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Students - Frequently Asked Question

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Am I eligible to apply if...

Please refer to the general eligibility criteria

Visas and support



General questions

Where can I go?

Am I eligible to apply if:

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I am an international student? In general, yes, but please talk to your faculty first as you may have restrictions on whether you can take a leave of absence. As majority of traineeships commence between July and October, in order to do a traineeship during semester time you must have a compulsory work experience component in your degree. Otherwise you could consider doing the traineeship after you finish your subjects, as long as you are currently enrolled at the time of application.

I finish my degree at the end of year when applications are due?

 As long as you are enrolled at university at time of application you can apply for an IAESTE traineeship. There are some countries, however, that will require you to be a currently enrolled student for the traineeship period in order to obtain the visa, particularly in Europe. In some cases if you have an EU passport then the visa requirements may be waived.
I don’t reach the min overall grade average of 65%? The eligibility requirements include a minimum overall grade average of 65%. You must have achieved this by the application deadline. Each year there are some employers that will expect applicants with a higher grade average than 70%, but a min 65% will still qualify you for many job offers.
I just turned 30?

As long as you are 30 years of age or under at time of application you are eligible to apply.
My university is not a member of IAESTE Australia?

In general, no. However in some cases it may be possible, for example, if you recruit an employer in Australia willing to take an overseas trainee.

General questions

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Will I need a foreign language? It is not a requierment to have a foreign language as positions are English speaking. But in some cases, eg. Spanish speaking countries, employers often say Spanish is advisable.
What are my chances of placement? Each year the number of students successful in receiving a traineeship can vary. In 2009 and 2010 approximately 70% of applicants were placed. This can significantly change each year and also varies across disciplines. The program is based on reciprocity and the number of jobs we are able to raise in Australia will determine the number of places that can be secured overseas for Australian university students.
How can I increase my chances of placement? Since IAESTE is a reciprocal exchange program, the number of places available is determined by the number of offers of employment in Australia we can give to other member countries for their students. In the selection process, we try to acknowledge support of university departments who assist IAESTE by providing offers of employment as well as active Local Committee members and students who help in securing a job offer in Australia. So if you have any industry or university contacts please let us know. We are happy to provide an employer package to any student who would like to help raise Australian offers of employment at their university or in industry. Your efforts will be noted in your file and you will be given priority  consideration in our selection process.
Is it possible to commence a traineeship around December? IAESTE traineeships are mostly based around the northern hemisphere academic calendar which is why they commence from mid-year, which is their summer time. So if you are interested in applying then you really need to be available from July onward as most positions commence between July to October.
What support will I receive if I am successful in gaining a traineeship? IAESTE takes care of all communication with the Employer through liaison with the receiving IAESTE country. The receiving IAESTE country will issue the necessary documents for you to obtain a work permit or visa if either is required. They will also arrange accommodation and in most cases, a social program. Most students are met on arrival in their host country by a local committee member from IAESTE.
What type of work can be expected? Positions are available in industry, research institutes, consultancies, laboratories, universities and other work environments. On request we can send you a sample of job offers in your field.
When can I submit an application? Applications open in October and close on 10th December each year.
Can I get university credit for the traineeship? You will need to discuss this with your faculty. Many students have used their traineeship as credit towards their required work experience component for their degree.

Visa and support

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Is it possible to get financial support for my traineeship? While IAESTE trainees receive a living allowance, IAESTE does not provide financial support to trainees for travel and insurance expenses. If your traineeship is in the Automotive field (can be from various faculties, e.g. Mechanical, Electrical, IT, Material Science, etc.), there is the possibility to apply for a travel bursary from FISITA. Please contact them directly for further details.
What kind of support will I receive if I am successful in gaining a traineeship? IAESTE takes care of all communication with the employer through liaison with the host IAESTE country. The host IAESTE country will issue the necessary documents for you to obtain a work permit or visa if either is required. They will also arrange accommodation and in most cases, a social program. Most students are met on arrival in their host country by a local committee member from IAESTE.
What if I have found my own work placement overseas and need help with arranging a visa? This is what we call a 'reserved offer’ of employment. IAESTE is able to assist with obtaining work permits/visas for many countries. Please contact IAESTE Australia for further advice about the country you plan to go to.
Do I need to be a current student during the traineeship period?

More and more countries, particularly in Europe, now have a current enrolment status requirement for visa purposes. So consider doing a traineeship before you graduate as you will be eligible for a larger number of countries.

Where can I go?

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Which countries participate in the IAESTE program? Please click here for list of participating countries.
Which countries offer traineeships in my field of study? Not all participating countries are able to offer traineeships in each field of study. Some disciplines are more wide spread and others have a smaller number of countries offering positions. When you contact IAESTE Australia to confirm your eligibility you can be advised about possible country options.
Does IAESTE organise traineeships in Australia for students studying at Australian universities? IAESTE is an international work experience program and only places students studying in Australia overseas on traineeships. So unfortunately we are unable to assist in organising traineeships in Australia. Please talk to your faculty and university careers office for further advice about work experience in Australia.
What if I only want to go to a specific city or country? You need to be flexible and open minded on the country of training as it's not always possible to obtain job offers in each country of preference.