AIC
Internship Program
and Procedures
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Director (Chief Executive)
or
Delegate read and approved:
Dated Reviewed by Staff Consultative Committee:
Document Version
Version 1 - September 2013
Final 21 October 2013
TRIM Number:
D13/7483
Date of effect:
Signed off as approved:
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Contents
Background............................................................................................................................................ 4
Eligibility ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Application process .............................................................................................................................. 4
Selection process ................................................................................................................................. 5
Terms and Conditions of the AIC Research Intern Program ......................................................... 5
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1.
Duration .................................................................................................................................. 5
2.
Status of Interns .................................................................................................................... 5
3.
Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest ............................................................................... 5
4.
Security Clearance ................................................................................................................ 5
5.
Intellectual Property .............................................................................................................. 5
6.
Subsequent Employment ..................................................................................................... 6
7.
Visas ........................................................................................................................................ 6
8.
Location .................................................................................................................................. 6
9.
Remuneration ........................................................................................................................ 6
10.
Accommodation ..................................................................................................................... 6
11.
Income tax and Youth Allowance/Austudy Benefits ........................................................ 6
12.
Insurance ................................................................................................................................ 6
13.
Responsibility of Research teams ...................................................................................... 7
14.
Hours of Attendance ............................................................................................................. 7
15.
Annual Leave, Personal Leave and Public Holidays ....................................................... 7
16.
Termination ............................................................................................................................ 7
17.
Separation .............................................................................................................................. 7
18.
Evaluation ............................................................................................................................... 7
Background
The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) offers a Research Intern Program for periods of up to four
weeks working directly with senior research and library staff.
During the year the AIC also considers ad hoc requests from higher education, justice and law
enforcement agencies to allow a student to complete a placement at the AIC. Each application is
considered on its merits, taking into account the ability of the AIC to provide appropriate supervision,
costs to the AIC (if any) and that the student’s proposed work fits with the AIC’s research program.
The Intern Program work may cover a wide array of criminology research projects, for example,
assisting with the design, conduct and analysis of research projects, preparation of literature reviews,
reports and fact sheets or updating a subject area on the Institute website.
Research Interns are subject to Australian Public Service’s Values and Code of Conduct.
Eligibility
The AIC accepts applications for the Research Intern Program from undergraduate and postgraduate
students entering their final year, or students who have recently completed their studies.
Students and criminal justice professionals/practitioners from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
backgrounds are also encouraged to apply. The AIC also offers a designated Indigenous placement.
The Indigenous internship will operate in the same way as all other internships.
To be eligible to participate in the AIC’s Research Intern Program a candidate must:
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be enrolled in a PhD, Masters degree, or in the Honours year of a Bachelor degree; and
possess a first degree in a Criminology, Psychology, Law, Sociology or another relevant field
whose subjects have included criminological themes, or
criminal justice professionals and practitioners who are undertaking study as external or parttime students; and
be able to work effectively in a team as well as independently.
Application process
A candidate must be able to meet the eligibility criteria to be considered for an internship.
Placements will be negotiated at various times through-out the following calendar year. Successful
applicants will be matched to available and appropriate work in one of the AIC’s research teams in
Canberra.
Applications can be submitted electronically to email: recruitment@aic.gov.au and should state your
name and the words ‘Internship Application’ in the subject line. Receipt of electronic applications will
be notified by return email.
Applications may also be submitted in hard copy to:
Recruitment
Australian Institute of Criminology
GPO Box 2944
Canberra ACT 2601
Hardcopy applications will not be acknowledged.
The following documents must be submitted for an application to be considered for selection:

completed AIC Internship Program Application form, including certification of support by
the sponsoring university/institution

authenticated academic transcript
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
names of two referees, and

Covering letter (300-500 words) detailing your motivation for applying for placement in the AIC
Research Intern Program. This letter should indicate dates of availability and specify the
specialisation or research program you are interested in working in.
Selection process
Once the application period closes all eligible applications are compiled and assessed by a selection
panel. All selection processes in the Australian Public Service is based on merit.
The Selection Panel will assess the quality of the written applications, qualifications and experience.
Interviews are not required for these positions. Candidates may be assessed on the basis of their
application (including referees) and their academic record.
The Selection Panel must be able to demonstrate to the Delegate that merit has been applied.
Once the selection is finalised the HR & Administration team will contact the successful candidates
and the specifics of the internship can be negotiated such as timing, duration and relevant projects
preferences.
Terms and Conditions of the AIC Research Intern Program
1.
Duration
Internships will generally last for a period of up to four weeks but may be negotiated for a longer period
by agreement. The Intern may negotiate with the Research team around timing and the actual working
arrangements.
2.
Status of Interns
Interns are not considered to be employees of the AIC. They do not have supervisory responsibility
nor can they represent the AIC in any legal capacity.
3.
Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest
All Interns are required to sign a confidentiality undertaking and as such are obliged to keep
confidential any and all unpublished information made known to him or her by AIC during the course of
their placement.
Except with the explicit authority of the Director of the AIC, Interns shall not publish any reports or
papers on the basis of information obtained during their participation in the program, either during or
after the completion of the placement.
Interns should report any potential or perceived conflict of interest arising during their placement to
their direct supervisor.
The AIC has sole discretion to solve any such conflict of interest as it deems appropriate, including by
termination of the placement.
4.
Security Clearance
Interns may be required to undergo an Australian Federal Police National Police Check prior to
commencement.
5.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property (IP) in all material developed by Interns remains with the AIC. This includes IP
created in whole or in part and refers to the rights granted by law in relation to the fruits of human
intellectual (as distinct from physical) activity.
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It includes all copyright, all rights in relation to inventions (including patent rights), plant varieties,
registered and unregistered trade marks (including service marks), registered designs, circuit layouts,
confidential information and all other rights resulting from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific,
literary or artistic fields.
Notwithstanding this the AIC will endeavour to attribute authorship of research material where the AIC
considers it appropriate, and in the manner that the AIC considers appropriate. The AIC usually grants
a non-exclusive, irrevocable, licence to use, reproduce, distribute and communicate material created
in whole or in part while at the AIC to Employees or Interns:
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for the purpose of publication and/or further research;
Once the material has been published by the AIC, or authorised for public dissemination by
the AIC.
An Intern must not use, reproduce, distribute, publish or communicate to the public in whole or in part,
any information without the prior approval of their Manager.
Each Intern must complete ‘A Deed of undertaking in respect of Confidentiality, Privacy and
Intellectual Property’ form.
6.
Subsequent Employment
Interns should not have an expectation of employment with the AIC during or subsequent to the
completion of the placement.
7.
Visas
Any visa requirements are the sole responsibility of the applicant and should be completed prior to
departure for Australia.
8.
Location
The AIC is based in Canberra and placements will only be available in Canberra. Interns need to
cover all travel costs if they wish to undertake an internship and do not live in Canberra.
9.
Remuneration
AIC internships do not attract any remuneration or benefits. Before applying for the program
applicants should be sure to have adequate financial support for the duration of the placement.
Research Interns travelling from interstate regions will receive a stipend of up to $600 per week to
contribute toward incidentals and local accommodation.
This allowance commences from the date on which the internship is taken up and is paid fortnightly in
arrears. Allowance details will be provided in the Internship offer letter.
10.
Accommodation
The AIC assumes no responsibility for finding or arranging accommodation for Interns.
11.
Income tax and Youth Allowance/Austudy Benefits
Please note that Centrelink may regard allowance amounts as income which may affect your Youth
Allowance, Austudy or other Centrelink allowance. Allowances may be regarded as taxable income
and Interns are expected to make their own enquiries and seek independent advice regarding any tax
liability or impact on Centrelink allowances.
12.
Insurance
Research Interns travelling from interstate are advised to take out an appropriate travel insurance
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policy if they wish to be covered against any travel risks. Research Interns should note that they will
only be covered by the AIC’s public liability insurance to the extent that an accident occurs at the AIC
for which the AIC is at fault.
Note: The AIC will not cover the cost of any policy taken out by Research Interns.
13.
Responsibility of Research teams
Research teams receiving an Intern must aim to ensure that the work experience provided is
rewarding and enriching.
Team Managers will seek to ensure that:
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14.
Work assignments or projects are related to the Intern’s academic background, experience
and expertise and are appropriate in complexity and variety;
An appropriate ‘mentor’ or supervisor is appointed to each Intern to provide guidance and
support on a daily basis and monitor the work output of the Intern;
Work projects are planned before the arrival of the Intern;
An appropriate work station is allocated and prepared; and
Work health and safety matters are explained to the Intern and appropriate guidance is
provided taking into consideration that an Intern may have little or no experience in a
workplace setting.
Hours of Attendance
Interns are expected to work a standard 7 hour 30 minute day unless otherwise negotiated with their
Manager/Supervisor.
15.
Annual Leave, Personal Leave and Public Holidays
Interns do not have access to Annual or Personal (sick) Leave. If an official public holidays fall during
the period of the internship, the intern will not be permitted to work on this day.
16.
Termination
The AIC reserves the right to terminate an internship at any time and at the AIC’s sole discretion if the
conduct of the Intern is deemed to be unsatisfactory.
If an internship is terminated for any reason prior to the commencement of the internship period, the
AIC will not be liable for any costs, and if terminated during the internship period the AIC will at its sole
discretion determine if any reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
17.
Separation
Interns are required to provide their Research Team with a copy of all materials prepared during their
internship and are expected to comply with all required exit procedures at the end of the placement.
Interns who do not have the right of residency in Australia need to ensure that they do not breach any
visa requirements once the placement has finished.
The AIC reserves the right to terminate an Intern’s placement at any stage in the case of inappropriate
or unprofessional conduct, or serious failure to perform tasks assigned.
18.
Evaluation
On completion of the Research Intern Program, Interns are required to attend an exit interview and
provide feedback on their experiences and submit a written exit evaluation report summarising their
activities and experiences.
The Intern’s Supervisor will provide feedback to the Intern on their work during the internship. This
may be written and/or verbal.
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