Business Internships

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are we able to visit the university campus and provide more information to students?

  We provide a range of other ways to connect with our students through various marketing and social media channels. We can also provide and promote virtual platforms such as webinars, depending on the context. On-campus visits are not always the most effective and efficient way to promote opportunities.

  Some other ways you can engage with students and promote your brand include Case Competitions, Speaker Opportunities and Employability Workshops and Career Mentoring.

  If you’re unsure what might be right for you, speak to one of our expert team members via fbe-industryprograms@unimelb.edu.au.

• Is it possible to only connect with domestic or international students?

  To ensure fairness and equity, engagement opportunities are for all students. We do not exclude any student groups from accessing these programs. We understand that employment opportunities may require certain work rights for students to be eligible. We can identify the target audience in communications, but we will not exclude students. Find out more.

• Do internships need to be paid? What about insurance?

  The Fair Work Act requires that students are paid at least the minimum wage for work experience undertaken within organisations, unless the work is undertaken as a vocational placement or is classified as voluntary work.

  For a placement to meet the requirements of a 'vocational placement', it must be undertaken as part of a subject or a course. Alternatively, it should be classified as voluntary work. The consequences of an unpaid placement falling outside these exemptions under the Act is that the student is deemed to be an employee and is legally entitled to at least the minimum wage.

  We do offer our master's internship subject, each Semester, that meets the requirements of a vocational placement.

  The University of Melbourne has Guidelines for Professional Placements which assist in determining the type of professional placements that can be offered or facilitated by the University.

  The Fair Work Ombudsman has information on internships, vocational placements and unpaid work.

  What internships can be advertised?

  • Paid internships that meet the Fair Work Act requirements or the country of employment requirements (see below). These will be reviewed and approved at the discretion of the University and in line with our terms and conditions.
  • Unpaid internship opportunities that are a requirement of a student's course or subject or is classified as voluntary work in a registered not-for-profit organisation.
  • We will work with you to ensure any unpaid internships meet the appropriate criteria and standards to ensure alignment with the Fair Work Act.

  Insurance

  The University’s insurance program covers enrolled students undertaking University of Melbourne (unpaid) course accredited and approved work experience, placements and internships.

  The University must be connected to the proposed activity by either:

  • A compulsory course requirement or;
  • in accordance with a specific vocational placement agreement or contract.

  Therefore, through our masters internship subject, insurance will be covered by the University.

• My organisation is not based in Australia. Can you still help?

  Yes. As a part of the University’s effort to prepare our students as global citizens, we encourage students to connect and engage with industry both domestically and internationally. We also promote opportunities based overseas.

• Do you offer shortlisting or end-to-end recruitment services?

  Every day we partner with employers to help them recruit interns from our talented cohort.

  • If the internship qualifies as part of our internship subject we will coordinate the promotion of the opportunity, directly targeting students who are keen to undertake an internship as part of their university studies. At the conclusion of the advertising period, we will provide a list of suitable applications that you can select from to interview.
  • If the internship does not qualify as part of the internship subject we will assist you in the promotion of the opportunity via our job boards, newsletters and social media platforms. The students will apply directly to you/your organisation.
• Who are the students?

  Internships can be offered as part of our for-credit subject (paid or unpaid) and students include high-achieving early-career Bachelor of Commerce and specialist Masters students studying in the business fields of Accounting, Econometrics, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resources, International Business, Management and Marketing.

  For our internship subject (paid or unpaid), students from the following courses can apply:

  • Bachelor of Commerce
  • Master of Management
  • Master of Management (Specialising in Marketing, Human Resources, Accounting, Accounting and Finance, Finance)
  • Master of Finance
  • Master of International Business
  • Master of Actuarial Science
  • Master of Applied Econometrics
  • Master of Economics
  • Master of Enterprise
  • Master of Supply Chain Management