Build professional experience by applying your knowledge to real-world projects with industry, government, research, and community organisations.
An internship or work experience placement gives you the opportunity to extend your learning beyond the classroom, develop workplace-ready skills, and explore career pathways aligned with your studies and interests.
You can apply for an ANU-sourced placement or secure your own opportunity through a Bring Your Own (BYO) placement.
Not sure which internship option is right for you? Get in touch for a chat.
Key Dates - placements for Summer and Semester 1 2027
| Application stage | Timelines |
|---|---|
| Student internship and placement applications open (both ANU-sourced and BYO) | 13 October 2026 |
| Student internship an placement applications close (ANU-sourced) | 25 October 2026 |
| Host organisations shortlist /interview preferred candidates | 17 November to 1 December 2026 |
| Host organisations confirm student offers/ acceptances to ANU by | 2 December 2026 |
| BYO student internship and placement applications close | 11 November 2026 |
| Internship and placement action items and agreements sent to students by | 24 December 2026 |
| Placements begin for Summer 2027 | 1 January 2027 |
| Placements begin for Semester 1 2027 | 22 February 2027 |
How to apply
You can apply for only one Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course when submitting an internship and placement application for Summer/Semester 1 2027.
For Science Internship, you need to apply via InPlace and follow the instructions here.
For Computing Internship (COMP4820/8830), Engineering Internship (ENGN3200/6200), Engineering Practical Experience (ENGN3100) and Internship Project (WILC3002/6002), you need to apply via ANU STEM internship and placement application form and follow the instructions here.
To understand the requirements such as unit loads or placement hours, please see the ‘Workload’ section’ of the ‘Study’ tab in the following Courses.
Computing internships:
See COMP4820 and COMP8830 for unit load information. Students are required to complete 180 hours of placement.
Science internships:
See SCNC2000, SCNC3000 and SCNC8000.
Engineering internships:
See ENGN3200 and ENGN6200.
Engineering Practical Experience:
See ENGN3100. This is a 0-unit course.
For Engineering placements, there are specific requirements for the workplace supervisor:
*For engineering internships, supervisors should be a suitably qualified engineer/software engineer, who either in Australia or overseas:
- is registered to practice engineering with a relevant professional body or has obtained a tertiary degree in an engineering discipline; and
- is currently working in Australia, in a suitable engineering related role; and
- has substantial (>5 years) experience working as an engineer.
*For engineering practical experience placements, supervisors should be a suitably qualified engineer, who either in Australia or Overseas:
- is registered for practicing engineering with a relevant professional body; or
- has obtained a tertiary degree in an engineering discipline; or
- is currently working in an engineering related role, with
- a tertiary degree in a related discipline (e.g., IT, physics, science), or
- has substantial (>=10 years) experience working as an engineer.
How to know if you are eligible
It is your responsibility as a student to ensure sufficient room in your degree program to fit the relevant internship, and you meet requisite eligibility requirements. Students are advised to do a self-assessment before the application process by:
- Assess room in your degree program by checking ‘the Program Requirements of your degree program’ on ANU Programs and Courses.
- Assess your eligibility to undertake the course by checking ‘the Requisite and Incompatibility section on the Study tab’ of relevant course page.
- Computing Internship: See COMP4820 and COMP8830
- Engineering Internship: See ENGN3200 and ENGN6200
- Engineering Practical Experience: See ENGN3100
- Science Internship: See SCNC2000 and SCNC3000 and SCNC8000
- Internship Project: See WILC3002 or WILC6002
If you are unsure whether the course you wish to undertake can fit within your remaining program requirements, or if you would like assistance with program planning, please contact the ANU Student Hub or student@anu.edu.au before finalising your enrolment.
Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot apply for more than one type of WIL course.
No, the number of ANU-sourced placements is limited, and the applications are highly competitive.
Yes, students can source their own placement. Student-sourced placements are referred to as Bring Your Own (BYO) placements.
For computing internship and engineering internship, BYO placements must be paid placements (casual employment).
For science internship and engineering practical experience, the BYO placements can be either paid or unpaid.
All BYO Placements must be reviewed and approved by ANU before students can enrol.
ANU encourages host organisations to offer paid placements (casual employment). While some hosts do offer unpaid placements, it is your choice as to which placement you choose to apply for.
If you are undertaking a paid placement, your insurance will be covered by your Host Organisation as you will be employed there.
If you are undertaking an unpaid placement, ANU arranges insurance coverage for the duration of your placement.
As part of the application process, you will nominate your preferred placement/ project that best match your skills and interests.
As the host/employer makes the final selection, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in your first preference or will secure a placement.
International students are advised to seek guidance from the Department of Home Affairs and/or the ANUSA Legal Services on this matter. For further information on visa conditions on the work hours, please see the Department of Home Affairs website.
Yes. If eligible, your application for the ANU-sourced placements will be sent to your nominated host organisations. Host organisations will review applications and select students to interview. Host interviews will be arranged by respective host organisations and will generally follow a more traditional interview style.
Students are strongly discouraged from changing their mind once they have accepted an offer as part of ANU-sourced placement application process. If you are waiting to hear from other host organisations, please kindly ask the host organisation who made the first offer to give you more time for consideration.