Work experience

The program will give students direct experience working in medical research. As well as hands-on experience in the lab, the program also includes group workshops devoted to laboratory skills and safety, research ethics and science communication.

Up to 24 students will be selected for each of two week-long intakes (16-20 June 2025 and 15-19 September 2025). The program is capped at 24 students for each intake to maximise access to key lab equipment and deliver a quality learning experience.

The program takes place at the WEHI Parkville campus.

Students will be expected to attend the entire program, approximately 9am – 4pm daily. All students will need to arrange their own transport to Parkville each day, as well as any necessary accommodation. Students will be paid $10 per day as part of the program.

Please note, the application process for WEHI’s Secondary School Work Experience Program has changed for 2025. Refer to the ‘How to Apply section below for more information.

• Applications open Monday 3 March 2025
• Applications close 5pm, Friday 28 March 2025
• Program intake weeks:
  • 16-20 June 2025
  • 15-19 September 2025

Successful applicants will be notified by end of April 2025. 

The WEHI Secondary School Work Experience Program accepts students in year 10, who are aged 15 years or over on the first day of the program.

WEHI aims to provide educational opportunities to a range of students. We welcome applications from students with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.

Applications for the 2025 program are now open.

Please sign up for our secondary school mailing list to be contacted when applications open.

Due to the high demand for WEHI’s Secondary School Work Experience Program, we have now changed our application process to streamline shortlisting.

School Career Counsellors are to nominate one student only to represent their school in the applicant pool, by filling out the application form linked below.

Students are not to submit their own application. If you are a student interested in completing your Work Experience week at WEHI, please contact your Careers Counsellor with your expression of interest (EOI).

See further information below.

In 2025, WEHI’s application process for the Secondary School Work Experience Program is a Career Counsellor-led nomination.

Career Counsellors are to gather EOIs from eligible students and select one student only to put forward to the Education team review. If more than one student is submitted by a school Career Counsellor, only one student’s application will be considered at random.

We ask that career counsellors consider the students motivations and passion for science and biomedical research. The placement will be lab-based – in other words, the ideal student will have a passion for research rather than students who are eager to gain experience in a hospital or medical clinic. Our Secondary School Work Experience Program is a perfect opportunity for dedicated and high-achieving students who may not necessarily have the ability to participate in experiences such as this outside of work experience.

We welcome applications from students from across Victoria (including rural / regional students), as well as from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.

Only applications submitted in its entirety will be considered.

Summary of process for Career Counsellors

1. Receive EOIs from interested students at your school, as well as approaching students who you believe will be most suitable for attending our work experience program. You may choose to utilise the following document to gather your EOIs to shortlist your top student. All required information for you to submit an application is listed in this EOI form.
2. Select one student only who you would like to submit an application on behalf of
3. Submit an application on your nominated student’s behalf via this application form. Please inform your nominated student that you have submitted their application.
4. Our Education team will email you after the application closing date (28 March 2025) to confirm an application has been received. If you did not submit an application and receive a confirmation, please contact education@wehi.edu.au as soon as possible.
5. Monitor emails in April 2025, whereby application outcomes will be received. Our aim is to notify all Career Counsellors and students of their application outcome by end of April 2025. Please note, due to the competitive nature of our program, we are unable to guarantee places for all nominated students
6. If your student is selected, work with your student to submit all required documentation prior to Program start date. More detailed information will be provided via email.

If you are a year 10 student in Victoria interested in participating in WEHI’s Secondary School Work Experience Program, please submit an expression of interest (EOI) to your school Careers Counsellor.

This is a great opportunity if you have a passion for medical research and laboratory work. WEHI’s Work Experience Program is not a hospital or medical clinic-based placement.

Do not submit your application to WEHI via email or via the above mentioned SurveyMonkey application link. Applications will only be considered if submitted by the school Career Counsellor.

Summary of process for students

1. Review WEHI’s scientific divisions and learn more about the research we conduct
2. Contact your school Career Counsellor to express interest in attending our Secondary School Work Experience Program
3. If prompted by your Career Counsellor, fill in the following EOI form and submit it to your Careers Counsellor directly
4. Monitor emails in April 2025, whereby application outcomes will be received. Our aim is to notify all nominated Career Counsellors and students of their application outcome by end of April 2025. Please note, due to the competitive nature of our program, we are unable to guarantee places for all nominated students
5. If you are selected to attend either of our Program intakes, work with your Career Counsellor to submit all required documentation prior to Program start date. More detailed information will be provided via email.

We understand that for various reasons, not all year 10 students are able to apply for the two dedicated intakes of our Secondary School Work Experience Program.

School students who are not able to apply for the Secondary School Work Experience Program, or are unsuccessful in receiving a place, may directly contact WEHI laboratory heads or heads of our Professional Services teams about undertaking work experience at a mutually convenient time.

Please note that positions for work experience placements at other times of the year are very limited, and not all teams can accept students.