Professional Year Program (PYP)
What is the Professional Year?
The Professional Year (PY) Program assists international graduates who have completed course in Australia to further develop skills in their chosen profession. It is open to graduates of accounting, computer science, and engineering.
During 12 months of PY study, participants will develop industry-specific skills through both classroom theory, and on-the-job work experience in the form of paid or unpaid internship. One of the most important parts of the training is an increased understanding of the cultural nature of the Australian workplace. This includes developing communication skills and interacting with colleagues. The program also touches on professional ethics and codes of conduct.
At the completion of the course, the expectation is that PY graduates will be better job opportunities. One of the major benefits of this program is the 5 points gained towards skilled migration upon successful completion of the course.
Who can take the PY?
In order to be eligible for the professional year, applicants must have completed an Australian degree in either accounting, IT / computer science, or engineering, and hold (or have applied for) the 485 Graduate Visa.
It is also a requirement that you must have one year left on your Graduate Visa in order to begin the course, so do not wait too long to enrol!
Who is responsible for the course content?
While PY programs are delivered by various colleges and universities around the country, they are in fact managed by relevant industry bodies, and recognised by the government.
What to consider when choosing the PYP
There are a variety of institutions that deliver the Professional Year program. Accounting has the most choice, due to the large number of graduates each year.
Unfortunately, many graduates feel that they are forced into taking this program, as they are desperate to get the 5 points towards skilled migration. While there is truth to this, savvy graduates make the most of this opportunity.
One of the most important things to look for when seeking out a provider is the quality of their internships. We have all heard stories of graduate working as the accountant in the back of fish & chip shops or in Chinese takeaways for their internship position. That is just not good enough. The internship is one of the most important parts of the program as it can open doors for employment.
Before you sign up for any program, we recommend touring the campus and speaking directly to the program manager about what you can expect. It is also a good idea to interview other students who are taking that program. Find out they think about the course content and the quality of their internships. These courses are expensive, and you must be getting value for money.
The other advice will give you is to be careful of who is enrolling you in the program. There are many migration agents offering huge discounts and/or free 485 visa application support in order to get you locked in to using them for your skilled migration and permanent residency paperwork down the track. This is a very big life decision and you don’t necessarily want to be forced into working with agent who may not be good at what they do.
How much does the PYP cost?
Professional year programs range from rather expensive at institutions like Monash or Navitas, to more affordable pricing at ECA or AECC Global.The majority of new graduates are looking for a cost-effective way to complete the course.
Our Recommendation
We are currently in discussions with PY providers to offer a scholarship price for the Visa Application Australia community.
We will update on this you soon!
In the meantime, if you would like to speak with us directly for suggestions, please send an inquiry.