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Professional Year Program

Professional Year Program in Australia: Your Pathway to Permanent Residency

Bridge the Gap to Your Australian Career with Expert Guidance

Are you an international graduate from an Australian university looking to enhance your career prospects and secure permanent residency Australia? A Professional Year Program (PYP) is a structured professional development course combining formal learning and an Australian internship. It is specifically designed to equip you with the practical skills and experience that Australian employers value, making you a more competitive candidate in the local job market.

At Leading Edge Migration, our team, including the best migration agent Perth has to offer, provides comprehensive support for your journey. As a leading visa consultant, we simplify the complex process, ensuring you understand every step towards achieving your career and migration goals. A PYP is a critical step for many graduates aiming for a skilled visa Australia.

What is a Professional Year Program?

A Professional Year Program is a practical training program that runs for 44 weeks. It is designed for international graduates in specific fields like IT, Engineering, and Accounting. The program consists of classroom-based study and a hands-on internship, providing a vital bridge between your academic studies and a professional career in Australia. Successfully completing this program can also earn you crucial points towards your visa application, a detail our expert migration agent can explain further.

Key Benefits of the Professional Year Program

Valuable Australian Work Experience: Gain practical, relevant experience through an internship with an Australian company, significantly strengthening your resume.
Enhanced Visa Prospects: Earn 5 extra points towards skilled migration visas, such as the 189 visa, 190 visa, or 491 visa, improving your chances of securing permanent residency.
Professional Networking: Build a professional network within your industry, opening doors to future employment opportunities.
Workplace Culture Immersion: Understand the Australian workplace environment, communication styles, and professional ethics.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for a Professional Year Program, applicants generally need to meet the following criteria:

Hold a relevant degree from an Australian university in a specified field (e.g., IT, Engineering, Accounting).
Hold or have applied for a Temporary Graduate 485 visa with at least 12 months validity.
Meet the required English language proficiency standards (e.g., IELTS or PTE).

Our team, which includes the best visa agent perth, can assess your specific situation and guide you on the most suitable pathway.

Professional Year in Information Technology (IT)

For IT graduates, the program is crucial for professional development. Key requirements include:

A recognised ICT-related Bachelor's or Master's degree from at least two years of full-time study in Australia.
A valid 485 visa or bridging visa with full work and study rights.
A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 in all bands or an equivalent PTE score.

Launch Your Career in Australia Today

A Professional Year Program is more than just a course; it's a strategic investment in your future in Australia. Let Leading Edge Migration be your trusted partner. Contact our expert consultants today to learn how a PYP can be your stepping stone to a successful career and permanent residency Australia.

Professional Year in Information Technology

Completed a recognised ICT-related degree in Australia (Bachelors or Masters) a minimum of two years' full-time study in Australia
Obtained or applied for a Graduate Visa (subclass 485) with a minimum 12 months validity
Have a valid minimum IELTS score of 6.0 no less than 6.0 in all 4 competencies or a PTE-A overall score of 50 with a score less than 50 or equivalent

Professional Year in Engineering

A recognized bachelor or master qualification in Engineering from an Australian Institution. For Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa holders (476) relevant Australian qualification is not required.
IELTS overall score of 6.0 no less than 5.0 in any component or PTE-A overall score of 50 with no band less than 36 or equivalent.
Graduate Temporary Visa (subclass 485) or Bridging visa or Skilled Recognised Graduate 476 visa
Must hold a Migration Skills Assessment outcome letter from Engineers Australia

Seeking to secure 5 vital PR points and bridge your career gap? The Professional Year Program (PYP) is essential for international graduates aiming for Australian Permanent Residency. We specialize in simplifying enrolment for the IT (ACS) and Engineering (EA) Professional Year streams, which are critical for gaining Australian work experience and satisfying your skills assessment requirement. Eligible students on the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa can trust Leading Edge Migration to strategically connect them with the right provider, ensuring they gain the 12-week internship and crucial career skills needed to successfully transition into the Australian workforce and maximize their points score.

For international graduates in Perth, the Professional Year (PY) Program is more than just a course—it’s a strategic career move. In 2026, with the migration points test becoming increasingly competitive, the 5 points earned from a PY can be the difference between an invitation and another year of waiting.

Professional Year Program in Australia: 2026 FAQ

1. What is the Professional Year (PY) Program?

The Professional Year is a 44-week job-readiness program designed for international graduates. It combines 32 weeks of classroom learning focused on Australian workplace culture and communication with a 12-week professional internship in your field of study.

2. Which professions are eligible for the Professional Year in 2026?

Currently, the Department of Home Affairs recognises Professional Year programs in three specific high-demand fields:

Information Technology (IT): Accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Engineering: Accredited by Engineers Australia (EEA).
Accounting: Note: The Accounting PYP is officially phasing out. New enrolments generally ceased in early 2025, and existing programs must conclude by May 2026.

3. How many points does the PY add to my PR application?

Completing a Professional Year grants you 5 points toward your General Skilled Migration (GSM) points test for visas such as the Subclass 189, 190, or 491. In 2026, these 5 points are often essential to meet the high invitation thresholds.

4. What are the eligibility requirements for enrolment?

To enroll in a PY program in Perth, you must:

Have completed an Australian degree (Bachelor or Master) in IT or Engineering.
Hold (or have applied for) a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) with at least 12 months of validity remaining.
Provide a valid Skills Assessment (Provisional or Full) from your relevant body (ACS or Engineers Australia).
Meet the English language requirement (typically IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 6.0, or PTE equivalent).

5. Can I do a Professional Year if I am over 35?

Yes. While the age limit for applying for a new 485 Graduate Visa was lowered to 35 in 2024/25, the Professional Year itself does not have an age cap—provided you already hold a valid 485 visa or another eligible visa with full work rights.

6. Is the internship paid or unpaid?

Most Professional Year internships are unpaid, as they are structured as part of an educational training framework. However, they are highly valuable for gaining "local experience" and references, which are often the biggest hurdles for international graduates finding their first job in Perth.

7. Why should I enroll through Leading Edge Migration?

As a leading education agent in Perth, we don't just sign you up for a course. We provide:

Provider Comparison: We work with top-tier accredited providers (like ECA, NIT, and Navitas) to find the best fit for your budget and schedule.
Migration Alignment: We ensure your PY completion date aligns perfectly with your EOI (Expression of Interest) strategy.
Career Support: Guidance on how to leverage your internship into a full-time job offer.

Ready to secure your 5 migration points?

Contact the team at Leading Edge Migration today for a free assessment of your Professional Year eligibility and a list of upcoming intake dates in Perth.