About the Internship Program
Our award-winning Australian Disability Network Internship Program is exclusively available to members of Australian Disability Network.
It’s an exceptional opportunity to enhance your team’s understanding of disability and provide meaningful, accessible internships to university students and recent graduates with disabilities.
Hosting an intern can:
- Boost disability confidence and leadership skills within your team.
- Support your diversity and inclusion targets and add value to your culture.
- Refine organisational processes and strategies through disability confidence.
- Connect with a rich talent pool to drive innovation and change.
- Offer transformative experiences for interns, removing barriers for people with disability.
If you’re interested in participating in the Internship Program and hosting an intern, please contact our Internship Program Lead, Rudy Haruta, at Rudy.Haruta@AusDN.org.au or call +61 2 8270 9230 for a Program Agreement.
Note: The minimum duration for an internship is 152 hours or four weeks, designed to align with university holidays in winter (July, August, September) and summer (December, January, February).
Cost
- The fee for each placement is $5,016 ($4,560 + GST) invoiced by Australian Disability Network.
- A fair wage + superannuation for the intern (commensurate with the role)
Information Sessions
Register to join one of our information sessions to find out more about the Internship Program
Key Dates
We run the Stepping Into program twice a year:
Winter
- Expressions of interest: End of February
- Position details confirmed: Start of March
- Shortlist of candidates provided: Mid to Late May
- Internships start: July
Summer
- Expressions of interest: End of July
- Position details confirmed: Mid-August
- Shortlist of candidates provided: Early November
- Internships start: December/January/February
If you are interested in participating in the upcoming cohort, contact Internship Program Lead, Rudy Haruta at Rudy.Haruta@AusDN.org.au or +61 2 8270 9230.
Apply to host an intern
If your organisation is ready to host an intern, follow these steps: –
- Complete the Position Description template. You will need to attach this to complete the nomination. Here is a sample Position Description to help you.
- Save the Position Description using the file name format: ‘Position Description – <Organisation Name> <Role Title>’. Please ensure the file name is not shortened or altered.
- You will need to login to our portal to complete your nomination. If you don’t have a login or experiencing any problems, please email helpdesk@AusDN.org.au
- Complete the online Position Nomination form and submit.
- To confirm your organisation’s participation in the Internship Program, you must sign and return the Program Agreement. This step is essential to proceed with the program.
- Please contact Internship Program Lead, Rudy Haruta at Rudy.Haruta@AusDN.org.au or +61 2 8270 9230 for any support through this process.
Download the Position Nomination and Supervision Guide for top tips on how to submit a position description and how to identify your host team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Who is this program to?
Organisations who are members of Australian Disability Network are able to participate in this program.
Question 2: What does it cost?
We charge $5,160 ($4,560 + GST) for each intern you engage. You’re also responsible for paying the intern’s pro-rata salary for the internship period (including superannuation).
Question 3: What is the minimum duration for an internship?
The minimum duration for an internship is 152 hours or four weeks. The program is designed to be flexible and align with university holidays in winter (July) and summer (December, January, February). While the winter break is ideal for the minimum duration, longer placements are best suited to the summer break, allowing for a more extended and uninterrupted internship experience.
Question 4: What support do supervisors get throughout the program?
We provide ongoing support and guidance to supervisors throughout the program. You’ll receive a copy of our practical Internship Program Supervisor’s Guide, packed with helpful information. Additionally, we offer mandatory Disability Confidence Training to equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to foster an inclusive and supportive workplace.
Question 5: How do you find the interns?
We attract eligible students and recent graduates (up to 36 months after they have completed their degree) through the Careers and Disability units at Australian universities. Candidates attend a compulsory briefing session as part of our screening process, and we confirm eligibility in accordance with your requirements before shortlisting.
Question 6: How do you prepare the interns?
We provide a comprehensive briefing to all candidates who apply. During this session, we assess each candidate’s readiness for an internship and their suitability for available positions. Applicants who do not attend the briefing or fail to meet your organisation’s eligibility requirements will not be shortlisted.
Additionally, we conduct individual interviews with each applicant to ensure they are a good fit for the roles they have applied for. This thorough process helps us match candidates with positions where they can thrive and contribute effectively.
Question 7: Does Australian Disability Network check applicants’ references?
No, checking references is the responsibility of the host organisation.
Question 8: Does Australian Disability Network provide training for the interns?
No, all training, including induction training and specific workplace training, is the responsibility of the host organisation. We provide them with a comprehensive Intern Handbook to support them throughout their internship.
Question 9: What if I change my mind?
If you decide you no longer want to participate in the Internship Program after we have started the student attraction campaign, we may charge a portion of the Internship fee as per our Program Agreement.