Indigenous Internship Program 2026-2027

re you passionate about health?
Do you want to contribute to Australia’s future?
Do you see yourself working in the health and/or medical research?
If so, this may be the internship for you!

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) invites current university students of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage to apply for our Indigenous Virtual Internship Program. This dynamic program offers you the chance to dive into NHMRC’s important work while enriching your academic journey with hands-on experience. 
The Indigenous Internship Program is available Australia wide as remote work, however candidates based in Canberra or Melbourne will have the option to work from the NHMRC office.

Each internship is unique, depending on your project you may have the opportunity to:

• Engage directly with government processes involved in funding health and medical research
• Contribute to developing guidelines and addressing ethical challenges
• Explore how knowledge is shared and promoted across communities
• Gain a deeper understanding of public administration and accountability in action 

Job specific duties
As part of the internship program, you will have the opportunity to take part in various projects to:  

• Build and maintain effective relationships within NHMRC and with external stakeholders
• Provide critical operational and administrative support in exciting and impactful projects  
• Draft communication with grant recipients and stakeholders
• Providing administrative support for corporate and project related activities such as:
  • Drafting communication messages to the research sector
  • Gathering and providing input to briefings and requests for information  
  • Data extraction and analysis
• Bring fresh ideas and creative thinking to drive innovative improvements across the business 

Core capabilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following capabilities:

• Strong written and oral communication skills and attention to detail
• Ability to build rapport and maintain strong stakeholder relationships within NHMRC and with external providers
• Accountability for completion of allocated tasks, review of work and contribute to team goals
• Being a self-starter and a reliable team member with a ‘can do’ attitude
• Ability to work independently and manage workloads, including prioritising urgent deadlines

To be eligible you must:

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate or master’s degree in a health, medical research or science related field and provide evidence to confirm that you are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• Be available for approximately 200 hours from mid-November 2026 to mid-January 2027 (during the summer university break). However, there is flexibility around these timeframes.
• Submit a completed online application form with your Resume prior to the closing date and time, be an Australian citizen and be able to provide evidence of this. If successful, you will also be required to undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

How to apply
Complete and submit the online application form with the following:

• A statement of claims (max 500 words) outlining your motivation for applying to the internship. You should address how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the internship’s specific duties and core capabilities while addressing one of the points below.
  • • Why are you applying and what attracted you to apply?
    • What do you hope to achieve from the virtual internship at NHMRC?
    • How will this internship contribute to your undergraduate or postgraduate academic journey?
• Current Resume
• Contact details of two referees (one who must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent).
• Academic transcripts listing results achieved in the last 12 months

For further information
Please refer to the Job Description or contact Sam Faulkner, Director Indigenous Advice via [email protected] 

NHMRC is an inclusive and diverse employer that supports gender equity and diversity in leadership. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including People with Disability, First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, mature age people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Eligibility 
This opportunity is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people under Clause 31 of the Public Service Commissioner’s Direction 2022 and is within the meaning of special measures under subsection 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. You will be required to provide confirmation of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage prior to receiving a formal offer of employment.