Australian Institute of International Affairs Graduate Programs & Internships

What it does: The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) seeks to promote interest in and understanding of international affairs in Australia.

Mission:   The mission of the Australian Institute of International Affairs is to help Australians know more, understand more, and engage more in international affairs.

Size and presence: Formed in 1924, the AIIA was originally associated with the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). It was established as a federal body in 1933 and is now the only nationwide organization of its kind in Australia. It is financed by members’ contributions, a small government subvention, and tax-deductible donations from individuals and businesses.

Best known for: We are united by a belief in civil discussion and debate as to the most effective method of improving knowledge of international affairs.

The good bits: The work itself is great, and you learn a lot while editing articles from both established scholars and young, aspiring academics.

The not-so-good bits: You cannot expect a job after your internship. The organization only favors interns as they don't want to hire someone who will have to be paid yearly.

The Australian Institute of International Affairs' story

We are Australia’s largest, longest, and only truly national public conversation on international affairs. Our branches, present in every state and territory capital in Australia, are a crucial point of contact with our most important stakeholder: you.

As a member of the public, you can join a branch at any time, where you will receive the opportunity to attend lectures, talks, and networking sessions with leading Australian and international experts on international affairs. Our increased virtual delivery means that as a branch member you will be able to access live and online most of the 150-200 events held each year across the branches of the institute.

Branches are independent entities, with councils made up of and responsible to their members. As a branch member, you can get involved and make sure that your voice is heard in how your branch organizes its activities.

You will also be in excellent company. Many prominent figures in Australian foreign relations have been, or are regular branch members, and many more contribute to branch activities. Our branches have a long history and played a central role in Australia’s international affairs across the decades. Some predate the institute as a national body and have been active since the 1920s. Our members helped establish the Department of External Affairs in the 1940s and led the nation’s first university departments on international relations.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL REACH

Our branches are actively supported by our national office, founded in the 1960s and based in Canberra. Alongside branch support, the office’s primary activities are to coordinate the institute’s ongoing research and other activities. This includes regular and occasional publications, roundtables, and events that put members of the Australian academic, media, business, and policy communities in touch with their counterparts overseas. The office also represents the institute on a national and international level. The specific activities of our national office include:

• Maintaining critical aspects of the institute’s online presence, including a central video library of events, supporting popular Australia in World Affairs podcast, and publishing Australian Outlook, our weekly online publication of short analysis pieces, book reviews, and a summary of Australian foreign affairs.
• Oversight of the Australian Journal of International Affairs, the institute’s flagship journal and the most prominent peer-reviewed regular academic publication in its field in Australia.
• Managing the publication of Australia in World Affairs, a five-yearly volume providing an update on Australian foreign policy.
• Organizing the AIIA national conference, the premier regular conference specifically focused on Australian foreign policy.
• Organizing special roundtables, workshops, and networking events for particular participants, such as the business, diplomatic, and academic communities.
• Maintaining the #AIIANextGen Network, our international network for early-career professionals with an interest in the international affairs of Australia and its region.
• Organizing and formally conferring the AIIA Fellowship, the institute’s highest award for individuals with a connection to Australia who has made a significant contribution to international affairs.
• Supporting Australian research on international affairs by awarding scholarships and maintaining research fellowships.
• Engaging important stakeholders on behalf of the institute, for example, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other Australian government departments, the Australian Parliament, foreign embassies and ministries, key business and industry groups, and media.
• Representing the AIIA overseas, including through study tours, the organization of overseas research roundtables, and support for the appearance of key figures of the institute at arranged talks and major international dialogues.

Recruitment process

• Submit the job application.
• Resumes are reviewed and shortlisted
• Face to Face Interview:
• Reference Check
• Employment Check and Contract
• Managers to contact candidates.

Benefits

Leave & holidays

⛔ Bonus annual leave

✅ Bonus parental leave

✅ Unpaid extended leave

Finance & contract

✅ Permanent employee

✅ Signing bonus

✅ Annual bonus

⛔ Stock options

Flexible work

⛔ Full remote work

✅ Partial remote work

✅ Flexible working hours

Family & health

⛔ Child care

✅ Free gym

⛔ Pet-friendly office

✅ Mental health days

Insurance

✅ Hospital

✅ Outpatient

✅ Dental

✅ Maternity

Perks

⛔ Free breakfast

⛔ Free lunch

✅ Free tea & coffee

✅ Free snacks

⛔Free dinner