ICT Support Technician (313199) Skills Assessment and PR Pathways in Australia
Updated: 6 October 2026
ICT Support Technicians nec (ANZSCO 313199) need a skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), not the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
For permanent migration, most applicants go through TRA's Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) Program. It costs AUD 795 and TRA typically finalises applications within 120 days.
The occupation sits on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), according to the Home Affairs skilled occupation list.
That means your PR options are state nomination (190), regional nomination (491), or employer sponsorship (186, 482, 494). The Skilled Independent visa (189) is not available for this occupation.
Key takeaways
Assessing authority: Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
Main program for PR: Migration Skills Assessment (MSA), AUD 795, around 120 days
You need a relevant formal qualification. TRA does not accept work experience in place of a qualification.
You need at least 3 years of paid work in the occupation, including 12 months full-time (or part-time equivalent) in the 3 years before you apply
Visa options listed by Home Affairs: 190, 491 (state or territory nominated), 494, 482 Core Skills, 186 Direct Entry and 407
Not available for this occupation: 189, 491 Family Sponsored, and the 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream
What does an ICT Support Technician (ANZSCO 313199) do?
ICT Support Technicians nec is the "not elsewhere classified" occupation in the ICT Support Technicians unit group (ANZSCO 3131).
The Australian Bureau of Statistics describes this group as workers who support the deployment and maintenance of computer infrastructure and web technology, and diagnose and resolve technical problems.
Typical tasks in the unit group include:
Working out the software and hardware needed to solve a problem
Responding to software and hardware enquiries
Installing software and adapting existing programs to user needs
Implementing computer networks
Repairing and replacing peripheral equipment
Specialisations listed under 313199 include Applications Packager and Computer Systems Technician.
The ABS sets the indicative skill level for this unit group at ANZSCO Skill Level 2, which is commensurate with an AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma.
Your job title does not decide your occupation. Your actual duties do. If your role is mainly help desk work, compare your duties with ICT Customer Support Officer (313112) as well, which TRA also assesses.
Who assesses ICT Support Technicians for migration?
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) assesses ICT Support Technicians nec. It appears on TRA's list of occupations assessed by TRA.
The Home Affairs skilled occupation list shows the same: 313199, assessing authority TRA.
Many people assume every ICT occupation goes to ACS. That is not the case here. ACS assesses professional ICT occupations such as ICT Support and Test Engineers nec (263299). It does not assess 313199.
Submitting to the wrong assessing authority wastes your fee and time. Check the authority on the Home Affairs list before you apply.
Which visas can ICT Support Technicians apply for?
As at 6 October 2026, the Home Affairs skilled occupation list shows 313199 on the STSOL and CSOL, with these visas:
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – permanent, needs state or territory nomination
Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) – state or territory nominated stream only, provisional
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) – employer sponsored stream, provisional
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) – Core Skills stream, temporary
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) – Direct Entry stream, permanent
Training visa (subclass 407) – temporary
Subclass 489 (state or territory nominated) also appears on the list
Which visas are not available for 313199?
Subclass 189. The occupation is not on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Subclass 491 Family Sponsored stream. Only the state or territory nominated stream is listed.
Subclass 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream. Home Affairs requires a nominated occupation on the MLTSSL for this stream. See the 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream eligibility.
Occupation lists change. Check the live Home Affairs list, or RACC's searchable Australia Skilled Occupation List, before you lodge anything.
Which TRA skills assessment program applies to you?
TRA runs different programs depending on your visa, occupation and passport.
Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) Program – the program for permanent skilled migration in occupations not covered by TRA's other programs. ICT Support Technicians nec is not on TRA's Offshore Skills Assessment Program occupation list, so the MSA is the usual route for 190, 491 and 186 applicants.
Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Skills Assessment Program – for Skills in Demand (482) applicants in occupations and passport countries on TRA's TSS lists, where Home Affairs requires a skills assessment. See the TSS program page.
The MSA is not available if you are applying for a 482 or a 485 visa.
TRA's Pathfinder tool confirms which program fits your situation.
What are the TRA Migration Skills Assessment requirements?
To register for the MSA, TRA requires your nominated occupation to be:
On the MLTSSL or STSOL, with TRA listed as the assessing authority
Directly relevant to your qualification and/or apprenticeship
Directly relevant to your employment
Source: TRA MSA eligibility.
Qualification
You need a relevant formal qualification.
TRA's MSA FAQs state that:
Your application will be unsuccessful without a relevant formal qualification
Work experience does not substitute for a qualification
An occupational licence does not substitute for a qualification
TRA compares your qualification's quality, level and relevance with the Australian qualification for your nominated occupation. It needs your full academic transcript to do this.
TRA also notes that academic degrees such as bachelor degrees generally do not contain enough practical content for trade or trade-related occupations.
If you have skills but no formal qualification, TRA suggests looking into Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Employment
According to TRA's employment evidence requirements, you must show:
At least 3 years of paid work in your nominated occupation (full-time or part-time equivalent)
At least 12 months full-time (38 hours a week) or part-time equivalent within the 3 years immediately before you apply
TRA counts part-time work pro rata. For example, 20 hours a week takes two years to equal one year of full-time work.
Documents to upload
Passport identification page
Proof of your qualification(s)
Academic transcript for each qualification
Apprenticeship documents, if applicable
A completed Employer Template form for each employment period you claim
Pay evidence for each employment period you claim
Proof of self-employment, if applicable
Pay evidence
TRA's pay evidence rules differ by employment type.
Employment in Australia: at least two of the following per period – income statements or notices of assessment, three payslips, superannuation records, or bank statements showing pay from your employer
Employment outside Australia: at least two of the following per period – official government tax records, official government employment records, three payslips, superannuation documents, or bank statements
Self-employment: at least three business documents per period, such as tax documents, invoices or bank statements
TRA does not accept employment you cannot verify with documentary pay evidence. If you were paid in cash without records, that period will not count.
How much does a TRA skills assessment cost and how long does it take?
MSA fee: AUD 795, paid through the TRA Online Portal
Processing time: TRA typically finalises MSA applications within 120 days of submission, once all evidence is provided
English test: not required for the MSA
If your MSA is unsuccessful, you have 28 days from the assessment date to apply for a review through the Online Portal.
TRA reviews processing times regularly. Check the program page before you plan your timeline.
How do you apply for a TRA skills assessment?
Confirm your occupation. Compare your duties with ANZSCO 313199 and related codes.
Check your visa needs a skills assessment on the Home Affairs website.
Run TRA's Pathfinder tool to confirm the MSA is the right program.
Collect your evidence: qualifications, transcripts, Employer Template forms and pay evidence.
Register on the TRA Online Portal, upload your evidence, review it and pay the fee.
Respond to TRA requests. TRA verifies your qualifications and employment and may contact you or your employer.
Receive your outcome letter by email.
TRA calls a complete application "decision ready". Missing documents slow down your assessment.
How to get PR in Australia as an ICT Support Technician
Option 1: State nomination (subclass 190)
The Subclass 190 is a permanent visa. Home Affairs requires you to:
Have an occupation on the relevant skilled list
Have a suitable skills assessment
Be nominated by a state or territory and invited to apply
Score at least 65 points
Be under 45 when invited
You start by submitting an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect.
Being on the STSOL does not guarantee a state will nominate you. Each state and territory publishes its own occupation list and criteria. Use RACC's points calculator to estimate your score.
Option 2: Regional nomination (subclass 491)
The Subclass 491 is a provisional visa for living and working in designated regional Australia. For 313199, only the state or territory nominated stream applies.
PR comes later through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191), if you meet its requirements.
Comparing the two? Read 190 visa vs 491 visa.
Option 3: Employer sponsorship (186 Direct Entry)
The 186 Direct Entry stream is permanent. Home Affairs requires you to:
Be under 45 when you apply, unless exempt
Be nominated for an occupation on the CSOL
Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience, unless exempt
Have a positive skills assessment before you lodge, unless exempt
Meet English, health and character requirements
See RACC's guide to the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa.
Option 4: Temporary employer visas that can lead to PR
482 Skills in Demand (Core Skills stream) – a temporary visa that can lead to PR through the 186. Read 482 visa to permanent residency.
494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – a regional provisional visa. Read 494 visa to PR.
Processing priorities
Home Affairs processes 190 applications under Ministerial Direction No. 122.
As at October 2026, the 190 visa page shows onshore applicants and priority sectors (such as construction, healthcare and teaching) processed ahead of offshore applicants. Read more about Australian immigration Ministerial Directions.
Which course should you study to become an ICT Support Technician?
TRA publishes an Australian Qualifications by Occupation reference list (current from 3 December 2025).
For ICT Support Technicians nec (313199), the reference qualification is the Certificate IV in Information Technology (ICT40120).
TRA notes that:
The list is a general reference, not an exclusive list
Older versions or alternative qualifications may be accepted if they are relevant and you meet the assessment standard
International students should check training.gov.au and get advice on whether a course suits their target occupation
Remember: a qualification alone does not give you a positive MSA. You still need 3 years of paid, relevant work.
Study options with RACC
RACC's education consultants help you compare CRICOS-registered courses against the occupation you want to be assessed in, before you enrol.
Browse Courses for PR in Australia
Ask about student visa requirements
RACC's current IT courses target other ICT occupations, not 313199:
Advanced Diploma of Information Technology (Telecommunications Network Engineering) – a 2-year course aligned with the Telecommunications Network Planner occupation
Bachelor of Information Technology and Master of Information Technology – degree-level options for professional ICT occupations assessed by ACS
Each of these leads to a different occupation and a different skills assessment. Talk to RACC before you enrol so your course matches the occupation you plan to nominate.
Common mistakes to avoid
Applying to ACS instead of TRA
Nominating 313199 when your duties match another ANZSCO code more closely
Expecting to use 313199 for the 189 or the 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream
Claiming work experience without payslips, tax records or bank statements
Relying on work experience without a formal qualification
Assuming a state will nominate you because the occupation is on the STSOL
Frequently asked questions
Does ACS assess ICT Support Technicians nec (313199)?
No. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) assesses ICT Support Technicians nec. ACS assesses professional ICT occupations such as ICT Support and Test Engineers nec (263299). Check the assessing authority on the Home Affairs skilled occupation list before you apply.
How much does the TRA skills assessment cost for 313199?
The Migration Skills Assessment Program costs AUD 795. TRA typically finalises applications within 120 days of submission, once you provide all required evidence. You do not need an English test for the MSA.
Can I get PR as an ICT Support Technician without employer sponsorship?
Yes, through state or territory nomination. The 190 is permanent. The 491 is provisional and can lead to PR through the 191. You cannot use 313199 for the 189 because the occupation is not on the MLTSSL.
How many years of work experience does TRA require?
At least 3 years of paid work in the occupation, including at least 12 months full-time (or part-time equivalent) within the 3 years immediately before you apply. TRA counts part-time work pro rata.
Can I get a 485 visa with a Certificate IV in Information Technology?
Not in occupation 313199. The 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream requires a nominated occupation on the MLTSSL. ICT Support Technicians nec is on the STSOL and CSOL only.
Can work experience replace a qualification in the TRA assessment?
No. TRA does not accept work experience as a substitute for a formal qualification. If you have skills but no qualification, TRA suggests Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) with an Australian RTO.
Get advice on your ICT Support Technician pathway
Every applicant's qualification, work history and visa options differ. RACC's registered migration agents (MARN 1572961, MARN 1172003) and education consultants can check your occupation, your TRA evidence and your best PR route.
This article provides general information only. It does not replace advice from a registered migration agent. Requirements and occupation lists can change, so check the official TRA and Home Affairs pages before you apply.
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