FAQs about our internship program

Will I be paid for my internship?

No, an internship is unpaid work experience.

Can you arrange accommodation for me?

Yes, we can. Contact us for information and advice. You can choose between:

• homestay with an Australian family – a great way to get to know Australian life and culture.
• an apartment – if you want to be more independent
• a shared room in a hostel – this is something like a dorm room – with or without a meal plan
• contacts we can provide so that you can find your own accommodation

Can you arrange an airport pick up for me?

Yes, we can. There is an additional charge for this. Contact us for more information.

You can also take a cab outside the airport. Australian cabs are metred and very safe. There is also a train service from the airport to the city centre, but we recommend a cab or an airport pick up after a long flight.

What is the cost of living in Sydney?

The cost of living really depends on your lifestyle, but a general guide is approximately A$1,000 – A$1,600 a month. This covers food, accommodation, travel, entertainment and clothing.

Here is a suggested weekly budget:

• Accommodation A$130 – A$180 (for a room in a shared house or shared apartment)
• Food A$50 – A$90
• Shared expenses A$10 – A$30 (for telephone, electricity, gas)
• Public transport A$20 – A$40
• Clothes and entertainment A$40 – $60
• TOTAL A$250 – A$400

What is the weather like in Sydney?

The most important thing to remember is that Australian seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere, so our summer is November – February and our winter is June – August. Winter is very mild in Sydney, more like a North American or European spring.
Summer: warm to hot, 19 – 27 C
Winter: mild, 8 – 16 C

What support will I get in Sydney?

• You will attend a Welcome Orientation with the Program Coordinator, where you’ll get an overview of Sydney, find out about work culture in Australia and set some personal learning goals to accomplish in the next few weeks;
• You will be allocated an Internship Coordinator who can assist you to settle into the workplace and avoid the culture shock of working overseas;
• You will submit an internship journal (short email) to your Coordinator each week, so you can discuss any issues that have come up during your placement and how you are tracking against your personal learning goals.
• In your workplace, you will have a workplace supervisor – a colleague or manager in your internship company.

Remember – your Internship Coordinator is only a phone call or an email away.

English is not my first language – what level of English do I need?

You need to be able to communicate in English well. You should have passed the Certificate III at our English Language Centre or reached IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550. Your speaking and listening skills are particularly important. Contact us for more information and advice about English language courses to prepare you for your internship and read more on this web site.

How long will it take you to organise my internship?

Depending on the industry you choose, it can take 4 – 6 weeks to organise your internship. Please get in contact with us at least 8 weeks prior to your planned arrival in Sydney. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting an internship.

What visa do I need?

Visas differ depending on your nationality. Some interns can come on a Tourist Visa, others will come on a Working Holiday or Occupational Trainee visa. We will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your visa options.  Read more about visas on the web site of the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

Do I need insurance and can you arrange this for me?

Companies require interns to have not only travel medical insurance, but also personal liability insurance. This protects the employer should you break something or cause damage in the workplace. Typically, most travel insurance providers can provide this cover at a small additional cost. Please note that most medical insurance policies do NOT include this already and you will need to purchase it separately.  Please contact us if you need more information about insurance.

Where is my internship located?

Geographically, Sydney is very spread out. Companies are not just found in the Central Business District (near the Harbour Bridge and Opera House) but also in corporate areas at Norwest (40 mins north), Western Sydney (40 mins west), North Ryde (20 mins north) and Homebush Bay/Rhodes (20 mins west).

Interns will be placed as centrally as possible to the main area of Sydney and to their accommodation, but should note that it is not unusual to travel up to an hour each way on public transport to and from their workplace.

Does Sydney have a public transport system?

Yes – Sydney has a good transport system, which includes buses, trains and ferries. There are weekly and monthly passes and multiple tickets (called Ten Trips) which are cheaper than buying your ticket every day. Get more information on the transport system web site.

Is it easy to travel?

Yes, it is very easy to travel around Australia and there are lots of options. There are companies offering organised sightseeing trips for travellers and there are also a lot of low cost airlines. There is so much to see in Australia and we strongly recommend you take the opportunity to do this. A few useful web sites to give you an idea of the possibilities:

• www.australia.com – this is the official site of the Australian tourism board and has wonderful photos and videos
• www.ozexperience.com – for great bus tickets and sightseeing tours around the country
• www.webjet.com.au – for low cost air tickets
  

It is important to remember that Australia is very big! Similar to the size of the USA. If you fly from Sydney on the east coast to Perth on the west, for example, it takes over 5 hours.  The amount of time you have to travel will depend on your visa.