What IT Graduates Need to Know in 2026
Australia’s migration system is changing, and international IT graduates are understandably asking what the latest reforms mean for their future. In particular, many are seeking information about the Professional Year IT 2026 and how it could impact their opportunities in Australia.
On 17 September 2026, the Australian Government announced the next stage of migration policy changes, covering student visas, skilled visa processing priorities, visitor visas, visa hopping and other areas of the migration system. The Department of Home Affairs says these changes have begun to be implemented and will be progressively rolled out over the next 12 months.
For IT graduates, however, it is important to separate changes that directly affect visa settings from programs that support professional development and skilled migration planning. One such program is the ACS Professional Year in IT.
What are the latest Australian migration changes?
The Australian Government has announced several migration reforms in September 2026. The Department of Home Affairs’ migration policy changes page outlines measures including:
- Changes intended to improve the integrity of student visas, including restrictions on secondary applicants on most student visas
- Measures aimed at stopping visa hopping
- New processing priorities for certain skilled visa applications
- A No Further Stay condition for visitor visas
- Changes to the Working Holiday Maker Program
- Additional compliance measures for people without valid visas
Because implementation is ongoing, applicants should check the Department of Home Affairs requirements that apply to their circumstances before making visa decisions.
What is changing for international students and their families?
One of the most widely discussed announcements concerns family members of international students. In his 17 September 2026 National Press Club speech, Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said the Government would no longer allow family members to be attached to new student or graduate visas in the general case, while identifying exceptions for Pacific and ASEAN nations and certain courses, including PhD studies.
The same speech stated that people who already have their family attached to a visa and are already in Australia would not have their families separated onshore as a result of this change. The detailed implementation and applicable exceptions should be checked against current Home Affairs requirements.
What about visa hopping?
The Government has also announced measures aimed at addressing what it describes as visa hopping. However, the Government’s announcement does not mean that every move from one visa to another is automatically considered problematic.
In his September 2026 speech, Minister Burke described a person coming to Australia on a student visa, completing a qualification, moving to a graduate visa, obtaining relevant employment, moving into employer sponsorship and later applying for permanent residence as an example of the migration system working as intended. Read the Minister’s full speech.
New skilled visa processing priorities
Another important development for people considering skilled migration is the introduction of new skilled visa processing priorities. The Department of Home Affairs confirms that Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 came into effect on 19 September 2026.
Under the current directions, certain skilled visa applications relating to the following sectors receive the highest listed priority:
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Teaching
- Agriculture
- Aquaculture
- Fishing
- Resources
- Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests
These are processing priorities, not a statement that other occupations are automatically ineligible for skilled migration. Visa eligibility and processing priority are separate questions.
Does this mean IT is no longer part of skilled migration?
No. The new processing directions should not be confused with whether an IT occupation is eligible for a particular skilled visa.
Processing priority determines the order in which certain applications are assessed under the relevant Ministerial Direction. Eligibility depends on the requirements of the specific visa, occupation and applicant.
IT graduates should therefore consider their occupation, skills assessment, visa subclass, points position, state or territory requirements and other applicable criteria separately. Home Affairs explains that skilled visa applications are assessed according to Ministerial Directions.
Where does Professional Year in IT fit?
The ACS Professional Year in IT is a structured program for eligible international ICT graduates designed to support the transition from study into the Australian professional workplace. QIBA’s IT Professional Year will take around 46 weeks to 52 weeks, including 32 weeks of class component, 12 weeks of internship component, and at least 2 weeks marking period.
QIBA is an ACS-accredited Professional Year provider and currently offers the ICT Professional Year in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Hobart.
Can Professional Year provide migration points?
Graduates may be eligible to claim 5 points toward skilled migration under an eligible IT skilled occupation by the DHA, upon successful completion of the ACS Professional Year in IT. ACS also states that completing the Professional Year does not guarantee permanent residency.
This means the 5 points should be understood as a potential component of an eligible applicant’s points calculation, not as a guarantee of a visa invitation or permanent residence.
Eligibility for a particular visa depends on the applicant’s circumstances and the requirements that apply at the time of application.
Why workplace experience matters for IT graduates
Migration requirements are only one part of starting an IT career in Australia. International graduates also need to develop professional skills, understand Australian workplace expectations and gain relevant experience.
The Professional Year combines professional training with an Australian workplace internship. QIBA currently requires ICT candidates to complete a minimum of 220 internship placement hours in an Australian workplace.
The type of internship and workplace experience available can depend on factors such as the graduate’s skills, qualifications, location and available opportunities. An internship should not be presented as a guarantee of employment.
What does QIBA’s Professional Year in IT include?
QIBA’s current course information describes the program as a job-readiness program combining professional training with an Australian workplace internship. QIBA’s Professional Year in IT course page currently lists:
- A minimum 220-hour Australian workplace internship
- The ACS course and mentorship component
- Professional and workplace training
- Delivery in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Hobart
Who can consider the ACS Professional Year in IT?
ACS sets eligibility requirements for the Professional Year in IT. These include holding a valid passport and visa, completing an IT-related bachelor’s or higher degree from an Australian tertiary institution, meeting the Australian Study Requirement, meeting the required English standard and completing an application interview with an accredited provider. See the current ACS entry requirements.
QIBA also publishes its current eligibility and document requirements on its Professional Year in IT course page. Applicants should check the current requirements before applying.
Is Professional Year in IT still relevant in 2026?
Australia’s migration settings are changing, but the purpose of the Professional Year remains focused on professional development, workplace preparation and Australian IT experience.
For an eligible IT graduate, the program can provide:
- Structured professional and workplace training
- Australian workplace experience through an internship
- Professional development and mentoring
- Opportunities to develop professional networks
- Potential eligibility for 5 skilled migration points upon successful completion, where the relevant requirements are met
The Professional Year should be considered as one part of a broader career and migration plan rather than as a guaranteed pathway to permanent residency. ACS explicitly states that the program does not guarantee employment or permanent residency.
Why consider QIBA?
QIBA currently delivers the ICT Professional Year in four Australian locations: Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Hobart. View QIBA’s current Professional Year course information.
QIBA’s current program information also lists a minimum 220-hour internship component for ICT candidates.
What should IT graduates do next?
With migration settings changing, it is important to distinguish between education, career preparation, visa eligibility and visa processing priorities.
- Review your current visa status and expiry date.
- Confirm your ICT qualification and Professional Year eligibility.
- Identify the occupation relevant to your career and skills assessment.
- Check current English language requirements.
- Understand your points position if you are considering a points-tested skilled visa.
- Check current state or territory requirements where relevant.
- Review the latest Home Affairs requirements before making visa decisions.
Migration rules can change, and completing a Professional Year does not guarantee a visa invitation, employment or permanent residency. For visa advice specific to your circumstances, consult the Department of Home Affairs and, where appropriate, a registered migration professional.
For eligible graduates, the ACS Professional Year in IT can be one part of that plan, while providing structured professional development and Australian workplace experience.
Explore QIBA’s Professional Year in IT: View the course and current intakes
Authoritative sources
- Australian Government — Migration Policy Changes
- Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Visa Processing Priorities
- Department of Home Affairs — Processing Skilled Visas
- Minister Tony Burke — National Press Club speech, 17 September 2026
- Australian Computer Society — Professional Year Program
- QIBA — Professional Year in Information Technology
