Internships in Australia

Australia is a bucket list destination for travelers and students around the world. Its dynamic landscapes range from turquoise beaches dotted with coral reefs to the rugged remoteness of the Outback.

Top internships in a wide range of disciplines await you in Australia. You’re sure to have an unforgettable adventure that widens your worldview and supercharges your resume!

Whatever your field of study, there’s an Australian internship that’s perfect for you. Here are some of the top industries for interns.

Environmental science

Australia is known for its unique variety of wildlife and ecosystems, which makes it a great place for those interested in environmental science, zoology, microbiology, and ecology. Internships can be found at different universities, non-profits, and research labs across Australia. The experience you gain during your internship in Australia will undoubtedly level up your resume and background for future job, research, and further education applications.

Marketing

Through internships in Australia available at top advertising, marketing, or public relations firms, you will get hands-on experience with the creation, execution, and evaluation of various advertising and media campaigns. Depending on your skills and interests, your tasks and projects could include promotions, sales, copywriting, or graphic design. If you’re looking for paid internships in Australia for international students, marketing is a field rife with opportunities.

Fashion

In Australia, young and forward-thinking individuals in the fashion industry are welcomed and celebrated. As a fashion intern in Australia, you will be exposed to a variety of tasks and projects, including merchandising, showroom prep, design, production, social media, trend research, and PR. Whatever part of the fashion industry you are trying to break into, Australia is the place to do it.

IT

The Internet has definitely made the world a lot smaller. If you are looking into a career in computers or the web, international work experience is highly valuable. While participating in Australian internships, you can find opportunities for working on things like web and app development, programming, and software and systems engineering.

Australia has tons of great cities and towns for your internship abroad but these are a few of the fan favorites among interns.

• Melbourne: If you love all things sport, Melbourne is a great place to intern abroad. Whether it’s tennis, cricket, horse racing, Formula One, or Aussie Rules Football that takes your fancy, Melbourne hosts loads of national and international sporting events. The city is also known for its thriving art scene featuring prominent galleries and street art.
• Sydney: Located in New South Wales on the eastern coast, Sydney is a place to enjoy the arts and the great outdoors. When you’re not taking in a show at the Sydney Opera House or strolling through one of the city’s 90 museums, you can spend your free time walking around the harbor or lounging on the famous Bondi Beach. Sydney is also home to a lively bar and restaurant scene for fun nights out with your new coworkers.
• Perth: Perth is the perfect speed for interns who want a laid-back lifestyle close to nature. Perth is a smaller city with a strong sense of community that is within a stone’s throw of wine country, hiking trails in national forests, excursions to nearby islands teeming with wildlife (hello, quokkas!), and of course, glorious white sand beaches that are perfect for snorkeling, surfing, and swimming.

One of the easiest ways to find internships in Australia is to apply through a program that will match you to a position in your chosen field. Although this service requires you to pay a fee upfront, you are guaranteed a great placement along with 24/7 support for things like applying for visas, finding accommodation, and making travel arrangements. Whether you’re looking for unpaid or paid internships in Australia, program providers can help you land the perfect role to make your CV shine.

You can also find opportunities right here on our GO internship job board!

While requirements may be different depending on the country, industry, and employer, these are generally the steps you’ll need to follow to land unpaid and paid internships in Australia.

1. Check that you meet the eligibility requirements. Ensure you meet academic, language, and visa qualifications for your chosen program.
2. Prepare your application materials. You will likely need to submit a resume (CV) and cover letter in addition to an application. Additional items such as a portfolio, and/or personal statement may be needed depending on the field.
3. Submit any necessary documents. Academic transcripts from your home university and letters of recommendation may be requested in support of your application so be sure to request these items early!
4. Prepare for the interview! Practice common questions with family and friends and be prepared to show your enthusiasm for an internship position in Australia!
5. Apply for a visa. The visa you’ll need to intern in Australia will depend on your country of origin, so check with the local consulate for more information.

Researching the culture of your host country will go a long way toward fitting in and respecting your coworkers and neighbors.

Work culture & office etiquette

• Australians are known for being very down-to-earth. They value sincerity, honesty, and modesty.
• Having a sense of humor is helpful in Australian society. Australians love to joke around and can be sarcastic at times.
• Greetings are casual and usually consist of a handshake and a smile. It is common for Australians to greet each other with “G’day” or “G’day mate”. However, these greetings may seem patronizing coming from foreigners.
• The Australian business culture is quite straightforward and direct.
• Since Australia has a relatively small population, relationship building is quite important. Networking in Australia is usually informal; it may occur during work hours or during lunch or dinner.

Language

Although there is no official language in Australia, English is considered the national language used in business, education, and daily life. Even for native English speakers, the Australian accent, vocabulary, and slang can take some getting used to. While some vocabulary is similar to British English, you’ll likely encounter a whole host of words that leave you scratching your head. No worries, though – Aussies are happy to explain.