ACS Professional Year Program (ICT)

Program Structure

There are four main components of the ACS Professional Year Program. The first two components are delivered simultaneously in the classroom, covering 250 contact hours. The Professional Environments (PE) component which is delivered by the ACS will run in conjunction with the internship period.

Program Components and Modules:

1. Communication and Performance in the Australian Workplace (CPW)
   • CPW1 – Performance in business meetings
   • CPW2 – Workplace communication
   • CPW3 – Presentations
   • CPW4 – Business writing
   • CPW5 – Reporting to managers
2. Entry and Advancement in the Australian Workplace (EAW)
   • EAW1 – Australian workplace culture
   • EAW2 – Workplace relationships
   • EAW3 – Professional Performance
   • EAW4 – Prepare a tailored job application
   • EAW5 – Interview preparation
3. Professional Environments (PE online, provided by the ACS)
   • Professionalism in ICT is designed to demonstrate what it means to be a professional in a chosen field. This online module will provide the opportunity to develop and maintain an e-portfolio, which can be built following the completion of the Professional Year program. Issues related to Business, Legal and Ethical content in the workplace are also covered. The online module is for 13 weeks and runs parallel to the student internship.
4. Professional ICT Internship
   • One of the most significant aspects of the Professional Year program is an internship placement will be for a minimum period of 220 hours which is normally 10 to 12 weeks and can be part-time or full-time. This provides practical ICT workplace experience in an Australian based organisation.

ACS PY Internships

NIT’s sourced internships will provide you with the opportunity to work hands-on in a real professional environment to gain work experience in ICT. You are also able to learn more about the career path you are pursuing. That means you can use this opportunity to explore if the career suits you and gain real perspectives on your occupation.

The work experience will give you a chance to:

• Observe and engage in real projects and day-to-day work, under the guidance of a supervisor.
• Develop professional and practical skills in your field.
• Understand what it means to apply your knowledge in a real work setting.

Several Areas to Choose From

Our Internship Coordinator will have a one-to-one session with you to best match your interest and background to a suitable host organisation and intern role.

Entry Requirements

To enrol in the ACS Professional Year Program the applicant must meet the entry requirements. The entry requirements are changing for enrolments commencing the program from 1 June 2020 onwards. Please read the entry requirements provided below carefully:

• An ICT-related Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or higher from an Australian tertiary institution (minimum of two years’ full-time study in Australia).
• Completion of the principal course of study (on a Student Visa) prior to commencing the Professional Year Program.
• A current and valid passport and visa (485 Temporary Graduate visa*) that allows full work and study rights. Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months validity (365 days) on their visa from the date of Professional Year Program commencement.
• A current and valid English language test score (taken within the three years immediately prior to Professional Year Program commencement) with at least a minimum score of 6.0 in IELTS, with no bands below 6.0 (or equivalent) (Click here to see a table of equivalent scores)
• Undertake an interview (face-to-face) as part of the application process to ensure program suitability, understand the internship expectations, and program completion viability.

* Preference will be given to those currently on a 485 Temporary Graduate visa (either Graduate Work or Post-Study Work Stream) or active Bridging Visa as a result of a 485 Temporary Graduate visa application.

NOTES:

• ACS Skills Assessment is not an entry requirement for the course, however, NIT recommends the applicant undertake a Temporary Graduate Skills Assessment prior to enrolling in the Professional Year Program to confirm their degree suitability for any future skills assessment considerations in their nominated ANZSCO Code.
• Participants who already have permanent residency or who hold other visas which have full work and study rights for the duration of the PY Program may also be accepted, subject to approval by ACS.
• Secondary visa holders of other visa subclasses such as 457, 489 or 402 visas may also be eligible to undertake Professional Year Program, subject to approval by ACS.

Resource Requirements