ICT Security Specialist – ANZSCO 262112

ICT Security Specialists establish, manage, and administer an organisation’s ICT security policy and procedures to ensure preventive and recovery strategies are in place, and minimise the risk of internal and external security threats.
Skill Level
1
Alternative Titles
  • Security Administrator
Specialisations
  • Information Technology Security Manager
Skills Assessment Requirement

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for ICT Security Specialist is Australian Computer Society (ACS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Qualification comparable to AQF Bachelor Degree or higher with an ICT Major
    • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is closely related to the occupation of ICT Security Specialist, the following is required:
      • 2 years relevant work experience completed within the past 10 years; or
      • 4 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
    • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is NOT closely related to the occupation of ICT Security Specialist, the following is required:
      • 4 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
  • Qualification comparable to AQF Bachelor Degree or higher with an ICT Minor
    • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Minor that is closely related to the occupation of ICT Security Specialist, the following is required:
      • 5 years relevant work experience completed in the past 10 years; or
      • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
    • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Minor that is NOT closely related to the occupation of ICT Security Specialist, the following is required:
      • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
  • Qualification comparable to AQF Diploma or Vendor Certification
    • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is closely related to the occupation of ICT Security Specialist, the following is required:
      • 5 years relevant work experience completed within the past 10 years; or
      • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
    • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is NOT closely related to the occupation of ICT Security Specialist, the following is required:
      • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history.
  • ACS also recognises prior learning (RPL).
    • If the applicant has a Non-ICT Qualification that is comparable AQF Diploma or higher, the following is required:
      • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history; and
      • Recognition of Prior Learning application
    • If the applicant has no tertiary qualification and has work experience only, the following is required:
  • 8 years of relevant work experience; and
  • Recognition of Prior Learning Application
    • Note: a prior learning application requires you to demonstrate how you acquired your ICT knowledge. You must submit 2 Project Reports with an RPL application.
  • The following Vendor Certifications are accepted by ACS as comparable to AQF Diploma level qualification:
    • Microsoft Certifications
    • Cisco Certifications
  • Australian qualifications that have been accredited by ACS will most likely meet the ICT Major Criteria. However, it may not necessarily be assessed as being closely related to your nominated occupation. Therefore, it is important to ensure you nominate the correct occupation.
  • ACS will only count employment that is completed after the date you have met the ACS Suitability Criteria as Skilled Employment. This means they will not consider pre-qualification employment experience.

Important

ACS has specific requirements relating to some regions.

  • Bologna Agreement
    • If your qualification was completed in a country that is a signatory to the Bologna Agreement, please submit the Diploma Supplement
  • People’s Republic of China (PRC)
    • If your qualification was completed in China, please provide the graduation Diploma and certificate of award according to the regulations of academic degrees in PRC.
  • Pakistan
    • If your qualification was completed in Pakistan, you are required to submit an attested Higher Education Commission Pakistan copy of the award certificate and a full academic transcript.
    • If you have work experience completed in Pakistan, you are required ot provide evidence that the employer is registered with the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan and/or the Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan.
  • Philippines
    • If you qualification was completed in the Philippines, you need to supply evidence of passing the Professional Regulation Commission’s Licensure Examinations.
Potential Visa Pathways for ICT Security Specialist
ANZSCOOccupationSkills Assessment189190485 491 (State)491 (Family)186 (Direct)407 (Training)494 (regional Sponsored)482 (TSS Medium Term)
261112ICT Security SpecialistACS

Group: 2621 Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists

Description
Plan, develop, maintain, manage and administer organisations’ database management systems, operating systems and security policies and procedures to ensure optimal database and system integrity, security, backup, reliability and performance.
Tasks
  • Designing and maintaining database architecture, data structures, tables, dictionaries and naming conventions to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all data master files
  • Performing the operational establishment and preventive maintenance of backups, recovery procedures, and enforcing security and integrity controls
  • Implementing and administering database documentation, guidelines, policies and procedures
  • Testing database systems and upgrades, such as debugging, tracking, reproduction, logging and resolving all identified problems, according to approved quality testing scripts, procedures and processes
  • Accepting responsibility for the processes, procedures and operational management associated with system security and disaster recovery planning
  • Liaising with security vendors, suppliers, service providers and external resources; analysing, recommending, installing and maintaining software security applications; and monitoring contractual obligations, performance delivery and service level agreements
  • Troubleshooting and providing service support in diagnosing, resolving and repairing server-related hardware and software malfunctions, encompassing workstations and communication infrastructure
  • Preparing and maintaining documentation, policies and instructions, and recording and detailing operational procedures and system logs
  • Ensuring that the design of computer sites allows all components to fit together and work properly, and monitoring and adjusting the performance of networks
  • Continually surveying the current computer site to determine future network needs and making recommendations for enhancements in the implementation of future servers and networks
Skill Level
In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor’s degree or higher (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). At least five years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Occupations in this Group
  • 262111 Database Administrator
  • 262112 ICT Security Specialist
  • 262113 Systems Administrator
How to calculate your points (skilled visas)

To apply for a skilled visa, you need to know how many points you can score. The minimum score to be eligible for application is 65 points. However, depending on your occupation, the competitiveness, and the states you are applying to, you might need to score more points to get an invite.

Points will be given to you based on the following:

Click here to calculate your points.

189 visa – Skilled Independent Visa

This 189 visa allows you to live, work and study in Australia permanently. It is a points-tested visa. The minimum score to apply is 65 points. However, based on previous invitation rounds, you would need to achieve a higher score to have a better chance of obtaining an invitation.

In short, to be eligible for visa 189, you need to meet the following criteria:

Immigration Points

Must score at least 65 points. Due to the competitive nature of this visa, a pool mark does not guarantee an invitation to apply.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age. There is however no age limit for the 189 NZ stream.

be invited

Must lodge the EOI and be invited by the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 190 visa– Skilled Nominated Visa & Subclass 491 visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

To apply for visa subclass 190 and visa subclass 491, you need to have a nomination from the state/territory government where you want to live and work. Each State and Territory have individual requirements that must be met in order to receive nomination. (See below)

While the 190 visa is a permanent visa, subclass 491 visa gives you right to live and work in regional Australia for 5 years with a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa.

Another difference between the 190 and 491 visa is that you can only apply for visa subclass 491 if you are living and working in regional areas in Australia, while it is not a requirement if you are applying for the 190 visa.

In summary, to be eligible for 190 visa, you need to meet the following criteria:

Immigration Points

Must score at least 65 points, or higher points if the state or territory requires.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, or higher if the state or territory requires.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age.

be invited

Must lodge an EOI and be invited by the state or territory and then apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.


To check if the state/ territory government requirements for your occupation, refer to the following links

State/ Territory
Links to requirements
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Tasmania
Queensland

485 Visa – Graduate Temporary Visa (Graduate Work Stream)

The 485 visa is a work visa available to international students who have completed two years of study in Australia. It is an 18-month visa that has full work rights and full study rights. It also allows you to travel freely to and from Australia throughout the validity of the visa.

To be eligible for visa 485, you need to meet the following criteria:

Age

You must be under 50 years of age.

Education

Must have completed a two-year CRISCOS registered course(s).

Subclass 491 Family Sponsored visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

This 491 Family sponsored visa requires you to have a family member who is living in regional area to sponsor you. This visa offers pathway to permanent residency through visa subclass 191.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age.

be invited

Must lodge an EOI and be invited by DHA to apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 186 visa – Employer Nomination Scheme

If you have an employer who is willing to sponsor you, you may be eligible for a Subclass 186 visa. This visa is permanent and will allow you to live, work and study in Australia indefinitely. To be eligible for this visa, you need to have at least 3 years of working experience in your nominated occupation and a positive skills assessment. Alternatively, if you are a holder of a Subclass 457 or TSS visa, you can apply for Subclass 186 after working for your employer for at least 3 years under the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

Experience

At least 3-year fulltime work experience in the nominated occupation.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age, unless exempt.

Be Sponsored

Must be sponsored by an Australian employer.

Skills assessment

Must have a positive skills assessment. Exemptions apply for the 186TRT.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

407  Training Visa

The 407 visa a short stay visa for individuals to participate in occupational training or professional development in Australia. This visa is generally valid to stay in Australia for 2 years. Please note this visa is subject to condition 8102 which forbids work apart from the training that is specified in the visa application. You are also required to maintain health insurance whilst in Australia.

To be eligible for visa 407, you need to meet the following criteria:

GTE

You must prove that you genuinely stay in Australia for training and will depart when you complete the training.

English Level

Must have Functional English, i.e. IELTS overall 4.5 with no band less than 4, or equivalent.

Age

Must be over 18 years old.

Be Sponsored

You must be sponsored by an approved temporary activities sponsor – Can be an employer or a commonwealth agency

Health and Character

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 494 visa – Skilled Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

You can apply for subclass 494 if you have a regional employer who is willing to sponsor you. To be eligible for this visa, you must have at least 3 years of working experience in your nominated occupation and have a relevant skills assessment. With this visa, there is a requirement that you must work for the employer who is sponsoring you.

This visa provides pathway to permanent residency through the 191 visa.

Experience

At least 3 years full-time work experience in the nominated occupation.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age, unless exempt.

Be Sponsored

Must be sponsored by an Australian regional employer.

Subclass 482 visa – Temporary Skill Shortage (Medium Term) visa

The Subclass 482 visa is a Temporary Skill Shortage visa that requires a sponsorship from an Australian employer. This visa allows to your live and work in Australia for up to 4 years. You may apply for as many 482 visas as you want, as long as the employer is willing to sponsor you.

English Level

Must have IELTS overall of atleast 5.0 with no band less than 5.0.

Age

There is no age requirement for this visa.

Health and Character

Must meet health and character requirements.

Job Outlook

  • $1,932 AUD

    Weekly Earnings

  • 92%

    Work full time hours

  • Very Strong

    Growth expected in the next 5 years

  • 14% female

    Gender share

  • 42 hours

    Average full-time

  • Very High Skill

    Skill level rating

Study Pathway to ICT Security Specialist

To become an ICT Security Specialist you usually need a bachelor or postgraduate degree in a related information technology field (such as network security, computer science or cyber security). Training may also be available through Vocational Education and Training (VET). There are also a wide range of vendor and industry certifications available that may substitute for formal qualifications and can be highly regarded by employers.

Bachelor of Computer Science

  • Duration: 3 years
  • Total Course Cost Approx: $106,864 AUD
  • Completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent
  • English proficiency requirement – IELTS 6.0 overall with no band less than 6.0 or equivalent
  • Bachelor of Cyber Security

Book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find out more about your visa options and your path to Australian permanent residency or applying for citizenship.