Internship programs for international students

If you’re an international student starting your second year or third year you can now participate in a 12-month paid internship.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The CEC is a permanent resident category for temporary foreign workers and international students who have skilled work experience in Canada. International students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields may be eligible to extend their post-graduation work permit to three years following graduation. For more information on this extension, visit our main website.

To apply for the CEC, you must:

• Have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada;
• Have gained your experience in Canada with the proper authorization;
• Meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing and listening); and
• Plan to live outside of the province of Quebec.

The Internship Program is aimed at full-time students who have completed at least one year of study in Australia, and who are planning to complete their entire course in Australia.

The Internship Program is aimed at full-time students who have completed at least one year of study in Australia, and who are planning to complete their entire course in Australia. The program:

• is designed to help international students who have already completed one year of study in Australia and are planning to complete their entire course in Australia;
• provides work experience and skills development opportunities through internships with Australian businesses;
• allows you to improve your English language skills while you gain practical experience; and
• may enable you to receive academic credit towards your degree program.

International students on a valid student visa may apply for an Internship if they are enrolled in nominated courses and have completed at least one year of study in Australia.

• What are the requirements?

To be eligible for an internship, international students on a valid student visa must be enrolled in one of the nominated courses of study and have completed at least one year of study in Australia.

• What courses are eligible?

The following courses are eligible: Accounting, Agricultural Science, Economics and Finance, Business Administration and Management, Information Systems (in Business), Marketing.

• What is the duration of an internship?

The duration of an internship may vary between two weeks to six months. Subject to approval by your course coordinator or program director. As an intern you can work full-time during holidays or part-time while studying. Longer internships will create better opportunities to achieve learning goals and spend time with host organizations. Internships can begin at any time throughout the year but we recommend that interns apply as early as possible. Note that placements are subject to availability and not all requests can be met due to limited industry capacity for student interns at particular times throughout the year. The more flexible you can be with dates the greater chance you will have at securing a placement.

• Is there a work visa requirement?

Students undertaking their internship in Australia do not require additional working visas as long as they have a current student visa with permission to work for 40 hours per fortnight during semester time and unlimited hours during semester breaks such as Christmas/New Year break or mid-year break etc.. If students undertake their internship overseas then they may need employer sponsorship if required by local laws and regulations in that country.* Are there any other requirements?

Students who are studying a Masters by coursework program can apply for the Internship program only if their course is listed on the STEM list.

The STEM list is a list of courses that are eligible for internships. The list changes from time to time and you can find it here.

Students who are studying a Masters by coursework program can apply for the Internship program only if their course is listed on the STEM list. This includes international students who are studying in Australia, studying overseas or studying online.

Students must study full-time for the duration of the internship and will receive $1000 per fortnight before tax up to a maximum of five months.

As a part of the internship, you and your host organisation will be responsible for understanding and complying with all relevant workplace laws, including but not limited to:

• Work health and safety laws
• Anti-discrimination laws
• Paying minimum wages
• Superannuation guarantee

Students must be registered with Centrelink as an international student.

You must be registered with Centrelink as an international student. You must provide the following evidence of your enrolment with Centrelink:

• your confirmation of enrolment (COE) for study in Australia, or for distance education from an Australian educational institution
• a letter from your education provider stating that you are enrolled to study full-time and the duration of your course
• a letter from your education provider stating that you have completed at least one academic year (50 weeks) full time while studying in Australia, or have completed two semesters full time while studying Australian distance education courses. If you are unable to obtain this letter, we may accept a statement from Centrelink confirming that you have been receiving Youth Allowance or Austudy continuously for 52 weeks.

It’s important to know what the rules are when it comes to doing internships while studying abroad.

You’ll need to be enrolled in a course that is on the STEM list, and must be studying full-time for the duration of your internship. You’ll also need to be registered with Centrelink as an international student.

It’s important to know what the rules are when it comes to doing internships while studying abroad: if you don’t meet these requirements, you may be liable for fines of up to A$1200 (or $4200 for employers).