Suppose you are planning to migrate to Australia and are applying for an ICT-related skilled migration visa. You must know the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and their Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) report.

The RPL report is a document needed in Engineers Australia that helps ACS evaluate the skills and experience of an ICT professional who still needs to have a formal ICT qualification. As part of the RPL application process, you must provide an employment reference letter to support your skills and experience claims.

In this blog, we will guide you on how to write a perfect employment reference letter for your ACS RPL report.

What is an Employment Reference Letter?

An employment reference letter is a document written by a previous employer or supervisor that describes an employee’s skills, work experience, and contributions to the organization.

The employment reference letter is a crucial part of your ACS RPL report, as it gets used to validate your skills and experience claims. The employment reference letter should be written formally and professionally and include specific details about your job duties, projects, and achievements following ANZSCO codes.

Employment Criteria

Employment criteria are the requirements employers set by the Australian Computer Society ACS for potential candidates applying for a job. These criteria typically include education, experience, skills, and personal qualities necessary for success.

Employers may consider a variety of factors when setting employment criteria. Some of these factors may include the following:

Education
Experience
Skills
Personal qualities
Cultural fit
Legal Requirements
Job Duties
Industry standards

Overall, employers and network analysts set employment criteria to ensure that they hire the most qualified and suitable candidates for the job. By carefully considering various factors, employers can set standards following RPL skill assessment and RPL samples that help them identify the best candidates and ensure a successful and productive workforce.

Information you need to include for a perfect Employment Reference Letter for the ACS RPL Report

Critical information should get included when preparing an employment reference letter for an ACS RPL report. These may include:

The Applicant’s Details

The reference letter should begin with the applicant’s full name and contact details, including their current address, phone number, and email address.

The Employer’s Details

The reference letter should include the full name and contact details of the employer or supervisor providing the reference, including their job title and the organization’s name.

The Date of Employment

The reference letter should provide the applicant’s employment dates, including the start and end dates of each position held.

The Job Title and Job Description

The reference letter should clearly describe the applicant’s job title and responsibilities and summarize the essential tasks and duties performed.

Relevant ICT Skills and Experience

The reference letter should describe the applicant’s relevant ICT skills and experience, including any specific technologies, software, or tools used in the role.

Examples of Projects or Achievements

The reference letter should provide specific examples of the applicant’s achievements or projects completed in the role, highlighting any notable contributions to the organization or team.

Strengths and Abilities

The reference letter should describe the applicant’s strengths and abilities in their ICT skills and experience, highlighting any exceptional qualities that set them apart from others.

Contact Information

The reference letter should include the contact details of the employer or supervisor providing the reference, including their phone number and email address, to allow ACS to verify the information provided.

In reference letters, they need to include all the information clearly and professionally in an accurate and detailed way. The reference letter should also be signed and dated by the employer or supervisor providing the reference to confirm their authenticity and validity.

Read more: Ultimate guide to writing Career Episode 💼💼

Reference Letter Format

The format for a reference letter can vary depending on the letter’s purpose and the recipient’s requirements. However, some general guidelines can get followed to create a professional and effective reference letter. Here is a primary reference letter format:

Example of Employment Reference Letter Sample

Date: 25/04/2022

To Whom it may Concern

This letter is to certify that Mrs. Isabelle worked with Codegen Pathways Ltd. in Sydney, Australia as a full-time employee from Feb 16, 2018, to Apr 20, 2021, as an Electronics Engineer.

Below are some roles and responsibilities which she performed while in the position:

Designed and developed electronic systems using industry-standard software tools such as Altium, Eagle, and OrCAD, including PCB layouts and schematics.
Conducted testing and validation of electronic systems, components, and prototypes using various equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, and multimeters.
Participated in design reviews and provided technical feedback and recommendations to team members.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers and software developers, to ensure seamless integration of electronic systems into final products.
Contributed to developing new product concepts and provide input on proposed designs’ feasibility and technical considerations.
Maintained detailed documentation of design specifications, test procedures, and project progress following company standards.
Assisted with selecting components and materials for electronic systems, ensuring they met performance and reliability requirements.
Worked with suppliers and vendors to ensure timely delivery of components and materials for project timelines.
Maintained knowledge of industry trends and advancements in electronic engineering, sharing insights and recommendations with the team.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Sarah Lee

CEO

Outside Australian Employment and Australia Employment in short

Outside Australian Employment refers to employment experiences that occur outside of Australia. This letter can include work experience in other countries or work for international companies that operate outside of Australia.

When preparing an ACS RPL report, applicants may need to provide evidence of their work experience outside of Australia to demonstrate their skills and qualifications following reference letter samples.

Australia Employment, on the other hand, refers to work experience within Australia, including work for Australian companies, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. When preparing an ACS RPL report, applicants may need to provide evidence of their work experience in Australia to demonstrate their skills and qualifications.

Both outside Australian Employment and Australian Employment can be relevant to an ACS RPL report, depending on the applicant’s skills assessment requirements.

It is vital for applicants to carefully review the requirements and guidelines provided by ACS and provide accurate and detailed evidence of their relevant work experience, regardless of where that experience occurred.

Payment Detail

Payment details for an ACS RPL report may vary depending on the requirements and guidelines of the assessing authority. Applicants should review the information provided by ACS carefully to ensure they understand the payment process and needs.

Generally, applicants will be required to pay a fee for their skills assessment, which may vary depending on the type of assessment getting requested. The payment may also vary depending on the applicant’s location and other factors.

ACS may require applicants to pay the fee employing a precise payment method, such as a credit card or bank transfer. Applicants should review the payment options provided by ACS and ensure they don’t have insufficient documentation to make the payment.

Applicants must record their payments and any associated documentation in the employment episode, such as receipts or confirmation emails. This documentation may get required in the future for reference or follow-up inquiries for RPL skill assessment.

If applicants have any questions or concerns about the payment process for an ACS RPL report, they should contact ACS directly for assistance or can follow RPL samples. ACS may provide additional information or clarification to help applicants complete their payment and progress with their skills assessment.

Tips to Write a Perfect Employment Reference Letter for ACS RPL Report

Below are some tips on writing a perfect employment reference letter for ACS RPL Report:

Use a Professional Tone

The employment reference letter should get written in a professional tone. Use formal language and avoid using slang or casual language. The letter should be written in a business format and include the employer or supervisor’s name, title, and contact information.

Provide Specific Details

The employment reference letter should include specific details about your job duties, projects, and achievements. These details will help validate your skills and experience claims. Include information about the projects you worked on, your role, and the results achieved.

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience

The employment reference letter should highlight the relevant skills and experience you have that are related to the ICT field. Your skills could include programming languages, software development, project management, or other relevant skills.

Include a Signature and Date

The employment reference letter should include a signature and date from the employer or supervisor. It will help validate the letter and show it is a current document.

Avoid Exaggeration

The employment reference letter should be truthful and avoid exaggeration. It is essential to accurately reflect your skills and experience, as ACS may contact your previous employer or supervisor to verify the information.

Keep it Concise

The employment reference letter should be concise and to the point. The letter should be one-page maximum and include only relevant information.

Must Read: How to write a professional summary statement 📚📚

Outlines for Unacceptable Work Experience

Here are some outlines of unacceptable work experience:

Work Experience that is not Relevant

ACS does not recognize irrelevant nominated occupations or ICT fields due to insufficient work experience. For example, if an applicant has worked in a non-ICT field or a job that needs to demonstrate relevant ICT skills, this may be considered unacceptable.

Self-Employment without Sufficient Evidence

If an applicant has worked as self-employed, they must provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate their work experience and relevant ICT skills. If there exists insufficient documentation, this may be considered unacceptable.

Voluntary Work or Internships

ACS may only recognize voluntary work or internships if they provide sufficient evidence of relevant ICT skills and experience following ANZSCO codes. Considering work that is unpaid or lacks significant responsibilities, one may think it unacceptable.

Duplicate or Overlapping Work Experience

This outline is unacceptable if an applicant provides the same or overlapping work experience without following the ANZSCO field. Applicants should provide unique and relevant work experience examples and refrain from duplicating or providing irrelevant details.

Work Experience without Evidence

An applicant must provide sufficient evidence to support their work experience, or if the evidence is incomplete or unreliable, this may be considered unacceptable. ICT professionals should provide detailed and accurate evidence of their work experience, including job descriptions, employment contracts, and reference letters.

It is essential for applicants to carefully review the requirements and guidelines provided by ACS to ensure that their work experience meets the necessary criteria and also follows employment reference letter samples. If ICT professionals still determine whether their ICT qualifications are acceptable or require further clarification, they should contact ACS directly for assistance.

Must Read: The key points to prepare a CDR Report that influences the EA Evaluator 💼💼

Conclusion

In conclusion, an employment reference letter is an essential component of the ACS RPL report, and it can make a significant difference in the outcome of your application. The letter should be written professionally, include specific details about your job duties and achievements, highlight relevant skills and experience, and avoid exaggeration.

When requesting an employment reference letter, it is essential to choose the right person, give adequate notice, provide relevant information, and thank the employer or supervisor.

Following these guidelines, you can write a perfect employment reference letter to help validate your skills and experience claims and increase your chances of obtaining a skilled migration visa to Australia.

Our team of experts in CDRAustraliaVIP is here to deliver you the help and guidance you need to prepare a winning CDR report and RPL skill assessment and achieve your skills assessment goals. So why wait? Visit our website today and take the first step toward a brighter future!