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Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Internships

• Supervision with relevant experience

• 80-120 hours

• RMIT WIL Agreement

• Year round and days negotiable

• We circulate approved ads and students apply to you

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Suitability

Suitability of supervision

In order to deliver a rewarding learning experience, the supervisor of an unpaid internship needs to have qualifications and/or verifiable experience in design, communications, media or marketing.

​One or more members of your organisation should act as a supervisor to the student undertaking an internship. Supervisors should be able to share their expertise on a day-to-day basis. Choose a supervisor who has the time, resources, energy and expertise to ensure the experience is mutually beneficial.

Suitability of role

Before placing an intern request, ask yourself if your assignment is the right fit for this initiative. Ideally the work has meaningful outcomes for both the student and your organisation.

A placement ideally leads directly to employment with your organisation, opening up a career path for students and establishing their professional network.

Desired student skills

The most commonly advertised internship opportunities are ‘Communications Assistant’ (School of Media and Communication) or ‘Design Assistant’ (School of Design). An overview of the range of skillsets across all our programs can be found at ‘What Our Students Can Do’.

​When defining a role, think about what skills you would like / expect from a student or graduate, these may include both role-specific and generalist professional skills.

Once we receive your overview, we circulate it to the specific cohorts with the relevant skillsets that best match your position description.

Paid or unpaid?

RMIT WIL placements can be unpaid; paid at nominal rates; or paid at award rates or above.

Given that a student will pay course fees and may also need to suspend other paid work to carry out the placement you may like to consider whether you would like to offer the student a stipend or travel and meals allowance or thank you gift card to cover some of the costs related to their internship. Note also that students can receive many internship options and offering a student payment or other development opportunities can help students preference work with your organisation. You will have the opportunity when submitting your internship request to advise whether you would like to offer payment or additional benefits.

Terminology:

• Unpaid Internship – internship with relevant supervision, that is unpaid, or paid at nominal rates
• Paid Internship – internship for students enrolled in an internship course, with relevant supervision, that is paid at award rates or above
• Paid Internship or Paid Role – opportunity with relevant supervision, for any student or graduates, that is paid at award rates or above
• Paid Role – does not typically have relevant supervision, paid at award rates or above

Timings

You can advertise an opportunity year-round, including summer.

You will have the highest number of students applying during these periods:

• Late January to mid-March
• Early June to end July

You will have the lowest number of students applying for your opportunity in:

• April
• September
• Mid December to early January Xmas period

​Most students responding to opportunities advertised between November to March will need to complete their hours by mid May. Most students responding to opportunities advertised between April to July will need to complete their hours before mid October.

You may make arrangements with your selected student for a start and finish date, which the student will record on the RMIT WIL Agreement and provide to you to sign prior to their commencement.

Hours of availability

Students have a maximum number of unpaid WIL placement hours that are covered by RMIT insurance policies. These are typically between 80-120 hours (depending on the student’s program requirements) and the unpaid hours cannot be extended.

The placement hours can be allocated in blocks or spread out on a part-time basis. A typical arrangement would be 10-14 hours per week. You and the student can negotiate a work schedule that is mutually agreeable.