Graduate Roles, Internships & Vacation Programs
Have you noticed your LinkedIn feed blowing up lately with everyone posting about their new internship offers? It’s completely normal to feel a sudden wave of panic and realise that you need to figure out your internship plans too. Don't stress, we’ve got you covered!
Whether you are looking for your very first undergraduate experience or a graduate program, this practical guide breaks down the consulting positions, key recruitment timelines and current internship openings so you don’t miss out!
Internships and Graduate Programs
Vacation Programs
Vacation programs are structured 4-12 week internships designed for university students in their penultimate year. They typically run during the university summer break (between November and February), offering hands-on experience and frequently serving as a direct pipeline to graduate roles.
Application Timelines
Many consulting internship and graduate applications open between February and April each year. Keep these typical application timelines in mind when planning your schedule:
Vacation (summer) internships: The primary hiring window for summer internships occurs between February and April each year for positions starting the following year.
Mid-year (winter) internships: For mid-year placements around June to August, applications often open in February or March.
Graduate programs: Full-time graduate roles typically open a full year in advance, with the main recruitment window taking place from February to April.
Important note: Always check individual company career pages regularly for the most updated timelines.
Current Opportunities
Strategy Consulting
What does the role involve?
Working across industries to solve complex business challenges from shaping strategies to expanding into new markets
Who is it suitable for?
Students with degrees in Business, Commerce and Economics
Analytical thinkers and strong problem solvers
Collaborative workers
Which firms offer it?
Deloitte: Applications for the Vacationer and Graduate program will open from 1 July to 22 July 2026.
EY: Recommend applying early, as EY will be recruiting on an ongoing basis, and programs will close once filled.
KPMG: Intakes are on a rolling basis.
Kearney: Applications will open from 23 July to 13 September.
Risk Consulting
What does the role involve?
Helping organisations identify, assess, and monitor business-related risks
Who is it suitable for?
Students with degrees in Finance, Accounting, Law, IT or Cyber Security
Values compliance and governance
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Which firms offer it?
Deloitte: Applications for the Vacationer and Graduate program will open from 1 July to 22 July 2026.
EY: Recommend applying early, as EY will be recruiting on an ongoing basis, and programs will close once filled.
KPMG: Intakes are on a rolling basis.
Technology Consulting
What does the role involve?
Advises organisations on how to best use information technology to achieve their business objectives
Who is it suitable for?
Technology-focused students (e.g. degrees in Computer Science, Information Systems and Engineering)
Business students interested in digital transformation
Strong technical aptitude and data literacy
Which firms offer it?
Deloitte: Applications for the Vacationer and Graduate program will open from 1 July to 22 July 2026.
EY: Recommend applying early, as EY will be recruiting on an ongoing basis, and programs will close once filled.
KPMG: Intakes are on a rolling basis.
Data & Analytics Consulting
What does the role involve?
Transforming raw data into actionable business insights using predictive modelling, data engineering and visualisation tools.
Who is it suitable for?
Students studying Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Actuarial Studies.
Quantitative analysis skills
Advanced technical and data proficiency
Which firms offer it?
Deloitte: Applications for the Vacationer and Graduate program will open from 1 July to 22 July 2026.
EY: Recommend applying early, as EY will be recruiting on an ongoing basis, and programs will close once filled.
KPMG: Intakes are on a rolling basis.
Government Advisory
What does the role involve?
Delivering specialised consulting services to help public sector agencies, healthcare and policy development.
Who is it suitable for?
Students studying or passionate about public policy, economics, humanities and social impact.
Which firms offer it?
Deloitte: Applications for the Vacationer and Graduate program will open from 1 July to 22 July 2026.
EY: Recommend applying early, as EY will be recruiting on an ongoing basis, and programs will close once filled.
KPMG: Intakes are on a rolling basis.
Note: Want to learn more about a specific type of consulting? Check out our previous Wicked Wednesday posts for a deeper dive into Strategy, Risk and STEM Consulting!
Where to Find Opportunities
To find opportunities, the most useful platforms to use are student job boards like Prosple and GradConnection, alongside general platforms like LinkedIn Jobs and Seek. It is vital to also keep a close eye on company career pages! For a complete breakdown of which platforms to use, please refer back to our previous Wicked Wednesday post on Job Tracking.
Job Tracking
The application process moves quickly and involves multiple steps: resumes, psychometric testing, video interviews, assessment centres and final partner interviews. Keeping track of all these parts across multiple applications is one of the biggest challenges students face. To stay on top of this, set up a spreadsheet in Excel or Google Sheets before the recruitment rush begins. Here’s an example of what your spreadsheet could look like to map out your progress:
Your Next Steps
Review Your Timeline: Check if you are in your penultimate or final year, so you know whether to target Vacation programs or Graduate roles.
Identify Which Consulting: Figure out which type of consulting role best suits your skills and interests.
Bookmark Target Firms: Bookmark the student career portals of your top 5 target firms today and sign up for their talent alerts.
Start Your Tracker: Set up your application spreadsheet now so you never miss a deadline!
