What are the eligibility criteria?
- Applicants must be a student enrolled in any UNSW degree by coursework (both full-time or part-time permitted). Strong priority will be given to students in their penultimate year of study with a demonstrated interest in human rights and/or development work.
- Applicants must have at least one subject to complete upon return from their Fellowship Program.
- Applicants must have a WAM of 70+ at the time of applying.
- Applicants must have the ability to complete the fellowship without compromising their studies, including assessments and examination periods.
- Applicants must be willing to provide testimonials about the fellowship experience for use in Institute communications and promotions, including photos and/or videos of their time at the host organisation.
- Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in human rights and/or development issues.
How do I apply?
Applications for 2025/26 fellowships open on 24 June, 2025. The below supporting documents will be required to attach to your application:
- CV – up to date, including your education, professional and volunteer experience etc. (max 2 pages)
- Cover letter – outlining your reasons for applying for the fellowship program; your host organisation preferences with a justification; and your human rights/international development study or work experience. (Max. 500 words in length)
- Academic transcript
What are the key dates for 2025/26?
- Tuesday, 24 June 2025: applications open
- 5pm Tuesday, 22 July 2025: applications close
- Thursday, 14 August-Friday, 22 August 2025: shortlisted interviews with the Institute. (Some host organisations may request a second interview.)
- September 2025: successful candidates notified
- October 2025: Global Student Fellowship information session
- December 2025-February 2026: Fellowship period .
How long is the fellowship?
Fellowships are for a period of no less than six weeks (six weeks full-time equivalent/30 days) and will take place during the university summer break. The start and end dates of each fellowship period can vary depending on the host organisation, although all fellowships must be completed prior to the end of February.
Are fellowships full-time or part-time?
Whether the fellowship is full-time or part-time (or mixed) is to be discussed with your host organisation and subject to their agreement. In the past, fellows have done a mix of arrangements. Host organisations may state their preference for full-time or part-time (six weeks full-time equivalent/30 days), so please consider this when noting your preferences.
Are fellowships in-person or remote?
Fellowships may involve (subject to the agreement of the host organisation) in-person and/or remote participation, but all fellows must spend at least one day per week in-person in the host organisation office. For overseas fellowships, students must spend at least three weeks in-country at the beginning of their fellowship.
What is the fellowship award?
Successful students will receive a $6,500 AU award (no GST).
Students will receive this award via the ER1 Student reimbursement form.
Students will receive the $6,500 award regardless of domestic or international fellowships.
What is the student agreement?
Prior to commencing the fellowship, selected students will be sent a Student Agreement Form to sign. Students are advised to keep a record of this signed agreement for future reference. This agreement will outline the dates of the fellowship, and other key information.
What training do I need to undertake?
Fellows must complete the UNSW Sexual Misconduct training module via Moodle prior to the start of their fellowship. Students will be provided access to the module for completion once the Student Agreement and Information form is signed. Evidence of training completion must be shared with the Institute.
Student Fellows must also be willing to participate in any host organisation induction training including workplace health and safety training.
What do I have to do about visas and permits?
Students travelling overseas for their fellowship may be required to obtain a visa or permit. Students are responsible for organising their own visa or permit. The Institute can provide information on the relevant visas and permits for each fellowship opportunity. Some organisations may ask fellows to provide other checks, such as a police check or a working with children check.
How do I book flights and accommodation?
Before booking any flights or accommodation, students must obtain a pre-trip approval for their trip through the UNSW MyTravel system. If you are undertaking a student fellowship overseas or interstate, you will be responsible for booking and paying for your own flights and accommodation.
The Institute can assist students with this process. If you don’t have a profile set up in the MyTravel system, please email humanrights@unsw.edu.au and we will help you create one.
What insurance is required (for both domestic and international fellowships)?
UNSW students are covered by UNSW insurance for both domestic and international fellowships.
When travelling, UNSW students will be covered by UNSW travel insurance after obtaining pre-trip approval via the MyTravel system.
What Institute support is available?
The Institute will be in touch with you throughout your fellowship, and will be on hand to support you with any queries or issues. The Institute's director and program manager will meet with all fellows as a group before fellowships begin and mid-way through the fellowship period.
Can fellowships be recognised as non-traditional industrial training?
For Engineering students, the Global Student Fellowship can be formally recognised as non-traditional industrial training as part of your degree. Engineering students who wish to have their fellowships recognised in this way should apply directly via InPlace. Students should email eng.wil@unswedu.au with any questions.
Are there any other requirements?
Student fellows are required to:
- Perform their duties faithfully and diligently and conduct themselves in accordance with the values and standards of the University
- Comply with all lawful and reasonable directions given to them by the host organisation;
- Devote their time, attention and skill to the performance of duties during business hours and at other times as reasonably necessary
- Endeavour to attend all program meetings
- Be willing to submit a personal profile for the Australian Human Rights Institute website and associated communications
- Take some photographs and/or video during their fellowship (with permission) which may be used in promotional material
- Notify the Institute in writing of any changes to their commitments and/or ability to complete the fellowship at any time. By participating in the program, students will join the alumni group of Global Student Fellows and will be invited to Institute events as relevant
- If a workplace risk issue arises during the fellowship, Fellows must follow the host organisational procedure and let their host organisation supervisor and Institute contact know, if appropriate. If an unforeseen risk issue arises (such as physical injury or sexual misconduct) students should contact their host organisation supervisor and the Institute contact immediately
- Complete a brief online post-fellowship feedback survey
- Attend the end of fellowship celebration event in Sydney in March 2026 (not mandatory for those not based in Sydney).
What are the 2025/26 fellowship opportunities?
Jubilee Australia - Sydney, Australia
Start date: Early December. The organisation will shut down over the Christmas-New Year period (25 December-2 January).
Location: Mix of Sydney office and remote working. The fellow will be able to work from the Sydney office for one day (maybe two) per week throughout their fellowship.
Full-time/part-time: Flexible.
Tasks: The fellow will undertake research to support Jubilee’s work on preventing the expansion of fossil fuels in the region, especially new gas projects in the Timor Sea and in PNG, as well as support in planning a conference early next year on mining, corporate accountability, environmental sustainability and human rights in Australia and in the region.
Human Rights Watch Australia - Sydney, Australia
Start date: January
Location: Mix of Sydney office and remote. Two-three days in the office per week.
Full-time/part-time: Flexible.
Tasks: Working closely with the Australia team, the Fellow will undertake research, analysis, and outreach tasks to assist ongoing research on human rights in the region, with a particular focus on Australia.
Blue Dragon Children's Foundation - Hanoi, Vietnam
Start date: Early December. The organisation is working over Christmas, and closed for New Year's Day, 1 January.
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam for a minimum of three weeks and maximum of 30 days, working remotely for the remainder of the fellowship.
Full-time/part-time: Flexible.
Tasks: The fellow will be part of Blue Dragon’s Anti-Trafficking Department, working on research, monitoring and evaluation to inform Blue Dragon’s counter-trafficking work. More specifically, the fellow will assist with a systematic review of best practices/evaluations of CTIP projects, and preparing some case studies, lessons learned and other learning products about Blue Dragon's interventions. Vietnamese language skills would be an asset but are not required.
Justice and Equity Centre - Sydney, Australia
Start date: Flexible. The organisation will shut down over the Christmas-New Year period (25 December -2 January).
Location: Mix of Sydney office and remote working. The fellow will be able to work from the office throughout their fellowship.
Full-time/part-time: Flexible.
Tasks: The fellow will support the Justice and Equity Centre’s Policy and Advocacy team, through strategic planning, research, engagement and advocacy on current priority projects, including campaigns to improve the protections offered by Commonwealth and NSW anti-discrimination laws, and to raise the age of criminal responsibility in NSW.
Engineers Without Borders Australia - Multiple locations
Start date: Flexible over December or January. The Melbourne, Port Vila, and Dili offices shut down between 25 December-1 January.
Location: Multiple: Melbourne, Dili, Phnom Penh, Port Vila.
Engagement type: In-office for overseas locations; mix of in-office and remote for Australia-based placements.
Full-time/part-time: Part-time, full-time or flexible.
Tasks: Working closely with staff in the relevant EWB office, the fellow will support EWB Country Programs' work in areas such as policy analysis, research or case studies, project management, project evaluation, computer-aided design (CAD) and/or geographic information systems (GIS); or media and content development. While each office location works on projects across all themes, each country office has a different portfolio focus:
Vanuatu - climate action; sanitation in challenging environments
Timor-Leste - water, sanitation and hygiene; women in engineering; renewable energy for improved economic livelihoods
Cambodia - accessible agriculture; sanitation in challenging environments
Melbourne – engaging with and supporting all country offices day-to-day.
World Food Programme – Colombo, Sri Lanka
Start date: January
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka for a 4-6 weeks, flexible for working remotely as applicable
Full-time/part-time: Six weeks full-time, five working days per week
Tasks: Assist with research, analysis, and outreach tasks in support of WFP’s mandate to support rights to food for the most vulnerable, advocating and supporting social protection and food systems that can guarantee food security and nutrition. Precise work area will be guided by the education area of the student.
Engagement type: Preferably in-office with possible field engagement
ActionAid Australia/ActionAid Vanuatu – Port Vila, Vanuatu
Start date: Flexible across December and January. The Port Vila office shut down period is between 20 December to 20 January.
City/office: Port Vila, Vanuatu
Engagement type: In-country fellowship based in Port Vila, with potential travel opportunities for field visits within Vanuatu with AAV staff
Full-time/part-time: Six weeks full time
Tasks: ActionAid Vanuatu supports local ni-Vanuatu women become community leaders, particularly in the face of climate change and humanitarian crises. The fellow will assist the ActionAid Vanuatu team by documenting key program activities and outcomes. This includes developing case studies, drafting reports, and producing content to support donor and supporter communications. The work will help amplify the voices of women driving change across Vanuatu.
Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative – Jakarta, Indonesia
Start date: Flexible. Early January is suggested. Our office is usually closed at the end of December for the holiday season.
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia, with potential domestic travel.
Full-time/part-time: Flexible
Tasks: The Fellow will join the Human Rights at Sea and Access to Justice team, which is actively engaged in research and advocacy for the rights of Indonesian migrant fishers—Indonesian fishers working aboard foreign fishing vessels. The role will involve participating in research activities, traveling domestically, attending meetings with government officials and civil society organizations, and organizing advocacy events. Fellows may also be assigned to other programs, such as small-scale fishers' empowerment or blue carbon ecosystem protection, depending on their interests. The scope of work will be similar, including involvement in research, domestic travel, participation in meetings, and event organisation.
CARE Australia - Melbourne, Australia
Start date: Flexible, December suggested. The organisation is closed over the Christmas/New Year Period
Location: Mix of in-office and remote. To be discussed with the manager.
Full-time/part-time: Flexible.
Tasks: There are multiple opportunities available for successful fellows within CARE Australia. There is one fellowship position available per unit.
Fundraising and Public Engagement: the fellow will assist with a wide range of marketing and fundraising activities. This role provides a broad range of initiatives including supporting CARE's 2025 International Women's Day Campaign with a focus on women's safety, a review of 2025 campaigns performance, undertaking research to identify potential funding opportunities for CARE Australia and drafting content to enhance CARE's supporter engagement.
Technology: the fellow will work on innovative technology solutions either in support of operational efficiencies or for delivering greater impact in our programs.
International Programs and Operations: the fellow will assist with a range of tasks across the International Programs and Operations division to contribute to CARE's mission of supporting locally led action in pursuit of a world of hope, inclusion and social justice, where poverty has been overcome and all people live in dignity and security.
Human Rights Law Centre – Melbourne, Australia
Start date: Flexible. The Centre will close for around two weeks over the new year period.
Location: Melbourne. Mix of in-office and working online (currently suggest at least two days per week in the office).
Full-time/part-time: Flexible
Tasks: The fellow will likely join the First Nations Justice team, which uses advocacy, policy solutions and strategic legal action aimed at ending the mass incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, stopping children being pipelined into the criminal legal system and challenging the lack of police accountability. The fellow may have opportunities to work with various other teams depending on projects at the time of the fellowship. They will assist with legal and policy research and analysis and, where relevant, participate in engagement with our partners. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged.
International Organization for Migration | UN Migration – Bangkok, Thailand
Start date: December. The start date will depend on the unit and manager for each opportunity and will be coordinated between the successful fellow and the host organisation.
Location: Bangkok, Thailand, with potential travel to provinces.
Full-time/part-time: Engagement will depend on the unit/team the fellow is engaging with. Please refer to details below.
Tasks: There are multiple opportunities available for successful fellows within IOM. There is one fellowship position available per unit.
Migration Data and Research Unit (MDRU): Tasks may include providing support to all MDRU data collection operations, including supporting assessments, surveys, and data analysis in different provinces where MDRU activities are implemented; assisting in literature reviews, reports, factsheets and other MDRU products; participation in internal training sessions and workshops to develop technical skills related to migration data management, research methodologies, and reporting; supporting the regular adjustment and improvement of MDRU activities in relation to the evolving situation and operations in the field, and providing general support to MDRU as needed.
Full-time/part-time: Six weeks full-time.
Migration Health Unit (MHU): tasks may include supporting research on major public health topics related to migrants in Thailand and main challenges to healthcare access, planning and implementation of migration health activities and coordination and networking with stakeholders and partners, with focus on advocacy and health policy. Fellows will receive an introduction to migration and migration health, with focus on the Thailand context. Fellows will receive an introduction to migration and migration health, with focus on the Thailand context.
Full-time/part-time: Part-time preferred (10-12 weeks)
Australian Human Rights Commission - Sydney, Australia
Start date: Flexible, December suggested. The Commission will shut down over the holiday period (likely from 24 December to 2 January).
Location: Flexible. Mix of office and work from home. Sydney CBD office 2-3 days per week, with usual office days on Tuesdays and Thursdays/flexible.
Full-time/part-time: Flexible
Tasks: There are multiple opportunities available for successful fellows within the Commission.
Disability Rights Team: The fellow will join the Disability Rights Team, which supports the Disability Discrimination Commissioner in fulfilling her mandate and term goals. Work will involve preparing briefing materials, research, developing policy positions, writing correspondence, and participating in stakeholder engagement on all current priority projects, including planning for (potential) reform of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), monitoring implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Australia, and advocacy around de-segregation of people with disability.
Sex Discrimination Team: The fellow will join the Sex Discrimination Team, which supports the Sex Discrimination Commissioner in fulfilling her mandate and term goals. Work will involve preparing briefing materials, research, developing policy positions, drafting correspondence, and participating in stakeholder engagement on all current priority projects. This includes LGBTIQA+ human rights issues, gender equality in the workplace, and eliminating gender-based violence.
Workplace and Community Education Team: The fellow will join the Workplace and Community Education Team which fulfils the Commission’s statutory obligation to provide human rights education. Work will involve developing/updating educational resources for the community, progressing our pilot schools engagement project, and/or contributing to our workplace training program e.g. through updating eLearning courses. There may also be opportunity to contribute to the development of our educational strategy and our impact evaluation framework.