Young Professionals Exchange Program

CPA Australia is supporting the Placement Program by collecting expressions of interest from its REPs and forwarding these to Strategic Development Group. CPA Australia is not involved in the delivery, management, or administration of the Placement Program.

CPA Australia accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, injury, damage, cost, or expense arising from or in connection with participation in the Placement Program. All responsibilities, obligations, and liabilities relating to the Placement Program rest solely with Strategic Development Group.

Each Recognised Employer Partner (“REP”) is responsible for assessing the suitability of the Placement Program for their organisation and potential participants. REPs are encouraged to seek independent advice regarding any legal, tax, or regulatory considerations that may apply.

Recognised Employer Partners are only required to provide general information regarding the intended participation of their individual employees at the expression of interest.

The exchange program is targeted at young professionals emerging in their early careers up to the age of 40, that may naturally be eager to gain exposure to different areas and skills within the accounting and finance profession. Employers will have the ability to request a specific role type (i.e. area of accounting / finance expertise or specific project experience) as part of the application process, however there is no guarantee that specific experience will be available from the counterpart organisation or employee.

If agreed between the two employers, yes multiple staff can participate in the program assuming the same number of participants are able to exchange between Australia and Malaysia within an agreed and appropriate timeframe.

No, as the program is designed as an exchange, organisations must send one employee for each employee they are receiving as part of the program.

This is agreed between the two counterpart organisations once the introduction has been facilitated by CPA Australia and approved individual participants advised and consulted (subject to final visa approval and relevant administration). A standard written agreement will be shared with both employers that outlines the terms of the exchange, and the agreement with Strategic Development Group. Organisations will have the ability to request a preference in terms of suitable timing for hosting employees, which naturally may differ in Australia and Malaysia.

Yes simultaneous exchange is strongly recommended to ensure a fair and equitable experience for both the participants and organisations involved, noting this is ultimately agreed between the two organisations once introduced (through consultation with the individual employees).

No, the purpose of the program is to facilitate overseas working experiences between different organisations and is not available within the same organisation.

The program is open to all CPA Australia Recognised Employer Partners, however organisations participating are encouraged to consider both the workload coverage for the participant’s substantive role at their base employer, as well as the ability to support the placement employee arriving for the exchange at their organisation.

Yes, interested organisations can contact Michael Harris, Regional Head, Oceania ([email protected]) for further information, or an introduction can be made with Strategic Development Group for further information regarding visas, insurance and admin support before an expression of interest is submitted.

Once employers are successfully approved for the placement program a formal introduction will subsequently be made with Strategic Development Group with additional legal, regulatory, visa, insurance and admin support available thereafter. CPA Australia will also be available on an ongoing basis if employers have questions or feedback.

Visa application is ultimately organised by the participating individuals, with support and guidance available from their employer and Strategic Development Group (who are responsible for the delivery, management, and administration of the Placement Program).

If an employee can no longer participate in the exchange due to a change in work or personal circumstances, in this instance employers are strongly encouraged to source an alternative employee to complete the exchange as agreed. If that is not possible, CPA Australia will endeavour to match to another participating employer provided this can be achieved within the program timeframe.

The Placement Program, is funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and implemented by the Strategic Development Group Pty Ltd (ABN 39 158 001 775) (“Strategic Development Group”). Further information about the Placement Program, including program details and eligibility criteria, is available on Strategic Development Group’s website at Placements Program - Strategic Development Group or by contacting them directly at [email protected].

CPA Australia accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, injury, damage, cost, or expense arising from or in connection with participation in the Placement Program. All responsibilities, obligations, and liabilities relating to the Placement Program rest solely with Strategic Development Group.

Each Recognised Employer Partner (“REP”) is responsible for assessing the suitability of the Placement Program for their organisation and potential participants. REPs are encouraged to seek independent advice regarding any legal, tax, or regulatory considerations that may apply.