Intern Watch

These 1996 reforms are inefficient, not least because they retain central planning. The dual system of HECS students, paying an average of 37 per cent of teaching costs, and private students paying closer to 100 per cent, is distortionary. The introduction of private students, paying full fees but with no loan entitlement, was argued to be inequitable by allowing less bright students from wealthy families to get into top universities on the basis of wealth rather than ability.

Employers, I believe, have a responsibility to be partners in this process. Specific job training should come primarily from the workplace, building on the broad educational foundation developed through the university experience.

Youth unemployment is steadily increasing - now at 27.3%. Working for free in job-like 'internships' displaces a real employee, not only compromising yourself but your peers as well.

I emphasize the plight of the young because, if we abandon them, they will abandon us. Cynicism and apathy take root early in life. The future prospects of an entire generation will be significantly diminished as a result of early unemployment, and many will lose faith in government entirely.

Barely a third of U.S. senators pay their interns -- and embarrassingly for Democrats, a party focused on workplace welfare. Most of them are Republicans.

Unpaid university interns are doing the work of child protection caseworkers in the Family and Community Services department because of acute staff shortages and heavy workloads.

Research shows that India legally pays around ten thousand to their interns, sounds prettyhandsome right? But not so when one has to live outside their hometown in an expensive city like Mumbai or Bengaluru. Nonprofitable Organizations not paying their interns is understandable as they have a lack of funds, but Organizations which are profitable should try and pay their interns. It's just an exploitation as students cannot raise their voice since interns do not have any oprganization or union support. Since interns are not really workers, their needs are overlooked and are made to do the extra work in an office.

''If it was that easy, it would have been done a long time ago,'' said John Buchanan of the University of Sydney Business School .

The FWO report recommends that the agency “develop more detailed guidance on unpaid internships,” liaison with other government departments “interested in or in a position to influence the conduct of unpaid work arrangements,” and institute targeted education campaigns “in industries where the practice is relevant.”

"If that is cool then yes, unions are cool."

A new survey of 12,000 Australian students shows two-thirds of them live below the poverty line and financial stress is on the rise.

"When you've got two-thirds of them living below the poverty line, you know that the system is broken."

Junior apprentices in Australia have been given a pay rise for the first time in 40 years. However, the chief executive at Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry maintains that "increasing the costs of employing an apprentice not only impacts employers, but destroys the opportunities for many young people want to develop a career in the trades."