The Australian Institute of International Affairs seeks students who are based in Australia who are interested in completing a voluntary internship. Regular internships are offered in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra (National Office). Places may also be available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra (ACT Branch) and Hobart, depending on branch needs.

Application Process

*Please note* Dates and positions for internships are different for each state and territory branch. 

National Office Internships in Canberra

Those who are interested in an internship at the AIIA’s National Office must be located in Canberra or willing to relocate for a minimum of three months for the duration of the program.

A customised program is designed for each of the AIIA’s National Office interns according to the intern’s learning and career development needs. It can include a mix of training and practical experience in events, communications and office management. Download a Standard Contract Trainee Template (35 KB).

The AIIA National Office has some flexibility to adapt its internship programs to suit individual needs:

• Internships can focus on:
  • events and publications;
  • communications;
  • general affairs;
  • podcasts;
  • curating and editing the AIIA’s online publication, Australian Outlook (see Russell Trood Internship below).
• Internships can be full-time or part-time (minimum two days per week) for a 3-12 month period. Placements less than 3 months are rare.
• Preference will be given to applicants who are applying for academic credit through a university program.
• Interns will be provided with support including induction, regular supervision, access to events and opportunity to work with other interns.

Applications to National Office can be made at any time during the year and will be considered according to the following timeline*:

For commencement date:	February-April	May-July	August-October	November-January
Applications must be received by:	1 November	1 February	1 May	1 August
Decision will be notified by:	15 November	15 February	15 May	15 August

*International applicants who need a longer timeline for planning should feel free to submit by the deadline for one intake before the planned intake for an earlier decision.

Some handy tips for preparing your application include:

• be clear about the dates you are available for the internship (NB: there are no set starting dates);
• include information both on how you hope to benefit from your placement with the AIIA and what you can offer the AIIA. The AIIA internship program aims to help students and graduates build careers in international affairs and other areas so we care how this placement will help you; and
• show that you understand what type of organisation the AIIA is in your application. Have a look over the website to gain a sense of the AIIA’s activities.

APPLY NOW

*Please note* If you have trouble uploading documents via our website, please submit your internship application to admin@20.185.176.227.

Russell Trood Internship – Australian Outlook Assistant Editor

The AIIA is proud to be able to offer the Russell Trood Internship thanks to the generosity of Russell Trood FAIIA, former president of AIIA Queensland and AIIA Fellow. This 3-month internship is for the Assistant Editor of the AIIA’s popular international affairs blog, Australian Outlook, and provides a $1000 honorarium to reimburse some of the costs of the voluntary internship. The Assistant Editor is required to work 4-5 days per week.

Apply now by selecting Australian Outlook Assistant Editor on the AIIA National Office internship application form and following the instructions.

State and Territory Branch Internships

AIIA NSW in Sydney

Applications to AIIA NSW should be made to the NSW Intern Coordinator by emailing nswinternships@20.185.176.227. Information on the internships program in Sydney is available here.

AIIA VIC in Melbourne

Applications to AIIA VIC should be made to admin.vic@20.185.176.227 using ‘Internship Enquiry’ as the subject line.

AIIA for WA in Perth

The WA Branch is not accepting internship applications.

AIIA Queensland in Brisbane

Please view our internships page and join our Facebook page for information specific to Qld internships.

Other Branches

Applications to other Branches should be made to the relevant Branch.

Other considerations

Unfortunately, internships are unpaid, and interns need to be able to cover their costs and living expenses.

You will need to exhibit a high degree of independence and excellent planning skills. Interns are treated as valuable members of the AIIA team and given as much responsibility as they can handle. You need to be self-directed and you would take on a range of projects that you work on autonomously with regular supervision.