Vehicle Safety Internship Program (Start ASAP)

The Vehicle Safety Internship Program is designed to help you develop your communication skills, self-confidence and gain practical experience in regulatory roles related to your qualifications all whilst you complete your degree.

We are offering positions for various non-ongoing regulatory roles with a duration of six to 18 months, across the Vehicle Safety Operations Branch and the Vehicle Safety Policy and Partnership Branch.

The Vehicle Safety Operations Branch is Australia’s national vehicle standards regulator. We work to enhance vehicle safety, emissions control and anti-theft protection to ensure the Australian vehicle fleet is safe and efficient.

The Vehicle Safety Policy & Partnerships Branch is responsible for driving and supporting legislation, procedures, guidelines and systems related to Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) legislation. The Branch also leads industry engagement and communications and develops and maintains Australia’s national vehicle standards (Australian Design Rules).

These opportunities are currently available in the following teams:

Technical Assessment

This team is responsible for the supply of compliant new and used vehicles to the Australian market as per the requirements of the RVS legislation. The team conducts technical assessments of evidence it receives from manufacturers ensuring the compliance of vehicles against applicable Australian Design Rules.

Key duties as part of the internship role include:

• Application assessment under the RVS legislation by leveraging technical expertise and knowledge of legislative framework requirements
• Liaison with stakeholders relating to applications, policy and standards, and the development of responses to written requests for information
• Analysis and assessment of information from assurance or review activities and drafting recommendations for decision makers.

Compliance and Enforcement

This team is responsible for the Department’s compliance and enforcement activities under the RVS legislation, including the review, processing and actioning of reports regarding alleged non-compliance with the administered legislation.

Key duties as part of the internship role include:

• Risk assessing, prioritising and processing reports of alleged non-compliance with the RVS legislation
• Assisting officers within the team with detailed research relating to non-compliance reports
• Supporting officers with the interpretation of the RVS legislation
• Progressing the focus areas within the Department’s Compliance and Enforcement Strategy 2023-26.

Vehicle Standards

The team is responsible for the development and maintenance of the national vehicle standards for safety, theft prevention and efficiency of vehicles being provided to the Australian market. This includes consultation with stakeholders across Australian public sector, advocacy groups and peak industry bodies. The team also manages Australia’s participation in the UN 1958 agreement and the 1998 agreement for international vehicle regulation. The team is responsible for the harmonisation of these national vehicle standards with active participation in United Nations working groups.

Key duties as part of the internship role include:

• Assisting with the drafting of Australian Design Rules
• Undertaking research to support vehicle standards development
• Assisting with national and international consultation on the development of vehicle regulations and vehicle safety policy
• Assisting in various research projects analysing international findings on topics such as the use of automated vehicles.

Who are we looking for?
The department is looking for talented students with good academic performance and a strong work ethic. You will also:

• Communicate effectively both written and verbal, delivering information in a variety of formats.
• Have a growth mindset with a willingness to learn, develop and work effectively in a team environment.
• Think analytically, evaluating complex information from a variety of sources to make connections and sound decisions while exercising good judgement.

To be eligible for this program you must:

• Be studying a bachelor’s degree or above in engineering or law (STEM degrees considered)
• Be actively studying a part-time or full-time study load
• Be able to commit to 15 hours per week (during core business hours) with an increase of hours during university breaks
• Currently have 24 months or less to the completion of your studies.

Our department strongly encourages women and gender diverse individuals studying in STEM fields to apply for this internship. We are an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds recognise the value of a diverse workforce.