Australia has a well-earned reputation for its fantastic internship opportunities for international applicants. This destination offers world-class professional development with well-known brands and organizations. Interns can gain excellent industry exposure in a staggering choice of fields, as they’ll build cross-cultural collaboration skills while working in highly international environments.
Combine that with the famously friendly locals, the youth-centric culture, the endless options of outdoor activities, and the distinct natural beauty of the country provide a one-of-a-kind internship experience.
With all that in mind, you’d probably like to know how to find an internship in Australia for yourself. In this blog, we’ll run through how to find, and how to get an internship in Australia. We’ll cover all the crucial details of an internship in Australia: visa, medical, logistics, and more.
Do I Need A Visa For My Internship In Australia?
Yes, interns will require a visa. To intern in Australia, visa requirements vary depending on a number of factors such as length of stay, country of origin, and even professional field. As a rule, though, interns will apply for either the Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) or the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417).
Some other requirements include:
- Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay in Australia.
- Age Requirement: Be of legal working age, generally 18 years or older.
- Health Insurance: Maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
- Background Checks: Some internships may require police checks or working with children checks, depending on the nature of the work.
- Educational Enrollment: If you are a student, ensure you are enrolled in a recognized educational institution and that your internship is relevant to your course of study.
- English Proficiency: English is the primary language spoken in Australia, so proficiency in the language is essential. In some cases, interns may be required by the employer or for the visa application process. This can often be shown through tests like IELTS or TOEFL
This process can be one of the more challenging aspects of how to get an internship in Australia, especially if you don’t have much experience with international visas. That’s why it can be a good idea to get some help. World Endeavours offers comprehensive support through our visa applications and with all of our programs. It’s part of our mission to make the transformative power of international education easily accessible to all.
How To Find An Internship In Australia
As a popular internship destination, there are well-established routes to interning in Australia. Whether you’re a student learning how to find a summer internship, or a little older and learning how to get an internship in Australia for young professionals, the process remains largely the same. That said, to make sure you get the most out of the experience it’s worth taking a methodical approach.
Let’s get into how to find an internship in Australia.
1. Determine Your Internship Goals
It starts by identifying your goals. Knowing what you want from the experience is a key part of how to find an internship in Australia that will actually benefit your career. It helps you target the right opportunities, communicate your enthusiasm effectively to potential employers, and make the most of the experience once you’ve secured your place.
It’s important to not just decide on the field and career path you’re pursuing, but consider how an internship can help towards these goals. The more precisely you can determine your goals, the better equipped you’ll be to go out and get them.
Think about the specific skills you want to build and whether you prioritize developing technical abilities, foundational soft skills, or industry-specific knowledge. A great way to do this is to search for openings in your dream job, browse through the required skills, and see which ones you’re missing.
2. Research Opportunities
Once you have a clear idea of the kind of experience you want, you’re ready to start assessing the options available. As mentioned, Australia has a wealth of opportunities for international interns, with thriving sectors like finance, technology, healthcare, tourism, and education.
A brief Google search will reveal plenty of options to you, but be sure to utilize other resources available to you, such as your school’s or college’s careers department. This is important as your school or college will have a personal understanding of your strengths and weaknesses and can offer advice to your specific needs.
It’s also important to assess internship opportunities thoroughly and critically. Don’t just look at the internship listing, but browse the organization’s websites, annual reports, and news articles to work out if their overall mission aligns with your career goals and personal values.
3. Network Effectively
That’s right, the networking opportunities start even before the internship. Even as investigating opportunities it can be valuable for interns to start reaching out to organizations and introducing themselves. Social media platforms like LinkedIn are powerful tools for connecting with professionals in your field.
Not only will this significantly improve your chances of landing an internship and make for a great first impression with your host organization, but it could also lead to future opportunities down the line from other organizations you reached out to.
You can also find industry conferences, seminars, and meet-and-greet events for professionals in Australia online. Leveraging your internship at these events you can seek out opportunities to meet industry leaders, learn about current developments, and make valuable connections.
4. Apply And Interview
We’ve covered how to find an internship in Australia. Now for the nerve-racking bit— how to secure your place. In truth, working out how to get an internship in Australia is nothing to be nervous about. It is no different to any other internship, or job application. In fact, going through the process of preparing application materials will serve as a valuable practice when you enter the job market.
The first step is to tailor your resume and cover letter for each internship you apply to, making sure to highlight the skills, experiences, and achievements most relevant to the program. This is your first impression of yourself to potential employers, so it’s essential to make your best traits stand out. When writing your cover letter, it can be useful to research the company thoroughly, including its products, services, culture, and recent news, so you can discuss how you can contribute more.
Our best advice for interviews is to put some thought into the questions you wish to ask your employers, not just the answers you’ll give to their questions. It’s a valuable opportunity to gather essential information on the role and expectations while proactive engagement with the organization can communicate initiative and drive.
5. Consider World Endeavors
At this point, we have to mention that with World Endeavours, you’ll have the support and guidance of our expert team through every step of the process.
We have a broad network of established relationships with potential host organizations and can help with resume and interview preparation. With our help, working out how to find an internship in Australia becomes much easier. You have a better chance of finding a program aligned with your goals and a better chance of securing your place.
Browse All Our Available Internships In Australia
6. Plan Your Stay In Australia
Counter-intuitively, this is where we advise you to start answering questions like when and where. This is because many internships will be time-dependent and you’ll obviously limit the internships available to you by deciding on your location beforehand. Ultimately, you should decide on an internship based on the program, not the time and place you want to visit.
So once you know the internships you’re interested in, consider the cost of living in your city, including rent, food, transportation, and leisure, and develop a budget for your stay. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local public transportation and see what sights and activities are situated nearby.
Fortunately, Australia famously has sunny weather year-round, so time of year needn’t factor into your internship decisions.
7. Prepare for Your Departure
When it comes to making your final preparations, our advice is to leave time to prepare your mindset and manage your expectations.
Once you’ve finalized logistics, booked your flights, and arranged transportation from the airport to your accommodation, take a moment to consider Australian culture. Having even a vague idea of customs and workplace etiquette can help ease your adjustment and avoid any culture shock.
Learn about the local attractions, events, and activities to make the most of your time in Australia. Preparing for your departure thoroughly will help you feel more confident and ready to embark on your internship experience.
Are You Ready To Find An Internship In Australia?
Working out how to find an internship in Australia and then how to get an internship in Australia secured requires careful planning, research, and perseverance but it is well worth it. By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to finding an opportunity that will enhance your professional skills and offer an unforgettable experience in one of the most exciting countries.
If you’re ready to explore internship opportunities in Australia, consider World Endeavors’ broad choice of programs. Get in touch with World Endeavors today to start planning your Australian adventure and make your professional dreams a reality.
Browse All Our Available Internships In Australia
If you would like to know more about the contents of this blog post or would like to receive information about similar experiences, then please connect with one of our advisors through the contact form.
