Internships can be a wonderful way to gain experience, either while studying or upon graduation.
Explore the different types of internships and book a consultation with the Career Development Centre staff via AMS if you need more guidance. If you are looking to recruit an MIT Graduate or Student for an internship opportunity, visit our Partner with Us page.
Internships for Course Credit
When an internship (vocational placement) is for course credit and is confirmed by MIT it meets the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009. This means that the student is not considered an employee and is not entitled to a wage or other entitlements. An internship host can choose to pay an intern and it does not change that it is an internship.
MIT has Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in all its courses and you can contact your Course Coordinator for more information.
An internship that is a requirement of an individual unit of study or the overall course requires that an agreement is signed between the host organisation, MIT and the student. This is so that all parties are aware that it is for course credit and that it is not an employment arrangement and outline insurance coverage.
Internships for experience only
If an employer takes someone on for work experience, where they perform tasks that contributes to the business then there may be an obligation for payment of work performed. If the internship is for experience only and is not part of an MIT course of study, then there may be an obligation for payment of any work performed. It is important to check that the person undertaking the work experience is covered by the organisation’s insurance in regard to public liability and if there is an accident.
Observational Internships may be undertaken without it being a formal work placement if the placement is observational in nature. The ‘student’ might observe the work being undertaken but not participating or actively doing work and therefore not adding value to the business.
Volunteer Internships
For an internship to be of an unpaid volunteer nature, where it is not for experience or course credit, it should be for a not-for-profit organisation. See the Volunteering Opportunities in Australia | GoVolunteer jobs page for opportunities.
Paid Internships
This is where a formal employment arrangement exists and the person undertaking the internship is paid in accordance with the award relevant to their industry.
For more information on your rights and responsibilities as a provider or participant of an internship opportunity, refer to the Fairwork website Factsheets: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/unpaid-work/student-placements
Got Questions?
Melbourne: careerservices@mit.edu.au