Internships provide opportunities to gain real-world experience, develop key professional skills, and make a meaningful contribution while completing your degree. At ANU, internships help you build teamwork, communication, research and problem-solving abilities, all while connecting your learning to practical outcomes.
With ANU Green, your internship is research-led and independent, giving you the freedom to design a project that aligns with both our sustainability programs and your career goals. You will work in rapidly growing fields such as climate adaptation and the energy transition, gaining hands-on experience in sustainability both in Australia and internationally.
We currently support internships through the College of Business and Economics (undergraduate and postgraduate), the Australian National Internships Program (ANIP), the McCusker Institute, the College of Systems and Society, and the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science. Not in one of these areas? We can collaborate with other parts of the University to create tailored opportunities, speak with your course convenor to initiate a discussion with ANU Green.
CSS Internships
At the ANU College of Systems and Society, internships are available to undergraduates, postgraduates, and research candidates. To be eligible, students must have at least a Distinction average in relevant Science subjects.
Internships can be structured across a semester (1–2 days per week for ~90 hours for 6 units) or intensively during semester breaks (4–5 days per week over 3–4 weeks).
Available internships are advertised on the CSS internship website. Students are also welcome to consider a self-sourced internship option.
CPAS internship
Science communication students can gain course credit through CPAS internships (SCOM3004 for undergraduates, SCOM6004 for postgraduates). Interns apply their communication skills in a professional setting for one day a week over a semester, contributing to meaningful science communication projects.
See available opportunities on the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science internship website or explore self-sourced options.
Australian National Internships Program (ANIP)
Experience the heart of Australian policymaking and politics through a research project with the Australian National Internships Program. ANIP internships are open to current undergraduate and postgraduate students from all academic disciplines. ANIP is the only university program that offers Commonwealth Parliamentary Internships to students from across Australia.
Interns are based in the offices of MPs and Senators and engage with a range of activities that shape national policy making. Students can also undertake ANIP internships with the ACT Legislative Assembly, Government agencies, Diplomatic Missions, NGOs and Think-tanks. Placements are for one, two or four days per week and includes workshops on policy research and professional skills.
McCusker Institute Internships
The ANU McCusker Institute offers internship opportunities for students who want to create meaningful social and environmental impact.
The Institute connects students with projects and organisations that address complex community challenges through collaboration, research and leadership development. Interns gain hands-on experience tackling real-world issues while contributing to initiatives that build stronger, more sustainable communities.
CBEA3070 / CBEA6070 College of Business and Economics Internship Program
Open to students enrolled in an ANU College of Business and Economics (CBE) academic program. The CBE Internships provide students with an opportunity to gain real-world experience through a workplace project of 120 hours (for 6 units) or 240 hours (for 12 units), approximately 12 or 24 hours per week over 10 weeks. The program also includes 5 practical workshops throughout the semester to prepare students for their internships and future careers.
The project has a strong focus on developing students' employability in terms of their teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills. Each intern will show evidence of competencies and skills acquired through close working relationships and collaboration with professional colleagues, a workplace supervisor and academic advisor. Each intern is supported by the CBE Careers and Student Employability team including Course Convenor, Tutor, Career Consultants, and Program Coordinator.
Student internship projects
| Project name | Project description | Project status |
|---|---|---|
| Creating an Active Environment in ANU: Strategic Management of Outdoor Physical Activity Resources
| Kevin’s report investigates the availability, safety and use of outdoor exercise facilities across the ANU campus, supporting the Active ANU Strategy’s goal of creating an active environment. The project identified significant gaps in existing information, assessed facility condition and usage, and provides recommendations to improve visibility, address urgent repairs and better meet demand for outdoor physical activity. Read (PDF, 645 KB) the full report. | Complete |
| Sustainable Commuting Campaign: Drive Less, Save More
| Elita’s report examines the design and delivery of the Drive Less, Save More campaign, applying the COM-B behavioural change model to promote sustainable commuting at ANU. The project combined social media and in-person engagement, achieving strong increases in reach and participation, including Sustainable Commuting Fairs attended by more than 180 students and staff. Read (PDF, 511 KB) the full report. | Complete |
| Analysing Commuting Patterns - Path to Emission Reduction at ANU
| Chaitry Kariya's report explores the carbon emissions generated from commuting to and from the Australian National University campus by staff and students. The project offers a thorough examination of commuter behavior, assessing emissions by mode of transportation, and pinpoints potential to encourage active and sustainable commuting methods as part of the university's goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2040. Read the full report (PDF, 1,446 KB). | Complete |
| Sustainable Procurement Framework and Supplier Evaluation Criteria
| Medha Maruti Hegde's report proposes a framework that intends to enhance the procurement operations at ANU by integrating sustainability. It also proposes evaluation criteria to guide supplier selection, aiming to enhance cost reduction, supply chain resilience, and compliance with ethical standards. Read the full report (PDF, 1,796 KB). | Complete |
| Climate Adaptation at the Australian National University
| Zoe's report explores the University's opportunity to take a leadership position in climate risk assessment and adaptation planning in Australia's tertiary sector. Read (PDF, 678 KB) the full report. | Complete |
| Measurement, Reporting and Verification of Biodiversity Co-benefits for ANU-Connected Carbon Removal
| Akari's report outlines frameworks for assessing the biodiversity co-benefits of carbon removal projects for the ANU Below Zero Program. Read the full report (PDF, 1,106 KB). | Complete |
| Building Sustainable Heat Infrastructure - Mapping Funding Strategies for The Australian National University’s Electrified District Energy Hubs
| Fawwad's report establishes an evaluation framework for potential funding strategies for sustainable heat infrastructure at the University. Read the full report (PDF, 346 KB). | Complete |
| Sustainability Reporting In Universities
| Erin Upfold explores the Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System as potential sustainability frameworks that may better place the University to measure and report on its environmental, social and governance impacts. Erin recommends the STARS framework is most suited to the University given its widespread use internationally and specific design for universities. Read the full report (PDF, 1,941 KB). | Complete |
| Corporate Sustainability/ESG Frameworks
| Yuchen Liu developed proposed an ESG reporting method. Read the full report (PDF, 297 KB). | Complete |
| HR Levers for Travel Behaviour Change
| Nick Warren-Smith reviewed University policies and resources to identify areas where travel behaviour may be influenced without sacrificing opportunities for staff and the core missions of the University. Read the full report (PDF, 510 KB). | Complete |
| Carbon Credit Market Assessment
| Tom Adams investigated the viability of several short-term offsetting strategies for the University, using qualitative analysis to identify and contrast potential approaches to reaching net zero emissions. Read the full report (PDF, 684 KB) | Complete |
| Pathways towards ANU Below Zero: A review of behavioural change, waste management, and carbon sequestration
| A critical literature review was performed to evaluate behavioural change and waste management and carbon sequestration strategies in universities such as the University of Cambridge, and organisations of Blue Planet. This evaluation highlighted 11 principles contributing to universities’ success in behavioural change and waste management strategies to reduce carbon emissions which may be beneficial for consideration by ANU Below Zero. Four enabling environments were identified for effective carbon sequestration: long-term commitment, research funding, alignment with circular economy policies, and carbon accounting mechanisms. Read the full report (PDF, 833 KB). | Complete |
| Soft Plastic Audit at an ANU hall of residence
| An ANU undergraduate decided to do an "at home exchange" after COVID-19 postponed her exchange to Canada. Laura moved into Fenner Hall on the ANU campus and decided to conduct an audit of the soft plastics her fellow residents were using and then disposing. Read how Laura went with collecting, storing and weighing the mountains of soft plastics as well as her conclusions around corporate responsibility to increase awareness of how to dispose of these refuse items. Read the full report. | Complete |
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