Certify your achievements before EOFY.

Turn this year’s growth into recognised professional credibility.

With a deep knowledge of skills assessments, Bessie Holland, Skills Manager at ACS, has steered countless tech professionals through the skills landscape. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your professional credibility, use professional development budgets before June 30, or start FY27 with momentum, Bessie’s knowledge is your inside track to understanding ACS certification.

What exactly is ACS certification, and why should tech professionals care about it right now?

Bessie Holland (BH): Great question! Think of ACS certification as professional proof. Degrees and vendor certifications show technical knowledge, but ACS certification tells employers, clients and peers that your experience, professional judgement and ongoing development have been independently validated.

And timing matters. EOFY is when professionals review goals, budgets and career plans. If you’ve spent this year building capability, certification is how you make that growth visible.

So, there are different types of certification? What are they, and how do they differ?

BH: We’ve got two core pathways: Certified Professional (CP) and Certified Technologist (CT). Both are technology-agnostic, meaning we assess your professional capability rather than whether you specialise in a specific technology stack.

Certified Technologist is aimed at emerging professionals building technical breadth and demonstrating applied capability.

Certified Professional (CP) is designed for experienced practitioners leading projects, making independent decisions and applying advanced expertise.

Both pathways recognise capability aligned to international standards and require ongoing professional development because the best professionals never stop learning.

What’s the certification assessment based on? Exams? Degrees? Experience?

BH: Here’s where it gets real. There are no formal exams.

We assess your experience, qualifications and professional practice using SFIA, the internationally recognised skills framework. You submit evidence of your work history, qualifications and real-world projects, supported by referees.

Essentially, certification is an independent validation process. That’s what gives it weight. It’s not just saying you’re capable. It’s proving it.

What are the real-world benefits once someone is certified?

BH: There are plenty!

First, certification helps you stand out in a competitive market. Employers increasingly value trusted, validated capability and alternative credentials, particularly as skills shortages continue across areas like AI, cybersecurity and data. Industry certifications are also increasingly trusted by employers as indicators of capability.

Certification also helps with:

• Building professional credibility and confidence

• Demonstrating commitment to ethics and ongoing development

• Strengthening mobility across industries and roles

• Supporting leadership progression and consulting opportunities

• Accessing Professional Standards Scheme protections for eligible Certified Professionals

And there’s another EOFY benefit many professionals overlook: investing in yourself now means starting the new financial year with recognised capability already in place.

Does getting certified actually future-proof a career? Or is it just another badge to collect?

BH: Certification is more than a badge. It becomes much more powerful when you use it to frame your expertise, communicate your value and show commitment to professionalism.

The reality is that technology is changing quickly. When employers, clients or peers need someone they can trust in uncertain environments, validated professionals stand out.

EOFY is approaching. What would you say to someone thinking about waiting until later?

BH: I’d say don’t wait!

EOFY is naturally a time for reflection, planning and investment. Many organisations still have professional development budgets available. Many professionals are reviewing goals and preparing for FY27.

If you’ve spent this year building skills, why carry that work into another financial year without recognition?

Certification is one of those decisions that can create momentum. You finish the year with proof of what you’ve achieved and start the next one with stronger professional credibility.

Ready to make FY27 your strongest year yet?

If Bessie has inspired you, now is the time to act.

Explore ACS certification pathways, gather your evidence and apply before EOFY. Whether you’re aiming for greater responsibility, stronger credibility or your next opportunity, recognised capability gives you an advantage.

You’ve already done the hard work building your skills.

Now certify them.

Start with a skills assessment using mySFIA, explore Certified Professional (CP) or Certified Technologist (CT) pathways, and finish the financial year with certification that moves your career forward.