Host a business student placement or internship

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.

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.

See latest information in the Key Information, Dates & FAQs for Host Organisations available for download above.

We have three pathways for students to gain an internship:

1. 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.
2. Self-Placement is when students source their own placement and we facilitate the paperwork. 
3. 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.

See latest information in the Key Information, Dates & FAQs for Host Organisations available for download above.

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.

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.

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

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.

The University of South Australia provides Professional Indemnity, Personal Liability and Personal Accident cover for all students undertaking an approved unpaid internship.

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.

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.

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.

Please contact Daryl McMahon, Partner Engagement Manager: Internships to find out more.