
Rani Hasan

Email: rani.hasan@gmail.com

Aoa Shoaib and RaniHassan.

I just want to know that according to my information the ACS will assess the application of membership if applicant have 6 yrs of prior experience.

As i read in a FAQ

19. I have recently completed a Diploma in IT here in Australia, am I eligible?

Unless you have 6 years work experience you would not be eligible for assessment, the work exemption regulation applies only to persons holding an Australian Bachelor degree/Graduate Diploma/Masters degree in IT.

u may find it at http://www.acs.org.au/ and then click option Assesment For Migration and then FAQ.


I want to be clear on this issue. I hope that you will further investigate the matter and let me know.

Rao

Dear Rao166,

Thanks for your effort to clarify the experience issue, although what you have just said is actually mentioned in the FAQ, it doesn't relate to my case, and that's simply because I'm in the Group A classification; which an IT Professional would be classified into if he/she meets any of a different set of rules one of which:

Source (ACS Current Guidelines - Procedures Information Manual (PIM 2):
https://www.acs.org.au/assessment/docs/ ... y_2005.pdf (January-2005)

GROUP A
Qualifications Criteria

- an overseas qualification assessed as being comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree, or Graduate Diploma, or higher degree qualification, with a major in IT;

GROUP A
Experience Criteria
Applicants in Group A must have at least four (4) equivalent years of full-time relevant IT professional experience prior to the date of their application for Pre Application Skills Assessment (PASA).

As for what you have mentioned in the FAQ, that's the requriement for Group B:

GROUP B
Qualifications Criteria

- an Australian AQF Diploma or Australian AQF Advanced Diploma with a major in IT, or an Australian Bachelor degree, or Graduate Diploma, or higher qualification with a minor (submajor) in IT; or
- an overseas qualification assessed as being comparable to an Australian AQF Diploma or an Australian AQF Advanced Diploma with a major in IT, or an Australian Bachelor degree, or Graduate Diploma, or higher qualification with a minor (sub-major) in information technology;

GROUP B
Experience Criteria
Applicants in Group B must have at least six (6) equivalent years of full-time relevant IT professional experience prior to the date of their application for PASA.

Now, as I have posted before, I have a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science and Information Systems from a University in Jordan (4 Years of study), which puts me into Group A.

I hope I was clear, and that I was accurate, if not, then please do correct me. As I'm counting on my four years of experience to fulfill both ACS and DIMIA prerequisites.

Regards,
Rani

The rules are clear if you have a Australian Diploma in IT then you need to have 6 years of experience but they are different if you have a bachelor in CS.

Thanks Ranihassan and shoaib.

I have done B.Sc in Civil Engineering and Masters in Computer Science.
Can you plz tell me where i fall, in Category A, or in Category B.

Thanks
Rao