Certification FAQs

The ACS is Australia’s recognised ICT Professional Association. ACS Certification demonstrates competence and commitment to superior service and excellence in ICT.

The major benefit is recognition:

• By employers – ACS membership and certification is widely recognised by the ICT industry and Government. ACS certified members are actively promoted to employers as being a cut above the rest;
• By customers – ACS certified members are actively promoted to the private sector, Australian Government and the wider community;
• As a true professional – ACS Certified Professionals (CP) are now recognised by the Professional Standards Act. This places ACS Certified Professionals on the same level as other established professions such as engineering, law and accounting;
• Internationally – ACS certifications were developed in alignment with foreign ICT professional associations and are also recognised by them; and
• Legally in Australia – ACS certifications are recognised by the Treasury Legislation Amendment (Professional Standards) Act 2004.

Other benefits include:

• Discounted access to business support services;
• Free access to world class professional development and ICT information resources;
• Access to exclusive networking events; and
• Use of the ACS logo and ACS certification post nominal.

The major benefit is credibility and recognition:

• By employers – ACS membership along with MACS CT designation demonstrates your ;
  
  • Commitment and adherence to ethics (important considering ICT practitioners have access to critical information).
  • Commitment to on-going professional development (important in the ICT profession where change is constant and rapid).
  • High competence in ICT, discipline and trustworthiness 
• By customers – MACS CT designation is an effective way to communication to customers your recognition with Australia’s ICT professional association. Additionally the ACS will be actively promoting the recognition of MACS CT.  

ACS certifications were developed based on the Skills Frame Work for the Information Age. This is a worldwide and the most commonly used ICT specific skills model.

ACS certifications are also accredited by the International Federation for Information Process (IFIP) and recognised by professional ICT associations in the UK, Canada and the US.

5. How do ACS certifications differ from vendor certifications, university and VET qualifications?

ACS certifications are always current. To have a CP or CT designation, individuals need to complete tasks after they’ve been awarded the ACS certification.
 
This involves continuous professional development (30 hours for CP and 20 hours for CT) every year.

Certified Professional also has a requirement for a significant amount of practical experience with a relatively high level of ICT responsibility.

6. What is an ACS Certified Professional (CP)?

An ICT Practitioner or Educator awarded and maintaining an ACS Certified Professional (CP) designation must have demonstrated high professional competency together with quality, depth and breadth of ICT knowledge and experience.

7.What is an ACS Certified Technologist (CT)?

An ICT Practitioner awarded and maintaining an ACS Certified Technologist (CT) designation is distinguished as being an expert in integrating information and communications technology. 

8. Why now?

ACS certifications have been developed in response to the rapid development of ICT, changes in the ICT profession and the development of the global economy.

They’ve actually been in the making from some time. They were created to advance the ICT profession by developing a global standard for professionalism. ACS certifications were developed in alignment with many other foreign ICT professional associations and are accredited by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP).

9. What does CP stand for?

Certified Professional

10. What does CT stand for?

Certified Technologist

11. What is required for an individual to attain Certified Professional (CP) designation?

A Certified Professional is an ICT practitioner who:

• Operates at level 5 of the SFIA Framework: Ensure, Advise and demonstrates in-depth professional competency in a SFIA skill at level 5;
• Undertakes thirty (30) hours each year of professional development to maintain certification;
• Demonstrates a breadth of ICT knowledge through the ACS Core Body of Knowledge (CBOK); and
• Has an understanding of and commitment to the ACS Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

A Certified Technologist is an ICT practitioner who:

• Operates effectively at SFIA level 3 generic capability;
• Demonstrates in-depth competence in at least one specialisation at SFIA level 3;
• Demonstrates a breadth of knowledge through the ACS CBOK;
• Understands and is committed to the ACS Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct; and
• undertakes 20 hours each year of continual professional development to maintain certification. This can include studies towards CP certification.

15. Why should individuals become certified?

To gain recognition:

• From employers – ACS membership and certification is widely recognised by the ICT industry and Government. ACS certified members are actively promoted to employers as being a cut above the rest;
• From customers – ACS certified members are actively promoted to the private sector, Australian Government and the wider community;
• As a true professional – ACS Certified Professionals (CP) are now recognised by the Professional Standards Act. This places ACS Certified Professionals on the same level as other established professions such as engineering, law and accounting;
• Internationally – ACS certifications were developed in alignment with foreign ICT professional associations and are also recognised by them; and
• Legally in Australia – ACS certifications are recognised by the Treasury Legislation Amendment (Professional Standards) Act 2004.

16.Who is eligible to apply?

All members of the ACS are eligible to apply for certification. Members are assessed based on your experience and education.

17. What is the cost of becoming a Certified Professional?

Application for CP is $330 inc. GST. Maintaining ACS certification is free, however you must complete a minimum of 30 hours of professional development each year.

Non-members must become an ACS member (and pay the appropriate membership fee) before they are eligible to apply for certification. ACS annual membership subscription:
$320 (inc. GST) for working practitioners
$160 (inc. GST) for 2nd year graduates
$60   (inc. GST) for full-time ICT students

18. What is the cost of becoming a Certified Technologist (CT)? 

Application for CT is $330 inc. GST. Maintaining ACS certification is free, however you must complete a minimum of 20 hours of professional development each year.

Non-members must become an ACS member (and pay the appropriate membership fee) before they are eligible to apply for certification. ACS annual membership subscription:
$320 (inc. GST) for working practitioners
$160 (inc. GST) for 2nd year graduates
$60   (inc. GST) for full-time ICT students

19. How will the ACS Certified Professional (CP) credentials help me advance in my career?

ACS CP designation provides recognition of high professional competence, together with quality, depth and breadth of ICT knowledge.

As the ACS promotes the value of certification, we anticipate that more employers and prospective clients will give preference to ICT professionals who can demonstrate these credentials.  This will lead to increased business opportunities and better employment prospects.

20. Can I use the ACS Certified Professional (CP) post-nominal, and what are my rights and responsibilities when I use it?

Only ACS certified members who complete the minimum hours of professional development (CPs require 30 hours and CTs require 20 hours) per year can.

Depending on your ACS membership grade, you may use the following post nominals:

• MACS CP (for Members)
• MACS Snr CP (for Senior Members)
• FACS CP (for Fellows)

Note: ACS Corporate Communications requires approval of any advertisement incorporating the ACS logo (business cards do not require approval as long as logo usage guidelines – available on the website – are followed).

21. How is the ACS Certified Professional (CP) designation maintained?

The ACS CP designation is maintained by completing a minimum 30 hours of relevant ICT professional development per year.

22. How is the ACS Certified Technologist (CT) designation maintained?

The ACS CT designation is maintained by completing a minimum 20 hours of relevant ICT professional development per year.

23. Do the ACS Certified Professional (CP) and Certified Technologist (CT) require re-certification?

No, you only have to certify one.  However, you must participate in ongoing professional development (30hours for CP and 20 hours for CT) each year.

24. Why should I keep my ACS Certified Professional (CP) status current?

By keeping your certification current, you maximise opportunities for recognition. Individuals who don’t complete the required number of professional development hours do not maintain their status and cannot promote themselves as an ACS Certified Professional or Certified Technologist.

25. How will the ACS promote certified members?

The ACS actively promotes its certified members to a variety of audiences including employers, government, industry and the wider community through various public relations and advertising activities.

26. When were the ACS certifications first announced?

In September 2010 at the World Computer Congress in Brisbane, Australia.