The Australian Internship Industry Association (AIIA) brings together organisations active in the domestic and international internship industry in Australia. Members meet regularly to discuss current issues affecting the industry and to ensure maintenance of best practice standards across membership. The association has a rigorous application process to ensure only providers of the highest quality internships access membership and are in agreement with association values. As a result of the recent increased emphasis on work readiness skills for graduates by the commercial sector, members are actively engaged and in consultation with Australia's tertiary education sector to provide invaluable training opportunities to undergraduates.

The AIIA act as the critical link between Internship organisations and the Australian Government, as well as other industry bodies, in the interpretation of specific issues. We aim to facilitate an active and effective policy forum where key industry stakeholders present issues for development and action. The AIIA have had an active role in helping to define an internship with the FWO which agrees that genuine work experience and internship arrangements can exist outside of the formal vocational placements provided for by the Act. However, certain parameters need to be considered to ensure the work experience or internship arrangements are genuine. The fact sheet details the factors the FWO may consider when determining whether a work experience or internship arrangement could be considered genuine, or whether an employment relationship may have been created. This Fact sheet is posted on their website at: http://www.fairwork.gov.au/resources/fact-sheets/employer-obligations/pages/internships-vocational-placements-and-unpaid-work.aspx.

Represent and promote the interests of Internship organisations to government, media, industry bodies and the domestic and international community

Act as the critical link between Internship organisations and the Australian Government as well as other industry bodies, in the interpretation of specific issues

Facilitate an active and effective policy forum where key industry stakeholders present issues for development and action

Conduct regular meetings (minimum of four per year) and report back to stakeholders

Make formal annual presentations to the Department of Immigration & Multicultural Affairs to report on activities, issues and developments

Facilitate industry education with regard to volume, trends, and market conditions in accordance with its needs

Raise the profile of Internships and provide feedback to the government, media, general public, domestic and international community and other organisations

Profile Internships in Australia and promote Australia