For international students who have just completed their studies at an Australian university, finding a job in a new country can feel overwhelming. However, there’s a helpful option available to ease this transition: the Professional Year Program offered by QIBA in Brisbane. This program is designed specifically to assist international graduates in building successful careers in Australia. It offers a structured pathway that provides valuable skills, practical experience, and networking opportunities tailored to the Australian job market.
The Professional Year Program at QIBA in Brisbane is a comprehensive initiative to empower international graduates with the tools they need to succeed professionally. Through this program, participants gain insights into the local job market, learn about industry practices, and develop essential skills that employers in Australia value. This includes communication skills, teamwork abilities, and understanding workplace culture and expectations.
The program equips them with the necessary skills and experience, helps them navigate the complexities of the job market, and establishes valuable professional networks.
About the Professional Year Program
The Professional Year Program is an innovative job-readiness program designed specifically for international graduates holding a 485 Skilled Graduate Visa or a Bridging Visa A or B. This program aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world professional experience, ensuring a smooth integration into the Australian workforce.
Benefits of the Professional Year Program
By participating in QIBA’s Professional Year Program, you will gain a multitude of advantages that will propel your career forward:
Internship Opportunities
One of the primary benefits of participating in QIBA’s Professional Year Program is the chance to secure internships in Australian workplaces. These internships provide hands-on experience that allows you to apply the knowledge gained during your studies in a real-world setting. By working alongside professionals in your field, you will develop practical skills and gain valuable insight into industry practices, making you more competitive in the job market.
Networking and Connections
Another advantage of the Professional Year Program is building a strong professional network. Through workshops, seminars, and networking events, you’ll have the chance to connect with potential employers, industry experts, and mentors. These connections can open doors to job opportunities, internships, and provide valuable advice on navigating the Australian job market. Building a robust network can significantly increase your chances of finding rewarding career prospects in Australia.
Workplace Adaptation
Adjusting to a new workplace culture can be challenging, especially for international graduates. However, the Professional Year Program helps ease this transition by providing insights into the Australian workplace culture, etiquette, and expectations. By participating in mock interviews, workplace simulations, and cultural orientation sessions, you’ll better understand what it takes to succeed professionally in Australia. This preparation ensures that you can seamlessly integrate into your chosen field and excel in your career.
Migration Points
Completing the Professional Year Program can also benefit your immigration status in Australia. Many skilled migration pathways offer additional points to applicants who have completed a Professional Year Program in their field. These extra points can significantly enhance your eligibility for permanent residency, making it easier to establish yourself and build a long-term career in Australia. By investing in your professional development through the Professional Year Program, you’re advancing your career and increasing your chances of settling in Australia permanently.
Industry Insights
Additionally, the Professional Year Program offers valuable insights into the specific industries relevant to your field. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of current trends, challenges, and opportunities within your chosen industry through guest lectures, industry visits, and project assignments. This knowledge equips you with a competitive edge, enabling you to make informed decisions and stand out as a valuable asset to potential employers.
QIBA Offers Two Specialised Professional Year courses in Brisbane
Professional Year in Information Technology in Brisbane
The Professional Year in Information Technology offered by QIBA in Brisbane is a job-readiness program designed specifically for former international ICT students with a 485 Skilled Graduate Visa or a Bridging Visa A or B. This comprehensive program will equip you with the necessary skills, experience, and knowledge to thrive in the Australian IT industry.
Eligibility Requirements for Information Technology
Academic transcript and completion letter evidencing completion of your ICT-related Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an Australian institution (minimum of 2 years of full-time study in Australia)
Pricing and Installment Payment Plan
The price structure for the Professional Year in Information Technology offered in Brisbane is as follows:
If you choose the installment payment option, the payment schedule is as follows:
| Payment | Amount (AUD) |
| Application Fee | Waived |
| Upfront Payment | $1,500 |
| Week 4 Payment | $2,000 |
| Week 8 Payment | $2,000 |
| Week 12 Payment | $2,000 |
| Week 16 Payment | $2,000 |
| Week 20 Payment | $2,000 |
| Total | $11,500 |
Professional Year in Accounting
The Professional Year in Accounting offered by QIBA in Brisbane is a job-readiness program designed specifically for former international Accounting students with a 485 Skilled Graduate Visa or a Bridging Visa A or B. This comprehensive program will equip you with the necessary skills, experience, and knowledge to thrive in the Australian accounting industry.
Eligibility Requirements for Professional Year in Accounting
Academic transcript and completion letter evidencing completion of your Accounting Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an Australian institution (minimum of 2 years of full-time study in Australia)
Pricing and Instalment Payment Plan Brisbane
The price structure for the Professional Year in Accounting offered in Brisbane is as follows:
Weekday Classes
| Payment | Amount (AUD) |
| Upfront Payment | $1,150 |
| Week 4 Payment | $1,000 |
| Week 8 Payment | $1,000 |
| Week 12 Payment | $1,000 |
| Week 16 Payment | $1,000 |
| Week 20 Payment | $1,000 |
| Total | $6,150 |
Weekend Classes
| Payment | Amount (AUD) |
| Upfront Payment | $1,400 |
| Week 4 Payment | $1,000 |
| Week 8 Payment | $1,000 |
| Week 12 Payment | $1,000 |
| Week 16 Payment | $1,000 |
| Week 20 Payment | $1,000 |
| Total | $6,400 |
Whether you pursue the Professional Year in Information Technology or the Professional Year in Accounting, this opportunity will provide you with a comprehensive platform to kick start your career in Australia.
Internship Component after a Professional Year in Brisbane
Professional Year in Information Technology
The Internship component is crucial to the Professional Year in Information Technology program. It provides hands-on practical experience in an Australian workplace setting. The key highlights of the internship component for ICT candidates are:
- Minimum Placement Hours: All ICT candidates must complete at least 220 placement hours in the workplace.
- Duration: Generally, candidates engage in this internship over 3 days per week for at least 12 weeks.
- Online Course with ACS: All candidates must complete an online course with the Australian Computer Society (ACS) in conjunction with the internship. This ACS online course (PE Online) offers further insights into the ICT industry and provides mentoring to enhance the candidates’ internship experience.
The internship component allows ICT candidates to apply the skills and knowledge acquired during face-to-face classes in a real-world professional setting, preparing them for a successful career in the Australian IT industry.
Professional Year in Accounting
The internship component of the Professional Year in Accounting program provides practical work experience for participants, enabling them to develop professional skills specific to the Australian workplace or business environment. The key details of the internship component for Accounting candidates are:
- Minimum Placement Hours: Accounting candidates must complete at least 250 placement hours in the workplace.
- Duration: Generally, candidates engage in this internship over 3 days per week (21 hours per week) for a minimum of 12 weeks.
- Practical Application: The internship component aims to utilise the skills and knowledge learned during the face-to-face classes in a practical work situation.
- Timing: The internship component must be undertaken after the class work.
Common Eligibility Criteria to Study Professional Year Course in Brisbane
To enrol in the Professional Year Program at QIBA, you must be able to provide the following:
- A copy of your current passport
- A copy of your 485 Skilled Graduate Visa (either Graduate Work or Post-Study Work stream) or Bridging Visa A or B
- Evidence of English language proficiency test results:
- PTE (minimum overall score of 50, no band below 50)
- IELTS (minimum overall score of 6.0, no band below 6.0)
- TOEFL or OET (equivalent)
Application Process to Study Professional Year Course in Brisbane
Step 1: Read the QIBA Terms & Conditions and Refund Policy.
Step 2: Fill out the application form and send it to py.enrolments@qiba.edu.au, along with all required documentation. A face-to-face pre-enrolment interview is compulsory, and applicants will be asked to select preferred days and times when they receive a Letter of Offer.
Step 3: You will be issued a Letter of Offer once you submit your completed application. If correct documentation has been submitted and payment has been made, you will receive an invitation to attend a face-to-face pre-enrolment interview. At this time, a Confirmation of Enrolment will be issued, and you can commence classes.