GermanLinx :: German and Careers :: Work experience in German-speaking companies

In Year 10 you may be interested in doing your work experience in one of the companies that are headquartered in Austria, Germany or Switzerland. In some of these companies' Victorian branches German is used a lot, and in others it's used by people in specific roles. If you do work experience in one of these companies it's not likely that you'll be put on the spot with your German, however you would get an appreciation of how your work options and experiences are not limited to Australia. Some of these companies send their local Australian employees to the home-company in Europe for a period of time. See the Profiles.

As many companies from German-speaking Europe get a considerable number of enquiries about student work experience, many of them understandably prefer that you explore possibilities through your school's Careers adviser. There could well be a company not far from you.

Direct enquiries may be made to:

BMW Australia
P O Box 745
Mulgrave 3170
Tel. 03 9264 4006
(Contact the Human Resources Administrator)

Hella Australia (automotive component manufacturer)
Mentone

Henkell Brothers Australia (investment and property managers in Greater Melbourne)
203 Victoria Parade
Fitzroy 3065
Tel. 03 9417 4144
www.henkell.com.au
(Note that the dress-code etc in this workplace is strictly "Collins St" in nature.)

If you wish to enquire about other German companies:
At the website of the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce you can find contact links to all member companies. Many provide an email contact address, some are linked to company homepages.

Interested in backpacking in Europe when you've finished school? And in earning some money while strengthening your German language skills? A work permit for Germany is no longer a hassle!
On the 1st July 2000 a mutual "Working Holiday-Maker Arrangement" came into force between Germany and Australia. Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 can apply for this special working-holiday visa. It allows you to stay in Germany for 12 months provided that you do not work for any one employer for more than 3 months. You can get more details from the German Embassy in Canberra:

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
119 Empire Circuit
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Australia
Tel: (02) 62701911
Fax (02) 62701951