Currently Seeking Placement Opportunities for March 2024 cohort
We're in the process of finalising placements for our summer cohort, undertaking their placements between November 2023 and February 2024. We are now looking ahead to the March 2024 cohort and will be advertising Opportinities in January 2024.
If you have a great idea for a placement or want to learn more reach out for a chat - business.internships@unisa.edu.au.
For all the Key Dates across 2024, check out our 2-page summary of Key Information, Dates & FAQs.
Biannual Industry to Student Speed Networking Event
Our biannual events continue to go from strength to strenght, averaging 330 participants across the two events in 2023. We trialled a partnership approach with UniSA STEM (April) and UniSA Creative (September) and will continue these in 2024.
We are very excited that our event was recognised as a finalist at the Engagement Australia Awards for Excellence in Industry Engagement. This is the video that supported our submission, a big thank you to Ashlee Milverton from Beyond Bank, and Bianca Romano from Serco, for their participation - both alumni of the internship program:
Next event scheduled for Tuesday 9th April 2024, will be in collaboration with UniSA STEM. Email business.internships@unisa.edu.au to join the mailing list for future events.
Monthly eNews
We send a very concise monthly eNewsletter to our industry partner mailing list, highlighting important updates and keeping you appraised of upcoming key dates.
Not on the mailing list? Email us at business.internships@unisa.edu.au
UniSA Business adding value to your organisation
The UniSA Business Internship Program gives organisations access to a fresh perspective and knowledge that can assist in their workplace. Employers and companies can host UniSA undergraduate and postgraduate students who will spend up to 30 days in a workplace, depending on the course they are enrolled in. This time is generally spread over a 10-12 week period, however it could also be done as an intensive (i.e. five days per week). The key is finding the balance between student and the organisation, ensuring the student is able to balance other study, work and life commitments.
Hosting a student placement could involve a particular project or a more observational opportunity, giving students experience in multiple areas of the business.
We support placements undertaken working remotely, recognising that most placements have some remote work aspects already to support a flexible approach. If you have any questions please email business.internships@unisa.edu.au.
Benefits for your organisation
- Access to motivated students who will bring knowledge of current trends, theories, techniques and ideas
- Identify potential new employees
- Develop mentoring and supervision capabilities of current workforce
- Form valuable links with UniSA Business for future collaborations with students and/or research
Connect
Access motivated students with knowledge of current trends, theories and techniques
Collaborate
Form valuable links with UniSA for future student or research collaborations
Contribute
Develop the mentoring and supervision capabilities of your current employees
Key information for employers
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Host Organisation Documents
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Key Information, Dates & FAQs for Host Organisations
Download the Key Information, Dates and FAQs for hosting a business student placement.
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General Project Brief Template
Download a general project brief template for your organisation. Alternatively you can use one of Project Brief Exemplars that have been pre-populated with some common language to make it easier for you.
These templates work best if you download to your computer before entering text.
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Key Information, Dates & FAQs for Host Organisations
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Project Brief Exemplars
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Accounting Firm - Audit
Download a project brief exemplar for Accounting Firm - Audit.
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Accounting Firm - Mixed
Download a project brief exemplar for Accounting Firm - Mixed
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Financial Planning
Download a project brief exemplar for Financial Planning
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Human Resources Management (HRM)
Download a project brief exemplar for Human Resources Management (HRM).
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Management Accounting
Download a project brief exemplar for Management Accounting.
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Marketing
Download a project brief exemplar for marketing.
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Procurement
Download a project brief exemplar for procurement.
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Project Accounting
Download a project brief exemplar for project accounting.
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Property Valuation
Download a project brief exemplar for property valuation.
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Regional Placement
Download a project brief exemplar for Regional Placements.
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Tax Accounting
Download a project brief exemplar for Tax Accounting.
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Accounting Firm - Audit
FAQs
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What is the impact of COVID-19?
The Business Internship Team remains fully operational. Student placements are still proceeding and we are working with students and hosts to adjust any current placements as required, in order to meet any amended work arrangements implemented by host organisations.
Placements for the August and November 2020 cohorts are proceeding and we are focussed on working with you to identify opportunities for students to add value during these challenging times. -
Can students undertake an internship working remotely?
The simple answer is yes, we have a long history of students working remotely during their internship. We are also implementing more preparation activities for students to help them adjust to the likelihood that their placement will be undertaken remotely.
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When is the next cohort?
See latest information in the Key Information, Dates & FAQs for Host Organisations available for download above.
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What options are there for hosting an intern?
We have three pathways for students to gain an internship:
- Open is when we source opportunities and advertise them to students, who then complete the application process with the final step being a personal interview.
- Self-Placement is when students source their own placement and we facilitate the paperwork.
- Facilitated is a new concept we launched recently, whereby we connect industry hosts with students at our networking events. Our next event has been tentatively scheduled for September 2020.
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What are the overall timelines for the coming year?
See latest information in the Key Information, Dates & FAQs for Host Organisations available for download above.
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How long are internships?
Internships are either 15, 30 or 45 days in duration. These are commonly done part-time to balance the student's other commitments and the needs of your organisation, however, can be done in a continuous block of days. Internships of 15 (65%) or 30 (34%) days are most popular to students as they count for some courses but allow some flexibility to take other study options.
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What are the costs to a host organisation?
The Business Internship Program provides course-assessed unpaid internships that meet the requirements of 'legally unpaid' placements under the Fair Work Act 2009. The main cost to the host organisation is staff time needed to plan the internship opportunity and to mentor the intern. The more time spent planning and inducting, the better the placement outcome.
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What disciplines are the students studying?
The Business Internship Program has students from the following discipline areas seeking placements:
- Commerce: accounting, finance, economics, finance and trade, financial planning
- Marketing, communications
- Management, business management, information strategy and management
- Human resource management
- Property
- Tourism and event management
- Sport and recreation
- Logistics and supply chain management
- Arts and cultural management
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
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Are the internship students moving towards the end of their degree?
Both undergraduate and postgraduate students can undertake an internship. Many have already done other work or volunteer placements, and/or have studied overseas.
Undergraduate students will be at least in their third year of study. Postgraduate students will be in their second year, which for most students is their final year of study.
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Who covers the insurance?
The University of South Australia provides Professional Indemnity, Personal Liability and Personal Accident cover for all students undertaking an approved unpaid internship.
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Can we offer paid placements?
We can support students to utilise their paid placement as a self-sourced placement for their course. As this would make them an employee of your organisation, we would ask for a copy of the employment agreement to confirm they are insured and confirm your acknowledgement that they will be submitted assessments based on their experience.
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If I submit a proposal, am I guaranteed an intern?
We aim to find a balance between the number of internships offered and available students. There is no guarantee, however we will work with you to refine your internship offering so that it is attractive to students and meets your organisational need.
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How can I get involved in the networking activities for facilitated placements?
All host organisations are welcome to attend our structured speed-networking event tentatively schedulded for late September 2020. This will enable you to connect directly with students seeking placements and you can register through Eventbrite.
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Who can I contact for more information?
Please contact Daryl McMahon, Partner Engagement Manager: Internships to find out more.
Submit an expression of interest
Click below to submit your expression of interest to arrange a student internship within your organisation.
Get in touch
Send an email to business.internships@unisa.edu.au
or contact one of our staff members for more information.
