Budget and Funding for Internships

Funding Opportunities from UQ

When you register your internship experience with the UQ Internship Team (registration link coming soon), you’ll automatically be considered for relevant funding opportunities. These grants are a form of supplementary financial support and are not guaranteed.

Please note that a separate application is required for the OS-HELP loan.

UQ Internship Grants

The UQ Internship Grants is awarded to enable as many UQ students as possible to enhance their employability through a supported* enrichment experience. Funding will prioritise students from underrepresented groups who have never undertaken an enrichment experience.

Grants are based on the availability of funding and will vary depending on duration, experience mode and location of the activity.

Funding is awarded by a selection committee with the following criteria being taken into consideration:

Students from underrepresented groups (students who are First Nations, low SES background, from regional and remote areas and students with disabilities)
No other grants or scholarships have been awarded either by UQ or external parties for the same experience
Enrolled in My Career Adviser or Employability Award

To be considered for funding, you must:

Have been accepted into an internship* supported by the Internships Team
No funding will be allocated to students undertaking virtual experiences including Practera.
No grants will be paid to students who have been awarded a grant offered by but not limited to NCP, Westpac, UQ faculties and host institutions.

Internships Grant Values

Please note that funding is not guaranteed even if all selection criteria are met. Funding should therefore not be a factor when developing your budget.

Global Internship (in-person): Up to AUD $3,000
UQ Embassy Internship (in-person): Up to AUD $2,000

*Internship opportunities listed on the UQ Internship website, which have satisfied UQ’s due diligence process

New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Funding

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Funding, provided by the Australian Government, subsidises the cost of participating in for-credit short-term experiences within the Indo-Pacific region.

When you submit your application to the Internship team, you are automatically considered for this grant, if you meet the NCP Eligibility Criteria.

Applicants will need to submit supporting documentation (host acceptance, bank details) by the deadline indicated on the registration workflow.

The following experiences are NCP-supported for the Summer 2026/2027 round:

Internships in Indonesia – $4,000 (AUD) for a minimum of 4 weeks. (Internship must be completed by 31 December 2026.)
Internships and one week of intensive language training in Indonesia – $6,000 (AUD) for a minimum of 8 weeks. (Program must be completed by 31 December 2026.)
Internships in Japan – $4,000 (AUD) for a minimum of 4 weeks. (Internship must be completed by 31 December 2026.)
Internships and one week of intensive language training in Japan – $5,000 (AUD) for a minimum of 5 weeks.

Understanding Internship Costs (How to Budget my internship)

Costs can vary depending on the program’s duration, location, and what is included. You may need to consider the following items:

Host Experience Fees: Program fees payable to the internship provider
Course Fee: If you are receiving credit toward your UQ degree for the internship
Flights: Return airfare to your destination
Visas: Application fees for the required visa
Insurance: Any specific insurance required by the host country or organisation (in addition to, or instead of, UQ’s coverage)
Accommodation: Costs for housing during your internship
Travel & Living Expenses: Daily costs for transport, meals, personal spending, and unexpected expenses

It’s important to review each provider’s detailed breakdown of what is included and excluded.

OS-HELP Loan

Centrelink

If you receive assistance from Centrelink and are completing your overseas short-term internship for-credit, you can arrange to continue to receive these payments while you are overseas.

Centrelink requires the following information in writing from UQ:

your study load while overseas
the duration of your overseas study, including specific dates
confirmation that your overseas study will count towards your UQ degree program

You can request a UQ Internship Confirmation Letter from The Internship Team once you have been officially accepted by your host organisation.

Please contact Centrelink for more details concerning your eligibility and payments, including if your short-term global internship is not-for-credit.

Faculty-Specific Scholarships and Grants

Additional funding for specific disciplines may also be available through your UQ School or Faculty. We recommend checking your Faculty's website or contacting your Faculty's student administration or Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team for information on any specific grants or scholarships they may offer for global experiences.

For example: The Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) may offer the HASS Globetrotters Grant to support HASS students in unique international travel opportunities that enhance their employability.

Internship Information Sessions

Internships in Indonesia & Japan with NCP Grant (In-Person)
When: 6 Aug 2026, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Where: UQ Sport Function Space (ViewPoint), Building 33

Guaranteed Internship Grants for Eligible Students (In-Person)
When: 6 Aug 2026, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Where: UQ Sport Function Space (ViewPoint), Building 33

Register

Key Dates

Program Dates: Experiences taking place between 22 November 2026 and 21 February 2027 will be considered.

UQ Registration Due Date: 30 September 2026 (This deadline has now been extended to 11:59 pm on 11 October 2026)

Program Application Deadline: Varies by host organisation. Please refer to the host organisation's website for specific dates

Contact the Team