Students
Set yourself up for success
Complete Co-operative Education Program internships and get a kick-start on your future engineering career. Take time out from semester study or use the summer break to work full-time in paid roles, for periods of 3,6 or 12 months. Use Co-op internships to explore different industry sectors, develop teamwork and communication skills and apply your theoretical knowledge in a practical context.
Gain practical experience
Learn practical, hands-on engineering skills that complement your formal studies.
Explore your options
Gain real life insights into engineering practice and make informed decisions about your future.
Graduate job-ready
Graduate with skills, employment experience and a new professional network.
Hear from Co-op student Marielle Salom
How it works
The process
- Co-op internships can be taken full-time for 3 months over summer, for 6 months over a semester, or up to 12 months over a whole academic year. Co-op internships for 12 months will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Completing a Co-op internship is optional and is not assessed or graded.
- You’re strongly encouraged to complete at least two Co-op terms. After the successful completion of each term, the Co-op program will be listed on your academic transcript and assigned 0 credit point units.
- You stay enrolled in the Bachelor of Engineering program while undertaking Co-op internships, although the time taken to complete the degree may be extended.
- You do not need to pay tuition fees for Co-op internships.
- You receive a full-time salary paid by the Co-op employer.
- Time spent in Co-op internships can be included in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours.
- International students can only complete Co-op internships during the summer term.
If you're thinking about doing a co-op internship, definitely go ahead and do it. You'll get a lot out of it.
Billy Chen, Internship at Webjet
Example roles
Co-op roles can vary according to business needs, but previous roles and tasks have included:
Engineering Cadet
Performing engineering and analytical tasks to support a project team.
Production Assistant
Providing technical support including sales and production coordination and production schedule maintenance.
Software Engineering Intern
Designing, programming and building tests for autonomous vehicle technology.
Undergraduate Engineer
Supporting a project delivery team to ensure successful performance and delivery of planned works.
Computer Systems Engineering Intern
Developing algorithms and products for unmanned vehicles, intelligent surveillance and commercial applications with real-time performance.
Undergraduate Field Engineer
Conducting engineering calculations for substation and distribution line projects and providing project engineering and business improvement project support in a large engineering team.
Costs
A $400 fee is payable once an internship has commenced and a first salary payment has been received. The fee contributes to the overall running costs of the Co-op program, including establishing and maintaining employer relationships, providing the Employability Skills Program and other administrative costs.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Co-op, you must:
- Be enrolled in a single or double Engineering degree
- Have a minimum WAM of 60
- Have completed at least 72 points of engineering studies and have more than 48 points of engineering studies remaining
- Be eligible to work in Australia
Employability Skills Program
We offer a comprehensive Employability Skills Program as a core component of the Co-op Program. Before starting an internship, you’ll complete a suite of essential work-related training modules and personal reflection tasks to ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for the workplace and geared towards success from the outset.
Run in conjunction with Monash University Career Connect, the Employability Skills Program ensures you begin their internships job-ready and well-supported.The program will be offered over selected weekends and/or weeknight sessions throughout the year.
Program modules include:
- Resume writing
- LinkedIn profile training
- Interview skills “how to” workshop
- Mock interviews
- Personal growth videos
- Employment essentials
- Employability skills reflection
- Leap into Leadership Online
- Industry tailored skills sharing sessions and networking events
- Career development fundamentals
- Working in Australia
- Addressing key selection criteria
- Graduate recruitment
- English Connect workshops
Find out what Co-op students have to say
I applied for the Co-op program because I had a goal to improve my programming skills. I saw an opportunity for a role with Webjet as a software engineering intern and knew this would be a great chance to challenge myself and get a start in industry. I had an incredible experience and cannot recommend the program enough.
Following my Co-op placement, I was offered a part-time role that I continued in Semester 2.
Inna Wilson
Bachelor of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering
(Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce
Webjet
When I started my 6 month Co-op internship at Nifty-Lift, I was apprehensive about starting my first position in an engineering firm with little industry experience. I was hoping to gain experience collaborating with professional engineers, improve my knowledge of manufacturing and apply the skills I'd learnt to real-world projects.
During my placement at Nifty-Lift, I was warmly welcomed, and learnt a lot about Design for Manufacturing.
Claude Dabare
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
Nifty Lift
During my 12 month Downer cadetship, I was able to apply the many acquired skills such as force analysis and engineering drawings to assist in a range of tasks. I was based on-site at the Rail Depot and realised how much I enjoyed hands-on work, the fast-paced environment and interacting with different people.
The Co-Op program is a great opportunity to gain real-life experience in the engineering industry.
Emily Wang
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours)
Downer Group
I applied for the co-op program, thinking it would improve my employability skills and get an internship. My co-op placement took me to BSA Limited, where I could explore a new career path I hadn't considered before, previously focusing on the field of medical devices. I took a semester off my studies to undertake my internship, which was a great time to experience the changing professional work environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
My experience there exceeded my expectations as I never envisioned working in the HVAC industry.
Dylan Jeyendra
Bachelor of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering
(Honours) and Bachelor of Biomedical Science
BSA Limited
I secured a 12 month Co-op internship with Reliance Worldwide Corporation. My initial expectations were to gain experience in my engineering discipline before going into the workforce. I had no professional working experience before my internship, so my placement was beyond anything I had anticipated from university learning.
At the end of my internship, I have been offered to continue my employment with RWC on an ongoing basis while I resume my studies, and I look forward to the opportunities that await in the future.
Rohit Kannachel
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours)
RWC
Hear from Co-op Academic Lead Associate Professor Pippa Connolly.