Can you intern in Australia for free? Nah, mate. But you can get close! If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling to the Land Down Under, your bucket list probably consists of snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, touring the Sydney Opera House, learning to surf, and spotting kangaroos in the outback. But what about throwing an internship abroad onto that list?
Three cheers for cheap internship opportunities down under!
With an internship abroad in Australia, you can satisfy your wanderlust while also gaining valuable skills and experience you can bring home with you when your pockets are empty.
That’s right, you can start the day with a morning surf before heading off to the office, join an Aussie-rules footy team with your work mates, or spend long weekends camping under the stars in attempts to spot the Southern Cross. Not only will an internship abroad make your travels fuller, but it’s the perfect way to add an adventure to your resume.
The only problem: internship program fees can be expensive, and there are heaps of programs to sort through to find affordable internships in Australia. No worries, mate! Here you’ll find GoAbroad’s top picks for cheap internships in Australia so you can save those colorful Aussie dollars for fun!
Can I intern abroad in Australia for free?
In countries like the USA, it’s common for new grads to get their foot in the door of their dream company by asking (or begging) to work for free. Unfortunately, the other side of the world works a bit differently. Due to fair work laws in Australia, internships aren’t legal unless they’re arranged through an authorized institution. In other words, you can’t just show up and ask to work for free—placements have to be arranged through your university or an international internship program.
Learn about yourself both inside and outside the workplace.
Sadly, this means you can’t intern abroad in Australia for free, but it’s worth the investment. You can develop international contacts, learn a new industry or gain experience in your own, strengthen your English skills if it’s not your native language, all while traveling through one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
While you may not be able to intern abroad in Australia for free, some programs include housing, food, or a stipend to offset the cost of flights. And if you’re really lucky, you can occasionally find paid internships so you can splurge on travel. If you can’t land a paid internship, check out these programs for affordable internships in Australia.
8 affordable internships in Australia
1. Intern Oz
If you’re hoping to intern in Australia on a budget, Intern Oz is one of the cheapest program options out there. With main offices in Sydney and Melbourne, interns have the option of choosing a placement in some of Australia’s most popular and biggest cities, or opting for a quieter home base in other locations across the country. Whether you want an engineering internship in Perth or an art internship in Brisbane, Intern Oz is the best place to look for cheap internships in Australia.
2. CareerDC
CareerDC is a great program if you’re looking for flexibility. Not only do they offer affordable internships in Australia, but they start with a free consultation so you can share your preferences on the city, industry, duration, and start date. The choice is yours! Once you’re on board, CareerDC offers resume and interview workshops, coordinates interviews for you, and offers in-country support from the moment your plane touches ground. With extra help, you’ll have more time to sun bake and cuddle some koalas if you’re lucky!
3. Australian Internships
Australian Internships is your go-to program for professional, affordable internships in Australia. They’ll have your back through the entire internship process: customizing your internship, assisting with your visa, providing orientation and in-country meetups, and supplying you with a fancy certificate when you complete your placement. The options are endless, too, with placements available in almost all academic field and industries, from six weeks up to 26!
4. ELI Abroad
Looking for a smaller internship program with added support? ELI Abroad is a popular non-profit internship program offering cheap internships in Australia. Placements range from accounting to journalism, graphic design to human resources, and are available for all ages, not just recent grads. The best part about ELI Abroad is that their program fees include the basics, like placement service and orientation, as well as accommodation and airport pick-up. You’ll feel at home as soon as you arrive in Oz.
5. Connect 123
Intern abroad in Sydney with Connect 123. Through this program, you’ll find affordable internships in Australia’s most iconic city that gives off more of a laid-back, small town vibe, while also boasting big city features: excellent food, thriving nightlife, art, and culture. While Connect 123 offers a tailored internship to suit your career goals, the most popular placements include business, marketing, health care, and public relations. You’ll also have the option to join free social activities, extra online classes to gain academic credit alongside your placement, and receive housing assistance if needed. Perfect for those with an entrepreneurial spirit, Connect 123 allows you to gain that business mindset while soaking in the views at Bondi Beach.
6. World Internships
While it may be difficult to intern in Australia on a budget when you’re living in one the country’s biggest cities, it’s certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that won’t disappoint. With World Internships, you’ll find affordable internships in Australia in tourism, architecture, psychology, and more in two of the biggest (and best) cities in the country: Sydney and Melbourne. With placement flexibility, support, and constant group activities, this program will make the process easy and fun for you, so you can relax into city life, explore Melbourne’s graffitied-laneways, or spend happy hour in Circular Quay.
7. Education Abroad Network
Looking to make use of your summer holidays? With Education Abroad Network, you can spend your vacation time earning college credit and traveling the world with affordable internships in Australia. While programs are a bit more expensive than some competitors, here you’ll enjoy an inclusive orientation in tropical northern Queensland where you’ll begin your internship with five days exploring the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll check one of the world’s greatest wonders off your bucket list before you set off for an internship in animal care, accounting, theatre, or even fashion.
8. World Endeavors
Although World Endeavors might appear to be the most expensive option on GoAbroad’s list of cheap internships in Australia, you’ll get more for your money. With your internship fee, you’ll receive accommodation with an Aussie host family, an airport transfer upon arrival, insurance, academic credit, visa guidance, and your personal program advisor who will ensure your placement makes all of your wildest dreams come true. It’s a one-stop kind of place, so your life abroad just got easier. Are you ready for your trip Down Under?
[Browse ALL Internships in Australia to Find the One For You]
Quick tips to intern in Australia on a budget
Save some money for weekend adventures!
Who are we kidding, you’re not going to travel all the way to Australia for an internship abroad without taking some travel time to conquer the Aussie bucket list. There’s so much to do – drive the rugged coastline of the Great Ocean Road, rent a 4WD in Fraser Island, frolic with wild wombats in Tasmania – so you better stick to your budget so you can see it all before you leave.
Need some tips on saving money? Here are some great ways to intern in Australia on a budget:
- Pack your lunch. While it may be easier to pop out of the office to your local café for a bite to eat, the habit won’t make your wallet happy. Australia is expensive, and a quick lunch out could cost $15 or more. Pack a lunch to save some cash for traveling later.
- Choose a cheaper city. The big cities hold an allure, but they can cost an arm and a leg for food, rent, and fun. To intern in Australia on a budget, think about choosing a cheaper destination, like Brisbane, Hobart, or Adelaide. You can always visit the bigger cities later.
- Take advantage of the inclusions. Most interns are drawn to the cheapest programs available, but these usually only cover the basics. Look into programs that have inclusions, like accommodation, excursions, and transportation. The more expensive programs may end up offering more affordable internships in Australia in the long run.
- Find a paid internship. If you can’t intern abroad in Australia for free, you might as well explore all your options for paid internships so you can fund your program fees and living expenses abroad. This is not always the easiest option to find, but definitely worth a shot!
Break a wave, not the bank, while interning in Australia!
You’re ready to intern in Australia and have the time of your life.
Are you ready to take the plunge? While it may be impossible to intern abroad in Australia for free, program fees don’t have to put you in debt. With so many options for cheap internships in Australia, you’re bound to find a program that’s affordable with placements right up your alley.
It’s easy to get swept up in the process, but with these simple tips to intern in Australia on a budget, you’ll find your wallet full of a rainbow wad of bills that can be spent on adventure instead. So pack your thongs and swimmers and head on down to the wonderful world of Oz!
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