How to Get Australian Work Experience: Volunteering and Internships ?

Here's the frustrating loop many international students find themselves in: employers want "Australian experience," but you can't get Australian experience without someone giving you a chance. It's a problem, and it's why so many students start looking at volunteering and internships.

The good news is that there are real ways to break the loop. The less good news is that some of them come with legal and visa traps, especially when the work is unpaid. Here's how to find genuine experience, when unpaid work is allowed and what to check before you say yes.

This is general information, not legal or migration advice. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Department of Home Affairs, or ask your university's international student team.

Why local experience matters (and what it really means)

When employers say "Australian experience," they usually mean they want evidence that you can work in an Australian workplace: understanding the communication style, the expectations and the way teams operate. They also want local referees, people in Australia who can vouch for you.

You don't necessarily need a full-time job to show that. A few months of volunteering, a placement, a campus job or a well-chosen internship can give you stories for your resume and an interview, plus a referee. Our guide to the Australian resume format shows how to present it.

Your main options

1. Placements through your course

If your degree includes a professional placement or work-integrated learning, that's the cleanest way to get experience. It's arranged through your university, it's part of your course and it's usually unpaid by design.

The Fair Work Ombudsman says a vocational (student) placement is lawfully unpaid when it's a requirement of an education or training course, it's approved, and you aren't entitled to be paid for the work. If it isn't required by your course, for example if you've already finished, it generally isn't a vocational placement.

For visa purposes, a mandatory placement that's part of your registered course is generally treated differently from other work experience. Confirm with your provider.

What to do: Ask your course coordinator or careers team what placements are available, how to apply and when.

2. Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the most accessible ways to get started, especially if you're new to Australia. It can also lead to paid work and strong references.

Where to look:

• Your university. Many run volunteering programs and event roles.

• Volunteer search sites. Platforms such as GoVolunteer, Seek Volunteer and Volunteering Victoria list roles with community organisations.

• Local charities and community groups. Food banks, op shops, community centres and sports clubs often need help.

• Events and festivals. Large events recruit volunteers, and it's a good way to meet people.

• Professional associations. Some fields have volunteer committees or mentoring programs.

What makes it genuine volunteering?

The Fair Work Ombudsman describes genuine volunteering as something where you're under no obligation to perform work, you don't expect payment, and the role isn't just a way to avoid paying an employee. The more formal, regular and productive the role becomes, the more careful you need to be.

What about your visa?

Sources generally say genuine, unpaid volunteering for a registered charity or not-for-profit isn't counted toward your student visa work limit, but unpaid work for a business that would normally pay someone is. Don't assume. Ask your university's international student team or Home Affairs if you're unsure, and read our guide to student visa work hours.

3. Internships

Internships are where students most often get caught out, so it pays to understand the rules.

When unpaid is okay. The Fair Work Ombudsman says an unpaid internship or work experience can be lawful if it's a vocational placement, or if there's no employment relationship. In a genuine internship, the main benefit should go to you, the person doing the work, not the business.

When it should be paid. If you're doing real work that benefits the business, such as tasks an employee would otherwise do, you're more likely to be an employee entitled to at least the minimum wage. The Ombudsman gives an example of a final-year accounting student doing an unpaid internship with a firm that has promised him a job after graduation, which is the kind of arrangement that should be paid.

For international students, there are two extra risks:

• Work hours. Unpaid work experience that isn't a mandatory part of your registered course can count toward your visa's work limit.

• Exploitation. Some businesses use "internships" to get free labor from people who feel they can't say no. Don't accept unpaid work because someone says it's the only way to get experience.

Questions to ask before accepting an internship:

1. Is this part of my course? Can my university confirm it?

2. Is it paid? If not, what exactly will I be doing and learning?

3. Is there a written agreement with dates, hours and duties?

4. Who supervises me, and what feedback or reference will I get?

5. Does it count toward my visa work hours?

6. Is the organisation real? Check its website, ABN and reviews. Our guide to fake job scams has red flags.

Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's unpaid work resources if you're unsure whether an arrangement is lawful.

4. Paid roles that build experience

Don't overlook paid work, even if it's casual:

• Campus jobs, such as tutoring, student ambassador roles, library work and research assistant positions.

• Casual work in your field, such as retail, hospitality, admin or customer service, which build communication skills and give you referees.

• Paid internships and graduate programs, often advertised through your university job board and platforms like GradConnection.

• Field-specific roles, like tutoring, tech support or marketing for a small business.

Our guide to finding student jobs in Melbourne lists places to look, and our guide to getting an RSA certificate covers one quick qualification that opens up hospitality work.

5. Build experience without a job

If placements and internships are hard to find, these can fill the gap:

• Student clubs and societies. Take a committee or leadership role.

• Case competitions and hackathons. Good for teamwork and problem-solving examples.

• Projects and portfolios. Build something real, such as a website, analysis or design, that you can show.

• Short courses and certificates. Add relevant, recognised skills.

• Networking and events. Industry events, careers fairs and information sessions can lead to introductions.

• Informational interviews. Ask professionals for 15 minutes to learn about their work. It's low-pressure and builds connections.

• Professional associations. Many offer student memberships, mentoring and events.

6. After you graduate

Some fields have structured pathways for international graduates, such as professional year programs in areas like accounting, IT and engineering, and graduate programs run by large employers. Check with your university and the relevant professional body. Eligibility and visa rules change, so confirm with official sources.

A simple plan for your first semester

Mistakes to avoid

• Accepting unpaid work without checking. Ask whether it's lawful and whether it counts toward your visa hours.

• Working for free for a business doing normal duties. That's often an employment relationship.

• Not getting it in writing. Dates, duties and hours should be clear.

• Ignoring your work limit. Track all your hours.

• Falling for a fake internship. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay.

• Skipping the referee. Always ask for a reference before you finish.

• Waiting until graduation. Start building experience early.

Quick answers

Is unpaid work experience legal in Australia?

It can be, if it's a vocational placement or there's no employment relationship. If you're doing real work that benefits the business, it may need to be paid.

Does volunteering count toward my student visa hours?

Genuine unpaid volunteering for a registered charity is generally treated differently, but unpaid work for a business can count. Check before you start.

Do placements count toward my work limit?

Mandatory placements that are part of your registered course are generally treated differently. Confirm with your provider.

How do I find volunteer roles?

Through your university, volunteer search sites and local charities and community groups.

Should I do an unpaid internship?

Only if it's lawful, valuable and clear. Ask the questions above first.

How can I get a local referee?

Volunteer, join a club, work casually or take part in a placement, then ask a supervisor.