South Australian Parliamentary Internship Program

2020 was the 25th anniversary of the prestigious South Australian Parliamentary Internship Program.

This degree and career enhancing program gives successful applicants the opportunity to experience how Parliament operates from the inside, by working attached to the office of a Member of Parliament while completing a public policy research project nominated by the member under the formal supervision of a member of the Flinders academic staff.

In a few cases, the internship might take place with an agency or department of the South Australian Public Service or other organisation.

The South Australian Parliamentary Internship Program is jointly convened by the South Australian Parliament and the three South Australian universities.

Eligibility

Admission to the program is merit-based and potentially competitive. It is open to any Flinders student who has completed at least 36 units of study, has achieved a Grade Point Average of at least 5, and has sufficient room in their program of study (if necessary via seeking an approved enrolment variation). It is most typically undertaken by students in the later years of study, in a 9-unit undergraduate topic (POLI3007) or a 4.5-unit honours-level topic (POLI7012).

The number of student places available is potentially limited by the number of places made available by Members of Parliament. In practice, Flinders has so far been able to accommodate all qualified students who have applied but it should be noted that, if necessary, a quota based on GPA ranking may need to be invoked.

How to participate

To participate, you should forward an expression of interest to the topic coordinator:

Professor Andrew Parkin: andrew.parkin@flinders.edu.au

On confirmation of meeting qualifying criteria you will be permitted to enrol in POLI3007 (or, at Honours level, in POLI7012) via the normal topic enrolment or change-of-enrolment process, subject to dis-enrolment if the internship is not able to be confirmed due to limited places.

Enquiries

For academic enquiries about the program, contact the Flinders academic coordinator (Professor Andrew Parkin, andrew.parkin@flinders.edu.au).
Enquiries about enrolment approval can be initiated via the “Request Support” option on Ask Flinders.

View key dates

What you will do

You will undertake reading and research in association with the designated Member of Parliament, government agency or organisation, working towards a major report and brief oral presentation of research findings at the end of the semester.

Research projects require approval by both the academic convenor, and the Member of Parliament or an officer/s of the government agency or organisation.

You will receive assistance from your academic supervisor regarding how to approach the project. While you are not expected to present regularly at the office of the person to whom you are interned, some students take the opportunity to embed themselves more regularly within the workings of the office.