How to Land an Accounting Internship in Australia With No Experience

Struggling to get your foot in the door for your first accounting role?
You’re not alone. Thousands of graduates, international students, and career changers face the same challenge: how to land an accounting internship in Australia when you have no experience.

The truth is, employers value practical skills and local work experience as much as your degree. Without these, it’s difficult to stand out among the competition. But with the right strategy, you can secure a job-ready internship that leads to full-time opportunities.

In this article, we’ll walk you through proven steps to land an internship and show you how Platinum Professional Training (PPT) helps students transition from classroom theory to real-world accounting.

1. Understand What Employers Are Looking For

Australian employers seek candidates who can add value from day one. That means hands-on experience in tasks such as:

• BAS and GST preparation.

• Payroll and Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting.

• Preparing tax returns and financial statements.

• Month-end processes and reconciliations.

• Proficiency in accounting software (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks).

Even if you don’t have prior work experience, practical training and internships can help you develop these skills.

2. Build Practical Accounting Skills First

Before applying for internships, make sure you can confidently handle common accounting tasks. This includes:

• Preparing journal entries and reconciliations.

• Generating BAS and payroll reports.

• Using cloud accounting software.

• Understanding ATO compliance requirements.

How to gain these skills:
Platinum’s Job Ready Accounting Program gives students real-world accounting experience with CPA-supervised training. You’ll work on actual client files and gain the confidence to succeed in an internship interview.

3. Create a Job-Ready Resume and Cover Letter

Employers are flooded with generic resumes. To stand out, you need a CV that highlights skills and achievements rather than just qualifications.

• Include your practical accounting skills (e.g., BAS, payroll, month-end).

• Mention any internships or training programs you’ve completed.

• Tailor each cover letter to the specific company and role.

At PPT, we help students build professional resumes that showcase their technical strengths and industry knowledge.

4. Network and Use Hidden Job Markets

Many accounting internships aren’t publicly advertised. Instead, they’re filled through networking and referrals.

• Attend accounting and career events (both online and offline).

• Join LinkedIn groups for accounting professionals.

• Reach out to small and medium firms directly with a targeted email and resume.

We encourage our students to leverage PPT’s employer network. Many of our graduates are placed directly through our partner firms.

5. Prepare for Interviews

Accounting internship interviews often include technical questions and scenario-based tasks. Be ready to demonstrate:

• How you handle bookkeeping, BAS, or payroll tasks.

• Your problem-solving skills with real accounting data.

• Familiarity with tools like Xero and MYOB.

At PPT, we provide mock interviews with real industry questions to prepare students for success.

6. Consider Paid and Unpaid Internships

While paid internships are ideal, unpaid accounting internships are common in Australia—especially for international students or career changers.
The key is to choose a reputable program that offers:

• CPA supervision.

• Real client files (not just observation).

• A reference letter and pathway to job placement.

Tip: Always check the credibility of the internship provider. PPT’s internships are fully compliant and designed to bridge you into employment.

7. Combine Training With Internship Placement

The fastest way to secure your first role is to combine practical training with an internship. Employers are more likely to hire candidates who already understand Australian accounting standards, ATO requirements, and software systems.

Platinum’s High Achiever Program combines intensive training + an internship placement, giving students everything they need to transition into the workforce.

8. Showcase Your Achievements

Once you complete an internship, use that experience to strengthen your resume:

• List specific tasks you performed (e.g., BAS lodgements, payroll processing).

• Highlight measurable results (e.g., “Improved reporting accuracy by 15%”).

• Get a strong reference from your supervisor.

Check out our Success Stories to see how students like Pooy, Nikhil, and Flora landed their first accounting jobs through PPT’s programs.

9. Stay Ahead With AI and Cloud Tools

By 2025, accounting firms are increasingly using AI for automation and cloud-based systems. Familiarity with these tools will give you an edge.
Platinum includes AI-ready accounting training in its programs, teaching students to use modern features that save time and enhance accuracy.

10. Take the First Step

You don’t need experience to start your accounting career—you just need the right training and support.

Book your free career assessment with Platinum Professional Training today and discover how we can help you become job-ready and secure your first accounting role.