Can You Do Professional Year Offshore?

No.
Professional Year is designed for onshore graduates holding an eligible visa.

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Can You Start on a Bridging Visa?

This depends on visa conditions and provider rules.
You must always confirm that your visa allows full participation before enrolment.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting too late and running out of visa time

• Enrolling with non-approved providers

• Assuming internship guarantees employment

• Claiming points before official completion

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Strategic Migration Perspective

Professional Year is not a visa.
It is a points optimisation strategy within the General Skilled Migration system.

For applicants targeting:

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

• Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

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Those extra 5 points can significantly increase competitiveness in invitation rounds.

However, it should be considered as part of a broader migration strategy, not in isolation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Professional Year in Australia

1. How many points does Professional Year give for PR?

Professional Year gives 5 migration points under the General Skilled Migration points test.
You can claim these points if the program relates to your nominated occupation and was completed within the last four years.

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2. Can I claim Professional Year points before completion?

No.
You can only claim the 5 points after you officially complete the program and receive your Record of Completion from an approved provider.

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3. Can I do Professional Year offshore?

No.
Professional Year must be completed in Australia while holding an eligible visa, typically the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

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4. How long is Professional Year in Australia?

Professional Year usually runs for 44 to 52 weeks, including formal training and a 12-week internship placement.

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5. Is internship guaranteed in Professional Year?

Most approved providers include internship placement as part of the program structure.
However, placement quality and industry relevance may vary.

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6. Can I start Professional Year on a Bridging Visa?

It depends on your visa conditions.
You must confirm that your Bridging Visa allows study and full participation before enrolling.

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7. Is Professional Year worth it for 189 or 190 visa?

For applicants close to the invitation cut-off score, the extra 5 points can significantly improve competitiveness for:

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

If your occupation is highly competitive, those points may strengthen your profile.

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8. What happens if I fail Professional Year?

Failure to meet attendance or internship requirements may result in non-completion.
If you do not complete the program, you cannot claim the 5 migration points.

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9. Can Professional Year help me get a job in Australia?

It may improve your CV by providing Australian workplace experience.
However, employment is not guaranteed.

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IT, and Engineers received an invitation under subclass 190 on the Victoria Invitation round. Invitations were issued starting from 70 points.

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If you receive an invitation and would like would need our assistance to lodge your application, send an email to migration6@racc.net.au within 14 days.

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Validity

Professional Year Validity is officially now 4 years from the date of completion.

 

The Department has recently adopted a more beneficial approach to Professional Year,  the applicant could have commenced the Professional Year at a time before the 48 months prior to invitation from the time the applicant “completed” a Professional Year is the date listed on an official Record of Completion which is issued by the authorized body or Professional Year program delivery partner to the applicant.

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Duration

Professional Year Programs run for 12 months and includes 7 months of classes (1 day per week; with the weekend class option available) + 3 months guaranteed Internship placement.

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Internship

As per Industry experts, this is a great way for fresh graduates to break into the Australian workforce. More than often, talented graduates get recruited upon successful completion of the Internship Program.

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Benefits of Professional Year

•  Add 5 points for Australian PR application upon completion

•  Build professional skills and earn valuable work experience in an Australian company through the internship

•  Improve understanding of Australian workplace and cultures

•  Learn how to communicate in a professional manner within the Australian workplace

•  Facilitate networking with peers and other industry professionals