University of Newcastle
Apply for Funding from the Global Experience team at University of Newcastle
Are you looking to make the most of your university summer? Join a team, live at the heart of a traditional village and work on projects that will leave a lasting impact on your future.
Challenge yourself with a team of like-minded students, whilst gaining extraordinary international experience, developing unique skills and making a real contribution to initiatives that are achieving ground-breaking results through inspiring partnerships.
Whether you are looking to enhance your university degree or embark on a meaningful adventure – our projects are ideal for students looking to expand their horizons and bridge the gap between university and graduate employment.
- Award-winning volunteering and internships, since 2009.
- 1-Month or 16-Day Projects in Fiji & Bali
- Support the achievement of the UN SDGs
- Work on behalf of exclusive partners, such as the Fijian Government
- Complete cultural immersion in a traditional village.
- Work on Business, Youth, Build, Mental Health or Sport initiatives.
- Develop employability skills, meet like-minded people and contribution to sustainable development.
- Project includes; food, accommodation, 24/7 in-country support, weekend adventures, domestic travel, and charity donation (Flights not included).
- Project costs from $2895 AUD for 16 days.
- Funding Support is available. Eligible students may be able to access up to $7,921 (Fiji projects) or $9,504 (Bali projects) via the OS Help scheme. Or students may be able to access a $3000 AUD NCP Grant, limited availability. Please read more below or reach out to the Global Experience Team with any questions.
- Don’t want to travel? Check out our Remote Internship
Join a Discovery Session 
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Click here to either watch a recording of a previous webinar, or register for live sessions held every week.
Projects in Fiji: Biweekly on Thursday’s 2pm [FJT ] / 12pm [AEST] (Register Here)
Projects in Bali: Biweekly on Thursday’s 2pm [FJT ] / 12pm [AEST] (Register Here)
Think Pacific is partnered (approved third party provider) with the Global Experience team at the University of Newcastle to provide service-learning projects, work-integrated learning placements and study tour opportunities. Depending on eligibility and availability, students can access funding for some of our projects in Fiji.
Please check the Global Experience Portal for dates and how to apply. Refer to the options below to find out where to apply for credit for a Think Pacific Program.
OS-HELP is a generous Australian Government funding initiative and is one of the most progressive funding opportunities in the world for university students! Eligible students can borrow funds to assist them with paying for some – or all – of their approved overseas program costs:
- Up to $7,921 – for studies outside Asia
- Up to $9,504 – for studies within Asia
- Additional $1,263 – Asian language studies, specifically in preparation for your study in Asia.
OS-HELP is administered by your Australian university. If you are interested in taking advantage of this funding opportunity you will need to submit an OS-HELP application directly to your university.
How do I get an OS-HELP loan?
- If you are interested in spending part of your Australian course overseas – then talk to the Global Experience team at the University of Newcastle.
- Students must complete all 4 steps of the pre-departure module on the Global Experience portal, and then a new section will open up underneath which contains the application documents for OS-Help.
- Read more here.
If you have any questions regarding any funding opportunities or eligibility, please contact staff at the university.
New Colombo Plan (NCP) grants (worth $3000 AUD per grant) are available from The Global Experience Team for Think Pacific’s Projects listed below:
Youth Empowerment: 13th July – 28th July 2024 (16 Day)
Youth Empowerment: 24th June – 21st July 2024 (1 Month)
Youth Empowerment: 20th Nov – 17th Dec 2024 (1 Month)
Youth Empowerment: 28 Nov – 10 Dec 2024 (16 Day)
Mental Health: 1 Dec – 16 Dec 2024 (16 Day)
Global Team Internship (GTI): 3rd December – 18th December 2024 (16 day)
There are 6 x $2800 Student grants through NCP for Fiji Internships in 2024. The grants are for any internship in Fiji before 31 December 2024, please note the UON winter break runs from 22 June to 22 July.
Please note there are limited grants available – and are only available for eligible, domestic, undergraduate students. Grants will be distributed on a first come first served basis. To apply for an NCP Grant, please fill out this form.
For any questions, please contact the following email: global-experience@newcastle.edu.au
You may be able to receive academic credit for a Think Pacific program through Work Integrated Learning (WIL) courses offered by UON. “Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at The University of Newcastle enables you to work directly with industry and community partners by undertaking placement relevant to your area of study through your degree. WIL is embedded as a formal component of your degree, for all students commencing in 2023.”
By clicking on the link above you can read more about work integrated learning regarding the WIL requirements of your program (programs highlighted below)
- Accounting and Finance
- Arts and Social Sciences
- Biomedical Science
- Business, Entrepreneurship and Tourism
- Communication and Creative Industries
- Computer Science, Data Science and IT
- Construction Management
- Criminology
- Education
- Engineering and Surveying
- Exercise Sport Science and Exercise Physiology
- Health and Medicine
- Law
- Psychology and Psychological Science
- Social Work
HUMA2001 is a Global Experience course at the University of Newcastle that enables students to undertake hands-on experiences overseas while gaining credit towards their degree. After completing the hands-on component, you will be required to complete some reflective assessments in order to finish the academic component of the course. HUMA2001 is a student-driven course, so you must be proactive in organising your own learning experience, such as a Think Pacific program. It will also be your responsibility to propose this activity to your course coordinator.
HUMA2001 – What’s the process?
- Choose your experience
- complete the HUMA2001 Proposal outlining the overseas opportunity you plan to take.
- Email completed form to jesper.gulddal@newcastle.edu.au.
- Get approval
- Attend a pre-placement induction workshop.
- Complete reflective assessments for HUMA2001, including a reflective journal/report and a video presentation.
- Find out more information about HUMA2001 here
International Study Experience SCIE3600 is a course that science students can enrol in to develop practical skills through overseas programs. Through this program you may be able to apply for academic credit for a Think Pacific program.
You can express your interest in this course via the following form: www.newcastle.edu.au/scie3600-international-experience
Please note that this is a student driven course, so you must organise your own activity and submit a proposal to the course coordinator for formal approval. If you have any questions relating to this, you can contact the CESE Global Experience Team at CESE-GlobalExperience@newcastle.edu.au.as
Winston Churchill Trust Fellowship-Fiji & Bali Projects: The Churchill Fellowship offers Australian citizens and permanent residents a opportunity to travel overseas for four to eight weeks. A Fellowship is a fully funded trip that covers all travel, accommodation and meals, and any other fees approved in your application.
Deadline to Apply: 1st May 2024
Read More: https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/
Pacific Development and Conservation Trust Grants-for Fiji Projects: The trust provides funding for projects that support sustainable development where communities work together. There are two application rounds per year, which open in February and August each year.
Deadline to Apply: August 2024
Read More: https://www.communitymatters.govt.nz/pacific-development-and-conservation-trust-2/
Fundraising: Students can also fundraise for our charity to contribute towards project fees – fundraising guide available upon request.
University of Newcastle often directs students to general electives as an effective method of securing credit for volunteering overseas. You may wish to reach out to your course coordinator for more detail on this.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance support is available to UON students who are travelling overseas on an approved program. UON’s travel policy does not cover personal travel, we always suggest taking out a personal policy too. You can read more information here.
Winston Churchill Trust Fellowship- for Fiji & Bali Projects: The Churchill Fellowship offers Australian citizens and permanent residents a opportunity to travel overseas for four to eight weeks. A Fellowship is a fully funded trip that covers all travel, accommodation and meals, and any other fees approved in your application.
Deadline to Apply: 1st May 2024
Read More: https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/
Pacific Development and Conservation Trust Grants-for Fiji Projects: The trust provides funding for projects that support sustainable development where communities work together. There are two application rounds per year, which open in February and August each year.
Deadline to Apply: August 2024
Read More: https://www.communitymatters.govt.nz/pacific-development-and-conservation-trust-2/
Fundraising: Students can also fundraise for our charity to contribute towards project fees – fundraising guide available upon request.
In today’s multicultural society, it’s hugely beneficial to travel and experience life in another country and culture before settling into a career. No amount of time in the classroom can replace hands-on, active learning. Our aim is for every student to complete their project with a set of experiences and transferable skills, which can profoundly improve their future:
- Gain 100 + hours of international work experience.
- Boost cultural IQ & enhance global perspectives.
- Activate global citizenship & broaden horizons.
- Contribute towards sustainable development, on behalf of our partners.
- Increase your leadership skills through collaborative work.
- Job references, certificate of completion, and LinkedIn endorsement.
- Potential employment opportunities via Think Pacific graduate scheme.
Collaboration + Culture + Challenge = Extraordinary Personal Development
Become a member of a Fijian family and work within a team whilst contributing to sustainable development initiatives that support the achievement of the Fiji National Development Plan.
Our projects in Fiji are truly unique. They take place in rural communities which are a world away from the usual crowds and the average volunteer projects. The villages in Fiji are only accessible upon invitation by the chief only, which means you can sample a way of life that few people will ever be fortunate enough to see.
Our projects in Bali offer you the opportunity to supercharge your CV by completing a professional internship or placement for our inspiring partners, which includes a collection of hand-picked local NGOs, businesses and social enterprises.
Whilst living in a traditional Balinese village and immersing into the local culture, you can promote positive Mental Health or complete an internship for partners across a range of sectors.
