“Paying to Be Exploited”: How Unpaid Internships Are Locking Out a Generation of Australian Students

Background

In Australia, internship experience is highly valued by employers. A 2024 report by Jobs and Skills Australia found that over half of employers prefer candidates with hands-on experience.

Internships are also mandatory for graduation in fields like education, journalism, and social work, but are legally unpaid under Section 12 of the Fair Work Act, which classifies them as “vocational placements.”

As living costs rise, many students face severe financial strain, covering tuition, rent, and transport without income. While those with family support may view placements as career stepping stones, The Guardian reports that others are forced to delay or abandon their degrees.

ABC News and Junction Journalism expose growing “placement poverty,” with students juggling jobs and studies. News.com.au adds that some pay thousands in placement fees. Although the government plans targeted financial support in 2025, ABC News notes that many feel it barely addresses the broader equity crisis

Reporting Angle

This commentary argues that Australia’s increasing dependence on unpaid—and even pay-to-participate—internships has fostered a system of structural exploitation. In the short term, it places a disproportionate burden on students, while in the long term, it deepens inequality and employment barriers for working-class and regional communities. Both governments and universities should pursue urgent reforms, including minimum wage protections and needs-based support.

Target Publication and User Group

This commentary is suited for publication on The Conversation, an independent platform that bridges academic research and public debate. Its target audience—40% of whom are under 44, skewing younger, including students, educators, policymakers, and professionals—closely aligns with the article’s stakeholders. Publishing here maximises visibility among those affected and supports evidence-based policy discussion.

Interview

• Students
  • Jean, a Media Practice student at the University of Sydney, previously completed an unpaid internship at Fantuan delivery.
  • Jonathan, a Civil Engineering student at the University of Sydney, is about to undertake an unpaid placement.
• William Yang, the president of the USYD Labor Club, a student organisation focused on labour rights and social justice.

Sources

• University programs requiring unpaid placements(e.g. the Univerisity of Sydney)
• Media reports on paid placement services and unequal access (e.g. ABC News, The Guardian, Times Higher Education)
• Relevant sections of the Fair Work Act

Multimedia

• Short Video: Embed a short TikTok or YouTube video of real student unpaid internship experiences.
• Infographics: Compare internship costs vs. student living expenses, and placement length vs. compensation by discipline.
• Photos: Student placement settings(e.g. companies, hospitals, newsrooms).

Hypertext

Embed hyperlinks in keywords to provide news reports and legal provisions.

Interactivity

As The Conversation lacks a comment section, a cross-posted version of the article could be shared on social media platforms such as X and Instagram to allow readers to leave comments, share their own experiences, and participate in polls, thereby increasing public engagement.