Thank you for your interest in an internship with the U.S. Commercial Service in Australia. Our Sydney and Melbourne posts offer internship opportunities throughout the year. However, please note: that all positions for internships mid-May through August, 2008 have now been filled.

Please read the below information thoroughly to ensure you qualify for this program and that you have enough time for your application to be processed.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be new procedures for the 2008 internship intake and a fee may also apply.   Due to these changes, we are unable to accept any students wishing to intern with us prior to June 1, 2008.

Who is Eligible?

In order to participate you must meet the following qualifications:

• United States or Australian citizenship 
• students currently enrolled in a college/university or those who have been accepted in a school for the quarter/semester following the internship. Students must be returning to complete their education following the internship
• long-term availability: minimum four weeks, preferably 40 hours per week
• excellent written and oral communication abilities and computer skills.

Graduate students of international relations, international economics, political science and international business will benefit most from an internship with the Commercial Service.

Selection is made without regard to considerations of ethnicity, color, religion, sex, marital status, or handicap. Potential interns must receive a positive security check by the U.S. Government prior to the start of an internship.

What will I do?

The U.S. Commercial Service assists U.S. companies entering the Australian market and helps Australian firms in their efforts to represent American companies, utilize American products, or find joint venture partners. To support these objectives, the office analyzes information on the Australian market, facilitates contacts with Australian businesses, promotes U.S. products in Australia, and advocates for U.S. business interests.

Intern duties vary, but can include:

• conducting market research
• assisting companies seeking information
• identifying Australian agents and distribution for American companies
• assisting Australian companies seeking information on American exporters
• organizing Trade Missions
• managing commercial events and other official functions
• revising the "Country Commercial Guide"
• hosting this website
• administrative work

Will I Be Paid?

No. Federal regulations prohibit financial compensation. But upon completion of the internship, an official letter of recommendation can be provided and many universities will award academic credit for your work.

Can I work while in Australia?

The Business Short Stay Visa does not permit applicants to work in Australia. Additionally, you will need to provide proof of having sufficient funds to support yourself while in Australia.

Will I Have Insurance?

Unfortunately, no federal government insurance can be provided and no federal government liability is assumed.

How Do I Apply?

The U.S. Commercial Service seeks hard-working, responsible interns, preferably at the graduate student level. If you are interested in an internship, please submit the following to our intern coordinator, Jan Swift (jan.swift@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov ):

• A cover letter addressing why you want to be an intern, your future goals, what you have to offer the Foreign Commercial Service, and how you hope to benefit from the internship, addressing your correspondence to Mr. David Murphy, Senior Commercial Officer;
• Copy of up-to-date resume. The resume should include your past academic and work experience, computer skills, career goals, citizenship, and student status;
• Exact months that you will be available. The minimum requirement is 4 weeks, this can either be full time (for U.S. students) or part time (for Australian students or U.S. students studying in Australia).

Once your application has been accepted, you will need to submit a range of paperwork. The forms available below, must be forwarded to your intern coordinator who will clear your application with the Regional Office of Security at Post before forwarding to Washington.  The USDOC Intern Coordinator in Washington will then forward to you additional forms for a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI).   NOTE: you must receive a favorable NACI clearance before you can commence your internship.

If you are a U.S. citizen, please submit all of the below listed forms (these forms can be downloaded from this page). The forms must not be dated any earlier than 120 days prior to the proposed commencement of the internship:

• Copy of completed and signed Volunteer Service Agreement;
• Completed and signed Credit Report Release Statement;
• Copy of U.S. passport (pages with picture and personal information);
• Completed and signed Form OF-306 and
• For male applicants only, the Selective Service Registration.

Additionally:

U.S. citizens already studying in Australia will need to submit:

• A letter from your College/University stating that you are currently enrolled and will be completing your education at the conclusion of the internship.

U.S. citizens studying at a U.S. College/University will need to submit the following:  

• A letter from your College/University stating that you are currently enrolled in school and taking at least one-half of a full-time academic workload, and will be returning to complete your education at the conclusion of the internship.
• If your College/University is granting funding towards your internship, this must also be clearly stated.
• Evidence that you will have sufficient funds to support your stay in Australia. This can be in the form of bank and credit card statements.

Note: CS Sydney will require a copy of the letter from your School; the original, and funds documentation is to be submitted with your visa application.

Australian students applying for an internship, will have their security clearance handled by the Regional Security Office at the American Embassy in Canberra. The SBU Security Package will be issued directly to successful applicants and is not included in the attachments below.

How long does the application process take?

Applications can take up to three months to process.

Please ensure you have enough time before submitting your application.

Testimonials

Testimonials from our former interns can be viewed on the next page.

For additional questions or to submit your application, please e-mail Jan.Swift@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov