Professional Year in Australia 2026: Complete Guide

If you have completed an IT or computer-related degree in Australia, your next step is often finding a job and building professional experience.

That transition can be difficult.

You have the degree, but Australian employers often look for workplace experience, communication skills, professional knowledge and an understanding of how Australian workplaces operate.

The Professional Year in Information Technology, also called the IT Professional Year or ICT Professional Year, helps you make that transition. The program combines professional training, workplace preparation and an Australian IT internship.

In 2026, the ACS Professional Year in IT continues to provide an option for eligible international IT graduates who want to develop workplace skills and potentially claim five points toward an eligible skilled migration application.

This guide explains what the Professional Year in Australia involves, who can apply, how long it takes, what you learn, how the internship works, the connection with skilled migration and what you should consider before choosing a provider.

What is a Professional Year in Australia?

A Professional Year is a structured program designed to help international graduates move from university study into the Australian professional workplace.

For IT graduates, the program is the ACS Professional Year in Information Technology.

The program combines:

• Professional and workplace training
• Australian workplace preparation
• Career development
• Communication and professional skills
• An IT internship
• Mentoring and professional development through ACS

QIBA delivers the Professional Year in IT on behalf of the Australian Computer Society and describes its program as a 44-week job-readiness program that includes a 220-hour Australian workplace internship.

The main purpose is simple. You use the program to develop the professional skills and Australian workplace experience that support your transition into an IT career.

Is Professional Year worth it in 2026?

For eligible IT graduates, a Professional Year can provide benefits beyond another qualification.

You can use the program to:

• Gain Australian workplace experience
• Improve your professional communication
• Develop your resume and interview skills
• Understand Australian workplace culture
• Build professional connections
• Complete an IT internship
• Access ACS professional development and mentoring
• Potentially claim five points for an eligible skilled migration application

ACS states that graduates of the Professional Year in IT may be able to claim five points toward skilled migration under an eligible IT skilled occupation.

The Australian migration regulations also provide five points for an eligible Australian professional year completed in the nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation, subject to the relevant requirements.

However, completing a Professional Year does not guarantee permanent residency.

It also does not guarantee a job.

Your occupation, skills assessment, English level, age, work experience, points score, invitation and visa requirements all affect your migration options. Home Affairs states that meeting the minimum points threshold does not guarantee an invitation for a skilled visa.

Who can apply for the IT Professional Year in Australia?

The exact requirements depend on the program and provider, so you should check your eligibility before enrolling.

ACS lists the following core requirements for its Professional Year in IT:

1. You must hold a valid passport and a visa that gives you full work and study rights.
2. Your visa must remain valid for 365 days from the date your Professional Year starts.
3. You must have completed an IT-related bachelor’s degree or higher from an Australian tertiary institution.
4. You must meet the Australian Study Requirement.
5. You must have completed an English language test within the required period and meet the Department of Home Affairs Competent English requirement.
6. You must complete an application interview with an accredited Professional Year provider.

QIBA currently accepts eligible graduates holding a Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 or certain Bridging Visas. QIBA also requires evidence of an ICT-related bachelor’s or master’s degree from an Australian institution, with at least two years of full-time study in Australia, together with English language evidence.

Because visa and Professional Year requirements can change, always check your individual situation with your chosen provider and the Department of Home Affairs before you enrol.

Can you do Professional Year on a 485 visa?

Yes, eligible Temporary Graduate visa holders can undertake the IT Professional Year.

The current Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, allows eligible international graduates to live, work and study in Australia temporarily after completing their studies.

QIBA’s current IT Professional Year eligibility information specifically includes eligible subclass 485 visa holders.

You should check how much time remains on your visa before selecting an intake. ACS requires the visa to provide full work and study rights and to remain valid for 365 days from the Professional Year commencement date.

What do you learn during a Professional Year?

A Professional Year focuses on more than technical knowledge.

You already completed your IT degree. The program focuses on helping you apply your knowledge in a professional environment.

Australian workplace culture

You learn how Australian workplaces operate.

Topics include workplace expectations, teamwork, meetings, negotiation and professional communication.

These skills matter when you start working with Australian employers, clients and colleagues.

Communication skills

IT professionals need to communicate technical information clearly.

The program helps you develop skills for:

• Workplace conversations
• Meetings
• Presentations
• Professional emails
• Client communication
• Team discussions
• Workplace negotiation

Resume and job application skills

Finding your first Australian IT job requires more than a degree.

You need a clear resume, strong applications and good interview skills.

Professional Year training covers areas such as resume preparation, cover letters, interview skills and professional networking.

Professional networking

Your professional network can help you discover opportunities that you would not find through job boards alone.

During the Professional Year, you interact with trainers, mentors, other students and industry professionals.

ACS also provides professional development and mentoring through its Professional Environments Online program.

How does the Professional Year internship work?

The internship is one of the most important parts of the IT Professional Year.

You get the opportunity to apply what you learn in a real Australian workplace.

ACS requires a minimum 12-week local IT internship as part of its Professional Year in IT.

At QIBA, the internship component requires ICT candidates to complete at least 220 placement hours in an Australian workplace. Placement generally runs for three days per week over at least 12 weeks.

Your internship can help you develop practical skills such as:

• Working within a team
• Following workplace processes
• Communicating with colleagues
• Managing tasks and deadlines
• Participating in meetings
• Using workplace tools
• Applying technical knowledge
• Understanding employer expectations

The experience also gives you something important to add to your resume: Australian workplace experience.

Do you get a job after Professional Year?

No provider can guarantee you a job simply because you complete a Professional Year.

ACS clearly states that successful completion does not guarantee employment.

Your result depends on factors such as:

• Your technical skills
• Your English communication
• Your resume
• Your interview performance
• Your internship experience
• Your job search strategy
• Employer demand
• Your chosen IT occupation

Think of the Professional Year as a bridge between university and the workplace.

You still need to apply for jobs and build your career.

Does Professional Year give you 5 migration points?

An eligible Professional Year can provide five points for the Australian skilled migration points test.

The migration regulations specify five points for completing an eligible professional year in Australia in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation for the required period.

ACS also states that graduates of the Professional Year in IT may be able to claim five points toward skilled migration under an eligible IT skilled occupation.

These five points can contribute to your overall points score.

For example, your skilled migration points can also depend on factors such as:

• Age
• English language ability
• Qualifications
• Skilled employment
• Australian study
• Specialist education
• Partner-related factors
• Other eligible points

The Professional Year is only one part of your overall migration strategy.

Does Professional Year guarantee permanent residency?

No.

This is one of the most important things to understand before enrolling.

Completing an IT Professional Year does not give you permanent residency automatically.

It also does not guarantee an invitation for a skilled visa.

Home Affairs states that subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas are points-based and that meeting the minimum points threshold does not guarantee an invitation.

Your migration options depend on your individual circumstances and the visa requirements that apply when you submit your application.

You should treat the five Professional Year points as one part of your overall skilled migration plan, not as a guarantee of PR.

How long is the Professional Year?

The IT Professional Year takes about 44 weeks.

The program includes professional training, workplace preparation, an internship and ACS professional development.

QIBA currently describes its IT Professional Year as a 44-week program with a 220-hour internship.

ACS describes the program structure as:

• 32 weeks of classroom-based work-readiness training
• Minimum 12-week IT internship

Some components run alongside each other, so these durations should not be added together as separate consecutive periods.

How much does Professional Year cost in Australia?

Professional Year fees vary between accredited providers and locations.

ACS states that fees are set by individual accredited providers and recommends comparing providers before enrolling.

QIBA currently lists the following fees for its IT Professional Year:

Fees can change, so check the current QIBA course page before applying.

Where can you study Professional Year in Australia?

The ACS Professional Year in IT is available through accredited providers in different parts of Australia.

QIBA currently offers the IT Professional Year in:

• Sydney, NSW
• Brisbane, QLD
• Canberra, ACT
• Hobart, TAS

Choosing your location depends on your circumstances.

You should consider:

• Where you currently live
• Your job opportunities
• Internship availability
• Travel time
• Accommodation costs
• Class schedules
• Your long-term career plans

If you plan to move from Sydney to another city, check the available intakes and internship arrangements before making the move.

Professional Year in Sydney

Sydney has a large technology and business market, making it a popular location for IT graduates.

QIBA offers its IT Professional Year in Sydney at its George Street campus.

If you already live in Sydney, studying locally can reduce the disruption of moving to another city while you complete the program.

You should still compare the cost of living, class schedule and internship arrangements before choosing Sydney.

Professional Year in Brisbane

Brisbane is another option for IT graduates looking to complete their Professional Year.

QIBA offers the IT Professional Year in Brisbane.

Brisbane can suit graduates who want to build their careers in Queensland while completing their Professional Year.

Professional Year in Canberra

Canberra has a strong government, technology and professional services sector.

QIBA offers the IT Professional Year in Canberra.

If you want to work in Canberra after graduation, studying your Professional Year there gives you an opportunity to develop local professional connections and gain Australian workplace experience.

Professional Year in Hobart

Hobart offers another option for eligible IT graduates who want to complete their Professional Year in Tasmania.

QIBA currently offers its IT Professional Year in Hobart.

Before relocating, check your internship options, accommodation costs and employment opportunities in your target IT occupation.

What documents do you need?

You generally need documents that prove your identity, visa status, education and English ability.

We currently ask applicants to provide:

• Passport
• Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 or eligible Bridging Visa documentation
• Academic transcript
• Completion letter
• English language test results
• Other application documents required by the provider

QIBA also requires a face-to-face pre-enrolment interview.

ACS lists similar core documentation and eligibility requirements for the Professional Year.

Prepare your documents early. Missing documents can delay your enrolment.

How to apply for Professional Year in Australia

The application process is straightforward.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Confirm that your Australian qualification, visa, English level and study history meet the requirements.

Step 2: Prepare your documents

Prepare your passport, visa, academic documents, English test results and other required documents.

Step 3: Submit your application

Apply directly to your selected Professional Year provider.

Step 4: Complete the interview

We conduct an interview before enrolment. ACS requires applicants to complete an application interview with an accredited provider.

Step 5: Start your Professional Year

Once you complete the enrolment process, you can begin the program according to your selected intake.

QIBA states that applicants must submit their application no later than three working days before the intake start date.

How should you choose a Professional Year provider?

Do not choose a provider based only on price.

Compare the full program.

Look at:

1. Accreditation

Make sure the provider delivers an ACS Professional Year in IT.

2. Internship

Ask how the provider handles the internship and what type of IT placements students receive.

3. Location

Choose a location that fits your career and personal plans.

4. Timetable

Check whether weekday or weekend study options fit your work schedule.

5. Total cost

Compare the upfront price, instalment price and any additional costs.

6. Student support

Ask what support you receive during classes, your internship and your job search.

7. Intake dates

Check upcoming intakes before your current visa expires.

Professional Year vs getting an IT job directly

You do not need a Professional Year simply because you have an IT degree.

Some graduates start applying for IT jobs immediately after graduation.

Others use the Professional Year to gain structured workplace training and an Australian internship.

The better option depends on your situation.

Professional Year can make sense if you:

• Lack Australian workplace experience
• Want structured career preparation
• Need to develop professional communication
• Want an IT internship
• Want to build an Australian professional network
• Are eligible and want to pursue the five migration points

You should also consider the time and cost involved.

A Professional Year is not a replacement for a job search. Use the internship and training to strengthen your job applications while you build your career.

Professional Year and ACS skills assessment

The Professional Year also connects with the ACS skills assessment process.

ACS states that applicants using the Post Australian Study assessment pathway can meet the relevant experience requirement through either one year of relevant work experience after completing the relevant degree or completion of the ACS Professional Year.

This does not mean every graduate automatically receives a positive skills assessment.

ACS still assesses your qualification, nominated occupation and other requirements.

Check the current ACS assessment pathway that applies to your occupation before making decisions about your migration plan.

Common mistakes IT graduates make

Waiting until your visa is close to expiry

Do not leave your Professional Year planning until the last minute.

Check your visa expiry date and the provider’s intake schedule early.

Choosing a provider based only on price

A cheaper program is not automatically the better option.

Look at the internship, location, timetable and support.

Expecting the internship to guarantee a job

The internship gives you workplace experience. You still need to perform well and apply for jobs.

Assuming Professional Year guarantees PR

It does not.

The program can provide five points toward an eligible skilled migration application, but you must still meet all relevant visa requirements.

Ignoring English requirements

Check your English test requirements before applying.

Treating the Professional Year as another university course

The program focuses heavily on workplace readiness.

Take the internship seriously. Build relationships. Ask questions. Improve your communication. Use the experience when applying for jobs.