Internships

Develop your business skills and expand your professional network with either a uni-sourced, self-sourced, or WorkHub internship. This subject is available to students who have completed at least 100 credit points.


You can source your own internship for credit, apply for a University-sourced internship opportunity, or apply for a WorkHub 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 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 enrolments will be available for 3 streams of students: students who have sourced their own internship, university-sourced internships, and WorkHub.

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.
BCom student Samuel Dunnett, completed a self-sourced internship at Escala Partners

“I have been afforded the opportunity to interact between different roles in commerce and have a newfound direction in what I would like to pursue professionally following the completion of my degree"

Samuel Dunnett, Commerce Internship with Escala Partners

Read more about Samuel's internship experience

Internship requirements

  • 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.

  • 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.

    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.

  • Health and Safety requirements

    Prior to starting your internship, please read the health and safety - off-campus requirements.

  • Information for international students only

    International students on student visas must ensure that they are compliant with the working hours' limitations attached to their visa.

    Work restrictions for student visa holders are capped at 48 hours per fortnight. For more information see temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders.

    Hours worked for internship subjects undertaken as electives will count towards your student visa work hour limits.

    Commerce Internship is an elective subject that will count towards your working hours, even if your internship is unpaid.

    For further information see the Working on a student visa webpage and the Department of Home Affairs website: Check visa details and conditions.

  • 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

Applications for 2024 Semester 1 have now closed.

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.

Semester 2

Self-sourced internships

University-sourced internships

WorkHub

Careers & Employability Workshop for FBE Students:
Researching and Reaching Out to Employers (Online)

Tuesday 26 March, 5.00pm - 6.30pm*
Register here

* This workshop has been rescheduled to Thursday 28 March,  10am-11.30am

Tuesday 26 March, 5.00pm - 6.30pm*
Register here

* This workshop has been rescheduled to Thursday 28 March,  10am-11.30am

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Semester 2 Internship Dates
Between 22/07/2024 - 18/10/2024Between 22/07/2024 - 18/10/2024Between 22/07/2024 - 18/10/2024
Applications Open
Monday 15 April 2024Monday 15 April 2024Monday 15 April 2024
Information Session
Thursday 18 April, 12.00pm - 1.00pm
Register here
Thursday 18 April, 12.00pm - 1.00pm
Register here
Thursday 18 April, 12.00pm - 1.00pm
Register here
Applications Close
Friday 31 May 2024 at 5pm AESTThursday 2 May 2024 at 5pm AESTFriday 31 May 2024 at 5pm AEST
Interviews with host organisations (only for students who have been shortlisted in their uni-sourced applications)
N/ABetween 08/05/2024 -22/05/2024N/A
Careers & Employability Workshop for FBE Students:
Interviewing for Internships
Tuesday 7 May, 12.15pm - 1.15pm
Register here
Tuesday 7 May, 12.15pm - 1.15pm
Register here
-

Register for the information session scheduled on Thursday 18 April, 12pm-1pm.

University-sourced internships

Applications for university-sourced internships for Semester 2 2024 will open on Monday 15 April.

You may apply for up to 5 university-sourced internships per application period.

Each university-sourced internship opportunity has a maximum number of applications that can be submitted. Once an opportunity has reached this maximum, it will no longer be accepting any further applications.

Previous university-sourced opportunities have been offered in Accounting, Business, Finance & Economics, Human Resources, and Marketing internships, across host companies such as Capfeather, Fetch Recruitment, Marriott Group, L'Oreal, Stannards Accountants & Advisors, Thrive PR, and many more.

WorkHub

An innovative, on-campus internship experience for Commerce students.

  • What is WorkHub?

    WorkHub offers you the opportunity to complete a for-credit internship on campus spanning 12-weeks. WorkHub is offered through the Commerce Internship CMCE20001 subject. You will work in teams to deliver a cutting-edge project for a leading company as a client.

    You will spend one full working day (8:30am to 5pm) per week at the WorkHub office space on campus, with occasional site visits to the client throughout the semester.

  • Where does WorkHub take place?

    Situated on Level 6 of The Spot, WorkHub offers a contemporary workspace equipped with open-plan workstations, meeting rooms, a boardroom, and adaptable furniture and writable walls designed for brainstorming and collaboration. It's important to note that WorkHub isn't a classroom; hours of operation align with standard business hours, and there is a 'business casual' dress code.

    While the majority of the internship will take place in the WorkHub space, occasional site visits to the client may be required throughout the semester.

  • Who will be my host company in WorkHub?

    All WorkHub clients are carefully selected and vetted by the University. Each client will be a leading company, often international, who is committed to mentoring interns and collaborating with you to ensure a successful project. The clients will engage with project teams through regular meetings with company representatives, professional development opportunities, and and an opportunity to present your solution at the end of the semester.

    Examples of previous WorkHub clients include BMW (Semester 1 2024). We will partner with multiple clients for WorkHub in Semester 2 2024.

  • Who can apply for WorkHub?

    All BCom students who have completed at least 100 points at the time of application are eligible to apply for WorkHub. As a structured internship, WorkHub is a great opportunity for you to experience working in a modern office environment. Learn more about how to apply and submit your application by 5pm on Friday, 31 May 2024.

How to apply

The processes to apply for a self-sourced internship, a University-sourced internship, and WorkHub differ. Please follow the steps for your selected internship prior to lodging your application.

Apply Now

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

  • 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'.

  • 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.

  • 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
  • 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.

  • How will this subject be assessed?

    The subject will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. Please refer to the Handbook for assessment information.

  • 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
  • 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 been previously completed cannot be considered for credit or backdated.

    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. Students must also complete a minimum of 90 hours during the enrolment period. 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.

  • 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.

  • Can exchange students apply?

    Unfortunately, exchange students cannot enrol in CMCE20001.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Further information

View the subject in the Handbook.

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.