UNSW Employability Award
Build confidence, sharpen your professional skills, and discover what employers are really looking for. Applications open 25 May 2026.
Get job-ready with real-world recruitment experience
Are you applying for internships or graduate roles? Want to stand out in a competitive job market? The UNSW Employability Award is your chance to gain hands-on experience with the recruitment process, before it really counts.
In collaboration with EY, this program is designed to help you build confidence, sharpen your professional skills, and understand what employers are really looking for. You’ll take part in a simulated recruitment journey, complete with personalised feedback and employer tips.
Interested students can also opt in to be considered for a paid on-campus role as a casual Employability Ambassador upon completion of the UNSW Employability Award. Further information will be provided to eligible students.
Applications open 25 May 2026.
What's involved?
1. Online application
Submit an online application including your resume and a motivation statement summarising your achievements.
2. Psychometric testing
Complete a suite of aptitude tests to provide insights into your skills and capability.
3. Video interview
Submit a short online interview answering a behavioural interview question using the Situation, Task, Action, and Result (STAR) technique.
4. Assessment centre
Join a live group assessment session where you’ll collaborate, problem-solve, and showcase your potential.
EY will provide insights to students about their recruitment process and how to stand out in an assessment centre.
5. Awards night
Students will be invited to an end-of-program networking event, with opportunities to connect with EY and UNSW staff.
Top-performing students will also be recognised as award winners at the event.
6. Recognition
This program is AHEGS-recognised. Top performers will be featured in our student newsletter, get exclusive invitations to industry networking events, and receive a LinkedIn badge.
7. Personalised feedback
All students who complete the process will receive a personalised feedback report.
8. Employment opportunity
Students who complete the program can opt in to be considered for a paid Employability Ambassador role. Selected students will receive an offer at the conclusion of the program.
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Current UNSW students who meet the following criteria can apply:
- Penultimate or final year students in 2026, including HDR candidates
- Students in good academic standing
Please note: This program is not suitable for students completing an MBA.
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Professional development
Gain real experience with the recruitment process and receive feedback to help you improve.
Networking opportunities
Attend exclusive events and connect with peers, alumni and industry professionals.
Recognition
Earn a certificate, AHEGS recognition, and a LinkedIn badge to showcase your achievement.
Top performer perks
Stand out even more with features on Employability's communication channels, including email and social media, and invites to exclusive networking events.
Employment opportunity
If you have more than 12 months remaining of your studies, you can express interest in being considered for a paid casual Employability Ambassador role. To be eligible, students must successfully complete the UNSW Employability Award.
The UNSW Employability team is looking to hire a number of Employability Ambassadors across a range of roles, including faculty representatives, diversity representatives and specialised positions such as a Content Creator. We are looking for a diverse group of students across different disciplines, degree levels, backgrounds and experiences to represent the UNSW student community.
If you are interested in becoming an Employability Ambassador, please let us know by opting in through the UNSW Employability Award application form.
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Term 2, 2026:
- Monday 25 May: Applications open
- Sunday 14 June: Applications close
- Tuesday 16 June: Application results released and next steps shared
- Thursday 2 July: Deadline to complete psychometric testing and video interview
- Wednesday 8 July: Assessment centre
- Wednesday 15 July: Successful students notified of Employability Ambassador offers
- Tuesday 21 July: End-of-program networking and awards event
- Friday 7 August: Personalised feedback report shared
Students share their experience
"The Employability Award provides valuable insights into real recruitment processes. It’s a great way to develop the qualities needed for the workforce and enhance your interpersonal skills while networking with peers from various disciplines and levels.”
“It was my first group interview, and being in that room gave me confidence when thinking about having to do it for a real job scenario. The end-of-program feedback gave me ideas of how to improve overall and what I should focus on before my next job interview.”