Following a review of University procedures, approval of self-sourced unpaid work experience will cease from November 20, 2026.听
If you are looking to gain practical experience, develop professional capabilities, and connect with industry during your studies, explore opportunities offered through UQ Careers and Employability and your Faculty, including structured internships, volunteering, work-integrated learning courses, research opportunities, and other employability programs.听
For more information, visit Careers and Employability or your Faculty website to identify opportunities available to you.
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What is Unpaid Work Experience?鈥�
Work experience is a type of on the job training that is not a requirement听of your studies. It allows you to enhance your learning听in an organisational environment to gain a competitive edge听in the job market.听鈥�
By spending time learning in听a workplace, you will discover more about听workplace processes and communication, build your interpersonal skills and听access a听new听professional network.听鈥�
There are some strict conditions around unpaid work experience.听 These experiences need to be focussed on learning and aligned to your area of study.听 There are also restrictions on how many days you can engage in unpaid work experience.
For more information, please review the Unpaid Work Experience Conditions听factsheet.听听
I鈥檝e been offered unpaid work experience, what do I do now?
To seek UQ approval for Unpaid Work Experience, the following two step process must be completed by you.
Step 1 -听Complete the Unpaid Work Experience form
- Download the Unpaid Work Experience PDF form.
- Complete the Unpaid Work Experience form, including work experience provider details.
- Please make sure both you and the provider sign the听completed form.鈥� This can be done electronically or in a printed format.
Step 2 -听Request approval by UQ for Unpaid Work Experience.
- Open the UQ .
- Click to open the Self-Placement submission located in your 鈥楾o Do鈥� section. You can only undertake 30 days of work experience per calendar year.听 If you have reached the 30 day limit you will no longer be able to see the Self-Placement submission for Unpaid Work Experience option on your dashboard.
- Add the required information to the submission in InPlace (your signed Unpaid Work Experience PDF form will have much of this information).
- Upload the signed Unpaid Work Experience PDF to the submission in InPlace.
- Submit. 听
Detailed instructions (including screenshots) on how to make a Self Placement submission can be found here.
Your submission will then be听considered听for approval by your School/Faculty and further advice will be provided to you.鈥�
You will have access to a range of听听for the time you are undertaking approved unpaid work experience. This is often a requirement of听organisations offering Unpaid Work Experience.听鈥�
If you have any other questions, please contact your School or Faculty. A list of contacts can be found here.
Students who are under 18 years of age at the time of commencing work experience must contact听Student Enrichment and Success听and听discuss their circumstances.鈥�