ASCO Codes – Australian Occupations for Migration
ASCO – the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations must be understood by migrants. Not every occupation is listed in the ASCO.
If your job is not included in the codes list, what do you do?
Two web sites provide ASCO information to help you decide the occupation to nominate for qualification assessment and a general skilled migrant visa application.
The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship web site has the Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) page. This page tells you the eligibility requirements for each ASCO occupation category, the assessing authority and skilled occupation information such as points, MODL, ENSOL and SOL.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) website provides more detailed descriptions of typical tasks for an ASCO occupation code. This information provide a definition of the occupation.
The ASCO definitions are limited to the basic disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, civil and chemical. There are few industry type definitions such as power, transport, water or railway engineers.
If you cannot find your occupation in the ASCO definitions, consider the basic ebgineering skills you use in your industry. If you call yourself a railway engineer, what do you really do.?If you are involved with rolling stock, you probably fit within the general tasks of a mechanical engineer. If you are involved in design of tracks ,your occupation is probably closer to a civil engineer.
If all else fails you can try as an engineer (nec). If you do this, you may find yourself not on any of the occupations in demand.
Study the ASCO occupation task descriptions to identify where your job fits in the ASCO classification coode system. Selecting the most appropriate occupation can improve your opportunities for a successful qualification accreditation and visa application. An accredited migration agent can assisst you to make the best decision.
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