International Internships for Study Abroad in Australia
Gain international work experience while you study abroad or participate in an international internship in Australia after your studies. An internship in Australia lets you gain an international perspective, while adding valuable work experience to your resume. Australia's a fantastic place to experience an international internship. There's no language barrier and Australia's economy is growing with a low unemployment rate.
What do interns do?
You can intern at companies, non-profit organisations and government. Here are a few examples of international internships in Australia.
Intern in the Australian Parliament to gain a unique insight into Australian politics. Interns work with members of parliament or on parliamentary committees and research public policy including environmental, defence, global, and social issues.
Australia’s film industry is booming, and recent movies filmed in Australia include Animal Kingdom, Australia, Where the Wild Things Are, Wolverine, and Happy Feet. Students have interned at Warner Bros Studios on the Gold Coast, and other students have participated in the Sydney Film Festival and other international film events throughout Australia.
Australia has a rising strategic role as the Asia-Pacific’s global financial hub. Australia’s close connections with its Asian neighbours allow you to gain a unique insight into how Australia engages with Asia – from both business and cultural perspectives. Take advantage of the opportunity to intern at an Australian company and learn how to do business with Asia.
Australia is experiencing the effects of climate change, from widespread drought to bush fires to major floods. Learn about water resource management, environmental studies or marine biology with non-profit organisations, universities and research centres.
What skills will I gain?
An international internship in Australia is one way to differentiate yourself from the competition. Skills you will gain include:
- Communication
- Verbal and written
- Initiative
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Leadership Skills
- Self-Confidence
- Detail-oriented
- Organizational Skills
- Flexibility/adaptability
Are international internships paid?
Internships in Australia can be used for credit and will either be paid or unpaid. Whether your internship is paid or unpaid will depend on the type of program you are on and your Australian visa. Here are the different types of visas available for international internships in Australia.
Student Visa
On a student visa, you are entitled to work up to 20 hours a week during your studies and full-time during term breaks. Working while studying is a great way to defray living costs and help fund travel around Australia while meeting the locals. You will need to apply for a student visa if you will be studying in Australia for more than three months. Click here for more information.
Occupational Training Visa
If you are planning on participating in an international internship for less than three months in Australia and are a current student, you can apply for an Occupational Training Visa (Subclass 442). An Australian company or program provider will need to sponsor you. Click here for more information.
Special Program Visa
If you are planning on interning for more than three months, you can apply for the Special Program Visa (Subclass 416). An Australian organisation will need to sponsor you. Click here for more information.
Work and Holiday Visas
US and Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 to 30 can participate in the Work and Holiday Scheme where you can spend a year in Australia working and travelling. You do not need an employer to sponsor you to work and you can work for any type of organisation. Click here to find out more.
Costs of internships
The cost of your international internship will depend on whether it's organised through your university, a prorgram provider, or internships provider. Sometimes the internship fee will be built into your study abroad program costs. In other cases, you may be required to pay a fee which could range from several hundreds to several thousand dollars. Always ask the provider what services the fee includes. Typical services are:
- International internship placement at an Australian organisation
- Orientation program
- Housing or assistance finding housing
- Advisory or counselling services
- Job readiness classes
If your international internship program includes housing and support services, you should expect to pay a higher fee.
If you find your own international internship and intern independently of any organised program, you won't pay any fees to program providers, however, it may be harder to find an internship placement. Download our Pre-Departure Guide for tips on how to find a job in Australia.
You will also need to pay for living costs such as housing, transportation and food while you are interning in Australia. Click here to view typical living costs.
Next steps
Contact your study abroad or careers office to find out what 'approved' internship programs they offer in Australia. If your university or college does not offer international internship programs, you can contact an internship or enrolment coordinator. Click here for a list of reputable sources for finding international internships in Australia.