POLI3007 South Australian Parliamentary Internship

Alert for students

Flinders City Campus availability offered in 2026.

Overview

The topic is jointly convened by Flinders University, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. Under the formal supervision of a member of the academic staff, the topic enables students to undertake an internship within the South Australian Parliament attached to the office of a Member of … For more content click the Read More button below.

The topic is jointly convened by Flinders University, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. Under the formal supervision of a member of the academic staff, the topic enables students to undertake an internship within the South Australian Parliament attached to the office of a Member of Parliament or, in a few cases, with an agency or department of the South Australian Public Service or other organisation.

Students undertake reading and research in association with the designated Member of Parliament, government agency or organisation and are not expected to present regularly at the office of the person to whom they are interned. Research projects require approval by both the academic convener and the Member of Parliament or an officer/s of the government agency or organisation. Students can expect assistance from their academic supervisor regarding how to approach the project.

Topic availabilities

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Tuition pattern

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Aims

This topic aims to provide upper-year students with the opportunity to work closely with a member of the South Australian parliament, within a State Government agency or other organisation such as Business SA or Unions SA on a research project negotiated between the student and the member/agency. The topic seeks to develop the capacity of students to undertake independent applied research on social, economic, and environmental policy issues, and contemporary political issues. These may involve comparing Australian practices with those in other countries and/or other Australian States. Students are able to experience the working life demands of a researcher employed by an organisation engaged with canvassing policy options and drawing conclusions to inform future strategies. This experience also offers students unique access to some of the resources and networks not usually available to them. Students present a report for lodgement in the parliamentary library [or with the supervising organisation] where it may inform debate on the issues that ultimately shape legislation or policy development.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:

Conduct applied, independent research and critically evaluate contemporary policy issues in the public sector

Develop policy writing skills required to produce policy briefs and policy memoranda

Produce a report identifying the key challenges in a thematic policy area and making recommendations to address said challenges

Communicate effectively the policy analysis and findings to different audiences

Assessments

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Current students should refer to FLO for detailed assessment information, including due dates. Assessment information is accurate at the time of publishing.

For policy details, visit Assessments

Requisites information

Pre-requisites:

Anti-requisites:

Other requisite information:

Handbook

South Australian Parliamentary Internship

POLI3007

9 Units