Business and Economics Internship

Gain industry experience and boost your CV while earning credit towards your degree. This subject is offered in Summer, Semester 1 and Semester 2.


You can source your own internship for credit, or apply for a University-sourced internship opportunity under 'Key dates and available opportunities.'

What will I learn through an internship?

The BUSA90525 Business and Economics Internship subject offers you the opportunity to gain valuable experience and test your chosen career path, while earning credit towards your degree. An internship will help you develop the skills employers are looking for, such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, creativity, work ethic, interpersonal skills, and time management.

Whether remote or in-person, an internship will help you to build a professional network and get an edge in the job market.

What's involved?

To complete this subject, you must:

  • Have your placement approved by the Faculty prior to enrolment by submitting an application and your supporting documents
  • Work for a minimum of 90 hours with your host organisation within the chosen enrolment period (additional hours are acceptable if the assessments are completed by the end of the selected enrolment period, subject to final approval)
  • Complete the pre and post-placement assessment tasks within the enrolment period

“I would highly recommend the Business and Economics Internship subject to all Melbourne Business School students, and especially those who are still unsure about their next career move. It offers the perfect opportunity to apply in-class knowledge to real cases, learn business techniques from experienced colleagues, and identify your strengths and weaknesses in a job. Personally, by doing the internship subject, I also realised what I really want to do, and it helped me decide to take a gap year before undertaking further studies”

Edward Dai, Business and Economics Internship with Campus Management

Read about Edward's internship experience

Internship requirements

  • Entry requirements

    Please refer to the Eligibility and requirements section of the handbook for more requirements.

  • What is not a suitable internship?

    The following situations are not suitable placements:

    1.  Working within your family business or where a member of your immediate family (parents, step-parents, spouse, partner or sibling) will be the work placement supervisor
    2.  Organisations with fewer than five staff employed
    3.  Retail assistant roles
    4.  Hospitality front-of-house roles such as bar attendants and waiters
    5.  A role within a workplace where you are currently employed, unless there is sufficient evidence that:
    - the placement is substantially different from your current role;
    - the placement will take place in a different department;
    - you will be supervised by a different supervisor; and
    - the area of work is related to your studies;

  • Requirements for Master of Digital Marketing Students
    • If you wish to complete an internship as a capstone subject, you must indicate this on the application form.
    • The application will then be reviewed by the Subject Coordinator and your Program Director to assess if the proposed internship is suitable as a capstone subject. Upon approval, you can commence with the internship.
    • If you are applying for University-sourced opportunities, you can only apply to the ones that are approved as capstones for the Master of Digital Marketing.
    • Enrolment in BUSA90525 will not be counted as a capstone without prior approval from the Subject Coordinator and your Program Director.
  • Requirements for International Students
      • International students on student visas must ensure that they are compliant with the working hours' limitations attached to their visa.
      • Work restrictions for student visa holders are capped at 48 hours per fortnight. For more information see temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders.
      • Hours worked for internship subjects undertaken as electives will count towards your student visa work hour limits.
      • Business and Economics Internship is an elective subject that will count towards your working hours, even if your internship is unpaid.
      • For further information see the Working on a student visa webpage and the Department of Home Affairs website: Check visa details and conditions.
  • Unpaid internships and the Fair Work Act

    Students seeking to take an unpaid internship in Australia must meet the guidelines applicable to the guidelines set out by Fair Work Ombudsman. Please see the Fair Work website for guidance.

Key dates: Semester 2, 2024

Applications for Semester 2 will open on Monday, 15 April. Please refer to the key dates and application support services available below.

Your internship must be completed within the Semester 2 dates specified. You must submit your application at least 10 business days prior to the start date of your internship for it to be assessed and processed.

Please take note of the application deadlines as late applications will not be accepted.

ActionSelf SourcedUniversity Sourced
Semester 2 Internship DatesBetween Mon, 22 Jul and Fri, 18 OctBetween Mon, 22 Jul and Fri, 18 Oct
Applications OpenMon, 15 AprMon, 15 Apr
Information SessionThur, 18 Apr
1pm - 2pm
Register here
Thur, 18 Apr
1pm - 2pm
Register here
Applications CloseFri, 31 May
5pm (AEST)
Thu, 2 May
5pm (AEST)
Interviews With Host Organisations (University Sourced Only)N/ABetween Wed, 8 May and Wed, 22 May

Application and interview Support

Choose from a range of FBE specific internship application and interview support workshops to ensure your internship applications are competitive.

Students who attend an Application Development Workshop will also be invited to access to a dedicated FBE Speed Resume Review service.

SessionDate/Time (AEST)Registration Link
Research and Reach Out to Employers (Online)
Presenter: Central Careers and Employability
Thu, 28 Mar
10am - 11:30am 
This event has now concluded
Develop Your Internship Application (Online)
Presenter: FBE Employability
Wed, 24 Apr
12pm - 1pm
Register here
Develop Your Internship Application (Online)
Presenter: FBE Employability
Mon, 29 Apr
1pm - 2pm
Register here
Interview for Internships (In-person)
Presenter: Central Careers and Employability 
Tue, 7 May
12:15pm -1:15pm 
Register here
Develop Your Internship Application (Online)
Presenter: FBE Employability
Fri, 10 May
12pm - 1pm 
Register here
Develop Your Internship Application (Online)
Presenter: FBE Employability
Fri, 17 May
1pm - 2pm
Register here
Develop Your Internship Application (Online)
Presenter: FBE Employability
Fri, 24 May
12pm - 1pm
Register here

University Sourced Internships

Applications for university-sourced internships for Semester 2 2024 will open on Monday 15 April.

You may apply for up to 5 university-sourced internships per application period.

Each university-sourced internship opportunity has a maximum number of applications that can be submitted. Once an opportunity has reached this maximum, it will no longer be accepting any further applications.

Accounting

Business and Consulting

Finance

HR

Marketing

How to apply

The process to apply for a self-sourced internship and a University-sourced internship differs. Please follow the steps for your selected internship prior to lodging your application.

Apply Now

Preparing for your internship

The University offers a range of resources, workshops, and information sessions to assist you with preparing a quality CV, strengthening your interview skills and much more. Places are limited so book your spot early.

  • Improve your employability skills by attending one of our FBE skills workshops. Sessions will be advertised in your weekly MBS Newsletters, but you can also access recordings via the Canvas Community.
  • Attend Student Services workshops and information sessions (apply the 'Careers & Employability' filter).
  • Use tools to build your skills in job seeking, resume building, interview performance and more with EmployMe.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I've found a placement opportunity myself and am ready to apply for the Business and Economics Internship subject. What do I need to do now?

    If you have secured your placement and agreed on your start and end dates, you are ready to apply. Before submitting your application, ensure you have all your documentation - some may require action such as sign-off from your host company.

  • Does my internship have to be within the teaching period of the semester?

    Yes, due to the assessments that are part of the subject, the minimum 90 hours of the nominated internship must take place within the chosen enrolment period. Any additional hours are acceptable if assessment is completed by the end of the selected enrolment period; however, this is subject to approval.

    If you have already commenced your internship, or if you will be starting your internship more than 2 weeks earlier than the start date of the teaching period, then you must effectively demonstrate you will be undertaking tasks and responsibilities that are sufficiently different to your current role in your application form. Completing higher duties or a project within the same team or business function will not qualify.

  • How much does the Business and Economics Internship subject cost?

    The cost of the Business and Economics Internships Subject is a standard University subject fee.

    Interstate/Regional/Overseas placements may also incur additional travel and/or accommodation fees and expenses.

  • How soon can I start my internship once enrolled into BUSA90525?

    If your application is successful, at least five business days are required between enrolment and your internship start date, for the timely completion of pre-placement modules.

  • Can I complete an internship placement while enrolled in an intensive Graduate Practicum subject?

    No. A student cannot be enrolled in BUSA90525 while completing an intensive subject. Please refer to the Handbook for the Business Practicum and the Global Business Practicum.

  • Why can't I see a University-sourced opportunity on SONIA or Careers Online?

    Opportunities will only be visible on SONIA and Careers Online when the applications are open - please refer to Key dates and available opportunities.

    Each opportunity has a maximum number of applications that can be submitted. Once an opportunity has reached this maximum, it will no longer appear for you to select in SONIA.

  • Can I complete Business and Economics Internship at the same time as BUSA90485?

    As BUSA90485 Global Business Practicum is an intensive subject where students travel overseas, if your internship crosses over with the overseas travel component, it may not be possible to do both BUSA90525 and BUSA90485 at the same time.

    You can complete these subjects in different semesters.

  • Do my self-sourced documents have to be submitted in English?

    Yes, your self-sourced documents need to be submitted in English. Please also submit your documents in their original language including any official company logos, seals or letterheads.

Further information

View the subject in the Handbook.

Read about the experiences of MBS students who completed the Business and Economics Internship in Student Stories.

Contact us

If you have a question regarding the Business and Economics Internship, please email us at fbe-internships@unimelb.edu.au. Please include your student ID and that you're enquiring about BUSA90525.

If you are an organisation looking to get involved, please find further information here.