Internships
Build your business skills and your network with an internship.
What is a Commerce internship?
An internship is a fixed-term opportunity to practice and develop professional skills under supervision in the workplace. It may take place during vacation periods – in which case it may be referred to as a Vacation Program – or on a part-time basis at any time of the year only if it fits within a semester enrolment period.
CMCE20001 Commerce Internship is a new for-credit subject available to Bachelor of Commerce students. This subject offers you the opportunity to gain valuable experience and test your chosen career path, whilst earning credit toward your degree. An internship will help you develop the skills employers are looking for, build a professional network and get an edge in the job market.
This pass/fail subject is worth 12.5 credit points and enrollments will be available for students who have sourced their own internship and university-sourced internships.
What's involved?
To complete this subject, you must:
- have your placement approved by the faculty prior to enrolment by submitting an application and your supporting documents;
- work for a minimum of 90 hours at your placement within the chosen enrolment period (additional hours are acceptable if the assessments are completed by the end of the selected enrolment period, subject to final approval);
- complete the pre and post-placement assessment tasks within the enrolment period.

“The hardest part for me was the group interview presentation. Before the actual interview, practice with a few friends and refine your answers.”
Grace Chen, Internship EY
Internship requirements
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Entry requirements
This subject is available to Bachelor of Commerce students. You must receive permission from the subject coordinator before enrolling in the subject via an application process. You must have completed a minimum of 100 credit points of undergraduate study at the time of application.
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Internship suitability
The following situations are not suitable placements for this subject:
1. Working within your family business or where a member of your immediate family (parents, step-parents, spouse, partner or sibling) will be the work placement supervisor.
2. Organisations with fewer than five staff employed.
3. Retail assistant roles.
4. Hospitality front-of-house roles such as bar attendants and waiters.Normally, a role within a workplace where you are currently employed as a part-time or full -time employee is not suitable, unless you can work on a particular project with defined learning outcomes during the enrolment period, or there is enough evidence that the placement is substantially different from your current role.
If you have already commenced an internship we can still consider your application provided it is a genuine internship and you can complete a minimum of 90 hours placement during the enrolment period.
Students that are currently in an internship that would like to gain credit for CMCE20001 are required to demonstrate that they are undertaking activities that are substantially different from the previous tasks, in order to achieve a learning outcome. You can refer to the Intended Learning Outcomes in the handbook and address them as part of your application form.
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Health and Safety requirements
Prior to starting your internship, please read the health and safety - off-campus requirements.
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Information for international students only
International students on student visas are limited to 40 hours a fortnight for both unpaid/paid internships.
International students on student visas must also ensure that they are compliant with the working hours' limitations attached to their visa. Commerce Internship is an elective subject that may count towards your working hours, even if your internship is unpaid.
For further information see the Department of Home Affairs website: Check visa details and conditions.
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Unpaid internships and the Fair Work Act
Students seeking to take an unpaid internship in Australia must meet the guidelines set out by Fairwork Ombudsman. Please see the website for guidance.
Key dates
Placements must be aligned within one of the teaching periods below. Applications must be submitted by the respective close dates.
Note: You must submit your applications ahead of time at least 10 business days prior to the start date of your internship for your application to be assessed and processed.
Please take note of the application deadlines as late applications will not be accepted.
Teaching Period | Self-sourced internships | University-sourced internships |
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Semester 1, 2023 | Internship dates: Between 01/03/2023 - 26/05/2023 Applications open: Monday 5 December 2022 at 9am AEDT Applications close: Sunday 22 January 2023 at 11:59pm AEDT | Internship dates: Between 01/03/2023 - 26/05/2023 Applications open: Monday 5 December 2022 at 9am AEDT Applications close: Tuesday 17 January 2023 at 5pm AEDT Interviews with host organisations (indicative dates - shortlisted students only): 30/01/2023 - 13/02/2023 |
Semester 2, 2023 | Internship dates: Between 26/07/2023 - 20/10/2023 Applications open: Monday 17 April 2023 at 9am AEST Applications close: Friday 2 June 2023 at 5pm AEST | Internship dates: Between 26/07/2023 - 20/10/2023 Applications open: Monday 17 April 2023 at 9am AEST Applications close: Thursday 4 May 2023 at 5pm AEST Interviews with host organisations (indicative dates - shortlisted students only): 10/05/2023 -26/05/2023 |
Once a complete application is submitted for self-sourced internships, the application will be processed within 10 business days, or longer if additional information is required.
University-sourced internships
Applications for Semester 1, 2023 internships closed on 17 January 2023. Internships for Semester 2, 2023 will be posted closer to applications opening.
Previous host organisations include Asia Education Foundation, Capfeather, Frais Capital, ManpowerGroup, Mercedes-Benz (LSH Auto), Stannards Accountants & Advisors, Straight Bat Private Equity, T2, The Ritz-Carlton and UN Global Compact Network Australia.
How to apply
The process to apply for a self-sourced internship and a University-sourced internship differs. Please follow the steps for your selected internship prior to lodging your application.
Preparing for your internship
The University offers a range of resources, workshops, and information sessions to assist you with preparing a quality CV, strengthening your interview skills, and much more. Places are limited and sessions fill quickly so book early.
- Improve your employability skills by attending one of our FBE skills workshops. Sessions will be advertised in the weekly BCom Newsletters, but you can access recordings via the Canvas Community.
- Attend Student Services workshops and information sessions (remember to choose the 'Careers & Employability' filter.
- Use tools to build your skills in job seeking, resume building, interview performance, and more with EmployMe.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are internships paid?
Internships are generally paid. Under the Fair Work Act, an internship needs to be paid unless it is:
- with a not-for-profit organisation,
- a ‘vocational placement’ as defined in the Fair Work Act (2009) as a required and/or assessable part of your course.
With paid internships, your employer normally provides insurance cover. The University will only provide insurance cover if the internship is an assessable part of your course. -
I've found a placement opportunity myself and am ready to apply. What do I need to do know?
If you have secured your placement and agreed on your start and end dates, you are ready to apply. Before submitting your application, please ensure you have completed all required documents, some of which need to be completed and signed off by your host company supervisor.
Please see the section above 'How to apply: Self-sourced internships'.
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Does my internship have to be within the teaching period of the semester?
Yes, due to the assessments that are part of the subject, the nominated internship must take place within the chosen enrolment period. Any additional hours are acceptable if assessment is completed by the end of the selected enrolment period; however, this is subject to approval.
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How much does the subject cost?
The cost of the Business and Economics Internships is a standard University subject fee.
- Interstate/Regional/Overseas placements may also incur additional travel and/or accommodation fees and expenses
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How soon can I start my internship once enrolled into the subject?
If your application is successful, at least five business days are required between enrolment and your internship start date, for timely completion of pre-placement modules.
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How will this subject be assessed?
The subject will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. Please refer to the Handbook for assessment information.
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What is the time commitment?
The estimated total time commitment is 170 hours, comprising:
- workplace attendance: 90 hours
- learning activities not related to assessment: 36 hours
- assessment tasks: 44 hours
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I have previously completed an internship, can I claim credit for this?
Commerce Internship is a for-credit university subject with associated assessment tasks. Internships that have started prior to the subject enrolment dates or have been previously completed cannot be considered for credit or backdated.
If you have already commenced an internship we can still consider your application provided it is a genuine internship and you can complete a minimum of 90 hours of placement during the enrolment period.
Students that are currently in an internship that would like to gain credit for CMCE20001 are required to demonstrate that they are undertaking activities that are substantially different from the previous tasks, in order to achieve a learning outcome. You can refer to the Intended Learning Outcomes in the handbook and address them as part of your placement proposal.
Normally, a role within a workplace where you are currently employed as a part-time or full-time employee is not suitable, unless you can work on a particular project with defined learning outcomes during the enrolment period, or there is enough evidence that the placement is substantially different from your current role.
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Why can't I see a university-sourced opportunity on SONIA or Careers Online?
Opportunities will only be visible on SONIA and Careers Online when the application period is open.
Each opportunity has a maximum number of applications that can be submitted. Once an opportunity has reached this maximum, it will no longer appear for you to select in SONIA.
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Can exchange students apply?
Unfortunately, exchange students cannot enrol in CMCE20001.
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Can I complete Commerce Internship at the same time as MGMT30017?
As MGMT30017 Global Management Consulting is an intensive subject where students travel overseas, if your internship crosses over with the overseas travel component, it may not be possible to do both CMCE20001 and MGMT30017 at the same time.
You can complete these subjects in different semesters.
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Do my self-sourced documents have to be submitted in English?
Yes, your self-sourced documents need to be submitted in English. Please also submit your documents in their original language including any official company logos, seals or letterheads.
Contact us
If you have questions about the Commerce Internship, please email FBE-internships@unimelb.edu.au.
If you are an organisation looking to get involved, please find further information here.
Further information
View the subject in the Handbook.