Workforce

ACECQA pilots skills assessments for onshore migrants

Freya Lucas

Oct 10, 2022

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The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has been engaged by the Federal Government to deliver three pilot programs designed to provide greater opportunities for onshore migrants to join the workforce and address skills shortages that Australia is currently facing.

ACECQA will assist in the delivery of the following three pilots:

Pilot 1 – Faster Migrant Skills Assessments (concluded in June 2022).
Pilot 2 – Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants (currently open and accepting applications).
Pilot 3 – Employability Assessments commenced 26 September 2022.

The following information breaks down Pilot 3 – Employability Assessments.

Pilot 3 offers a free employability assessment and access to subsidised training for migrants who have already received a suitable skills assessment outcome in a priority occupation (including some facets of early childhood education and care) but are currently working below this skill level.

Participants who complete an employability assessment and training may improve their employment opportunities and secure employment in a priority occupation where there are critical skills shortages.

As part of this Pilot, migrants have access to:

A free employability assessment
One free coaching session to develop a personalised plan and to help support applicants to further develop their employability skills
Subsidised course fees for accredited training with a nationally recognised training organisation. The Australian Government will contribute 90 per cent of the course fees, up to a maximum of $3,000 (GST exclusive). Applicants will need to contribute 10 per cent towards the course fees.

Eligibility criteria

Migrants may be eligible for this Pilot if they:

have received a suitable skills assessment outcome in a priority occupation from their relevant Assessing Authority on or after 1 January 2019 and have held the suitable skills assessment outcome for a minimum of 12 months
are seeking an Employability Assessment in the priority occupation for which they received a suitable skills assessment
are in paid employment below their skill level at the time of submitting their Application Form to participate in the Pilot 3 program
have worked a minimum of 40 hours per fortnight within the last month. This includes work performed with more than one employer
are residing in Australia at the time of submitting the Pilot 3 Application Form
are on an eligible permanent visa subclass
are not registered as a job seeker or have an active referral with Workforce Australia, Disability Employment Services or the Community Development Program
have not previously completed or withdrawn from a Pilot 3 - Employability Assessment.

The application process

Step 1:

Read the Pilot 3 Employability Assessments Introductory Information Kit and Complete the eligibility checklist.

After reading the Information Kit, if an applicant is concerned that they may not satisfy the eligibility criteria, they can seek general advice about the application process and eligibility criteria before lodging their application.

ACECQA is unable to answer questions or provide advice on migration, visa or points requirements, these questions must be directed to the Department of Home Affairs. Step 2:

Prepare the required supporting documentation for the application.

Complete the application form and submit the application to ACECQA:

Via email to skilledmigration@acecqa.gov.au or
Via post to PO Box A232 Sydney NSW 1235

ACECQA will confirm receipt of the application within five business days. This email will confirm whether the application is complete or whether additional information is required to complete the assessment.

Once the application has been received

ACECQA will email applicants within five working days once their application has been received. This email will confirm whether the application is complete or whether additional information is required to complete the assessment.

ACECQA is committed to completing assessments within 10 working days from receiving all the information required.

If an application is missing information the application process will be delayed.

If an applicant is eligible and has a completed application, and if places are available, they will be invited to participate in Pilot 3. If they are ineligible, they will be notified by email.

Further information is available on the Skills Assessment Pilots web page or by phoning ACECQA on 1300 422 327. Questions can also be emailed to the Qualifications Team at skilledmigration@acecqa.gov.au

Read this information in its original form here.

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