Vacation and Internship Program Accelerator

Want to learn more about paid vacation and internship programs?
Want to prepare competitive applications?
Want to learn from and network with Western alumni?

The Vacation and Internship Program Accelerator (VIPA) program is for you!

VIPA is a mid-year program designed for early and mid-degree students who want to find and apply for internships, vacation programs, or work experience outside of their degree or course requirements.

Over three weeks, you will learn to prepare competitive applications through a combination of online and in-person practical activities. This program is flexible, and designed to be completed around your mid-year break commitments. Find out more below!

Please note this program is not designed to support complusory internships, work experience, or placements as part of your degree. All questions and concerns about your course should be directed to your course advisor or unit coordinator, searchable in the Western Sydney University Handbook.

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Why participate in VIPA?

Learn about paid degree-related internship and vacation employment programs outside of your degree.
Find out about the recruitment practices used by employers such as resume tracking systems, video applications, assessment centres, and psychometric testing.
Practice your interview skills and receive personalised feedback on how to improve your interview technique.
Practice your career conversations by attending a program-exclusive event where you will get the opportunity to network and learn from members of the Western Sydney University Alumni community.
Receive a personalised online credential upon completion of the program (with a special credential for High Achiever’s within the program).

If you are in your final year – we encourage you to consider the Graduate Recruitment Accelerator (GRA) program for more relevant content.

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July 2026 Program Dates

Applications Open

Monday 25th May 2026

Applications Close

Sunday 21st June 2026

Program Commences and Welcome Session

Monday 29th June 2026
Parramatta Campus

Mock Interviews Centre

Monday 13th July or Tuesday 14th July
Multiple sessions available – Parramatta Campus

VIPA Mentoring Evening

Friday 17th July 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Parramatta Campus

Program Closes

Friday 17th July 2026

Applications for the 2026 VIPA Program are now open.

Closing Sunday 22 June 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to participate in the program?

There is no cost to participate in any part of the Vacation and Internship Program Accelerator 2026.

What is the time commitment for the program?

The program is designed to be completed flexibly around your winter break commitments. Online content is approximately 1-2 hours per week, and can be completed at any time during the assigned week.

The events will be held at our Parramatta campuses, and the time commitments are:

Welcome Session: Monday 29 June 2026 – 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Mock Interview Session/s: Monday 13 July 2026 or Tuesday 14 July 2026 – 1.5hr session (multiple sessions available)
VIPA Networking Evening: Friday 17 July 5:30pm – 7:30pm

I will be overseas during the break, can I complete the program?

To complete the program, you must attend all of the online and in-person components. As such, if you are overseas during any of the above event times, you will not be eligible to complete the program.

Do you have a question?

Ask us a question through CareerHub if you want to know more or have any questions about applying.