International Internship Program

• This is a valuable, partially subsidised, paid Internship Program initiated by Brisbane City Council. The salary for the Intern will be based on a casual employment arrangement. Council will subsidise 50% of the labour cost for the 4-week placement, with the Host Business contributing 50% to the Intern Salary
• You must not use the Intern to displace an existing employee or reduce an existing employee's hours of work.
• You must not provide the Intern with extra hours of paid work outside the hours of the Internship.
• You will be required to ensure a qualified person conducts and records a risk assessment for each Intern you employ.
• You are not obliged to employ the Intern upon completion of the Internship Program.
• Your business interests, sector and needs will be taken into consideration during the process of matching the Host Business to an Intern.
• You are expected to ensure the Intern has a positive experience during the process and period of the Internship Program by:
  • ensuring a representative is present for the Internship interview and induction
  • ensuring that a supervisor is assigned to the Intern for the entirety of the placement
  • ensuring that work is assigned to the Intern and the Intern is aware of the expected outcomes
  • communicating expectations from the beginning of the placement and providing continuous feedback
  • ensuring that at all times, at least two staff are on site when the Intern is working in the office. 
• You acknowledge that a home office or any residential premises used as a company office will not be considered an appropriate workplace for the Intern. The Intern shall not be required to perform their duties from a home office or any non-professional office space unless explicitly agreed upon in writing by both parties, and only if such an arrangement adheres to all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace health, and safety standards. 
• The Internship must:
  • be for four weeks from 7 April – 2 May 2025
  • be for a maximum of 20 hours per week
  • be for a minimum of 2 hours per day
  • not exceed a maximum of 7.25 hours a day
  • not include working on a public holiday.

Domestic student

• You must be a domestic student with a culturally and linguistically diverse background and have at least one natural parent born in a country other than Australia.
• You must currently live in the Brisbane City Council local government area.
• You must be an Australian citizen or hold Australian permanent residency.
• You must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree or higher at an institution in the Brisbane City Council local government area.
• You must be currently enrolled in the final year of study in 2025.

International student

• You must be an international student enrolled in an undergraduate degree or higher at an institution in the Brisbane City Council local government area.
• You must hold a valid student visa
• You must be in your final year of study in 2025.
• You must currently live in the Brisbane City Council local government area.
• If English is not your native language, you must have obtained an Upper Intermediate to Advanced English level under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an overall academic score of 6.5, or PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic) with an overall academic score of 59-64.
• You must be from one of Brisbane's sister cities (listed below), or have lived in one of them for more than 12 months, with proof of residence.
  • Abu Dhabi
  • Auckland
  • Chongqing
  • Daejeon
  • Hyderabad
  • Kaohsiung
  • Kobe
  • Semarang
  • Shenzhen.

Applying for the international internship program can be a competitive process, but with the right preparation, you can increase your chances of success. Here are some tips to help you with your application:

1. Showcase Your Soft Skills: Emphasize soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. These are crucial for thriving in any workplace environment.
2. Prepare for the Interview: Practice common interview questions and prepare your responses. Research the interviewers and find common ground to build rapport. Be ready to discuss your experiences and how they relate to the internship.
3. Be Genuine and Enthusiastic: Show your genuine interest in the opportunity and the organisation. Be yourself, smile, and speak confidently during the interview.
4. Follow Up: After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position.

Brisbane City Council aims to make the application process as easy as possible. 

Resume

A resume (curriculum vitae) should be included in your application. The resume should contain:

• your full name
• current contact details
• qualifications
• a concise description of your relevant work experience, starting with the most recent (including dates)
• any other information that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

Here are some tips to help you to create an effective resume: 

• Review Resume Examples for Your Desired Industry: Study examples of resumes from your industry for inspiration and best practices. Focus on simplicity, brevity, and including measurable achievements.
• Use a Professional Font: Choose a clean and readable font like Arial or Times New Roman. Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points.
• Prioritise Important Information: Place the most important information at the top of your resume. This includes your contact information, professional summary, and key skills.
• Optimise Your Skills Section: Highlight relevant skills that match International Internship Program. Use bullet points to list your skills and provide examples of how you have used them.
• Include Non-Standard Work: If you have any freelance, volunteer, or part-time work that is relevant to the job, include it in your resume. This shows your versatility and commitment.
• Edit and Proofread Your Resume: Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. A well-edited resume reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
• Use a Professional Layout: Keep your resume layout clean and organized. Avoid using complex formatting, headers, footers, or tables that may not display correctly on different devices. 
• Keep It Concise: Aim to keep your resume to one or two pages. Focus on the most relevant and recent experiences.

To apply online follow these tips:

• complete all the fields in your application form.
• use a valid email address so we can contact you.
• once the application is complete, select Submit. We will send you a confirmation email after receiving your application.
• check your telephone messages and emails regularly as this is how we will contact you about your application.  

Throughout the selection process you will be required to demonstrate that you meet all the relevant selection criteria to be considered for employment. Selection is based on equity and merit.

Shortlisting

Shortlisting will be finalised after the closing date indicated on the advertisement.

All applicants will be advised via email or phone about the status of their application following shortlisting. 

The interview

• Do Your Research: Understand the company or organisation you are interviewing for. Learn about their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses to align with their goals.
• Prepare for Common Questions: Practice answering common internship interview questions such as:
  • Why did you apply for this position?
  • Why do you want to intern at this company?
  • What are your future plans?
  • How do you deal with conflict?
  • Can you provide an example of a time you demonstrated leadership?
  • How can you provide value to this company as an intern? 
• Highlight Your Qualifications: Even if you haven’t worked abroad, emphasise your relevant skills and experiences. Discuss any international experience or language skills you have.
• Emphasise Your Initiative: Show that you are proactive and willing to take on challenges. Provide examples of how you have taken the initiative in previous roles.
• Treat the Interview as a Dialogue: Engage with the interviewer by asking thoughtful questions about the role and the company. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gather more information.
• Prepare Questions to Ask: Prepare some potential questions to ask the interviewing panel. This can help with engagement and help you stand out. 
• Bring Your Best Attitude: Be positive, enthusiastic, and confident. Your attitude can make a significant impact on the interviewer.
• Pre-Interview Practicalities: Ensure you have a quiet, well-lit space for the interview, and test your technology beforehand if it’s a virtual interview.
• Post-Interview: Connect with the interviewing panel and fellow peers who are interviewing for the same host business. Connections can serve as a valuable resource for future advice, mentorship or even potentially future job referrals. 

You may:

• bring personal notes into the interview as prompts
• bring any relevant reports or other work you have done which will provide examples of your skills and abilities.

You'll be well supported during the interview process.

After the interview

All interviewed applicants will be notified verbally as soon as possible after the selection panel have reached their decision.