Professional Year Program (PYP) In Australia – Claim 5 Points in EOI
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What Is the Professional Year Program?
A Professional Year Program in Australia is a structured workplace training program designed specifically for international graduates. Not only does it help you seamlessly transition from university into the Australian workforce, but it also rewards you with 5 highly valuable points toward the General Skilled Migration (GSM) points test.
Here is everything you need to know about how the program works, who is eligible, and how it differs from a skills assessment.
What Does a Professional Year Include?
The Professional Year is a comprehensive 44 to 52-week program designed for graduates who have completed an Australian qualification in Information Technology (ICT), Engineering, or Accounting.
To successfully complete the program and claim your migration points, the PY must include:
Formal Classroom Training: Focusing on Australian workplace practices, business communication, and professional compliance.
A Supervised Internship: A 12-week placement to give you practical, hands-on experience in an Australian workplace.
Workplace Readiness Development: Targeted training to make you highly employable in the local job market.
The program must be completed in Australia, be directly related to your nominated occupation, and result in an official Record of Completion.
Who Can Apply for a Professional Year?
To enroll in a Professional Year program, you must meet strict eligibility criteria. Typically, applicants must:
Hold an Eligible Visa: You must hold a valid Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) as a main applicant or dependent, or hold another eligible temporary visa.
Meet Educational Requirements: You must have completed an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Nominate the Right Occupation: Your nominated occupation must be in IT, Engineering, or Accounting.
Pass English Requirements: You must meet the minimum English language proficiency standard for your profession.
Important Timing Note: Because the program runs for approximately one year, you should apply to enroll at least 12 months before your current visa expires to ensure you can complete it in time.
Approved Professional Year Program Providers
For the Department of Home Affairs to recognize your Professional Year and award you the 5 migration points, you must complete the program through a specifically approved industry body.
For Accounting Graduates: The Professional Year Program provided by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA), or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
For Engineering Graduates: The Professional Year Program provided by Engineers Australia (EA).
Professional Year vs. Skills Assessment: What is the Difference?
A common point of confusion for graduates is the difference between a Professional Year and a Skills Assessment. A Professional Year is NOT a Skills Assessment, and it does not replace one. Here is how they differ:
Skills Assessment: This is an evaluation by an industry body to prove that your existing university qualifications and employment history meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. It is a mandatory step for most skilled visas.
Professional Year: This is a structured workplace training program designed to improve your job readiness and provide Australian workplace exposure. It is an optional step used to claim 5 extra migration points under the GSM points test.
In most cases, applicants will complete or plan their skills assessment before or during their process of claiming migration points through a Professional Year.
