Terms and Conditions

1. An Internship Offer

1.1 An 'Internship Offer' means an offer of an internship with an Australian business or other legal entity for a designated period of time;

1.2 AIFS agrees to provide the Applicant with one Internship Offer within one of the three industries listed on their Application Form;

1.3 The applicant understands and agrees that no refund will be payable if the Applicant turns down an Internship Offer provided by AIFS.

1.4 AIFS does not guarantee the location or business for any Internship Offer.

2. Change of Host Company

A 'Host Company' means a business or legal entity offering an Internship opportunity to AIFS as a component of AIFS' Professional Internship Australia Program (the "Program").

Requests for a change of Host Company will only be considered under the following circumstances:

The Intern has arrived in Australia and commenced their Internship;

AND one of the following occurs:
a) Inability of the Host Company to continue the internship;
b) Sexual harassment or discrimination against the intern;
c) Racial or religious vilification against the intern;
d) Breach of Occupational Health and Safety regulations affecting the intern.

3. Change of the Internship start/end date

3.1 Requests by the Applicant to postpone the start date of their Internship will only be granted if the Host Company agrees to the postponement;

3.2 In the event that the Host Company will not accommodate the postponement, the cancellation and refund policy in Section 5 will apply;

3.3 The intern agrees to notify AIFS immediately if the internship ends prior to the agreed date on the signed Internship Offer.

4. Code of Conduct

All Interns must adhere to AIFS' Code of Conduct for the duration of their internship which includes (is not limited to the following rules:

4.1 The Intern will be punctual and adhere to the policies of the Host Company which may be set out verbally, in a staff handbook or provided through the course of training;

4.2 Requests for sick leave must be reported directly to the Intern's Supervisor at the Host Company at the commencement of business on the day that leave is to be taken. Messages left on a voicemail, sent via email or SMS will not be accepted. Sick leave of 2 days or more must be accompanied by a medical certificate;

4.3 Any request for holidays or other leave must be made in writing to AIFS and are subject to the approval of AIFS;

4.4 No leave requests will be accepted after the commencement of Internship, other than bona fide sick leave, for Internships of 8 weeks or less;

4.5 The Intern is not permitted to request leave directly to the Host Company other than bona fide sick leave;

4.6 The Intern is not permitted to enter into any direct Employment Agreement with the Host Company;

4.7 The Intern is not permitted to enter in to an Employment Agreement with any organisation, if in the opinion of AIFS this agreement may interfere with their Internship; 4.8 The Intern is not permitted to negotiate payment or any other benefit with AIFS or the Host Company after receipt of their Internship Offer;

4.9 The Intern must adhere to the Host Company's dress code during business hours;

4.10 The Intern will be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from his or her acts while taking part in the Program. The Intern agrees to indemnify AIFS, the Host Company, or any other party that may suffer loss by reason of the Intern's conduct;

4.11 The Intern must behave in an orderly and professional manner at all times whilst participating in their Internship. Any serious misconduct or breach of this Code of Conduct will result in the cancellation of the Internship and immediate dismissal from the Program. No refund will be payable to the Intern in that event and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs will be duly notified. This notification may result in the cancellation of some visas.

5. Payment

5.1 Payment 1: An AUD$500 deposit is required for acceptance onto the Program. AIFS cannot commence the placement process until this deposit is received. Except in the circumstances covered by Section 6.5, this deposit includes an AUD$ 300 non-refundable administration fee;

5.2 Payment 2: The balance of the program fee, insurance fee and the visa fee (416 visa only) will be payable within 7 business days of the receipt of the Internship Offer and before the commencement of Internship;

5.3 If the Applicant is applying for a 416 visa all fees must be received by AIFS before AIFS can commence the visa processing through the Department of Immigration;

5.4 All bank fees levied in the Applicant's country or as a result of a transfer they initiate will be payable by the Applicant;

5.5 Credit card payment attracts a 2 % fee on all program fees.

6. Cancellations & Refunds

6.1 In the event of cancellation prior to the receipt of the Internship Offer a full refund will be payable except for the AUD$300 non refundable administration fee;

6.2 No refund will be payable for cancellations requested after issuance of the Internship Offer by AIFS to the Applicant ;

6.3 No refund will be payable for cancellations received after the commencement of the Internship except in the case of request of a change of Host Company for one of the reasons set out in Section 2 and where AIFS is unable to offer an alternate placement within a reasonable time. In that event all fees paid to AIFS will be refunded;

6.4 No refund of DIMA's visa fee will be issued in any case;

6.5 A full refund of the Program deposit will be payable if for any reason AIFS is unable to provide an Internship Offer;

6.6 All interns must have a minimum English level of IELTS 5.0 or equivalent to participate on the Program. Any intern that misleads AIFS in regards to their level of English may be removed from the Program with no refund being payable;

6.7 Any intern that misleads AIFS in regards to their level of experience or skill(s) relevant to the Internship may be removed from the Program. In this event no refund will be payable;

6.8 Any intern that misleads AIFS, it's partners or the DIAC in any way, may be removed from the Program with no refund being payable.

6.9 Any change of preference by the Applicant regarding Industry(s) of Internship requested after the Application has been received by AIFS, will constitute a new application and would therefore require a new application fee to be paid;

6.10 Any costs incurred to the Applicant by the Applicant's failure to make Payment 2 within the prescribed timeframe will be the responsibility of the Applicant. These costs may include but not be limited to delays to the visa, flight and accommodation cancellation and cancellation of the internship;

6.11 If a cancellation is requested due to visa denial, the full program fee less DIMA's non-refundable visa fee (AUD$190.00) and an administration fee of AUD$300.00 will be refunded to the Applicant ;

6.12 All cancellations must be received in writing by AIFS.

7. General Terms & Conditions

7.1 The Internship does not constitute an Employment Agreement or any offer of employment with either with AIFS or the Host Company;

7.2 All interns must purchase medical insurance from AIFS' insurance provider, CareMed or provide or provide proof to AIFS in English that their insurance policy meets or exceeds the insurance coverage offered by CareMed's insurance policy prior to arrival in Australia. Failure to provide a copy of the policy will result in possible forfeiture of the internship placement and cancellation of the Program.

7.3 All interns must provide AIFS with a copy of their return ticket prior to their arrival in Australia.

7.4 All interns must have a minimum English level of IELTS 5.5 or equivalent to participate on the Program.

7.5 Upon completion of the Internship, the Intern will receive a Letter of Reference from the Host Company. If an Intern fails to complete their Internship a reference will not be issued by the Host Company or AIFS. If a Host Company fails to issue a Letter of Reference upon completion, AIFS will issue a Letter of Reference on their behalf;

7.6 AIFS will issue a Certificate on Completion to the Intern upon completion of the Internship and receipt of the Internship Evaluation Forms;

7.7 AIFS has the right to amend the Program if AIFS believes any such amendment is necessary to comply with any Australian rules, laws or regulations;

7.8 The intern is liable for all costs resulting from the overstay of their visa including but not limited to accommodation, return flights, medical and public liability costs,extension of insurance, immigration fees and legal fees.

7.9 The Intern is responsible for all of his or her acts along with any loss or damage resulting from those acts while on the Program.