Online application
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Business placements, projects and study tours
Local Industry Placement Program
During the Local Industry Placement Program (IPP) you’ll be placed with a local firm in Sydney. You’ll work in an authentic business setting under the direction of a workplace supervisor on business-related work tasks/projects.
By participating in this program, you will:
- work 210 hours (unpaid), during semester
- receive a total of six credit points towards your degree by successfully completing the Business School elective or selective unit of study and the work experience component
- have the opportunity to develop professional networks.
The program cannot count towards your major, minor or specialisation. As you’ll need to have at least six credit points of elective or selective space available to participate, we recommend planning your degree early to leave yourself room. Check your handbook for more information on how this unit can contribute towards your degree.
Placement hours count towards international students’ visa work restrictions.
If you're approved to participate in this program, make sure you read the student responsibilities statement to ensure you understand your responsibilities.
This program is open to eligible Business School students.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply you need to be enrolled in one of the following Business School degrees:
- Bachelor of Commerce (including combined degrees)
- Master of Commerce
- Master of Commerce (Extension)
- Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations
- Master of International Business
- Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Professional Accounting and Business Performance.
You'll also need to:
- maintain a WAM of 60 (or above)
- have completed a minimum of 48 credit points of undergraduate business units or 24 credit points of postgraduate business units before you begin the program
- have six credit points of available space in your degree.
How you'll be assessed
Enrolment into the Local IPP is competitive and places are limited. Students will be shortlisted against selection criteria based on:
- teamwork
- business communication
- resilience.
You will be assessed through an online activity, a group interview, your resume and cover letter, academic transcript and host organisation criteria. These activities are designed to reflect a graduate recruitment process. Only students who have completed the group interview will be eligible to access host organisation opportunities.
Additional requirements
If you're selected into the program, you may also be asked to participate in placement interviews and activities with our host organisations.
Priority will be given to first time applicants and students from low socio-economic backgrounds.
If you will complete the requirements of your degree before completing the IPP and the associated unit of study, you are not eligible to apply.
You can check whether you have six elective credit points of available space in your degree by submiting the course management form. Please select 'Request a degree check' from the drop-down menu; this process may take up to 10 working days.
How to apply
1
2
Group interview
Only students who have been shortlisted will be invited to participate in the in-person group interview. Please note that attending the group interview is a mandatory step to be considered for the roles.
Students undertaking an exchange program during Semester 2, 2025 will be able to participate in an online activity.
To help prepare for your group interview, you can access a range of resources on the Careers and Employability Office Canvas site.
3
Applying for roles
If your group interview is successful, you will progress to the next stage of the selection process. You will be eligible to access our host organisation’s roles through Sonia Online. Detailed instructions on how to apply for an individual role will be provided to students who progress to this stage of the selection process.
Placements are competitive, and not guaranteed, so you should access the resources on the Careers and Employability Office Canvas site.
| Local Industry Placement Program Semester 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Placement duration | Week 2 to Week 10, three days per week. You are required to attend your placement during the mid-semester break, except for public holidays. |
Application deadlines |
Applications open from Monday 4 August to Friday 29 August, 2025. |
Group interview |
10 September – 25 September 2025 |
Compulsory pre-placement training |
First week of Semester 1, 2026 |
Unit of study
If you’re successful in the application process and offered a placement, you’ll be enrolled in the Local IPP unit of study - BWIL2100 for undergraduate students.
To satisfy the requirements for this unit, you’ll need to complete:
- your work placement at your local firm
- preparatory coursework in reflective and professional practice
- additional coursework focused on developing reflection skills, critical thinking and research methods, report writing and other professional writing skills.
Assessment tasks will focus on facilitating learning by reflecting on the placement experience.
The final grade for students completing this program will be recorded as Satisfied requirements (SR) or Failed requirements (FR) on your transcript. Individual assessments will also receive an SR or FR rather than a grade or mark. There is no impact on your Weighted Average Mark (WAM) as units that are assessed only as pass/fail are excluded from WAM calculations.
Work placement
You’ll work 210 hours (unpaid) during semester with the specific hours being determined by the host organisation before you commence your placement.
You’re expected to represent the University and host organisation in a positive manner. Inappropriate behaviour or misrepresentation of the University's name and resources, either professionally or otherwise, may result in immediate termination from the program.
During your placement, you’re not permitted to seek additional placements or work arrangements.
You’ll have access to support from a leading academic from the Business School while undertaking your placement.
Placements
Placements are limited, competitive and cannot be guaranteed. Students should review the criteria carefully and understand that the final decision sits with the host organisation. There may be roles that are outside your preferred area, and we encourage students to demonstrate flexibility when considering which roles to apply for.
Fees and costs
You'll need to pay tuition fees for the BWIL2100 unit of study.
The fee debt will be incurred after the semester census date.
Financial assistance
This placement is unpaid in accordance with the Fair Work Act. You may be eligible to apply for financial assistance to cover the cost of some of your study expenses.
General bursary
If you think you might experience financial hardship by undertaking this program, you can apply for a general bursary through Sydney Student (go to ‘My finances’, ‘Scholarships, prizes, bursaries and loans’, then ‘Apply for financial support’). These are valued up to $2,000 and can assist with essential living and study expenses.
Your application will be assessed by the Student Life team.
Find out more information about general bursaries.
If you have any questions about financial support, or need help to apply, please reach out to Student Life by submitting a financial support enquiry.
Scholarships
If you are unable to do the Local IPP unit due to financial constraints, the University of Sydney Business School offers a limited number of scholarships that you may be eligible to apply for. The University also offers a variety of scholarships to assist students with their studies.
Priority will be given to students participating in their first work-integrated learning unit of study. If you have previously received a scholarship/funding (including Business School scholarship, NCP, Endeavour, VC Global Mobility Scholarship or Award) for any Business School work-integrated learning unit of study will only be awarded a second scholarship/funding in exceptional circumstances.
Refunds
The University’s standard policies apply to the refund of the unit of study tuition fee if the unit is cancelled or you withdraw.
Withdrawing from the program
If you need to withdraw from the program, email business.placements@sydney.edu.au.
Media
You are expected to agree to photographs or video taken in connection to the program being used for marketing purposes by the University of Sydney Business School and partner organisations. You may also be invited to participate in the marketing and promotion of the placement program by sharing your experience.
Confidentiality
Student information as required for administering all aspects of the program will be transferred from the University of Sydney Business School to partner and host organisations.
More information
If you have any questions about the program, or wish to discuss special circumstances, you can contact us at business.placements@sydney.edu.au.
Last updated: 10 September 2025