Paid • ~7 weeks • Summer (Nov–Feb) or Winter break • Pathway to Graduate Program
Australia • Penultimate-year students • Consulting • Assurance • Risk • Tax • Tech
PwC’s Vacationer Programme places you on real client work for a concentrated, paid placement during your university break. Many vacationers convert to a future Graduate role, so treat this like an extended interview with coaching and feedback built in.
Quick facts
- Length: typically ~7 weeks, full-time and paid, during summer (Nov–Feb) or winter break (varies by team/city).
- Who can apply: usually penultimate-year undergrad or postgrad students with full-time Australian work rights for the placement period.
- Where: roles appear across major cities (e.g., Sydney, Melbourne, others depending on business needs).
- Pathway: strong performance may lead to a Graduate Program offer for a later start date.
Streams & examples of work
- Strategy & transformation, operating model & process improvement
- Technology change, data & analytics exposure
- Financial/controls testing, internal audit, risk & compliance
- Exposure to industries and client stakeholders
- Corporate & international tax, transactions tax, people & organisation
- Research, advisory memos, client-ready analyses
- Hands-on sprints with teams building data pipelines, dashboards, or automation
- Cybersecurity assessments and cloud architecture exposure
Eligibility (typical)
- Penultimate year (second-last year) of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at the time of the program.
- Australian work rights allowing full-time hours during the program window.
- Any degree background is considered; stream fit matters (e.g., accounting for Assurance; data/CS for Tech).
Timing & locations
Roles are posted on PwC’s Early Careers site and on graduate job boards. Cohorts commonly start in November/December and run for ~7 weeks over the summer break (some teams also offer mid-year/winter rounds). Exact dates and cities vary by listing.
How to apply (step-by-step)
- Find the right stream & city: search PwC Australia Early Careers and read the live job ad carefully.
- Prepare a two-page results CV: quantify outcomes (hours saved, data accuracy improved, revenue/profit impacts, code shipped).
- Apply early: these roles move quickly and may progress on a rolling basis.
- Online assessments → interview/AC: practice concise, evidence-based stories showing teamwork, client focus, and learning agility.
- Perform & reflect: vacationers who excel often receive a Graduate Program offer for a later start date.
What success looks like
- Show you can learn fast, handle feedback, and deliver on time.
- Ask thoughtful questions; bring structured notes to daily stand-ups and client meetings.
- Match your work to the team’s metrics: quality, timeliness, and client impact.
FAQs
Is it paid? Yes — the Vacationer Programme is a full-time paid placement.
How long is it? About seven weeks (exact length by team/city and season).
Who’s eligible? Generally penultimate-year students with full-time Australian work rights for the placement window; any discipline considered depending on stream.
Can it convert to a grad role? Yes — high performers are often considered for the PwC Graduate Program for a later start date.
• Always verify the exact dates, cities, and eligibility on the live PwC job ad before applying.