Professional Year - SMIPA

 

F.A.Qs for students

The following information is provided in regard to the Professional Year (PY) and Skilled Migration Internship Programme for Accounatants (SMIPA) as part of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) 485 Skilled Graduate Visa program to be delivered by Monash Professional.

For more details, contact us:

1800 4my_pr (freecall in Australia)
03 8622 8956 (phone)
03 8622 8998 (fax)
www.professionalyear.com
enquiry@internships.monash.edu.au

Q1. What are Professional Year and SMIPA?

The programs are courses the Australian Federal Government has initiated to assist international students to gain employment skills to assist them to find work in their chosen occupation. The program allows students to gain an additional 10 migration points towards permanent residence.

Q2. What visa is required?

The required visa for the program is the 485 Skilled Graduate visa. All details on this visa can be found on the DIAC website at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/485/index.htm

Q3. Can I study the Professional Year or SMIPA if I do not have a 485 Skilled Graduate Visa?

Yes, you can study either if you do not have a 485 Skilled Graduate Visa, however:

  • you must remain compliant with the conditions of your current visa which will therefore exclude some visa types.
  • if you are waiting for your approval for your 485 visa, you can commence the programs. However, you cannot be awarded additional migration points unless you have been granted your 485 Skilled Graduate Visa.
  • if you commence either the Professional Year or SMIPA prior to being granted your visa, there is no additional waiting period to be granted the migration points if you receive the 485 Skilled Graduate Visa during the course.
  • if you enrol whilst on the bridging visa there is the risk that your visa will be refused and hence you will not be eligible for permanent residence despite studying the Professional Year or SMIPA.

Q4. What occupations are covered?

There are three occupations nominated by the Australian Government:

  • Computer Science -Professional Year (PY)
  • Accounting -Skilled Migration Internship Program for Accountants (SMIPA)
  • Engineering

To be able to enrol, your study must be related to one of the above fields as a visa requirement and you must study the program related to your study.

To study on of these programs, you must have completed a two year study program in Australia, completed over a minimum of 16 months in Australia. You must apply for the program within six months of completion of study.

The Computer Science Professional Year and Accounting SMIPA program have been approved by the government and Monash Professional is approved to provide them.

The Engineering Professional Year program is yet to be given final approval by the Government; this is expected in the near future.

Full details can be found at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/485/eligibility-study.htm

Q5. How do I know which program to study?

There is only one program for each occupation, therefore all institutions providing the courses will have very similar programs. Monash Professional will include extra components to ensure a high quality program, as well as provide better outcomes for its graduates. As a leading provider of Professional Internships, Monash Professional will ensure quality work experience placements in the Professional Year and SMIPA.

Q6. Are there any approved Programs?

The Computer Science Professional Year, which was the responsibility of the Australian Computer Society, has been approved by the government. Monash Professional is approved to teach the Computer Science Professional Year. This is the first Professional Year program for skilled migration available in Australia.

The Skilled Migration Internship Program for Accountants (SMIPA) has also been approved by the government and Monash Professional will commence it’s first intake in June 2008. The Engineering Professional Year program is yet to be given approval by the government, but this is expected in the near future.

Q7. How long do the Professional Year or SMIPA go for?

The requirement is for a 44 week program.
Each provider will determine their own schedule for teaching.

Q8. Can I work during my study?

Your visa will give you full work rights during the 18 months for which the 485 Skilled Graduate Visa is eligible. You need to check the DIAC website for more details.
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/485/eligibility-study.htm

Q9. What do I study in the Professional Year and SMIPA?

The Professional Year consists of 4 key components:

  • Business Communication Skills – a course that provides specific information on how to communicate effectively in the workplace, interview techniques, preparing a CV, meeting procedures, business writing and other related topics.
  • Australian Workplace Skills – a course designed to give a full understanding of roles and responsibilities in an Australian workplace. Topics such as occupational health and safety, teamwork, planning, self management, employee relationships and problem solving will be covered.
  • Professional Internship – you will undertake a 12 week practical work experience (unpaid) program in a company to assist you to develop your employment skills. This is a key element of the program, and is arranged in consultation with Monash Professional.
  • Professional Element – Offered in accord with the professional industry bodies participating in the PY program or SMIPA, this component focuses on your understanding and skills in regards to being a professional in your selected occupation. Providers in collaboration with professional industry bodies provide an orientation workshop at the commencement of the program, and a graduation ceremony upon completion.

Q10. How are the programs structured?

A minimum of 44 week s is required to complete the programs.

All programs include the following minimum requirements:

  • Business Communications and Australian Workplace Skills are each required to be a minimum of 130 hours of study.
  • The Professional Internship is required to be a minimum of 220 hours over a period of 10 weeks. Monash Professional will arrange for a full time position over 12 weeks to provide a full experience and further enhance employment opportunities.
  • The Professional Element is studied in coordination with professional industry body directives.
  • Monash Professional has designed its programs to allow for participants to continue with paid employment in other areas, and the theoretical component will have 10 hours of contact time per week. The Professional Internship will be arranged in a flexible manner to meet the needs of the participant and company.

Q11. How am I assessed?

All program components are assessed as pass/fail. You need to attend for 80% of the program to pass (with 90% during the Professional Internship) and you need to pass all components to be given the award.

Q12. Can I receive Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)?

It has been gazetted by the Australian Federal Government that no RPL can be awarded towards a Professional Year or SMIPA.

Q13. What happens when I finish my program?

The aim of our programs is to provide a basis for you to gain employment in the profession for which you have studied. The exposure to workplace skills and practical experience will greatly assist with this.

You will be awarded a Professional Year or SMIPA Certificate which shows you have completed the course. This can be used to advise companies, as well as to provide DIAC with evidence so as to gain the added migration points.

You will also receive references and other materials that will assist you to gain employment in your field.

DIAC will have access to the database on which all Professional Year and SMIPA applicants’ information is kept. When you apply for permanent residence, DIAC will confirm your status through this database.

At the completion of your program you are able to apply to gain 10 additional points towards migration. Neither the Professional Year nor SMIPA guarantees permanent residence, but do assist in gaining the additional points required.

There will be a graduation ceremony for the presentation of your award.

Q14. When will the program commence?

Monash Professional commenced its first program on 26 May 2008.
Other courses will commence at intervals of approximately 6 weeks. These will be advised upon receipt of an application.

Q15. Where will I study?

Monash Professional will run its first program at its CBD location in Queen Street, Melbourne. Students will also have access to facilities at other Monash University campuses.

Monash Professional has a course planned to commence programs in Sydney CBD in late 2008 early 2009.

Q16. Why choose Monash Professional?

There are many reasons why Monash Professional will give you an edge in your study, including:

  • Monash Professional has played a leading role in the development of the PY Program and SMIPA with other key groups, such as DIAC, CPA, ICAA NIA and the Australian Computer Society. This means Monash Professional is on the leading edge of the program and will deliver it at a high quality.
  • Monash Professional is the leader in Australia for internship placements, already making over 500 per year. This means your internship will be arranged with one of the 6000+ companies Monash Professional works with already and ensures a quality experience in this important practical component.
  • Monash Professional has a modern CBD location for classes.
  • You will have access to facilities at other Monash campuses.
  • Your certificate for the PY or SMIPA will be from Monash.
  • Monash Professional has quality teachers who are engaged in corporate training and real work situations so as to enhance the experience.
  • Monash Professional can give you access to other training programs to enhance your career.

Q17. How much will my program cost?

Full details are available on the Application Form and on our Terms and Conditions.

Q18. What is included in the Professional Year and SMIPA?

The following items are included in the Professional Year:

  • All tuition fees
  • Professional Internship placement
  • All required insurances
  • Membership of the Australian Computer Society (for those enrolled in the Computer Science PY).
  • Orientation program
  • Graduation program
  • All learning materials
  • Access to Monash Professional on-line resources

Q19. How do I apply?

You can download an application form to send to Monash Professional at www.professionalyear.com. Alternatively, you can request an application form to be forwarded to you by contacting enquiry@internships.monash.edu.au.