International opportunities
Make business and trade connections on a global scale. Learn how you can benefit from our international business programs.
Discover how you can build your global network and gain insights into overseas markets.
Our international business programs aim to improve international opportunities for Brisbane-based businesses. They include:
- business and trade missions
- international delegations
- Pop-up consulate service
- Sister City network and key global regions
- International Internship Program
- Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum.
Business and trade missions
Join the Lord Mayor or Deputy Mayor and delegates from Brisbane’s business community on visits to our Sister Cities and key global regions.
Business and trade missions support businesses to explore new opportunities overseas, make global connections and foster trade relationships.
Business missions include:
- pre-departure briefing
- customised support from Council’s International Relations and Multicultural Affairs team
- a business program including introductory meetings with carefully selected international businesses
- commercial networking functions
- ongoing post-mission follow-up and support.
Network with strategic partners
During business missions, delegates can meet with key industry and government officials, such as:
- Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA)
- Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ)
- Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
- Chambers of commerce and industry
- foreign embassies and consulates
- Sister City governments and business organisations.
A typical mission day includes business events, meetings, networking sessions, site visits, forums, panel discussions and in-market briefings.
The following is a sample mission day itinerary.
7am: Breakfast, daily briefing and delegate reflections.
8.30-9am: Courtesy call with the mayor of the city.
9.30-10.15am: Industry/sector-focused site visits.
10.30am-12 noon: In-market briefing by trade agencies.
12.15-1.30pm: Lunch, Business and Investment Forum with the local chamber of commerce and industry.
1.30-2.30pm: Tailored introductory business meeting.
2.45-5pm: Industry/sector-focused visits.
6-8pm: Official welcome dinner or networking event.
More information
For more information about business missions, contact Council’s International Relations and Multicultural Affairs team:
- by emailing Council
- by phoning 07 3403 8888.
Visiting international delegations
We regularly welcome international delegations and study visits consisting of government representatives, businesspeople and academics who want to learn about Brisbane and Brisbane City Council.
Council’s International Relations and Multicultural Affairs branch can help visiting delegations to:
- meet Council representatives
- learn and exchange information on best practices through presentations, discussions, site visits, networking events and individual meetings.
The International Relations and Multicultural Affairs Unit also receives requests for courtesy calls with Council’s elected representatives, primarily the Lord Mayor or his elected representative. Courtesy calls are brief introductory meetings with international visiting dignitaries, such as members of the diplomatic and consular corps, international Mayors, or similar.
Request a visit to Council
You can request an official visit to Council by using our online form. You’ll need to provide:
- the number of delegates in your group
- the reason for your visit
- the subjects you want to learn about
- key questions for discussion
- your travel information, including the preferred visit date and other Australian cities you’re visiting.
Council charges a fee to arrange visits and presentations to international delegations. Visits to Council are arranged in hour blocks (e.g. 1 hour, 2 hours). Charges are applied based on the length of visit and group size.
After submitting your request, you'll receive a Terms and Conditions form, including associated fees, to sign and return to Council.
We will contact you about your request within 5 business days.
Pop-up consulate service
Council offers temporary office space in Brisbane City Hall to foreign consulates and embassies for consular and passport services for South East Queensland residents and visitors.
This pop-up service is suitable for foreign consulates and embassies that do not have a permanent office in Brisbane. Pop-up consulates can be held for several days at a time.
To enquire about using Pop-up consulate service, complete our online form.
To complete the form, you’ll need the following information:
- dates for your proposed visit
- how many appointments you anticipate hosting.
After submitting your request, International Relations and Multicultural Affairs team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your request.
For more information email Council.
For any other queries related to consular services, contact your local consulate or embassy. Check the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website for details on foreign embassies and consulates in Australia.
Brisbane Sister Cities
Council works closely with local and international agencies and organisations to leverage our Sister City relationships to maximise the best possible business outcomes.
By working strategically with all levels of government, business and other industry bodies in Brisbane and around the world, we negotiate real economic outcomes for Brisbane residents and businesses.
A Sister City Agreement between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi was signed by the Lord Mayor in Abu Dhabi on 2 February 2009.
Abu Dhabi is the capital and second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the largest and wealthiest of the seven emirates of the UAE, in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per capita income. More than $1 trillion worldwide is invested in the city.
Almost 200 islands fall under the Abu Dhabi territory, which is rich in natural resources. Abu Dhabi city is located less than 250 metres from the mainland and is joined to the mainland by bridges.
Over the next few years, numerous development projects are expected to be undertaken in and around Abu Dhabi.
Development on neighbouring islands will result in the construction of several infrastructure projects to facilitate transportation and to encourage businesses and consumers to invest in this development.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about Abu Dhabi’s key facts and opportunity sectors.
Brisbane's Sister City agreement with Auckland was signed in 1988 and coincided with Auckland City Council’s visit to World Expo ’88 in Brisbane. The agreement aims to foster sporting, educational and social exchanges, as well as developing the existing links of tourism and trade.
Auckland is the powerhouse of New Zealand’s economy, home to a variety of progressive industries and generating nearly 40% of the country’s GDP.
As a service and innovation-oriented economy, Auckland has developed a core of specialist manufacturing industries and a talented, globally focused service sector. Together, they drive growth and create employment in Auckland. Focus sectors include:
- building and infrastructure
- green economy
- food and beverage
- screen and creative
- technology.
Auckland has a large cosmopolitan community. The cultural diversity of more than 200 ethnicities is reflected in the wide variety of businesses, local cuisine, community festivals, education programmes and entertainment options.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about Auckland’s key facts and opportunity sectors.
The Brisbane-Chongqing Sister City Agreement was signed at the 2005 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) and Mayor’s Forum hosted by Chongqing. The agreement allows exchanges and cooperation in fields such as:
- science
- technology
- culture
- sports
- health
- education
- agriculture
- tourism.
Chongqing is the most populous Chinese municipality under the direct administration of the central government. It has a population of more than 30 million people and covers an area of 82,403 square kilometres.
One of China's nine largest iron and steel producers, Chongqing is also China's third largest motor vehicle production centre and the largest for motorcycles. Other prominent industry sectors include:
- smart industry
- equipment
- materials
- bio-pharmaceutical
- consumer goods
- agricultural and sideline food processing
- technology service.
The municipality is abundant with large deposits of coal, natural gas, and more than 40 kinds of minerals such as strontium and manganese.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about Chongqing’s key facts and opportunity sectors.
A Memorandum of Understanding between Brisbane and Daejeon was signed in Brisbane in March 2001. This relationship was formalised with the signing of an official Sister City Agreement in Daejeon on 17 June 2002.
The agreement has a strong emphasis on economic activities and aims to foster relationship in the areas of:
- start-up and innovation
- research and development
- education and training
- renewable technologies
- food and beverage
- tourism
- culture.
Daejeon is the fifth largest city in South Korea, with a population of more than 1.45 million people. It’s located in the centre of South Korea (164 km from Seoul, 294 km from Busan and 169 km from Gwangju) and serves as a hub of transportations for major rail and road routes.
South Korea’s largest technology research and development (R&D) precinct, Daedeok Innopolis, is located in Daejeon. Established in 1973, the precinct has more than 400 world-class public and private research institutes with over 20,000 researchers.
Fifteen per cent of the total national R&D investment is spent in Daejeon. It’s also a leading hub in television production and higher education, with 19 universities.
Daejeon is one of South Korea’s administration centres. The Daejeon Government Complex hosts 12 national government offices, including Korea Customs Service, Small and Medium Business Administration, Public Procurement Service, National Statistical Office and Korean Intellectual Property Office.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about Daejeon’s key facts and opportunity sectors.
On 5 October 2010, Brisbane and Ipswich signed a world-first tripartite Sister City agreement with Hyderabad.
Hyderabad is the fourth most populous city in India, with a metropolitan population of more than 10.4 million.
Located at the crossroads of north and south India, Hyderabad is well placed as the financial, economic and political capital of the state of Telangana.
Hyderabad has several major industries, including infrastructure and film production, bolstered by emerging biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Due to the high number of technology-related companies that have established headquarters and large campuses there, Hyderabad has earned the nickname ‘Cyberabad’.
Besides major industries, Hyderabad has a number of universities, research and training institutions for defence, police and administrative sectors. Hyderabad has been highly successful in attracting major global companies to set up regional headquarters, including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Apple, Uber, Lucent, Facebook, AT&T and Bank of America.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about Hyderabad’s key facts and opportunity sectors.
Brisbane’s Sister City relationship with Kaohsiung was formalised on 9 September 1997.
The agreement aims to foster relationships in the areas of:
- trade, investment and business development
- urban renewal and harbour and waterfront development
- health and education training
- tourism and creative industries
- culture and personnel exchange
- social and cultural links.
Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second largest city, with a population of more than 2.8 million and an area of 2,946 square kilometres. Located in southern part of Taiwan, it is situated approximately 354 kilometres south of Taipei.
Although Kaohsiung is the island’s largest industrial centre, it has transformed into an environmentally friendly city with the goals of green, ecology, high-tech, culture and nature.
Kaohsiung has a major port through which most of Taiwan’s oil is imported. The Port of Kaohsiung is ranked number 13 in container volume for cargo from all over the world, linking Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Europe and the Americas.
Kaohsiung exports:
- metal and steel
- petrochemical
- oil and coal
- machinery and ships
- electronic components
- information communication and audio technology
- raw materials such as rice, sugar, bananas, pineapples, peanuts and citrus fruits.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about Kaohsiung’s key facts and opportunity sectors.
The signing of the Brisbane-Kobe Sister City Agreement in 1985 marked Brisbane’s first Sister City relationship. Since then both cities have worked to strengthen the relationship through civic, cultural and business events.
Located approximately 500 kilometres west of Tokyo, Kobe is Japan’s sixth largest city. It has a population of more than 1.5 million and an area of 550.72 square kilometres.
Kobe is a vibrant international port city. It’s a hub for people, information and goods from around the world. The city is home to the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC), which focuses on medical device research and development, clinical research and clinical applications of regenerative medicine.
Other flourishing industries in Kobe include:
- sake breweries
- food processing, including Kobe beef
- shipbuilding
- steelmaking
- manufacturing of rubber products
- transportation and warehousing
- pearl industry.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about Kobe’s key facts and opportunity sectors.
Brisbane's Sister City relationship with Semarang was established in 1993.
Semarang is the capital city of Central Java. It has a population of more than 1.5 million people, predominantly Javanese.
The centre for regional government, industries, trade, education and tourism, Semarang is one of Java’s major commercial trading centres. It handles a major percentage of Indonesia’s shipping.
Semarang’s major industries and key sectors include:
- agriculture and livestock
- culture and arts
- education
- environmental protection
- fashion and textiles
- fisheries and aquaculture
- food crops and food processing
- furniture and wood processing
- logistics
- manufacturing
- public safety
- public transport and infrastructure
- social welfare
- tourism.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about Semarang’s key facts and opportunity sectors.
The Sister City relationship between Brisbane and Shenzhen was formalised in 1992. It focuses on economic cooperation and mutual business development opportunities.
Shenzhen is a picturesque seaboard city in the south of Guangdong province. It covers an area of 2050 square kilometres and has a population of 17.56 million.
An information-technology hub, the city is home to some of China’s most successful high-tech companies, such as Tencent, Huawei, BYD, DJI and ZTE
Shenzhen is one of China’s main ports for foreign trade and international exchange. It’s home to the world's fourth busiest container port, the Port of Shenzhen.
Prominent industry sectors of Shenzhen include:
- high-tech
- finance
- modern logistics
- cultural and creative
- strategic emerging industry
- new generation information technology
- high-end equipment manufacturing
- low carbon
- bio-pharm
- digital economy
- advanced material
- marine economy.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about Shenzhen’s key facts and opportunity sectors.
Brisbane Sister Cities Steering Committee
The Brisbane Sister Cities Steering Committee oversees Brisbane’s Sister City Program.
The committee is made up of a representative from each of the 9 sister cities, appointed by the Lord Mayor.
Each representative volunteers to enables business and trade opportunities and enhances relationships for Brisbane's local businesses.
Connecting Brisbane with the world
Sister City relationships foster international collaboration.
- Encourage cultural understanding
- Generate trade and investment opportunities
- Enhance economic activities
- Foster educational, sporting and social exchanges
Brisbane businesses can leverage our Sister City network to make connections in the Asia Pacific Region and Middle East.
Our International Relations and Multicultural Affairs team can help connect your business with contacts in Sister Cities and key global regions.
To get in touch with the team:
- phone 07 3403 8888
- email Council
- send mail to:
International Relations and Multicultural Affairs
GPO Box 2287
Brisbane Qld 4001
International Internship Program
Brisbane businesses can connect with talented domestic tertiary students with multicultural backgrounds and international tertiary students from our Sister Cities studying in Brisbane through the International Internship Program.
The program involves hosting an intern for 4 weeks with Council subsidising 50% of the wage cost. We’ll also identify and match the best applicant for your business.
The program is a win-win for both businesses and students.
The 2025 program is taking place from Monday 14 April to Friday 9 May.
Through the International Internship Program, businesses will gain invaluable access to Brisbane's vibrant tertiary student talent pool, harnessing their diverse expertise, cultural awareness, and linguistic abilities to propel business expansion across domestic and international markets.
An international intern brings new perspectives, cultural insights and language skills.
Being a host business
This is a partially subsidised, paid Internship Program initiated by Council. The salary for the Intern will be based on a casual employment arrangement. Council will subsidise 50% of the labour cost for the 4-week placement, with the Host Business contributing 50% to the Intern Salary.
Requirements to be a host business.
- You must not use the intern to displace an existing employee or reduce an existing employee's hours of work.
- You must not provide the intern with extra hours of paid work outside the hours of the internship.
- You will be required to ensure a qualified person conducts and records a risk assessment for each intern you employ.
- Your business interests, sector and needs will be taken into consideration during the process of matching the Host Business to an intern.
- You acknowledge that a home office or any residential premises used as a company office will not be considered an appropriate workplace for the Intern. The Intern shall not be required to perform their duties from a home office or any non-professional office space unless explicitly agreed upon in writing by both parties, and only if such an arrangement adheres to all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace health, and safety standards.
Internship conditions
You are expected to ensure the intern has a positive experience during the process and period of the Internship Program by:
- ensuring a representative is present for the internship interview and induction
- ensuring that a supervisor is assigned to the intern for the entirety of the placement
- ensuring that work is assigned to the intern and the intern is aware of the expected outcomes
- communicating expectations from the beginning of the placement and providing continuous feedback
- ensuring that at all times, at least two staff are on site when the intern is working in the office.
The internship must:
- take place for 4 weeks - 2026 dates will be released soon
- be for a maximum of 20 hours per week
- be for a minimum of 2 hours per day
- not exceed a maximum of 7.25 hours a day
- not include working on a public holiday.
Submit an expression of interest
Host business expressions of interest have closed for the 2025 International Internship Program.
Get 4 weeks of paid work experience with a Brisbane-based business through the International Internship Program.
The program matches your degree studies with a host business.
Check your eligibility
A domestic student must:
- have a culturally and linguistically diverse background, and at least one natural parent born in a country other than Australia
- currently live in the Brisbane Local Governement Area (LGA)
- be an Australian citizen or hold Australian permanent residency
- be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree or higher at an institution in the Brisbane LGA
- be currently enrolled in the final year of study.
An international student must:
- be enrolled in an undergraduate degree or higher at an institution in the Brisbane LGA
- hold a valid student visa
- be in their final year of study
- currently live in the Brisbane LGA
- have obtained an Upper Intermediate to Advanced English level under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an overall academic score of 6.5, or PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic) with an overall academic score of 59-64
- be from one of Brisbane's Sister Cities or have lived in one of them for more than 12 months, with proof of residence.
Apply for an internship
Student applications have closed for the 2025 International Internship Program.
Applying for the international internship program can be a competitive process, but with the right preparation, you can increase your chances of success. Here are some tips to help you with your application:
- Showcase Your Soft Skills: Emphasize soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. These are crucial for thriving in any workplace environment.
- Prepare for the Interview: Practice common interview questions and prepare your responses. Research the interviewers and find common ground to build rapport. Be ready to discuss your experiences and how they relate to the internship.
- Be Genuine and Enthusiastic: Show your genuine interest in the opportunity and the organisation. Be yourself, smile, and speak confidently during the interview.
- Follow Up: After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position.
Council aims to make the application process as easy as possible.
Resume
A resume (curriculum vitae) should be included in your application. The resume should contain:
- your full name
- current contact details
- qualifications
- a concise description of your relevant work experience, starting with the most recent (including dates)
- any other information that is relevant to the position you are applying for.
Here are some tips to help you to create an effective resume.
- Review Resume Examples for Your Desired Industry: Study examples of resumes from your industry for inspiration and best practices. Focus on simplicity, brevity, and including measurable achievements.
- Use a Professional Font: Choose a clean and readable font like Arial or Times New Roman. Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points.
- Prioritise Important Information: Place the most important information at the top of your resume. This includes your contact information, professional summary, and key skills.
- Optimise Your Skills Section: Highlight relevant skills that match International Internship Program. Use bullet points to list your skills and provide examples of how you have used them.
- Include Non-Standard Work: If you have any freelance, volunteer, or part-time work that is relevant to the job, include it in your resume. This shows your versatility and commitment.
- Edit and Proofread Your Resume: Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. A well-edited resume reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
- Use a Professional Layout: Keep your resume layout clean and organized. Avoid using complex formatting, headers, footers, or tables that may not display correctly on different devices.
- Keep It Concise: Aim to keep your resume to one or two pages. Focus on the most relevant and recent experiences.
To apply online follow these tips:
- complete all the fields in your application form.
- use a valid email address so we can contact you.
- once the application is complete, select Submit. We will send you a confirmation email after receiving your application.
- check your telephone messages and emails regularly as this is how we will contact you about your application.
Throughout the selection process you will be required to demonstrate that you meet all the relevant selection criteria to be considered for employment. Selection is based on equity and merit.
Shortlisting
Shortlisting will be finalised after the closing date indicated on the advertisement.
All applicants will be advised via email or phone about the status of their application following shortlisting.
The interview
- Do Your Research: Understand the company or organisation you are interviewing for. Learn about their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses to align with their goals.
- Prepare for Common Questions: Practice answering common internship interview questions such as:
- Why did you apply for this position?
- Why do you want to intern at this company?
- What are your future plans?
- How do you deal with conflict?
- Can you provide an example of a time you demonstrated leadership?
- How can you provide value to this company as an intern?
- Highlight Your Qualifications: Even if you haven’t worked abroad, emphasise your relevant skills and experiences. Discuss any international experience or language skills you have.
- Emphasise Your Initiative: Show that you are proactive and willing to take on challenges. Provide examples of how you have taken the initiative in previous roles.
- Treat the Interview as a Dialogue: Engage with the interviewer by asking thoughtful questions about the role and the company. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gather more information.
- Prepare Questions to Ask: Prepare some potential questions to ask the interviewing panel. This can help with engagement and help you stand out.
- Bring Your Best Attitude: Be positive, enthusiastic, and confident. Your attitude can make a significant impact on the interviewer.
- Pre-Interview Practicalities: Ensure you have a quiet, well-lit space for the interview, and test your technology beforehand if it’s a virtual interview.
- Post-Interview: Connect with the interviewing panel and fellow peers who are interviewing for the same host business. Connections can serve as a valuable resource for future advice, mentorship or even potentially future job referrals.
You may:
- bring personal notes into the interview as prompts
- bring any relevant reports or other work you have done which will provide examples of your skills and abilities.
You'll be well supported during the interview process.
After the interview
All interviewed applicants will be notified verbally as soon as possible after the selection panel have reached their decision.
Host business representatives
“KOM Consulting has ambitious growth goals, but we always lack the time to focus on key sales and marketing initiatives. Brisbane City Council’s International Internship Program plugged this gap beautifully: we got a fantastic master’s student in who brought the expertise and capacity we were lacking. He was so good that we decided to keep him on afterwards! The facilitation of the program by Council was excellent and seamless, from the first interview through to the closure ceremony, the experience couldn’t have been better.”
Philipp Joebges, Director, KOM Consulting
Successful interns
“The International Internship Program was a transformative experience for me. I'm grateful to Council and my host business for this wonderful opportunity. If you're ambitious and want to bring a fresh perspective to your career, don't hesitate – apply now!”
Sari Akkad, 2024, intern representing the Syrian community
"The International Internship Program provided me with a valuable opportunity at my host business, which helped me gain critical consulting and marketing workforce insights and skills that will help kickstart my career in Australia. The program also has allowed me to understand how marketing functions in different countries."
Bhavith Morla, 2024, intern representing Hyderabad
"As a representative of Shenzhen, Brisbane's sister city, I'm thrilled to participate in this internship. With a keen interest in marketing, this program has provided me with invaluable insights into the Australian market and allowed me to apply my knowledge in real-world scenarios. My host mentor has been an exceptional teacher, patiently guiding me and addressing my inquiries. This experience has fostered a connection between me and Brisbane City."
Xuanxi (Cici) Xie, 2024, intern representing Shenzhen
More information
For more information about the International Internship Program, contact Council’s International Relations and Multicultural Affairs team:
- by emailing Council
- by phoning 07 3403 8888.
Yes, businesses can participate in the International Internship Program more than once. We give preference to businesses that haven’t previously been part of the program.
You can reapply for the International Internship Program if a previous application was unsuccessful. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and that your application meets all the necessary requirements.
No, you can’t reapply for the International Internship Program if you received a placement in a previous year. We only consider applicants who have not participated in the program before. This ensures other students have the chance to gain valuable work experience through the program.
Your business can make valuable connections, meet new partners and engage with potential customers with the Sister City network.
Your business can also host a student from one of our Sister Cities through Council’s International Internship Program. This program will help your business better understand overseas markets.