From Adelaide to Yungaburra, Australia offers a variety of places for internship opportunities! You’ll gain international work experience and hands-on training to get a leg up in your career, mate. Whether you’re looking to dive into the depths of the Great Barrier Reef or attend chic film events in the Sydney Opera House, you’ll never be bored from brekkie to barbie!
As an intern in Australia, you’re going to get to do and see all kinds of incredible things. Be sure to check out that night sky in the outback!
The Land Down Under may have less than 25 million people, but the economy is growing in a variety of cities—and so are the professions. You’ll also meet people from all over the world and have plenty of networking opportunities. Plus, Australians are generally happy and laid back, which makes an internship in Australia ideal for a fun learning experience.
The locations and internship choices in Australia are as diverse as Oz itself! Read on to help you narrow down your choices among the 6 best cities for interning abroad in Australia.
6 best cities in Australia for interns
1. Adelaide
The capital of South Australia is situated on the coast near the foothills of the low-lying Mount Lofty Ranges. From strolling the North Terrace, to exploring the Botanic Garden, to perusing the museums and galleries, the beauty and affluent nature of Adelaide knows no bounds. The Festival Centre also offers visitors the chance to enjoy concerts, plays, recitals, and other performances and festivals.
Foodies and wine lovers will rejoice with its wealth of internships available in hospitality and tourism, as Adelaide produces more than 50% of Australia’s wine. You’ll gain skills in managing cultural festivals, assisting operations of restaurants, and providing business development opportunities for hotels, resorts, and more.
Plus, Adelaide prides itself on the convenient and easygoing lifestyle, so many internships are available in engineering, especially in design. Many internships are quite competitive and require some experience, but the skills you’ll gain and connections you’ll make will be worth it for your resume!
Recommended Australia intern abroad programs in Adelaide:
- Internships Down Under - offers comprehensive services based in Australia
- Australian Internships - provides specialized work training in Australia
- Browse all internship programs in Adelaide, Australia
2. Perth
Situated on the Swan River and the Indian Ocean, the capital of Western Australia (and the largest city on the western coast) enjoys an average of 8 hours of sunshine a day! Perth offers efficient transportation, reasonably priced accommodations, and various attractions. With gorgeous beaches, cosmopolitan sceneries, and expansive parklands, you’ll experience a city like no other.
As a hub for businesses, performing arts, and marine life, you’ll have your pick of the lot when it comes to internships in Australia here. As a hub and port for resources for neighboring countries, the economy is quickly growing and internships in finances are booming. Additionally, the Ningaloo Reef in Perth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is popular with marine science internships helping with research and conservation because of its wealth of whale sharks and manta rays.
Looks like a Perth-ectly good place to intern in Australia to us.
Perth also prides itself on education and diverse cultures, so you’ll get the most out of your internship while experiencing the true blue Aussie lifestyle. Some of the most popular internships in Perth are teaching children and/or refugees English and other subjects like math, sports, and drama. After a day of interning, you can network at a Dôme café or visit Penguin Island with new friends.
Recommended Australia intern abroad programs in Perth:
- CareerDC Internships in Australia - highly rated program with a variety of internship offerings
- TEAN: Australia Internship - full-time internship offerings with professional development and feedback
- Browse all internship programs in Perth, Australia
3. Cairns
The “Adventure Capital” of Australia is located in Queensland near the Great Barrier Reef. Even though the city has 150,000 people, you’ll have the opportunity to SCUBA dive, throw a boomerang, and hold a koala! If you’re an outdoorsy person with a love for new experiences and a tropical climate, you’ve come to the right place.
Cairns enjoys an urban layout with shopping centers and transportation offerings to get around easily. If you’re looking for hospitality internships in Australia, you’ll find plenty here thanks to its numerous tourists, where you’ll gain skills in administration, communication, and marketing. Internships in art galleries and museums are quite popular, where you’ll assist curators, gather and present research, interact with clientele, and gain valuable training.
The city also boasts lots of natural landscapes from rainforests to coral reefs, so put on your togs for a science internship here! What makes Cairns special is its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, which is about 45 to 90 minutes by boat! For those seeking internships in environmental studies, marine science, and zoology and wildlife science, Cairns is the place to be. You’ll learn more about marine animal rehabilitation and conservation by gathering data for surveying the sea bed and recording damage to the reef.
Recommended Australia intern abroad programs in Cairns:
- GoEco - get PADI certified and gain marine conservation experience
- SPC Group - gain career experience in hospitality, administration, and more
- Browse all internship programs in Cairns, Australia
4. Brisbane
Immerse yourself in the capital of Queensland with its distinctive architecture, sunny beaches, waterways, and numerous recreational activities. The vast number of parks, promenades, and landscapes have deemed it as one of the top ten most beautiful cities in the world. With a sophisticated, artistic, and innovative culture, the city will keep you on your toes while offering attractive offerings in your free time.
Known as the “World’s Best Downtown,” Australia’s third most populous city offers plenty of opportunities to grow in hospitality with Brisbane being a top international destination in the world. Many internships are available in four or five-star hotels or high-end restaurants, where you’ll be able to grow in culinary arts, events and banqueting, guest services, and more.
You’ll get more than your fill of flat whites and bay views in Brisbane.
Many wildlife centers and sanctuaries in Brisbane also need animal science interns to help rehabilitate the local species, so plenty of internships in veterinary sciences are available here to assist with surgeries and recovery. Brissy also has plenty of dolphins, turtles, and whales at Moreton Bay where you can intern as well.
Recommended Australia intern abroad programs in Brisbane:
- API - offers academic-based international internships in a variety of fields
- ISA - receive personalized advising and career development
- Browse all internship programs in Brisbane, Australia
5. Melbourne
With a high quality of living and a dynamic business environment, Melbourne is a popular place for an internship. From the Fitzroy Gardens to the Great Ocean Road, you’ll find plenty of unique sceneries for picturesque strolls. If you have an eclectic taste in foods and can’t resist a good art and nightlife scene, you’ll also feel right at home!
The capital of Victoria lies on the southeast coast, so plenty of environmental and ecology internships are available, especially in sustainable development and urban planning. The second most populous city in Australia also boasts cultural institutions, contemporary dance, and loads of sporting events. Many popular internships are available to gain skills in exercise science and sports management, as Melbourne is home to rugby and football teams.
Melbourne boasts loads of start-up companies where you’ll gain valuable skills in entrepreneurship and networking, especially in marketing, business, software development, and more. For those looking for internships in Australia in these areas, the competition is fierce but worth the experience in Melbourne!
Recommended Australia intern abroad programs in Melbourne:
- The Intern Group - top ranked by international media for high quality internship placements.
- Intern Oz - specializes in customized internship placements
- Browse all internship programs in Melbourne, Australia
6. Sydney
The iconic coastal city boasts diverse peoples, cuisines, and festivals, so you’ll no doubt be surrounded by a lively and vibrant culture. The numerous wildlife sanctuaries, museums, and beaches will also give you plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself among the Sydneysiders. With all of its offerings, it’s no wonder Sydney is often rated as one of the most livable cities in the world!
The strong market economy from business and finance to tourism and performing arts provides a variety of internships in Sydney, Australia. Music internships are available, where you’ll sing your heart out and maybe even perform at the Sydney Opera House. Plus, many hospitality internships are available, where you can gain skills in event planning at multicultural festivals, marketing at museums or galleries, or in other languages at award-winning hotels (and more!).
The Opera House is a must-visit during internships in Sydney, Australia!
The numerous radio and broadcasting stations also make it a popular place to gain experience in the media industry. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Bulletin are popular headquarters to gain strong skills in writing for newspapers and magazines as well. This multifaceted city will no doubt give you an edge when it comes to gaining professional experience for your resume!
Recommended Australia intern abroad programs in Sydney:
- IES Internships - offers a Sydney summer internship program
- Boston University Study Abroad - gain academic credit with the Sydney internship program
- Browse all internship programs in Sydney, Australia
[Browse ALL Internship Destinations in Australia]
Find scholarships to intern in Australia
If you’re looking for some free money to cover the program cost for your international internship experience, here are some ace scholarships available:
- The Intern Group Scholarship - The Intern Group offers scholarships to university students or recent grads and covers 50% of a 6-week summer program.
- Global Nomadic Scholarship - The recipient receives a $500 USD credit toward any of their programs, and it requires an application form and video to enter the pool for consideration.
- Whitaker International Program Grant - For applicants interested in interning in biomedical engineering to conduct laboratory research, you could receive a stipend for a year and more.
Looking for more options? GoAbroad rounded up more scholarships for internships in Australia here:
Explore 15 Intern Abroad Scholarships in Australia
You’re ready to intern abroad in Australia!
Your internship in Australia (and your view of the night sky) is about to be out of this world, mate.
The six best cities in Australia offer a wide variety of internship choices thanks to the strong, diverse economy and international tourism. Most internship Australia programs provide tailored placements, plenty of support, and fun social activities. Intern in Australia to experience the best of both worlds: professional development in the city and adventurous opportunities in nature!
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