STEM 4 Business Internship Program – Guidelines
What is the STEM 4 Business Internship Program?
The STEM 4 Business Internship Program is an ACT Government Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) student internship program aimed to accelerate
Canberra’s digital economy.
To accelerate the digital economy and stimulate business innovation in the ACT there is a need
to attract and develop a workforce with stronger STEM skills and knowledge. A 2013 Australian
Industry Group (Ai Group) report, has found a lack of critical STEM skills among the current and
emerging workforce is holding back Australian employers in their quest to be more innovative,
productive and competitive.
As part of ACT Government’s Digital Canberra Strategy, this program aims to build job-ready
STEM skill capability in ACT undergraduate/CIT STEM students whilst contributing to ACT
businesses longer term STEM skill requirements, enabling them to take full advantage of the
digital economy.
Given the cost barriers associated with internships for businesses, there is less incentive for
employers to take an active role in this area. To promote and encourage employers to offer
internships, this program provides financial support to ACT-based businesses to assist in the
costs associated with hiring a STEM student-intern.
The objectives of the STEM 4 Business Internship Program are to:

build job-ready skills in STEM undergraduate students by providing practical work
experience and mentoring in ACT businesses;

foster STEM skill capacity in ACT businesses and allow employers to attract and retain
STEM skilled future employees;

enhance the ACT’s reputation as a digital centre by promoting digital capabilities in
employees and businesses; and

promote and cultivate an internship culture in ACT businesses and provide greater
linkages between businesses and higher education institutions in the ACT.
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ STEM 4 Business Internship Program – Guidelines
/ Update 25.06.2015 / Page 1
Eligibility Criteria for Businesses
Required
1. Canberra-based businesses.
2. Currently operating in a STEM field or with a substantial need for STEM employees.
3. Have the financial and resource capacity to offer 12 weeks full-time paid employment (or
450 hours part-time).
4. Provide a clear description of an appropriate project or skills transfer work program that
the intern will be working on.
5. Nominate a suitable mentor to engage with the intern for the duration of the internship
(and, ideally, after the internship has completed). The mentor should hold a senior to
middle management position within the firm and be committed to the objectives of the
program.
6. Firms that currently operate a cadetship or internship program will be asked to hire an
intern in addition to or as an extension of any pre-existing programs.
7. Fully compliant with relevant WH&S obligations and other regulatory requirements.
8. Equal opportunity employer.
Each criterion will be assigned a weighting factor which determines its contribution to the overall
score. Preference will be given to SMEs and firms that do not currently operate a cadetship or
internship program and have not previously participated in the Program.
Roles and Responsibilities of Businesses

Hiring a student intern, negotiating their salary, paying their wages and other mandatory
employment-related costs as per the Program guidelines and relevant legislation.

Ensuring that consent from student-interns is obtained for participation in the evaluation
or assessment of the program.

Providing supervision and career mentoring for students.

Participating in mid-year and final program surveys.

Committing to a full-time or part-time period of employment totalling 450 hours.

Advertising the available internship position on CMTEDD’s Government Business Portal
website.

Supplying final student details as per CMTEDD’s student-intern application form
provided.
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ STEM 4 Business Internship Program – Guidelines
/ Update 25.06.2015 / Page 2
Eligibility Requirements for participating students
Students participating in the STEM 4 Business Internship Program will need to demonstrate that
they:

Reside in the ACT region.

Are eligible to work in Australia.

Are studying at an undergraduate level in a STEM field at a Canberra-based recognised
higher education institution or in a CIT course and are in second year or higher of their
STEM degree/course.

Are enrolled full-time in a recognised higher education institution or CIT course. Full-time
study is defined as a student enrolled in the ‘normal full-time’ load of subjects or units that
make up a course. This is the minimum amount of subjects that a student must undertake
in order to complete their course within the minimum time frame (75% load of subjects or
units that a student is required to study in any given calendar year).

Commit to a full-time or part-time employment period totalling 450 hours as required by
the business.

Have not been employed by or connected with the company in any way previously.
The intern will not be placed under any formal obligation to return to work for the employer after
completing their study.
What will not be funded?

Businesses offering employment located outside the ACT region.

Family businesses employing family members.

Students whose field of study is not linked to the employment position.

Internships where the funding is considered retrospective.

Internships for students not enrolled full-time in a recognised university or CIT course.

Employers who cannot offer paid employment over the term of the internship (at least at
award wage or equivalent).
Internship Duration
All approved businesses will hire a student-intern on a full-time or part-time basis, for a total of
12 weeks full-time or 450 hours part-time. All internships must be negotiated within three months
of the business receiving approval from CMTEDD and be completed within the grant period.
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ STEM 4 Business Internship Program – Guidelines
/ Update 25.06.2015 / Page 3
What are the funding details?
The ACT Government will provide a funding grant of up to $7,500 to businesses to reimburse
75% of the eligible wages and related expenses associated with offering a paid internship. The
business will be responsible for paying the remaining 25% of student intern’s wages and other
employment-related costs as per legislation.
The grant will support the cost of hiring a student-intern for 12 weeks full-time (or 450 hours part
time) employment. For a full-time position, the business will receive grant payments paid every
six weeks in arrears. Business with part-time internship payments will be paid every 225h in
arrears.
What is the application process?
Once you have determined that you meet the eligibility requirements and have read and
understand your responsibilities, you may begin the application process.
All applications must be complete to be considered. Applications consist of two components:
1. Application Form

The application form can be found at www.business.act.gov.au/STEM

Sufficient detail should be provided for each question, using separate sheets of
paper when space provided is inadequate.
2. Supporting Documents

Legal documents that confirm the legal status of the business applying (certificate
of incorporation/registration).

Financial reports (profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement
for the last 2 years) attesting to the financial stability of the organisation.
Submit your application to Innovation Section, Chief Minister, Treasury and
Economic Development Directorate via email to Business.Mailbox@act.gov.au or
via post to GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601.
Assessment Process
Applications will be assessed in the following manner:

Submission of a formal application to CMTEDD.

Application assessed against assessment criteria as per the eligibility criteria.

Recommendations submitted to the Delegate for decision.

Applicants advised of decision relating to their application and of their obligations in
relation to receiving funding.
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ STEM 4 Business Internship Program – Guidelines
/ Update 25.06.2015 / Page 4

Grant conditions established in consultation with CMTEDD.
From the time businesses receive approval for STEM 4 Business Internship Program funding,
businesses will have three months to hire an intern and provide a proof of the employment
agreement to CMTEDD.
Businesses will be required to advertise their available internship position on CMTEDD’s
Government Business Portal and student-interns will be required to fill out a STEM 4 Business
Student application form. This application form may be used to assist businesses in the
recruitment process.
Disclosure
All information from the applicant will be treated as commercial-in-confidence and will not be
disclosed without permission.
The Directorate may include the name of the applicant and amount of the grant in its annual
report, website, social media and media releases.
Applicants will be required to assist CMTEDD in capturing and evaluating the benefits of this
program after its completion.
Further Information
For further information on the STEM 4 Business Internship Program contact:
Phone:
13 22 81
Email:
business.mailbox@act.gov.au
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ STEM 4 Business Internship Program – Guidelines
/ Update 25.06.2015 / Page 5