Are you an international student who has graduated from an Australian University in IT or Engineering- and dreams of having a Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia? If you are then the Professional Year Program (PY) remains a very strong and strategic pathway that can help you get your PR pathway.Â
In the highly competitive skilled-migration field of 2025, the invitation scores often surpass the minimum requirement of 65 points and often climb above 95 for high demanding occupations, which makes the additional 5 points from the Professional Year Program (PY) a differentiating factor.Â
This Guide by BJay Education and Visa Services is provided by a team associated with Registered Migration Agents (RMA) and provides a timely, accurate, and unbiased overview of the Professional Year Program. This Guide helps you explain its structure, if you are eligible or not, the cost associated with it, the recent changes that have occurred, and how you can increase your chances and lead towards your PR in Australia.Â
Important Update in 2025 - The Accounting PY program (SMIPA) has been Permanently Ceased
The most recent and crucial change as of now is the permanent cessation of the Accounting PY program, historically known as SMIPA. The official Cessation for new enrollments for the program was ceased from the 31st of March in 2025, and it has been announced that all the activities of the program will be concluded no later than May 1, 2026.Â
Unfortunately, the PY program is not a suitable pathway for accounting graduates who are seeking the 5 migration points from the PY program. But you can focus on alternative pathways like English Proficiency test (IELTS, PTE), attending the NAATI CCL test, or gaining proper Australian Work experience. Â
Who is Eligible for the Professional Year Program (PY)?
As of 2025, the Professional Year Program (PY) is only available for 2 programs:Â
- IT / ICT graduatesÂ
- Engineering graduates
| Table Header | Table Header | Table Header |
|---|---|---|
|
Qualification |
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in IT from an Australian Institution. |
Australian or an Overseas Engineering degree recognized by EA. |
|
Visa Status |
Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) with a minimum of 12 months validity remaining. |
Subclass 485 (min. 12 months validity) or Subclass 476. |
|
English |
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band less than 5.0 in any component) |
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band less than 6.0) or equivalent PTE score. |
|
Not needed for registration, but completing the PY is frequently used to satisfy the work experience component of the ACS assessment. |
Not needed for registration, but completing the PY is frequently used to satisfy the work experience component of the ACS assessment. |
Successful (or submitted) Skills Assessment by Engineers Australia is usually the prerequisite for enrollment. |
Want To Know About Professional Year Program (PY) More?
The Professional Year Program (PY) is a structured and a pathway to your PR in Australia, which is about 44-52 weeks long, designed to give you a strategic advantage helping you to achieve PR.Â
Professional Year Program (PY) Program StructureÂ
- Classroom training: This phase of the program is typically 32 weeks long and mainly focuses on the development of core Australian work skills. It includes communication etiquette, ethics, work culture environment, resume, and interview preparations. This phase is basically a phase that ensures that you are culturally and professionally fit and ready for the job market in Australia.Â
- Internship Placements: This is next phase in the PY structure which is around 12 weeks long. This is a mandatory phase which helps you to get a structured placement in an Australian company related to your elected course.Â
- Outcome: After the completion of the above phases, you will be provided with a PY certificate, indicating that you are eligible for the 5 migration points towards your visa application.Â
Professional Year Program (PY) Program Cost
This is estimate from multiple providers which can vary by program and provider:Â
| Stream | Estimated Fee Range |
|---|---|
|
IT (ACS PY) |
Approx AUD 8000- AUD 14000 |
|
Engineering (EA PY) |
Approx AUD 12000- AUD 15000 |
Confused about considering or Avoiding Professional Year Program (PY)?
If you are still concerned about whether you should consider the Professional Year Program or not, don’t worry, we have your back.Â
Recommended:Â
- IT/Engineering Graduate with very less or no experience in the field of Australian Skilled Work.Â
- Individuals with EOI scores around 85-90 and require a 5 points advantage.Â
- Recent graduates are seeking a structured and trustworthy path to a professional job market.Â
Not Recommended:Â
- As the Accounting program has ceased permanently, we suggest accounting graduates do not consider this and try other options that are viable and more useful to them.Â
- Applicants have 485 visas that have a validity of less than 12 months remaining.Â
- Individuals who have already completed one year of skilled work in Australia should avoid it as they can claim the points through their work experience.Â
How to Apply for Professional Year Program(PY) in 2025?
The Professional Year Program (PY) remains an invaluable element for graduates studying Accounting, IT, and Engineering entering 2026. In addition to your mandatory 5 points for your Skilled Assessment and EOI, it acts as a safety net in bridging Australian graduates into employment in Australia by giving students internship experience and job preparedness skills.
Step 1: Eligibility & Compliance Check
- Make sure that you apply for a school which you meet the strict entry criteria for before contacting providers concerned.
- You are required to have a relevant Australia degree (with a minimum 2 years of study) and hold or have applied for a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa.
- You are required to have at least 12 months (365 days) of remaining limit on your visa at the time the program starts.
- You are required to have a English proficiency certificate with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, with no less than 6.0 in any of the bands, or a PTE of 50 in every band.
- Skills Assessment: This is done by Engineers Australia for engineering graduates. IT and Accounting students can often start with a provisional assessment or proof of degree completion.
Step 2: Provider Selection & Intake Mapping
You must research the accredited providers such as Performance Education, Navitas, or ECA. Most providers offer monthly intakes, allowing for flexibility.
You are recommended to apply 2–3 months before your intended start date as popular weekend classes in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne fill up quickly.
Step 3: Document Submission & Financial Commitment
You are required to submit your “Decision-Ready” documents via the provider’s portal. This must include your passport, transcripts, CV, English test results, and 485 visa grant/bridging visa.
Next, you must pay the initial deposit of fees, which is in the range of AUD $1,500 to $3,000. The average cost of the selected program in 2026 is said to be about AUD $7,000-9,000 for the IT Accounting and about AUD $15,000 for Engineering field.
Step 4: Interview & Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE)
Make sure you attend the mandatory pre-enrollment interview.as this makes you confident and is a “suitability check” where providers assess your communication skills and internship expectations.
You will then be issued a Letter of Offer, and upon payment of the first instalment, a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE).
Step 5: Program Commencement & Orientation
Attendance at an orientation and commencing your 32-week classroom learning phase will be mandatory. By 2026, most courses are structured to include blended learning options (conducted both on-line and on-campus), and are centered around learning about Australian work culture, business communication, and networking.
It is mandatory that you attend 100% of the classes. Failure to attend classes in the absence of a medical certificate will result in your discharge and forfeiture of your tuition.
Step 6: Internship & Final Graduation
Transition into the 12-week local internship. You will be placed in an Australian company relevant to your field (Accounting, IT, or Engineering).
Many students are offered full-time roles by their host companies during this phase. Ensure you document your tasks for your final Professional Year certificate.
Step 7: Claiming Your 5 Points in SkillSelect
After every step mentioned above has been successfully concluded, you will be received with a certificate of completion. You will then be able to apply to add 5 points to your SkillSelect EOI for your Professional Year in Australia. This will be valid for 4 years from the date of completion.
Common Professional Year Program (PY) Challenges and Solutions
Although the Professional Year (PY) scheme is a highly successful option, boasting a 92% completion rate, as identified within industry data recorded by bodies such as ACS, for those applying within 2026, challenges exist. Knowledge of these typical problems, along with the strategies for overcoming these, will allow you to safeguard your investment and consequently, the 5 points available for Migration.
- Placement Mismatches
Problem: Some students find themselves in administrative roles which do not align with their respective field, which can risk the 5-point claim as the tasks don’t match their ANZSCO code.
Solution: Prioritize providers with 500+ active host company networks and dedicated Employment Liaison Officers. Research providers like Performance Education or Navitas, which have established relationships with tier-1 and tier-2 Australian firms.
- Visa Expiry Risks (The 365-Day Rule)
Problem: To enroll in a PY, you must have at least 12 months (365 days) of validity remaining on your visa (usually the Subclass 485). In 2026, with the removal of the 2-year 485 extension for many, students often find they are short by just a few weeks.
Solution: Apply for your PY immediately after receiving your 485-visa grant. If you are already close to expiry, investigate a Subclass 407 Training Visa or a Skills in Demand (482) visa as a “bridge” to allow for program completion.
- English Proficiency Shortfalls
Problem: Your English test results (IELTS/PTE) must be valid (less than 3 years old) both at the time of PY enrollment and at the time of your final EOI invitation.
Solution: If your results are approaching the 2-year mark, retest early. Many students fail to realize that while a PY provider might accept a 3-year-old test, the Department of Home Affairs requires fresh results for the actual visa invitation.
- Managing High Program Costs
Problem: With 2026 in action, the tuition fees ranging from $7,000 to $15,000 AUD, the upfront cost can be a barrier for many applicants.
Solution: Most major providers now offer interest-free monthly installment plans (usually 10 payments). While “scholarships” are rare and typically small (AUD $500–$1,000), Early Bird discounts are frequently available for those who pay their deposit 2 months in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions on Professional Year Program (PY)
If you have successfully completed a Professional Year Program in Information Technology, or Engineering, it will award you with a total of 5 points on the General Skilled Migration program. The awarding of these points will last for a total of four years from the completion date of the Professional Year program. The given awarding of the points is then used to determine if you are to be invited to apply for a visa under subclass 189, 190, and 491.
Yes, the criteria given are possible but only if you have already applied for a subclass 485. A major provider requests confirmation of an application for a subclass 485 visa and one for a skills assessment, either provisional or full, to make certain that a graduate does have eligibility to join a Professional Year Program.
For being eligible for the Professional Year Program (PY), you are required by the Department of Home Affairs to have your visa valid for at least 12 months (365 days). This guarantees that your visa won’t expire before you finish the 32-week coursework and the required 12-week internship.
Most of these internships organized by the provider of the Professional Year Program (PY) are not paid. This is because they qualify as work experience. However, these placements take only 12 weeks. These placements are guaranteed and act as an important link between education and the workforce in Australia because some organizations hire them as full-time workers after the students finish college.
Even though the English language test is a requirement for obtaining a visa, the Professional Year Program (PY) will improve your professional communication abilities. However, to meet the requirements of accounting graduates, the Professional Year Program (PY) is considered an alternative to the IELTS 7.0 to complete the full assessment of your skills by assessment agents (CPA/CA/IPA).
Maximize PR and Professional Year Program (PY) points with us
- Maximizing Points: We at BJay education and visa services, we guide you to make sure that your education, qualifications and all requirements are on par and help you maximize possible points.Â
- Hassle-Free Documentation: We help you organize and verify all the required documents required for your application like your CV, Transcripts, Work Experience evidence, English Proficiency test for smooth submission and help with the follow-up process.Â
- ANZSCO Alignment: We help you evaluate your qualifications with the requirements of ANZSCO standards for a positive outcome of your application.Â
The journey to work, study, or migration can be exhausting and very hard. With more than 13+ years of experience and a strong team of experts, BJay Education is a bridge for international students and skilled migrants trying for PR in Australia. We here at BJay provide a completely free, non-obligation consultation service which can benefit you.Â
- Personalized roadmapÂ
- Expert Advice on your PY journey
- Maximize OutcomeÂ
