Expressions of interest are currently closed for this program
About the program
This Barring Djinang initiative is designed to connect Victorian public sector agencies with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander university students looking for paid work experience.
The summer program runs for 12 weeks between November 2023 and February 2024.
The Commission will be the central point of contact for the program and will help you find an intern based on your needs.
We work with CareerTrackers to match you with interns that fit your needs and the intern’s interests.
Applications are also welcome from any student currently studying an undergraduate degree at an Australian university.
The VPSC will support these students to complete an internship.
How the program works
CareerTrackers will:
- match you with appropriate candidates
- promote internship opportunities to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
- provide work readiness training to students, pre-internship
- match interns with a Student Advisor for support
- help interns create a professional development plan and set goals
- provide professional development training and workshops following the internship.
The host department will:
- review student CVs and conduct an interview(s) with your candidate(s)
- onboard your intern as an employee of your organisation
- allocate a buddy and mentor to provide support
- set clear expectations and work goals
- engage your intern in meaningful work
- set up regular check-ins and provide regular feedback
- complete a performance evaluation at the end of the internship
- be available to your intern when they need you
- attend program events or professional development workshops as required.
Before your intern starts, we will provide:
- a manager briefing session
- a program guide including the intern’s learning and development schedule
- Aboriginal cultural awareness training.
During the program we will:
- run weekly virtual networking events
- run professional development workshops
- check-in with you and your intern regularly
- host welcome and end of program events for interns and managers.
Program costs
Program costs include the intern salary and the annual program fee, per intern.
Intern salary costs
Interns are employed at VPS grade 2.1.1 or equivalent for a 12-week summer internship placement and an optional 4-week winter internship placement.
Annual program fee
The annual program fee per intern is $10,500 (including GST).
This includes:
- Aboriginal cultural awareness training for your intern’s manager
- welcome event and end of program event
- weekly one-hour virtual networking and professional development events for interns led by the VPSC
- Leadership Development Institute sessions/conference led by CareerTrackers for interns
- program day event attendance including professional development and training.
Key dates
The summer program runs for 12 weeks between November 2023 and February 2024.
- Submit your expression of interest by 5pm 22 September 2023
- Shortlist and start interviews by Friday 20 October 2023
- Onboard your intern by Friday 3 November 2023
- Internship period Monday 20 November 2023 to Friday 9 February 2024
Contact us
If you have any questions you can get in touch at aboriginal.employment@vpsc.vic.gov.au or on 0448 834 739.
Find out more about our program partner at CareerTrackers.