Guide to Australian Professional Year Program 2024

Congratulations on completing your course in Australia! What's next? If you're planning on settling down in Straya, your next step would be finding a job. It can be quite difficult for international students to land a job in Australia due to the incredibly high competition. And that's where the Professional Year in Australia comes in! Despite its obscure nature, this program is a godsend for international students, with a bonus perk for those who are aiming for permanent residency. If you're having a hard time finding employment, an Australian Professional Year Program might be the solution for you!

What is a Professional Year in Australia? 

Professional Year in Australia is an organised career development programme designed to improve a student's ability to gain employment in one of three disciplines - Accounting, Information Technology, and Engineering. Its other name, the Job Preparedness program, is quite appropriate for its function in the career of an international student in Australia. Students get the chance to apply technical knowledge and skills by immersing themselves in the Australian workplace and experiencing the country's typical work culture firsthand.

The Australian Professional Year program was initiated by DIBP, which is the Department of Immigration & Border Protection. This program, also known as PYear or PYP, aims to overcome Australia's skills shortage by ensuring competent workforce availability. This program's length is 44 weeks, with the first 32 weeks occupied with gaining theoretical knowledge and training in communication skills. The remaining 12 weeks offer students the opportunity to apply the knowledge that they've acquired through an internship in an Australian company or organisation. The Australian Professional Year Program:

• Puts together theoretical learning and practical experience in the workplace.
• Teaches students to communicate skillfully in a typical Australian workspace.
• It is inclusive of an internship period that aims to introduce students to the Australian workplace and its aspects, including its customs and work relationships.
• It should preferably be undertaken in the participant's selected skilled occupation or one that is closely related to it.

What can I study in an Australian Professional Year Program?

The professional year program in Australia is a development course that is designed to improve the ability to gain employment. However, the program concentrates only on thee disciplines. Let’s take a look at the details of each discipline.

1. Accounting

Developed by CPA Australia, ICA (Institute of Chartered Accountants), and IPA (Institute of Public Accountants, SMIPA (Skilled Migration Internship Program-Accounting) is an Australian professional year program for accounting graduates. The program is aimed at helping international accounting graduates cultivate skills to excel in their careers. 

2. Information Technology

Australian Computer Society (ACS) developed the IT professional year program to help overseas ICT (Information & Communications Technology) graduates acquire practical skills and fundamental training. The provision of regular counselling throughout the student's professional year in Australia also plays a vital role in helping them acquire applicable and deep knowledge in the field of Information Technology. 

3. Engineering

First developed by EEA, which is short for Engineering Education Australia, the Engineering Australian Professional Year Program allows participants to gain valuable insights into the Australian workplace demands, fostering their employability skills and making them ready to land a job in Australia. It is an extensive program comprising extensive training and internship placement, and it increases the chances of students securing a job in the Australian workspace.

How long is a Professional Year in Australia?

As discussed before, this program lasts 44 weeks and is inclusive of a 12-week internship period, where students are placed in a relevant host company. The coursework is structured with Business Communication skills and Australian Workplace skills training that lasts 32 weeks and is followed by a 12-week long Australian workplace internship in the participant's chosen discipline. 

Who can apply for the Australian Professional Year Program?

To qualify for this program, you must have undertaken study in Australia and graduated from an undergraduate or postgraduate degree program. In addition, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Academic qualifications

Applicants must have graduated from a course that appropriately matches the Australian Professional Year program to which they want to apply; have completed an Australian Higher Education program that lasted at least 18 months and provided them with two years of credit. You can check out some of the best universities in Australia and some scholarships to help you meet this requirement.

2. Visa

Applicants must either possess or must have initiated the process to get a Temporary Residence visa (subclass 485). They can currently be on a Bridging visa or a student visa but must be able to provide evidence of having applied for the post-study work visa (485 visa). 485 visa holders must have a valid visa for the duration of the Australian Professional Year program. Engineering graduates with a positive skill assessment from Engineers Australia and holding a 476 visa (Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa) are also eligible for an Engineering Professional Year in Australia. To make sure your Australian visa application doesn't get rejected, make sure you meet all the requirements and submit your documents correctly. Don't procrastinate until the deadline to submit your application.

3. Skill Assessment

All applicants must have a successful skill assessment from their relevant assessing bodies (ACS, EEA, CPA, IPA and ICAA).

4. Language proficiency

Applicants must have a minimum overall IELTS test score of 6.0 and nothing less than 6 in each band to be eligible for this program.

Documents Required for the Australian Professional Year Program

Here is a list of documents you will need while applying for an Australian professional year program.

• An updated Resume and Cover Letter
• Proof of English language proficiency (Eg. PTE)
• Copies of academic transcripts (must be certified)
• Copy of the passport (in colour format)
• Copy of the Skilled Graduate Visa 485
• Passport photograph (either as a hardcopy or a JPEG)

Benefits of the Australian Professional Year Program

1. It provides internship opportunities.

Many international students may find it difficult to find a reputable job that is suited for their own field after graduating from Australia. This program makes this less difficult as it opens up numerous pathways for international students to get rewarding jobs. There are numerous prestigious institutes in Australia that guarantee internships for students under the PYP. In addition, most of the candidates get a permanent position with the companies after completion of the program. The internship program can also provide excellent experience on your resume and improve your chances of getting hired by other Australian companies. 

2. It expands your professional circle.

The PYP also helps expand your professional and social environments. It can help you meet plenty of professionals in your field of choice, which also means you can get in touch with people who have the same interests and goals as you. 

3. It helps you become familiar with Australian work environments.

Every country and company has its own standards when it comes to professional workplaces and codes of conduct. The Australian Professional Year Program allows you to understand how professionals in Australia work and how they keep up with the demands of the work and life balance. 

4. It gives you an extra 5 points towards your permanent residency application.

Successfully completing the PYP means an extra 5 points that can help with your eligibility in applying for permanent residency in Australia. If you are interested in exploring new opportunities in the land "Down Under" or hoping to settle in Australia permanently, the PYP could be a great option for you! 

Professional Year in Australia Fees

The cost of completing this program will vary depending upon the city or state you are in and the Institute you are planning to do this program from, and any promotions run by these institutes.

Here is a rough guide to help you better understand how much it might cost you to complete this program. Keep in mind that these are estimations, and the numbers can vary. 

• Accounting professional year in Australia can start from $6,000 to $13,000
• IT Australian professional year program can start anywhere from $10,000 onwards
• Engineering Australian professional year can start around $13,000 and onwards

So there you have it! An Australian professional year program can be quite beneficial to international students and is widely considered one of the best courses for obtaining Australian PR. So what are you waiting for? It's time for yakka! If you're looking for something to do in the meantime, check out these things to do in Australia!