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As a Science and Engineering student you will be exposed to opportunities to connect with successful industry and community leaders, helping you gain a competitive edge, with the potential to enhance your professional prospects.
The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team aims to link students to industry. We work with students and academic staff to support maximum industry engagement, with some of Western Australia’s top employers, both in and out of the classroom. You will apply the practical skills and knowledge you gain through these opportunities to the real world, preparing you for excellence in your future career.
The WIL team works to develop opportunities through:
Professional training from industry experts
Guest lectures from industry specialists
Vacation and graduate programs
Placements and internships
Employment opportunities
Industry based projects
Networking events
Site visits.
Science internships
Bachelor of Science (Undergraduate) and Master of Science (Postgraduate) degree students may be eligible to access our elective STEM Professional Practice units (NPSC3001 or NPSC6002) to undertake an internship for credit.
These science internships support students to gain the experience and practical skills required by industry. Host organisations support students and share their expertise, to develop the future workforce, whilst meeting their current strategic goals.
Placement allocation will be at the discretion of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, we endeavour to support as many students as possible into placements, utilising our established industry links and our partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia (CCIWA).
Internships and industry projects are generally unpaid and will vary in length, typically between 100-150 hours, though some experiences may be undertaken over a longer period of time, depending on the requirements of the host organisation, project parameters, unit requirements and availability. Internships can be undertaken during semester or in a more intensive block through the summer school.
In order to qualify for support through our partnership with CCIWA, students must meet the eligibility criteria, undertake the required preparation and complete the listed application process.
Eligibility
To be eligible to undertake an internship for credit within an undergraduate degree, you must:
Have completed at least 200 credits
Be on ‘Good Standing’ with a minimum CWA of 60
Have adequate space on your study plan to receive 25 credits
To be eligible to undertake an internship for credit within a postgraduate degree, you must:
Be on ‘Good Standing’ with a minimum CWA of 60
Have adequate space on your study place to receive 25 credits
The Science Professional Practice Unit is a competitive process run to simulate a real recruitment process. Ensure you are prepared and professional. Students are placed within organisations that are relevant to their skillset, interests and career goals. Before meeting with us be prepared to discuss your course, career plans and some specifics regarding the types of internships and industries that are of specific interest to you.
You must send us an up-to-date resume. Visit Curtin Careers for guidance to ensure that your resume meets professional standards.
Shortlisted students will be notified and required to complete an industry readiness screening and interview on campus before interviewing with the potential host organisation.
Please contact us directly on saeWIL@curtin.edu.au for any opportunities that may not be listed in UniHub.
Students have the opportunity to source their own projects and internships (placements) and request approval to be enrolled into one of our industry experience units.
Please contact saeWIL@curtin.edu.au if you wish to be enrolled. We will be able to check if your placement and eligibility meet enrolment requirements.
Before contacting us
Please ensure:
You have a formal offer from the host organisation
Your placement is confirmed for between 100-150 hours
Your potential supervisor is willing to complete an appraisal of your performance. The appraisal will only take about 10 minutes.
The university may contact your supervisor during the placement for a progress update.
You need a safe work environment to undertake your placement.
If your internship is at your current workplace, you must be able to provide evidence to show that your role as an intern will differ from your usual paid position
You must submit a formal internship request (using our webform) and can only commence the activity once you have formal approval from the WIL team
Once we have made our assessment we will inform you of the outcome and you will be enrolled into the next available relevant study period.
Both paid and unpaid internships require approval before you commence your placement.
All students are required to complete the compliance process below. Please review the information carefully and action the instructions which are relevant to your placement circumstances. If you have any questions or issues please contact the WIL team via email at saeWIL@curtin.edu.au.
If you have already submitted your placement request, please do not re-submit it a second time.
Compliance process
A placement request is to be completed before the start of the unit / semester.
A WIL Officer will be assigned to your request and will initiate actionable tasks accordingly
Keep an eye out on your student emails and assist the WIL Officer where necessary
Once your placement has been finalised, both you and your placement supervisor will receive an approval email form the WIL team
If your placement is unpaid (including placements where there is a stipend / allowance) there is some documentation required to ensure the team can assess the placement activity risks and issue insurance. Please be aware, the following documentation may require your attention (but not limited to):
Curtin Fieldwork Agreement
Fieldwork Risk Assessment
TOP Request *for travel outside of 50km from Perth CBD)
COVID-19 Declaration
If you completed your placement prior to the start of the semester you are still required to submit a placement request so we have a record of it on the WIL system.
These hours are undertaken through the Exposure to Professional Engineering Practices (EPEP), most commonly referred to as ‘the logbook’. This is a co-curricular requirement which sits alongside your course but is not managed within a unit.
The engineering logbook hours are a requirement of our accreditation body, Engineers Australia, and support students to gain the experience and practical skills required by industry.
All Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Undergraduate) students are required to complete 480 hours of Exposure to Professional Engineering Practices (EPEP) often called the ‘Engineering Logbook’. The logbook is the responsibility of each student to complete prior to their graduation and is a requirement applied to the university by our accrediting body Engineers Australia.
All internships must be approved by Curtin prior to commencement. Please submit a request through our webform.
Support for students seeking opportunities
All engineering students have access to the WIL weekly opportunities newsletter sent directly to their Curtin provided student email address, which offers competitive opportunities throughout the year from the faculty’s industry partners.
Curtin offers a free career development service run by our specialist in-house recruiters, all students are strongly encouraged to access this free service as it will enable you to put your best foot forward when applying for opportunities with industry.
Curtin students undertaking accredited engineering degrees are entitled to free student membership, as well as free short-term graduate membership after the completion of their degree.
All Master of Professional Engineering (MPE) (Postgraduate) students are required to complete 480 hours of Exposure to Professional Engineering Practices (EPEP) often called the ‘Engineering Logbook’. The logbook is the responsibility of each student to complete prior to their graduation and is a requirement applied to the university by our accrediting body Engineers Australia.
The Faculty of Science and Engineering enables all MPE students with the opportunity to undertake a placement through our partnership with Navitas at no additional cost.
Placement allocation will be at the discretion of Navitas and the Faculty of Science and Engineering, we endeavour to support as many students as possible into placements, however students are responsible to meet the requirement and preparation criteria for this program to ensure their eligibility.
All students are strongly encouraged to access Curtin’s free resume and cover letter development service before engaging with Navitas. This will enable Navitas to support your request for placement with their industry network.
All participants must have completed at least one year of University study in their desired placement area (minimum 200 credits)
IELTS (Academic) – Minimum of 6 in each band OR equivalent
Relevant visa with working rights and valid for entire duration of placement (minimum 6 months on visa)
Attended three preparation workshops
Provide Navitas Professional with minimum 6 weeks lead time (preferably 12 weeks)
All student in the MPE course are given access to the ‘MPE Blackboard organisation’ where they can access the application material and forms to engage with our Navitas contact. Students are automatically enrolled in this Blackboard group in their first few weeks of their first semester, enrolment cannot be provided prior to starting your course work at Curtin.
Can’t access the MPE group on Blackboard?
If you do not have access please contact the WIL team immediately for support at saeWIL@curtin.edu.au and include your student number in the email with your query.
All Bachelor of Technology (Undergraduate) students are required to complete 320 hours of Exposure to Professional Engineering Practices (EPEP) often called ‘theLogbook’. The logbook is the responsibility of each student to complete prior to their graduation and is a requirement applied to the university by our accrediting body Engineers Australia to enable course recognition at the technologist level.
All internships must be approved by Curtin prior to commencement. Please submit a request through our webform. Support for students seeking opportunities
All BTech students have access to the WIL weekly opportunities newsletter sent directly to their Curtin provided student email address, which offers competitive opportunities throughout the year from the faculty’s industry partners. Curtin offers a free career development service run by our specialist in-house recruiters, all students are strongly encouraged to access this free service as it will enable you to put your best foot forward when applying for opportunities with industry.
The Internship Gateway Program (IGP) connects eligible Science and Engineering students with three-month paid internship opportunities. These opportunities are with reputable industry partners looking to employ interns over the annual summer break.
IGP provides support during the competitive application process and is open to students in their penultimate year of study across a range of disciplines. The program helps you to become the industry-ready graduate employers are looking as you learn from industry experts, apply classroom theory to real-world scenarios, develop your professional skills and build your network.
