What is professional development?

Professional development is the ongoing learning and skill-building that workers undertake throughout their careers to maintain and improve their performance, meet the requirements of their occupation, and adapt to changing technology and industry needs. It can take many forms from formal qualifications and short courses to mentoring, conferences, on-the-job learning, and self-directed study.

Many Australian professions and occupations require ongoing professional development as a condition of registration or practice. Lawyers must complete 10 Continuing Professional Development units each year. Doctors, nurses, and other health practitioners registered through Ahpra (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) must complete annual CPD set by their professional board. Teachers registered through state and territory teaching authorities, accountants registered through the Tax Practitioners Board, financial planners registered with ASIC, and many other registered professions all have similar continuing learning requirements.

Employers commonly invest in professional development for their staff through training budgets, paid study leave, conference attendance, and tuition support. Many enterprise agreements include specific professional development entitlements, such as one week of paid study leave per year for nurses or teachers, or financial assistance for postgraduate qualifications relevant to the role. Tax deductions are available under the Australian Taxation Office's rules for self-education expenses that are directly connected to current employment.

Government-funded options expand access. The Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, delivered through TAFE colleges and registered training organisations, offers nationally recognised qualifications from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma. Universities offer postgraduate certificates, diplomas, and master's degrees, with fee-help loans available through the HECS-HELP scheme. Free or subsidised short courses are available through Jobs and Skills Australia, Indigenous-specific programmes, and state-based skills agencies. Online learning platforms, professional associations, and industry conferences round out the options available to most Australian workers.