Psychology and Social Work Internships in Australia

Find your Psychology and Social Work internship in Australia and choose from our various fields. Described below are the most common types of psychology and social work internships we organise and some of the tasks you can expect to be asked of you. All internships provide a high level of work experience with the aim to increase your skills within the area. The examples below are just a guideline and each internship role will be developed individually according to the company and the candidate.

Criminology
Our Criminology internships are often hosted by academic institutes, and a Criminology intern may complete tasks including:
  • Researching and writing articles.
  • ​Clinical forensic and theoretical criminology research.
  • Analysis of data.
  • Working on theoretical projects around restorative justice, evolutionary criminology, offender rehabilitation, and neuroethics in the forensic area.​

Counselling
Counselling internships are possible in many different fields and with different clientele. Some of the tasks may include:​
  • Listening to clients and their problems and concerns.
  • Providing a safe, confidential and encouraging environment.
  • Showing empathy, patience and respect.
  • Empowering clients to make their own decisions.
  • Showing people a structured and focused way of addressing problems.
  • Helping people with: substance abuse, health issues, post-traumatic stress and relationship problems.
  • Maintaining records of the process of service users.

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I am really happy to be doing my internship here. ​I'm really happy with this opportunity and I don't think it could have been any better.

Jan (The Netherlands)

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I had a blast! The people I have met are amazing, and my internship was an experience I will cherish forever. Australia is a beautiful place filled with beautiful people! I will definitely be back in January to either work, or continue with David  and his team! :)

Jaqueline (USA)

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Psychology
Tasks you might be asked to do in a psychology internship include:
  • Participating in therapeutic group work.
  • 1-to-1 work.
  • Participating and supporting young people to engage in physical activities for example hiking, swimming, ice skating.
  • Providing direct support and guidance to (young) people to develop general safe living skills for example cooking health meals.
  • Working with people on a returning home/return to school/re- integration into the community.
  • Research.
  • Conducting thorough assessment of clients, including:  interviews, collateral contacts, file reviews, consideration of psycho-social history, mental status examination, and risk to self/others.
  • Developing sound psychological formulations, based on thorough assessment, including, but not limited to, DSM-IV Multiaxial diagnoses, response to referral questions, treatment plan and recommendations.
  • Analysing client behaviours identified as problematic to develop programmes to change specific behaviours.

Social Work
 
​Doing a social work internship means working with people from different age groups, different backgrounds and with different needs. This makes the work very interesting, and tasks may include: 
  • Responding to crisis and support needs of clients and providing support or referrals where appropriate.
  • Providing advocacy on behalf of clients and/or their support networks (friends and family).
  • Documentation for all clients that you work with.
  • Working with community groups to win support for improved provision and acting as an advocate for young people’s interests, particularly in regards to bullying.
  • Participating in and supporting young people with physical activities, for example, hiking, swimming, ice skating.
  • Providing direct support and guidance to (young) people to develop general safe living skills, for example, cooking healthy meals.
  • Working with people on returning home/returning to school/re- integration into the community​.

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My favourite experience overseas was meeting people from all over the world and discovering some of the most beautiful parts of the world. This experience was wonderful! Of course it wasn't perfect all the time but at the end I only remember the good parts, and especially the friends I have made here!

Geraldine (Belgium)

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I just finished my studies and wanted to experience how it is to live and work abroad before trying to find a permanent job. The best of Australia is its scenery, no matter where. Great Ocean Road, Grampians, the way up to Brisbane, everything is wonderful. The internship was really excellent. I couldn't have wished for a better one, as I've learned heaps and the colleagues were great... living in Australia is not too bad either ;)

Tom (The Netherlands)

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Organisational Psychology
 
A psychology internship in a company might include such tasks as:
  • Developing online psychometric tools and maintaining their in-site platform.
  • Coordination and delivery of psychometric testing.
  • 360 feedback surveys.
  • Marketing activities.
  • Qualitative Analysis.
  • Research projects.
  • Organizing client meetings/events.
If you can't find the internship you're looking for