Work experience placements
#1 Victorian uni for graduate employment
Landing a great job starts with real experience. At Deakin, work experience placements are built into your degree, helping you build practical skills, industry connections and career confidence from day one.
Experience your future workplace
At Deakin, every student can access work-integrated learning as part of their degree – and in 2025, more than 32,000 students did. Through industry projects, simulations and global programs, Deakin sets the standard for career-ready education.
Build industry experience
Work alongside professionals at leading organisations, apply what you are learning and build a network that lasts beyond graduation. You may also earn credit towards your degree.
Develop in-demand skills
From field-based experiences to supervised placements, our work-integrated learning programs are shaped by industry, so what you learn is exactly what employers need.
Explore career pathways
Test different career paths, connect with industry professionals and discover where your degree can take you. See how different study options translate into real jobs.
See what's possible with a Deakin placement
Help to get you hired
From day one, DeakinTALENT supports you with career coaching, job opportunities and industry connections, so you graduate job-ready and career-confident. If financial barriers affect your placement, support is available through our Work Integrated Learning Support Scheme.
One of the most rewarding parts of my course at Deakin has been its strong focus on work-integrated learning. Many of my classes have allowed me to engage with industry, giving me valuable insights and preparing me to step confidently into my future career.
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Business (Sport Management)
Workplace learning opportunities
Not all degrees come with career-ready work experience. Ours do. At Deakin, unbeatable employability is built into every faculty. Find the work-integrated learning opportunity that's right for you.
Arts and education
From media companies and creative studios to government agencies and schools, arts and education placements connect you with 600+ employers across some of the most diverse career pathways of any degree. Education students can also access a network of 1,400 schools and 500+ early childhood centres.
Opportunities include:
- media, journalism and communications internships
- creative arts and design placements
- humanities, criminology and social sciences internships
- education placements through the Professional Experience Office
- international internships and social impact programs.
Business and law
Work on real industry challenges with organisations like EY, KPMG, Singapore Airlines and ANZ through internships, consultancy projects, entrepreneurship programs and legal clinics. From developing business solutions to supporting legal services, you will graduate with experience that employers value.
Opportunities include:
- business consulting and social impact projects
- entrepreneurship and innovation programs
- industry and international internships
- legal placements and community law clinics
- mooting and advocacy experiences.
Health
From hospitals and clinics to community health organisations and sporting bodies, health placements put you at the centre of care. Depending on your course, placements may be compulsory or elective – giving you the opportunity to apply your learning, build industry connections and develop the skills employers are looking for.
Opportunities include:
- clinical placements in hospitals and healthcare settings
- sport and exercise placements with organisations including the AFL, Golf Australia and Cricket Australia
- community health and public health programs
- health promotion and prevention initiatives
- international study tours (UK, Netherlands, India, Philippines).
Science, engineering and the built environment
Gain hands-on experience through placements across science, engineering, IT, architecture and construction. Work with leading organisations, such as CSIRO, Ford, Acciona, Grimshaw Architects and Brookfield Multiplex, and apply your learning in professional settings while earning credit towards your degree.
Opportunities include:
- engineering and infrastructure projects
- IT and cyber security placements
- science and biomedical research
- architecture and construction experience
- environmental and field-based placements, including global opportunities.
Explore science, engineering and built environment placements
Frequently asked questions about work-integrated learning
Work-integrated learning is practical work experience built into your degree. At Deakin, all students can access WIL through placements, industry projects, field-based experiences, simulations and global programs. It helps you apply your skills in professional settings, build professional networks and develop career confidence.
Each faculty has its own work-integrated learning team to help you find and secure the right placement. Opportunities are posted on the DeakinTALENT jobs and internships board or you can self-source work experience directly with an employer. Our award-winning career service, DeakinTALENT, can also help you prepare your resume, refine your interview skills and connect with industry.
It depends on your course. For some degrees, it is a compulsory component. For others, it's elective, meaning you can choose to complete a placement or industry project for credit. Either way, every Deakin student has access to work-integrated learning as part of their degree.
Yes. Throughout your placement you'll have support from both your host organisation and Deakin. Your faculty work-integrated learning team is available to help you navigate any challenges, and DeakinTALENT provides ongoing career coaching and resources before, during and after your placement.
Yes. Through Deakin’s freelancing internship program, you can work on supported, cross-disciplinary projects with real clients. These opportunities help you build a portfolio, gain practical experience and develop skills valued by employers.
Yes. Depending on your course, there may be opportunities for an overseas internship or global program. Options range from international consultancy projects and study tours to social impact programs, giving you workplace experience in an international context.
Yes. If financial barriers are standing in the way of your placement, you may be eligible for the Work-integrated Learning Student Support Scheme, which can help cover costs for placements in Australia or overseas. Eligibility criteria apply and funding varies depending on your unit and placement length. Other scholarships may also be available.
Yes. Work experience built into your degree gives you practical skills, industry connections and career confidence, helping you graduate with the skills employers are looking for. Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment.
Deakin students bring current, industry-relevant knowledge and fresh perspectives to every placement. Facilitating a work placement is a great way to shape the next generation of talent in your field and build a pipeline of career-ready graduates.
Hear it from our students
From work experience to career confidence, hear from students who've been there.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
We're here to help
Have a question about work experience placements or work-integrated learning at Deakin? Our friendly student advisers are ready to help you take the next step towards a career-ready degree.
Domestic students
1800 693 888
Enquire online
International students
+61 3 9918 9188
Enquire online
