The internship concept is an unknown in Australia: most educational providers don’t include internships in their academic curriculum or if they do, it may be for the duration of 2 weeks!!!
This means that Australian companies don’t understand the concept at all, and this makes your search of internships very difficult.

The other issue is the visa: there is no choice but to apply for the Occupational Trainee Visa. The occupational trainee visa allows persons from outside Australia to undertake a supervised training program in Australia that is workplace-based and has been designed specifically to add to, or enhance, the person’s level of practical skill in their present occupation or area of expertise.

How to find an internship
There are some agencies specialised in the search of internships all over Australia but their handling fees are astronomical: min AU$2,120 for a 6 months internship, to which you have to add application fees, visa fees, insurance, travel and daily life there, which amounts to an extra AU$ 10,000. Besides be aware that most internships are unpaid unless you are involved in hospitality! If you plan to use the services of an agency or not, we recommend you to start looking for a potential company at the latest 6 months before your departure.

Entry requirements
- An excellent level of English: If your level of English is not sufficient, you will need to enrol in an intensive English course that would cost you minimum AU$ 300/week
- You must be a student or a professional who needs to strengthen his/her knowledge and skills in a relevant career. This visa will never be granted on the base of employment purposes or if you don’t have the adequate profile.
- Apply and obtain the Occupational Trainee Visa: as the companies themselves must be involved in the process, delays can be long; you cannot obtain the visa without your employer being granted an approval letter from DIMIA (Department of Immigration) in Australia; the best solution for those who want to have less than 3 months internship would be to apply for a Working Holiday Visa. Warning: you cannot be a tourist visa holder and have an internship!!

Good news!! We are developing internships programmes in the Australian bush that will be remunerated!! We will keep you informed as soon as we have more details!

- When you contact the companies directly, specify clearly which speciality you are interested in and what your strengths are to attract the attention of the employers; otherwise you may find it difficult to be offered an internship or you may be given unrewarding duties!!

- You’d better contact European companies in Australia, you will have more chance to find an internship!!