Picture this: Waking up just early enough to catch the sunrise over Bondi Beach, heading to a local shop for an acai bowl, and then strolling to your engineering internship in Australia. If that’s not #goals, then we don’t know what is! Interning is a great way to spend time abroad, and there’s no better place to go than Australia. After a week of working hard at your placement, you can learn how to play rugby (Aussie-style), sample some Vegemite, or go camping in the Outback. Now, that’s going to satisfy your bucket list!
Unfortunately, there are no free internships programs in Australia. In fact, a lot of programs are going to cost an arm and a leg… But, no drama! If you want to intern abroad in Australia, we’ll do our best to help you get there, my friend. We’ve collected some affordable programs that won’t break the bank. Take a look, shop around, and pick whichever one best meets your needs. Here’s our collection of low-cost internships in Australia—so you can save some of your Aussie dollars for adventures, too!
Keep Reading: Why Intern in Australia? 9 Reasons to Get You Stoked
7 low-cost internships in Australia
1. Internships in Australia with Intern OZ
On a budget, but still itching to get Down Under? We feel ya! And so does Intern OZ with this awesome program. Starting at just $650 for some placements, you’ll receive help securing an internship, filling out paperwork for the position or your home university, obtaining a visa, and finding housing, and you’ll have access to 24/7 support throughout your trip, no matter how long you stay. Seriously, you can’t beat a deal like that for an internship in Australia. Start planning now, and you can be on the plane before brekky!
- Where: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Sunshine Coast, or Sydney
- Fields: Business, Engineering, Art, Education, Social Work, Journalism, + more!
- Cost: ~$650+
- More info: Read more about Intern OZ
2. Intern Across Australia with CareerDC
The choice is yours with CareerDC: Pick your location, duration, industry, and start date without any hassle. This program is perfect for those looking to do a summer internship in Australia, because it allows you to stay for as long or as little as you want (or as your budget can afford!). Don’t hesitate to reach out to CareerDC staff either—they’re known for being really down to earth, approachable people that want you to succeed in your Australia internships. All around, this program looks like a real beauty!
- Where: Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Brisbane, Hobart, Sydney, + more!
- Fields: Engineering, Architecture, Communications, Economics, Graphic Design, Tourism, + more!
- Cost: ~$1,200+
- More info: Read more about CareerDC
3. Professional Internship Programs with Australian Internships
When you intern abroad in Australia, you’ll spend your time surfing in Surfers Paradise, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, or catching shows at the Sydney Opera House, but you’ll also gain a lot of new skills that will help you in school and your professional career. Australian Internships is a great provider to choose if you want support through all of it! From resume prep to in-country meet ups, they’ll help you every step of the way and answer any questions you have. Your family and friends back home can sleep easy knowing that you’re in good hands in the Land Down Under!
- Where: Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, + more!
- Fields: Marketing, Mathematics, Nursing, Hospitality, Event Management, Engineering, + more!
- Cost: ~$1,500+
- More info: Read more about Australian Internships
4. Experience Australia with ELI Abroad
As a small, non-profit organization, ELI Abroad will really work with you to plan a personalized internship in one of the two biggest cities in Australia. They offer affordable programs all over the world, and Australia is no exception. With experienced staff to help you through the whole process, you’ll be able to live that iconic Aussie lifestyle while still gaining amazing, resume-building skills in whatever field you want. Get ready—you’ll be strolling around Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden on your lunch break in no time.
- Where: Melbourne, Sydney
- Fields: Accounting, Journalism, Graphic Design, Human Resources, Communications, Marketing, + more!
- Cost: ~$2,560+
- More info: Read more about ELI Abroad
5. Intern in Sydney with Connect-123
Sydney is one of the most popular places to visit in Australia, with its stellar scenery, exciting nightlife, and bloody awesome locals, so why not take on an internship right in the heart of the city? From photography to engineering internships in Australia, Connect-123 has got you covered with their strong, diverse network of companies. You’ll fall in love with the laid-back pace in Sydney, where enjoying your work is just as important as enjoying your time outside of work. After a long day in the office, head out to a pub with your mates or to climb over the Sydney Harbour Bridge—whatever floats your boat!
- Where: Sydney
- Fields: Education, Film, Public Policy, Sports Management, Hospitality, Law, + more!
- Cost: $2,750
6. Intern in Australia with World Internships
Interested in art, hospitality, biology, or anything in between? Then World Internships’ programs in Sydney and Melbourne are perfect for you. They offer complete flexibility and outstanding support (not to mention a pretty reasonable price tag), so your needs will definitely be met. Want a summer advertising internship with a side of kangaroo cuddling? Internships in Sydney, Australia are calling your name! Or maybe an Information Technology internship with a side of nail-biting rugby matches? Try going to Melbourne! Your adventure awaits!
- Where: Melbourne, Sydney
- Fields: Journalism, Tourism, Architecture, Public Relations, Real Estate, Psychology, + more!
- Cost: ~$2,890+
- More info: Read more about World Internships
7. Australia Internships with The Education Abroad Network
If you’re eager to check out some summer internships in Australia, TEAN should be your go-to source. They provide 14-week placements as well, but their 8-week summer programs are perfect for people looking to get some college credit between semesters (and save some money!). Although this is the most expensive on our list, it’s still pretty affordable when compared to its competitors. Plus, their orientation programs are notoriously incredible—this one even includes a visit to the Great Barrier Reef!
- Where: Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Cairns
- Fields: Animal Care, Accounting, Theatre, Engineering, Healthcare, Fashion, + more!
- Cost: ~$3,540+
- More info: Read more about TEAN
Can't pick? Compare these programs side-by-side for FREE with MyGoAbroad
How to save your coins while you intern abroad in Australia
Cruising around the Great Ocean Road, chilling at Bondi Beach, and shopping at the Queen Victoria Building? Sounds like it’s well worth the trip Down Under! Internships are a great way to get there, tick some things off your bucket list, gain valuable skills, and really enmesh yourself in the culture. Unfortunately, as you’ve seen, internships in Australia can be pretty expensive, but there are ways to cut down on the price.
Here are some other ways to do Australia internships on a budget:
- Shared housing. If you get to choose between living in a studio apartment and a shared house with other travelers, choose the latter! Not only will it save you tons of money, especially in bigger cities, it also gives you a support system right at your fingertips.
- Get college credit. If you’re still in school and want to intern abroad in Australia, talk to your university and your provider about getting some college credit for all your hard work. That means you’ll have fewer classes to take (and pay for) once you’re back home!
- Pick a less expensive location. As awesome as internships in Sydney, Australia, or places like Perth and Melbourne are, they are some of the most expensive places to live, which bumps up the cost of the program. To save money, look for Australia internships in cities like Hobart, Brisbane, or Adelaide.
- Do a shorter internship placement. Even though you want to spend a long time in Oz, summer internships in Australia are a great way to save some money. Going for 1-2 months over the summer is way cheaper than going for 4-12 months. It also gives you a good excuse to go back to Australia later! ;-)
- Go for a paid internship. It’s not always easy, but some providers can find you paid internships in Australia. Obviously, this is a great way to get some cash to pay off your program fees and fund some extra travel.
- Take on a weekend job. If your visa allows it, getting a part-time job in retail or waiting tables is always a bonus! It’s also a great way to meet new people in your host city. There are lots of visa options to intern abroad in Australia, so talk to your provider to find the best one for you.
- Search for scholarships. Heaps of organizations want to help send talented young people overseas to do internships, so there may be a scholarship out there for you. Check out our list of scholarships to intern abroad in Australia!
- Try crowdfunding. Try using a fundraising websites, like FundMyTravel, to give you a bit of a financial buffer when you go overseas. Share your plans and purpose with your family, friends, and coworkers and maybe they’ll donate some money to your cause.
- Remember the inclusions. Cheaper programs don’t usually provide as many inclusions, such as accommodation, on-the-ground orientations, excursions, or flights, where more expensive programs may. Make sure you know what you’re paying for with your program!
Crikey! You’re ready for your Australia internship, mate!
So, go grab some shrimp for the barbie and call over your mates for a going away party! You’re headed to Oz! Internships in Australia are incredible for gaining professional skills, giving your resume an edge, making connections, and trying lots of new things. From learning how to test software at your computer engineering internship in Australia to learning how to surf in Byron Bay, you’re on your way to an amazing adventure.
Whether you go with the least or most expensive program on this list (or something else entirely!), we hope that you find exactly what you’re looking for. There are so many incredible providers, cities, and placements out there, so it’s hard to go wrong. Shop around; there’s something out there that suits you and gets you to the Land Down Under!