Australia : Work experience

Work placements and internships

There are several work placement and exchange programmes operating in Australia. Organisations usually help with visa arrangements, transfers from the airport, accommodation for the first few nights and finding you work. These schemes may make a charge but often provide an instant network of fellow visitors/travellers. Examples include:

• AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) - work abroad opportunities.
• Aide Abroad  
• Australian Internships - information and assistance to overseas students and recent graduates who are seeking internships in Australia
• BUNAC - work while abroad scheme 
• HospitalityInternship.com   - paid hospitality amd hotel jobs
• International Exchange Program Work Australia 
• Intern Options - Australia - work placements and internships
• Professional Pathways 
• TourismInternship.com  - paid tourism placements

Exchange programmes

IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) provides science, engineering and applied arts undergraduates with the opportunity to partake in exchange programmes. These typically last up to 12 weeks and take place during the summer months.

Teaching schemes

If you have a Bachelor’s degree and are an Australian citizen, legal permanent resident or have a valid Australia visa with work entitlement, you may be eligible to apply for the Teach for Australia graduate program. It is a new two-year government program to address educational disadvantage in challenging schools in Australia and develop leadership skills.

The International Teaching Fellowship is an exchange program between Victoria state residents and international teachers, including those from the United Kingdom. Teachers exchange places for an academic year (January-December).

Volunteering

Organisations with voluntary work projects include:

• Conservation Volunteers Australia - conservation opportunities
• Seek Volunteer  - database of volunteer organisations 
• Travellers Worldwide  - a range of volunteer options
• WorldWide Volunteering (WWV) 

Casual work and Short-term opportunities

If you are on a working holiday visa, you will be interested in finding short-term, casual positions to fund your travels. Some job search websites advertise casual positions, in particular Seek, Career One and JobSearch.     

You may be able to find casual work for certain occupations (such as retail, hospitality, labouring, tourism and fruit picking) by targeting particular companies or outlets and “dropping in” with a resume. Keep an eye out for advertisements in shop windows and on community, cafe or backpacker notice boards.

Gap year opportunities

Organisations with gap year opportunities include:

• Changing Worlds  - paid and voluntary placements;
• Real Gap - includes a large number of sports projects;
• The Career Break Site  - opportunities to work, study or volunteer abroad.
• Ozintro