internships-and-work-placement-opportunities-for-international-students-in-victoria-ieaa-report-october-2012

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of the present research is to begin to build an evidence base to support Victoria’s public
policy development, strategic marketing, institutional support and communication about the transition
from study to employment for international students. In particular, the research aims to address how
studying and working in Victoria can enhance an international student’s employability. The intention is to
work towards formulating a distinctive value proposition to encourage international students to choose
Victoria as their preferred study destination. The focus is the Victorian higher education and VET sectors.
The research is conceived and
conducted recognising the potential
that internships and work placements
for international students might
have within a comprehensive
Victorian strategy to help the
Victorian community, business and
industry achieve deep international
engagement with priority countries,
within Asia especially.
Internships and work placements for
international students have the potential
within a comprehensive Victorian strategy
to help the Victorian community, business
and education institutions to achieve deep
international engagement with priority
countries, especially within Asia.
Given the timeframe within which the
project had to be conducted (July-
September 2012), the methodology involved a desk audit of practice in internships and work-integrated
learning (WIL) at a national, state and institutional level; a literature review; face-to-face/telephone
consultations with selected key stakeholders; and preparation of a small number of case studies.
Approaches to internships and work placements are directly impacted by the industry context and
there are significant differences across industries. The research scoped and considered three types of
internships and work placements available to international students: during study, post-study and standalone.
The research reveals substantial key benefits of WIL to students, employers and institutions. However, the
research also reveals significant challenges and barriers to expanding the opportunities for international
students to access internships and work placements.
These include perceived employer attitudes to international students and placements, perceived English
language competence and cultural issues, resource and capacity constraints affecting employers
and education institutions, the need to prepare international students to secure and succeed in work
placements and perceived legal uncertainties around the issue of study and work.
For a variety of reasons then international students are in deficit when it comes to securing work
placements in Victoria. Without discriminating against local students, it should be possible to ‘give a
leg up’ to international students seeking a Victorian work experience through well-designed practical
program support.
There is also an opportunity for Victoria, as an after-sales service, to support international students to
secure employment in their home countries, by mediating through local Victorian companies operating
in the countries concerned to link returning graduates with local employers.
The study reveals a growing expectation among international students studying in Australia that their
Australian qualification will lead to post-study employment opportunities in Australia. The opportunity to
gain practical experience while studying in Australia is considered critical to international graduates’
employment prospects both in Australia and elsewhere.
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