Top Reasons to Choose a Professional Year Program in Australia

Thousands and thousands of international students come into Australia annually to pursue higher studies. In fact, Australia has become one of the preferred countries for students who wish to pursue higher education overseas. The country is home to some of the best educational institutes around the world.

In addition to the excellent infrastructure throughout, Australia offers a beautiful landscape, huge variety of flora & fauna, great opportunities, and a multicultural work environment. To cater to the needs of all the international students coming into Australia, there are thousands of education consultants and migration agents spread across all the major cities of this country.

Australia has a sturdy educational system wherein things are regulated by the government in a very systematic way. All the educational providers are registered on CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) to teach the overseas students who are on student visas in Australia. The programs and curriculums are also registered. The universities and colleges in Australia offer a wide variety of educational programs to suit the needs of students from around the world. From medical to IT, accounting, management, vocational and a number of courses across different streams, Australia is a mecca for international students.

One of the unique courses that certain Australian educational institutions offer is a Professional Year program.

About Professional Year Program

Also known as a PY program, it can be said as a job-preparedness course that bridges the gap between full-time study and professional employment in Australia. The curriculum of a Professional Year program is specially designed to enhance the student’s ability to get employment in their chosen field of study. The program helps the students apply their technical skills and knowledge in the Australian workplace and culture.

Overall, it is a 44-week professional development program that combines both formal learning and internship. The internship helps the student to get familiar with all the aspects of work practices, including the way to communicate effectively in an Australian workplace.

The Professional Year program can be undertaken only in the applicant's nominated skilled occupation or a closely related occupation. A PY program is offered for the following streams in Australia.

• Accounting
• Information Technology (IT)
• Engineering

Reasons to Choose a Professional Year Program in AustraliaWeekly Intakes

Most of the educational institutes offering Professional Year programs in Australia offer weekly intakes, which means that the interested candidate need not wait for months to enroll in the program.

Industry-Ready Skills

PY program is also known as a job-preparedness course, which means that the course teaches the students different skills that are a part of the Australian workplace and culture. It helps them develop communication skills, practical experience, and knowledge of the Australian workplace and culture. The program makes the students job-ready by enhancing their career prospects and broadening their opportunities in the field of IT, accounting, and engineering. It also facilitates networking with other industry professionals.

Additional PR Points

The Australian Department of Home Affairs awards five (5) additional PR points to international students who have completed a PY program. Therefore, a PY program is also a great option for international students who are short of PR points.

Adds Value to CV

In addition to helping the students develop practical skills through a professional internship, a PY program adds great value to their CV. Most of the students who have completed their PY program get absorbed into Australian workplace culture very easily.

Enrolling in a Professional Year program in Melbourne is a decision that will prove to be helpful in the long run; one just has to find the right program and provider.

Bella Cameron is a Content Manager and educational consultant in Asia Pacific Group, a Migration & Immigration Agent in Australia. Apart from this, she loves to write blogs on the latest technologies and different aspects of education.