As demonstrated in our case studies, employing an international student or graduate is not difficult, and is an excellent way to bring innovation to the workplace, or grow your business both in Australia, and abroad.
In these FAQ’s, we’ve attempted to bust some common myths, and answer your frequently asked questions about employing an international student or graduate.
What industries benefit most from employing an international student or graduate? All industries can benefit from employing an international student or graduate, not just those which are export-focused or tourism-based.
With a growing number of international students choosing to study engineering, IT and health in Australia, the defence, technology, engineering, science and health industries are well-placed to unlock the benefits of employing an international student or graduate.
A student internship is an opportunity offered by an employer to students, called interns, to work at a workplace for a fixed, limited period of time. Some are paid while others are entered into on a voluntary basis.
Internships may be part-time or full-time. They are usually part-time if offered during a university semester and full-time if offered during holidays, when they typically last four to 12 weeks. Internships are a great way for students to gain work experience. They can be extra-curricular (no academic credit) or can be used as credit towards an undergraduate degree program and regulated by the Fair Work Act.
What is a graduate internship? This is an employer-driven opportunity undertaken during the first 12 months after a student has completed their qualification. The internship is paid and regulated by the Fair Work Act.
What advantages do student internships provide businesses? Student internships provide a range of advantages to businesses, including:
- Increased productivity – students can undertake new projects, or projects that have fallen by the way-side due to limited resources.
- New skills – student interns may have skills that you’d like to develop in your organisation, and can build the capacity of your team members in these areas.
- Enthusiasm – students provide fresh ideas, enthusiasm and positive energy.
- Future talent – identify future employees in promising student interns.
The types of roles and projects that an international student or graduate could undertake for your business are endless. They can do whatever their studies and/or experience qualify them for.
Some examples specific to businesses that export include undertaking a competitor or industry gap analysis, trade mission preparation, developing a distribution strategy, hosting international delegations, translating marketing material, or establishing and running language and country-specific social media channels.
Read through our case studies for more inspiration.
What does an international graduate offer that an Australian-born graduate does not? Few Australian born graduates have the language and international cultural insights that overseas born students do.
If you are exporting products, running an inbound tourism enterprise or welcoming international customers into your business, then having someone in your business who can speak and read the language, use foreign social media (such as WeChat) and advise about cultural expectations will open trade doors much more quickly and effectively than you can by yourself.
Will an international student or graduate ‘fit’ into my company’s culture and workplace? International graduates want an Australian workplace experience and will relish the opportunity to be a part of the team. Like local graduates, international students and graduates are a ‘blank canvas’, with an incredibly strong work ethic and willingness to succeed, and are eager to enjoy and learn Aussie business culture – from footy tipping to Friday night drinks.
You can expect that the cultural exchange will be a two-way street. Employing an international student or graduate in your business is a great opportunity to expand your horizons and learn from different cultures, too!
Do I have to make any special provisions for an international student or graduate? No. International graduates are employed under the same working conditions (salary, leave, superannuation etc) as locals.
The graduates come from a range of cultures, which may include different holiday celebrations, religious practices or traditions. While it would be thoughtful to acknowledge their celebrations or traditions, it is not necessary to make special arrangements to accommodate them (for example, a prayer room).
Will the graduate’s communication skills be an issue? Not really. During their studies, students are required to reach proficient levels in speaking and writing English - but it pays to remember that many international students have English as their second language. Those that lack confidence will soon bloom with your encouragement and patience (although you might need to explain some Australian slang!)
