The ACS Professional Year (PY) fulfills migration skills assessment requirements, providing the equivalent of one year of relevant work experience, accelerating your IT career in Australia.
Launch your Australian IT career with industry placements, hands-on training, and professional development, the PY program equips you with the skills and confidence to succeed in Australia’s tech sector.
The ACS Professional Year includes a guaranteed internship, providing essential Australian IT work experience that employers seek. This practical experience will strengthen your resume and expand your professional network. You will have the chance to receive a strong reference from your host employer which can help you stand-out in your job search.
The ACS Professional Year (PY) provides access to mentorship and skills development through our Professional Environments Online (PE Online) course. Designed to complement your PY internship, you’ll gain access to exclusive resources, and dedicated guidance, along with networking opportunities with fellow students and industry professionals, creating a strong foundation for your success.
As part of the ACS Professional Year, you’ll study alongside others who share similar challenges and ambitions, creating a network to support you throughout your career journey. What's more, you'll build valuable connections working with trainers, IT professionals, and industry mentors throughout your internship.
ACS is appointed by the Department of Home Affairs to provide the ACS Professional Year in IT.
Thanks to the ACS Professional Year, I have been able to meet different people in the class and at ACS events, which were great opportunities to expand my professional network. I feel much more confident in exploring new ventures now, enabling me to excel at my work and get my dream job at IBM.
The course structure and materials are well organised, it built my industry connections, and I learned a lot regarding hard and soft skills with the help of my host company, colleagues, students, and instructors.
For international students, I highly recommend this course because it improves your communication skills and confidence, and it will teach you the required skills that you need to work in the Australian workplace culture.
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If you would like to enrol in the ACS Professional Year in IT, you must:
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Stage
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Key Learning Outcomes
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Duration
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Delivered by
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ACS Online Orientation
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Learn about: 1. Program requirements and outcomes 2. Online course components 3. Your ACS membership benefits
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Self-paced online and Day1 in class
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ACS and accredited provider
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Communication and Performance in the Workplace
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An introduction to Australian workplace culture, including: 1. Teamwork 2. Meetings and negotiating 3. Preparing presentations 4. Engaging effectively with colleagues, management and clients
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32 Weeks (250 Hrs)
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Accredited provider
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Entry and Advancement in the Australian Workplace
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Learn how to: 1. Build and use a professional network to discover job opportunities 2. Stand out by preparing your resume, cover letters and interview skills
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w/ above
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Accredited provider
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ACS Professional Year in IT Internship
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Put what you’ve learned into practice. 1. Enhance your practical and interpersonal skills 2. Gain confidence and valuable contacts
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Minimum 12 weeks
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At an Australian company. Arranged by an accredited provider
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Online Professional Environments
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1. An ACS mentor will help you reflect on your internship and identify a professional pathway to achieve your tech career goals. 2. Live group discussions cover tech industry news, emerging technologies and skills, and more
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13 Weeks during Internship
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Delivered by ACS
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Fees are set by our accredited providers, who can provide more information on course start dates, fee structure, internship placements and more. ACS recommends you contact all providers in your area and request information to make an informed decision before enrolling.
No. The ACS Professional Year is an option for those who wish to gain points toward skilled migration. The Professional Year is equivalent to one year of relevant work experience when undertaking skills assessment for migration.
ACS is the only professional body endorsed by the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) to provide the Professional Year in IT.
Yes, there are professional year programs for both accounting and engineering streams. Please refer to the appropriate industry body for more details.
No, but a person who completes the ACS Professional Year may be awarded five (5) points under an eligible skilled occupation. The ACS Professional Year is the only professional year program in IT specified by the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA).
Yes, the ACS Professional Year in IT is available throughout Australia. Participants may elect to relocate to undertake the program, but they do so at their discretion and expense.
No, RPL is not available for any component of the ACS Professional Year in IT.
No. The ACS Professional Year aims to prepare recent IT graduates with the skills required for a career in Australia. It does not guarantee job placement.
Program delivery allows for time to work and study during course delivery (generally one day per week). Talk to education providers in your area to learn more about class schedules and potential internship arrangements.
ACS asks that all interested organisations read the following ACS Provider Accreditation Manual. There you will find information on the next steps and who to contact should you wish to apply for accreditation.
Current ACS Professional Year participants may utilise the policies and forms below when navigating the ACS Professional Year. Each document is available to download.
If you have questions or require any further information, contact us now at [email protected]
As an international student with ambitions to live and work in tech in Australia, you’ll know that migration rules and requirements change all the time. Our Migration Pathway webinar series is a chance to learn about current trends, ask the experts, and get the clarity you need.
