Professional Year Points for Skilled Migration
Completing a Professional Year program in Australia adds 5 points to your skilled migration points test score. This makes the Professional Year one of the most practical ways to boost your skilled migration points while also building the Australian work experience and industry connections you need to compete for a SkillSelect invitation. The 5 points apply to the subclass 189, 190 and 491 visa points tests and are awarded at the time of invitation — provided your Professional Year was completed in Accounting, ICT or Engineering, within the four years before you are invited, and through one of the approved program providers.
Professional Year Points for Accounting, Engineering and ICT Graduates
Completing a Professional Year program in Accounting, Engineering or ICT adds 5 points to your skilled migration points test score. Monash Professional Pathways is one of the approved providers offering a Department of Home Affairs recognised Professional Year program for international graduates.
You’ve done the study but still need the skills and experience employers demand
As an international graduate in engineering, accounting or ICT, securing your first full-time professional role in Australia is genuinely competitive. Australian employers look beyond your qualification — they expect practical workplace knowledge, communication skills and relevant work experience from day one.
International research confirms that employers prioritise candidates who:
- Demonstrate strong business communication skills
- Fit in with company culture
- Show confidence, initiative and the ability to work independently or as part of a team
What Is the Professional Year Program?
The Professional Year program is a minimum 44-week, Department of Home Affairs approved program that bridges the gap between your university qualification and professional employment in Australia. By the end of the program you will have:
- A thorough understanding of the Australian employment market and workplace culture
- The ability to communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues, managers and customers
- Hands-on work experience through an internship placement in an Australian workplace
- Eligibility to claim 5 professional year points toward your pr points calculator score on your SkillSelect EOI
Performance Education (PE) is one of Australia’s largest approved providers of the ICT Professional Year program, with campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The program is approved by the Department of Home Affairs and qualifies graduates to claim 5 professional year points toward their skilled migration points score.
Performance Education’s Professional Year program combines employability training, workplace knowledge and a practical internship placement — helping ICT graduates build the skills and experience Australian employers look for in their first professional hire.
The program uses the ACS (Australian Computer Society) framework for the ICT stream and is one of the original approved providers of the ACS IT Professional Year program.
Key facts about the Performance Education Professional Year:
- Eligible stream: ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
- Approved by the Department of Home Affairs for the 5 migration points
- Campuses: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth
- Program duration: minimum 44 weeks including an internship placement
- Graduates claim 5 points on their points test australia EOI once the program is completed within the 4 years before invitation
Overview
The Navitas Professional Year Program combines formal learning and an Australian internship placement to help international graduates in Accounting, ICT and Engineering build the workplace skills and experience Australian employers require. Successful completion qualifies graduates to claim 5 professional year points toward their skilled migration points score.
Navitas Professional is the only provider that delivers all three approved Professional Year streams nationwide: the ACS ICT program, Engineers Australia’s Engineering program and the SMIPA Accounting program.
The program equips international graduates with the skills to secure employment and build a long-term career in Australia — while also satisfying the Department of Home Affairs requirements for 5 migration points toward permanent residency.
Available Streams
What the Navitas Professional Year Program Includes
Graduate outcomes
Graduates of the Navitas Professional Year program receive:
The ACS Professional Year Program (PYear) in ICT/Computing bridges the gap between full-time university study and professional employment in Australia. Administered by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), it is one of the three approved programs that qualifies graduates to claim 5 professional year points on their skilled migration points score.
PROFESSIONAL YEAR PROGRAM
The ACS PYear program gives international ICT/Computing graduates the practical skills, workplace training and professional development needed to enter the Australian technology workforce with confidence. The program serves as a structured pathway from university graduation to professional employment — preparing graduates to be genuinely job-ready, not just qualification-ready.
5 Points for Completing the ACS Professional Year Program
Graduates who complete the ACS Professional Year program in an eligible ICT/Computing occupation can claim 5 points on the points test australia toward their SkillSelect EOI — as specified by the Department of Home Affairs. These points are claimed at the time of invitation, provided the program was completed within the 4 years before you receive your invitation to apply for a skilled visa.
ATMC offers two approved Professional Year programs for international graduates — the ACS Professional Year for ICT/Information Technology graduates and the SMIPA (Skilled Migration Internship Program: Accounting) for accounting graduates. Both programs are approved by the Department of Home Affairs and qualify graduates to claim 5 professional year points toward their skilled migration points score.
The ATMC Professional Year program is designed specifically for international graduates from Australian universities who are building their pathway from study to professional employment — and from a temporary graduate visa to permanent residency through the points test australia.s necessary for a successful career in the Australian workforce.
The program is delivered by experienced trainers with strong backgrounds in technology and business, and genuine knowledge of the Australian workplace environment.
Program Structure:
The ATMC Professional Year program has three components:
- Communications and Performance in the Australian Workplace
- Entry and Advancement in the Australian Workplace
- Internship placement
Classroom Training — 250 Contact Hours
The two classroom units run over 250 contact hours, with participants attending 8–9 hours per week:
Unit A — Communications and Performance in the Australian Workplace: Covers meeting culture, organising meetings, expectations, roles, appropriate communication and professional behaviour in the Australian workplace.
Unit B — Entry and Advancement in the Australian Workplace: Develops cultural sensitivity and professional communication skills for customer-facing roles, internal team communication and cross-cultural workplace interactions.
Internship Placement — 240 Hours over 12 Weeks
The internship gives graduates 240 hours of practical work experience over 12 weeks in a real Australian business environment. During the internship, participants:
- Apply the skills and knowledge from the two classroom units in a real workplace setting
- Work on existing business projects alongside experienced professionals
- Observe and assist project managers in both technical and commercial aspects of the business
- Build a professional CV tailored for the Australian job market
Contact ATMC directly to register for the internship placement and connect with their Internship Coordinator.
ATMC Professional Year Program Fees
SMIPA (Accounting) Professional Year — $7,200
ACS (ICT) Professional Year — $12,600
Payment options include full upfront payment from the first day of the program or direct bank debit arrangements.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
ATMC’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) division supports participants throughout the program. WIL workshops run regularly and cover:
- Identifying career opportunities in the Australian market
- Resume development tailored for Australian employers
- Interview preparation and workplace readiness
ATMC’s teaching and administrative staff are available throughout the program to provide advice on study, student administration and workplace preparation.
Who Qualifies for the 5 Professional Year Points?
To claim 5 professional year points on the skilled migration points test, your Professional Year program must satisfy all four of the following Department of Home Affairs conditions:
- Completed in Australia — the program must have been completed in Australia, within the 4 years before the date you are invited to apply for your skilled visa. The 4-year window is calculated from your invitation date — not from when you lodge your EOI.
- In your nominated occupation — the program must be in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related occupation. A Professional Year completed in an unrelated field does not qualify, even if you hold a separate skills assessment in your nominated occupation.
- At least 12 months in duration — the program must run for a minimum of 12 months from start to completion. Programs that are cut short or not fully completed do not satisfy this requirement.
- Delivered by an approved provider — the program must be provided by one of the following five approved organisations:
- Australian Computer Society (ACS) — ICT/Computing stream
- CPA Australia — Accounting stream
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) — Accounting stream
- Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) — Accounting stream
- Engineers Australia — Engineering stream
All four conditions must be met simultaneously. A Professional Year completed through an approved provider but outside the 4-year window, or in an unrelated occupation, does not qualify. Confirm your program meets every condition before claiming these points on your EOI — if you claim points you cannot evidence at invitation, your application may be refused. Speak to a VisaAid migration consultant if you are unsure whether your program qualifies.
Engineering Education Australia (EEA) — Professional Year in Engineering
The Engineering Education Australia (EEA) Professional Year in Engineering is a 44-week work-readiness program for engineering graduates. It is one of the five approved programs that qualifies graduates to claim 5 professional year points toward their skilled migration points score on a points-tested skilled visa.
The program is delivered through Engineers Australia and helps engineering graduates develop the workplace skills, professional knowledge and employment readiness that Australian engineering employers expect from new starters.
Program structure
Practical training (32 weeks): Delivered through face-to-face workshops and online resources, the practical training component covers:
- Resume writing and interview techniques tailored for the Australian engineering job market
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) principles and workplace obligations
- Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental (OHS&E) processes and legislative requirements for working in Australia
- Flexible study options are available — one full day per week or two half-day evenings per week.
Internship placement (12 weeks full time): The 12-week full-time internship gives graduates hands-on experience applying their practical training in a real Australian engineering workplace. During the placement, each participant is assigned a dedicated mentor who provides guidance and support throughout the internship. Participants build a professional network of peers and industry contacts that supports their job search after program completion.
What Graduates Receive on Completion
Graduates who successfully complete the EEA Professional Year in Engineering receive:
- 5 migration points — claimable on the points test australia EOI for all points-tested skilled visas (189, 190 and 491), provided the program was completed within 4 years of invitation and in the nominated or closely related occupation
- A thorough understanding of Australian OHS&E requirements applicable to engineering workplaces
- Professional membership of Engineers Australia
Visa Eligibility
The EEA Professional Year in Engineering is available to holders of various Australian visa types. To confirm whether your current visa allows you to enrol, speak to a VisaAid migration consultant or check directly with the Department of Home Affairs.
This program is full fee-paying. CRICOS, HECS and FEE-HELP are not available for the Professional Year in Engineering. Contact EEA directly for current tuition fees — fees are not published on this page and update annually.
SMIPA — Skilled Migration Internship Program: Accounting
The Skilled Migration Internship Program: Accounting (SMIPA) is the approved Professional Year program for international graduates who hold an Australian accounting degree from at least two years of study in Australia. SMIPA is approved by the Department of Home Affairs and qualifies graduates to claim 5 professional year points toward their skilled migration points score on a points-tested skilled visa.
What SMIPA Involves
- Minimum 44 weeks of training including a 12-week internship placement with a relevant host company
- Professional development and hands-on learning with emphasis on workplace culture, ethics and expectations
- A recognised pathway for 485 visa holders working toward permanent residency through General Skilled Migration (GSM)
Graduates who successfully complete SMIPA claim 5 points on the points test australia toward their SkillSelect EOI — provided the program was completed within 4 years of invitation and in the nominated or closely related occupation.
Who Oversees and Delivers SMIPA
SMIPA was developed by the three major professional accounting bodies in Australia:
- CPA Australia
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
- Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
The program is delivered by registered providers jointly approved by all three bodies — not directly by the accounting bodies themselves.
Enrolment in any of the accounting bodies’ own professional membership programs (CPA, CA ANZ, IPA) is independent of participation in SMIPA or any other Department of Home Affairs approved pathway to permanent residency.
Does CPA Australia deliver the SMIPA program?
No. CPA Australia, CA ANZ and IPA jointly oversee SMIPA but do not deliver it directly. The program is delivered by registered training providers approved by all three bodies — see the approved provider list below.
Approved SMIPA Delivery Providers
Verify this list on the SMIPA website before publishing — providers and their campus locations change. The following were approved providers at the time this page was last updated:
- Academies Australasia Polytechnic — Melbourne
- Accountants Resource Centre (ARC) — Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney
- Australian Interpretation and Translation Institute (AITI) — Melbourne, Adelaide (not currently accepting enrolments — verify status)
- Australian Technology and Management College (ATMC) — Melbourne, Sydney
- Education Centre of Australia (ECA) — Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
- Monash Professional Pathways — Melbourne
- Navitas Professional — Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
- Performance Education — Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
- Salford College — Adelaide (not currently accepting enrolments — verify status)
- Stanley College — Perth
- University of Queensland — ICTE-UQ — Brisbane
Important: Neither the professional accounting bodies (CPA Australia, CA ANZ, IPA) nor the SMIPA program are associated in any way with the AIFA Professional Year Program for Bookkeepers. The AIFA program does not qualify for the 5 migration points available through the approved SMIPA pathway.
Engineers Australia — Professional Year in Engineering
The Engineers Australia Professional Year in Engineering program is the only work-readiness program for engineering graduates recognised by the Australian Government for 5 migration points. Delivered through Engineering Education Australia (EEA), it prepares international engineering graduates for professional employment in Australia while qualifying them to claim 5 professional year points toward their skilled migration points score.
Program Structure — 44 Weeks
The Engineers Australia Professional Year program runs for 44 weeks and gives engineering graduates the time and structured support to understand employer expectations, build a professional network and develop a clear career plan for the Australian market.
The program has two stages:
- 32 weeks — online study and classroom workshops covering Australian workplace conditions, health and safety requirements, employer expectations and professional practice as an engineer in Australia
- 12 weeks — full-time work placement at a professional engineering organisation, applying practical skills in a real workplace environment
Who Can Apply
The Professional Year in Engineering is open to graduates who have completed an accredited engineering degree from an Australian institution or an officially recognised overseas institution. The program accepts holders of various Australian visa types.
To confirm your visa eligibility before applying, speak to a VisaAid migration consultant or check the current visa eligibility conditions on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Skills Assessment required: Applicants must hold a successful Migration Skills Assessment from Engineers Australia before they can enrol in the program. Apply for your skills assessment early — the assessment process typically takes several months and must be completed before program entry.
5 Points on Completion
Graduates who successfully complete the Engineers Australia Professional Year in Engineering program can claim 5 points on the points test australia toward their SkillSelect EOI — provided the program was completed within 4 years of invitation and in the nominated or closely related engineering occupation.
For further details on the program structure, intake dates and fees, visit the Engineering Education Australia (EEA) website directly. To understand how these 5 points fit into your overall pr points calculator score and skilled migration strategy, speak to a VisaAid consultant.
University of Queensland (UQ) — Professional Year Program
The University of Queensland (UQ) delivers an approved Professional Year Program (PYP) for international graduates in accounting and engineering. The program is approved by the Department of Home Affairs and qualifies graduates to claim 5 professional year points toward their skilled migration points score on a points-tested skilled visa.
The UQ Professional Year Program prepares international graduates for Australian professional employment through practical training, industry-relevant workshops, a professional internship and structured networking opportunities.
Program Structure — 44 Weeks
The UQ Professional Year Program consists of:
- 32 weeks of practical training, face-to-face study and workshops
- 12 weeks of professional internship placement
During the program, graduates:
- Gain a thorough understanding of Australian workplace conditions and the employment market
- Build a professional network of peers and industry contacts
- Develop a career plan, professional resume and job search strategy with expert guidance
Throughout the internship placement, each participant receives dedicated mentoring and training support.
Key Features of the UQ Professional Year Program
- Guaranteed internship placement — UQ guarantees an internship placement for all program participants
- Strong employment outcomes — verify current employment statistics directly with UQ before publishing, as these figures update annually
- World-ranked university — UQ delivers the program within a leading Australian research university environment
- Industry-relevant program design — UQ applies extensive professional development expertise to program delivery
- Experienced instructors — program trainers bring real-world business and industry experience to complement their teaching qualifications
- English test support — free IELTS preparation classes and one free IELTS test included (verify this benefit is still current with UQ before publishing)
5 Points on Completion
Graduates who successfully complete the UQ Professional Year Program can claim 5 points on the points test australia toward their SkillSelect EOI — provided the program was completed within 4 years of invitation and in the nominated or closely related occupation.
For current program dates, fees and enrolment details, visit the University of Queensland Professional Year Program website directly. To understand how these 5 points fit into your complete pr points calculator score, speak to a VisaAid consultant.
Course Outline
The William Light Institute (WLI) Professional Year Program is an approved ICT program delivered in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The program qualifies graduates to claim 5 professional year points toward their skilled migration points score.
| Unit Name | Duration |
| Communication and Performance in the Australian Workplace | 120 hours |
| Australian Workplace Culture | 130 hours |
| Internship | 12 weeks (240 hours) |
| Professional Environments(This online module runs for 12 weeks and parallel to the student internship) | 12 weeks |
The program is specified by the Department of Home Affairs for the General Skilled Migration points test, for eligible holders of the 485 visa (Post-Vocational Education Work stream) or a Bridging Visa.
Course Objectives
The WLI Professional Year Program delivers:
- A minimum of 44 weeks training covering job-readiness skills for international ICT graduates, including a 12-week internship with a relevant host company
- On successful completion, graduates claim 5 points on the points test australia for an eligible skilled occupation — provided the program was completed within 4 years of invitation and in the nominated or closely related occupation
Entry Requirements
To enrol in the WLI Professional Year Program, you must meet all of the following:
- Hold a Bachelor or Masters qualification in Computing/ICT from an Australian institution
- Have completed at least 2 years of study in Australia
- Hold IELTS 6.0 (Academic or General) with no band below 5.0
- Hold a subclass 485 visa (Post-Vocational Education Work stream) or a Bridging Visa A
- Complete an application interview as part of the enrolment process
How to Apply
WLI runs regular program intakes throughout the year. Check the WLI website or contact your preferred campus location for current intake dates before applying.
Step 1 — Download and complete the WLI Professional Year Program Application Form
Step 2 — Attach the following supporting documents:
- Certified academic transcripts and qualification documents
- IELTS test results
- Current CV
- Copy of health insurance
- Copy of visa and passport
- National Police Clearance
Step 3 — Submit your completed application and documents:
- Email: info@wli.sa.edu.au
- Post: Admissions Officer, The William Light Institute, Level 1, 211 Pulteney St, Adelaide SA 5000
Step 4 — WLI assesses your application and notifies you of the outcome.
Total Program Fees
Professional Year Fee
- $10,600 – to be paid in installments (conditions apply)
- $150 – Application Processing Fee
This is a full fee-paying course — HECS-HELP does not apply.
Offered in 5 Locations:
Adelaide — The William Light Institute, Level 1, 211 Pulteney St, Adelaide SA 5000
Brisbane — CLIFTONS Brisbane, 288 Edward St, Brisbane QLD 4000
Melbourne — CLIFTONS Melbourne, 440 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Sydney — CLIFTONS Sydney, Levels 11, 12, 13 & 15, 60 Margaret St, Sydney NSW