AWC offers opportunities for promising graduate students to gain valuable field experience in conservation research via its Internship Program. Applications for our 2023 Internship Program are now closed.
© Ruby Albury/AWC
Each internship is designed to provide an exciting training program, and to introduce conservation biologists to a variety of sanctuaries with a host of different ecosystems, flora and fauna, field techniques, and conservation issues.
The intern will be mentored by a team of experienced ecologists, who will provide on-going assessment throughout the training program.
At the end of the training program, the intern’s progress will be evaluated, and an assessment report provided.
© Emily Drummond/AWC
The internships provide a modest living stipend for the duration of the program, plus travel assistance.
We are offering 21 internships across our network of sanctuaries, which range from 4.5 to 6 months in duration.
Basic self-contained single accommodation is available on site at most sanctuary locations. However, AWC provided accommodation may not be available at some locations. An additional accommodation/travel allowance may be provided to the intern to support other arrangements. This will be discussed further with the successful applicants.
“The fact that most of my internship experience enabled me to spend more time in nature was probably what I enjoyed the most. Not only was I able to get amongst some unique Australian environments but knowing that the actions you are undertaking are for the benefit biodiversity is extremely rewarding. I also enjoyed how much there was to learn; from handling animals to gaining the confidence to lead survey teams, all the while continually developing the ability to ID the unique Australian fauna and flora that we share our environments with.”
“Through all aspects of the internship I was always learning.
Over the course of the internship, I found my species ID skills enhancing all the time, I became more confident leading survey teams, I came to learn and understand some aspects of another culture and had an evolving understanding of complex ecological processes (such as ecological responses to fire management).”
Learn more about Braden’s experience as an AWC intern
“I started my 6 month internship with the North East team in May. I have been super busy with field work, but am enjoying travelling around, learning a range of survey techniques and working with different staff and Traditional Owners. In three months, I have been lucky to go on 5 field trips, which included targeted trapping surveys for Northern Bettongs and Northern Quolls, camera trapping, fauna surveys and the Brush-tailed Bettong reintroduction in Newhaven.”
“One of my favourite parts of the internship is just how immersed in the environment you become. In the first month I was based out of Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary where right on my doorstep I could see populations of endangered Gouldian finches, and Purple Crowned fairy wrens. At night the base would come to life with at least a dozen different species of frogs hopping about. It was also not uncommon to stumble across Olive and Children’s pythons!”
“I had a yearning to be on the ‘conservation frontline’ after having spent so many years in office-based academic scenarios. I wanted to see applied conservation practices in action; landscape management, reintroductions, restorations etc. I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone. I wanted to work intimately with native fauna and flora. I wanted to be mentored by highly skilled, passionate, likeminded people. I wanted to become a part of an organisation at the forefront of conservation action in Australia.”
“I’ll always remember my first week of being at Mt Gibson and going out to locate the recently translocated Numbats to remove their collars. The whole process of radiotracking a Numbat to find the log it was inhabiting, to the complexities of actually removing it from the log and then getting to handle a Numbat was a one-of-a-kind experience. It made me realise how unique the work was that I was getting to do and really excited about the six months ahead.”
“In November, AWC ecologists from the South West, South East and the Pilliga travelled to Scotia to catch, process and translocate 60 Bilbies to feral predator free enclosures across AWC sanctuaries. This was an amazing experience to see these elusive animals up close and to work within a large team of ecologist.
The absolute highlight for me was the Bilby translocation. Every experience, from catching, processing, flying in a tiny plane, releasing and post-release monitoring was a dream come true.”
“I was surprised by how much I have been able to travel around as a result of the program. I was involved in a number of trips to SA to collect Greater Stick-nest Rats to be released on park, to WA to harvest Red-tailed Phascogales for breeding programs and VIC to harvest Mitchell’s Hopping Mice for breeding programs. The internship has given me the opportunity to see a huge part of Australia that I hadn’t seen before.”
“It has always been a dream of mine to move into a career that will benefit my people and work closely with Indigenous practices and cultures. As a First Nations person I always want to keep my Country in the forefront of my mind no matter what I do. It has been a heart-warming experience seeing the Science and Operations teams across the industry use Indigenous names for native wildlife, as well as integrating any Indigenous practices that they have learnt into the industry.“
© Alex Taylor/AWC
Applicants must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or have a suitable visa that allows participation in this program.
Candidates are encouraged to apply for as many regions as they wish.
Applications for our 2023 Internship Program are now closed.
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