At Swinburne University of Technology, we welcome senior secondary students to participate in work experience at the university. These one-week placements give students the opportunity to work with our academics and professional staff and to:

  • develop employability skills
  • explore possible career options
  • understand employer expectations
  • build self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence.

2026 program

Applications for our 2026 work experience programs are open from 1 January 2026. We encourage early applications as there are limited places for each program, and places are usually filled by March or earlier.

Work experience areas

Our work experience programs run in the following areas.

Program overview

Students will learn aspects of applied mathematics research at Swinburne.

Students will have a chance to:
  • Learn about differential equations.
  • Obtain hands-on experience with MATLAB as a high-level programming language.
  • Apply maths to solve real world problems in mathematical biology.
     
2026 program

Applications for the applied mathematics program open 1 January 2026 and will run on the following dates:

  • Monday 4 – Friday 8 May 2026

To apply, please complete submit your resume and 1-2 sentences on why you want to participate in the applied mathematics work experience program to Assoc. Prof. Andrey Pototskyy at apototskyy@swinburne.edu.au. Places are limited. 

Program overview

Students will learn aspects of astronomy and astrophysics research at Swinburne.

Students will have a chance to:
  • Search for pulsar signatures in radio observations.
  • Classify galaxy morphologies.
  • Identify strong gravitational lenses.
  • Search for peculiar motions in simulated galaxy mergers.
  • Produce visualisations of galaxies and galaxy groups.
  • Participate in real-time remote observations.
  • Attend scientific talks and group meetings.
  • Prepare teaching materials.
     
2026 program

Applications for the astronomy and astrophysics program open Monday 16 February 2026 and will close Friday 6 March 2026. You will be asked to submit your resume and a cover letter that expresses your interest in the program. Places are limited, and applicants will be informed of their outcome by 31 March 2026.

Program dates and an application link will be published in early 2026. For inquiries, please email CASWorkExperience@swinburne.edu.au

Program overview

Students will learn aspects of OHS and technical skills required to run Science Laboratories.

Students will learn about:
  • Equipment calibration and maintenance.
  • Chemical inventory and management.
  • Safety documentation; creating Safe Work Instructions, Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessments.
  • Common laboratory techniques and equipment; PCR, electrophoresis, cell culture, analytical instruments, materials characterisation, light and electron microscopes, microbiology culture techniques.
     
2026 program

Applications for the Technical Skills in Laboratory Management program open 1 January 2026 and will run on the following dates:

  • Week 1: Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July 2026

  • Week 2: Monday 6 to Friday 10 July 2026

To apply, please complete the form and submit your resume. Places are limited, and applications will close on Friday 20 February 2026.

Want to learn more?

Find out more about work experience at Swinburne by emailing schoolprograms@swinburne.edu.au.

Email us