The Stepping Into™ program offers practical paid work experience for successful students or recent graduates with disability who may face significant obstacles in gaining employment. Obstacles include such things as academic transcripts that don’t reflect the students’ real potential, or having limited opportunity to participate in part time work while studying. The participating employers are pioneers within their field and are taking a leadership role in providing opportunities to students with disability to access internship opportunities.
A proven record of success
We’ve been bringing employers and students together like this since 2005, and our record stands for itself: our interns are more likely to be employed after they leave university than students without a disability.
Eligibility
To be eligible:
- You must have a disability and be registered with disability services at your university, or be able to provide a note from an allied health practitioner, social worker, psychologist, or medical professional. If you are not sure what types of disability are included, please visit our What Is Disability? Any information about your disability will be removed prior to sending your application to the participating employers.
- You must be enrolled in the second last or final year of a relevant tertiary degree at a recognised tertiary institution, or have graduated from a relevant degree within 36 months (three years) of the application date.
- Applicants must not be on a leave of absence from their studies.
- You must have full work rights in Australia (citizenship or a relevant student visa. Each host organisation will have their own citizenship requirements).
- You will need to be committed and prepared to participate fully in the program.
- Preference will be given to those applicants who haven’t applied for or participated in the Stepping Into Program previously.
- If you have questions about whether you are eligible for the Stepping Into program, please contact the Programs team at applications@AusDN.org.au or 02 8270 9200.
Key dates and information sessions
Winter 2025 Cohort
- Applications Open: 14th March 2025
- Applications Close: 20th April 2025
- Internship Period: July to September 2025
Please note, application submitted before the deadline extension will be prioritized and applications after the deadline extension will only be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Information Sessions
Register to join one of our information sessions to find out more about the Stepping Into program
How does the Stepping Into Program work?
- Internship opportunities are advertised in March for the winter semester break and August for the summer semester break.
- Stepping Into Internships run for a minimum 152 hours (four weeks, if working full time).
- Please note that due to the strong competitiveness for some roles, it is not guaranteed that you will be shortlisted for one of your preferences. We will take your preferences into consideration where possible.
- After you apply, you’ll be required to meet with Australian Disability Network to talk about your skills, abilities and interests. You can also discuss any workplace adjustments, and get advice on how to share disability-related information with employers so they can support you to perform at your best.
- If you are shortlisted for the next stage, you’ll be invited to an interview with the host employer.
- Successful applicants will have the opportunity to complete a paid work experience. program with one of our participating employers, and receive support and guidance from AND throughout the internship.
- Employers that you are shortlisted to are responsible for selecting and notifying candidates for interview and offering candidates a position in their program.
Ready to apply? Here are some tips
- Only submit ONE application. Any changes to preferences or other information after you submit this application can be sent to the team via applications@ausdn.org.au.
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Check for spelling, grammar and language. Get someone to proof-read before submitting.
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If you use industry-related terms or acronyms, ensure you elaborate, and ask yourself, would the recruiter understand this?
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Please attach the following information (applications without the following documents attached will not be considered):
• CV.
• Academic transcript (official or unofficial accepted).
• Relevant disability information (such as your Disability Access Plan from Disability Services at your university). -
All sections of the application form must be completed. Leaving any section blank is an incomplete application and will not be considere
Available Internship Opportunities
Once you have identified the right roles for you, please submit a single application. If you need to update your preferences or other information after submitting, please contact the team at applications@ausdn.org.au.
Visit the Current Opportunities page.
You can also download the entire list of Current Opportunities in an excel sheet version.
Apply for an internship
To complete your application, you will need to do the following:
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- Submit only one application. Any changes to preferences or other information after you submit this application can be sent to the team via applications@ausdn.org.au
- Identify at least three preferences from the Current Opportunities page.
- Ensure you have read the job description, and you meet the criteria.
- Be ready to provide supporting documentation.
If you would like an accessible version of the application form please contact applications@AusDN.org.au or call 02 8270 9200.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To find out more about the program, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page
Hear what some of our interns have to say
We have many amazing stories from our past interns. Learn what it’s really like to experience a Stepping Into internship and why it is different to other programs by watching these videos or reading written stories.