Australian Embassies
Outline of the organisation
Australia’s embassies function as the diplomatic representation of Australia’s government overseas. They keep open a dialogue between Australia and foreign governments on political, social, economic, military and other matters and help prepare international treaties. Australia’s embassies also have consular sections responsible for:
- issuing passports and other official documents;
- reporting births, deaths and marriages;
- informing Australian citizens living abroad about the social security situation;
- helping Australian citizens in distress or other emergency situations; and
- watching over Australian citizens in detention or arrest.
Positions available
Several embassies take on interns by recruiting locally rather than through DFAT. Interns work to support and complement the capacities of Australian public service employees posted in each embassy by DFAT. The types of internships available, application process and citizenship requirements vary between embassies.
For a list of Australia’s overseas embassies and consulates, please see here.
(1) Berlin, Germany
The Berlin Embassy offers internships lasting between 10 and 12 weeks available in either April-June or July-September each year. Interns are typically placed in either the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy branch or the Political/Economic section.
- Public Diplomacy internship: The focus of this internship is on assisting with the Embassy’s Communication and Social Media work, carrying out Public Diplomacy events with a cultural, political/economic or scientific background and producing outreach material (including photos, videos, invitation cards etc.). Therefore, experience and/or an interest in social media, event organisation, drafting bilingual texts in English and German as well as photography and/or graphic design would be beneficial.
- Political-Economic internship: Internship tasks involve research assistance, drafting reports on political and economic developments in Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein and responses to inquiries from Australian departments. Candidates must demonstrate an interest in international political affairs, in particular with regard to the Australian-German bilateral relationship as well as experience with researching relevant information.
Requirements
Applicants must:
- be undergraduate students (who have successfully completed at least 3 semesters of their course before starting an internship here), postgraduate students or recent graduates; and
- have at least an intermediate level of German.
Applicants need not be Australian citizens.
Application process
Applicants should email their CV and completed application form (available online) to internship.berlin@dfat.gov.au ensuring their name and preferred intake period is included the subject field.
Website
(2) Hanoi, Vietnam
The Hanoi Embassy recruits interns for various sections within the Embassy. The internships are voluntary, non-remunerated positions which provide an opportunity for interns to gain work experience and develop their skills and knowledge for a specific career.
Expatriate internships at the Embassy of Australia are conditional on the relevant authorities in Vietnam granting permission to enter and remain for the placement in Vietnam.
Interns will perform the following duties:
- provide general administrative and logistics support for the office, functions and events;
- assist officers in conducting basic research and preparing reports on related issues;
- assist with arranging appointments and official visits as required; and
- perform translations and interpretations as necessary.
Requirements
Applicants must:
- be either a final year student or a graduate with a degree in international laws, foreign trade, public affairs, journalism, communications, education or agriculture; and
- have good communication skills in English and Vietnamese.
Application process
Applicants must submit a written statement and CV by email to jobs.hanoi@dfat.gov.au, with the subject title of: INTERN (insert your name here) during the advertised application period.
Website
(3) Tokyo, Japan
The Tokyo Embassy offers internships of eight to 12 weeks in length at varying times throughout the year. Internships are unpaid but a stipend may be available to cover the costs of daily travel.
Requirements
Applicants must:
- be current students or recent graduates; and
- for most internship placements, have a high level of Japanese skills.
Applicants must be either Australian or Japanese citizens.
Application process
Applications are accepted from 1 to 31 October each year.
Website
(4) Washington DC, USA
The Washington DC Embassy offers internship opportunities in three main areas.
- Congressional Liaison Internship: The Congressional Liaison Office is responsible for the strategic management of the Embassy's engagement with the US Congress and for monitoring, analysing and providing advice on US political developments of interest to Australia. The Office recruits one intern in the fall, summer and spring. Fall and spring interns usually complete three days per week and summer interns are usually full-time.
- Events Planning and Management Internship: The Events and Diplomatic Engagement Intern will work directly with the Office of the Social Secretary. The Social Secretary is responsible for the planning, research, and coordination of all of the Ambassador’s representational programs, including functions at the Ambassador’s residence with high-level ministers and dignitaries. This unique internship will provide the successful candidate the opportunity to learn about the many facets of diplomatic events and relationship management.
- Industry, Science and Education Internship: The objective of the Industry, Science and Education Branch of the Embassy is to increase Australia’s collaboration and engagement with the US and Canada and to promote Australia as a source of high quality science, innovation, education and research. The Branch focuses on government-to-government dialogue, policy research and analysis promoting the quality of Australian education, science and research capabilities.
Requirements
Applicants for all three internship offerings must:
- be 18 years of age or older;
- have completed at least two years of university studies and be either currently enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate studies or be a recent graduate from either undergraduate or postgraduate studies; and
- be US citizens, US permanent residents (Green Card holders) or possess a valid Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.