Work experience in Year 10 or Year 12 is one of those things that feels like a formality — turn up, make tea, get a certificate — until you realise it's actually your first real opportunity to see whether a career in finance is something you want to pursue.

If you're trying to arrange finance work experience in Australia and you're not sure where to start, this guide will walk you through everything: how to find a placement, what to say in your application, what to expect, and how to make the most of it.

Why Finance Work Experience Matters for School Students

Getting work experience in finance before university isn't just about having something to put on a resume. It helps you:

Figure out whether a finance career is actually for you before committing to a degree
Understand the difference between roles — there's a big difference between working at a bank, a fund manager, and an accounting firm
Build genuine connections with professionals early
Stand out in university internship applications later, where "relevant experience" often matters

Australian finance is competitive. Students who have done meaningful work experience — and can talk about what they learned — are noticed.

What Finance Work Experience Actually Looks Like for Year 10 and Year 12 Students

It varies a lot depending on the organisation, but here's a realistic picture:

At a bank: You might spend time across different teams — retail banking, operations, corporate banking — getting a sense of how the business works. You'll likely shadow professionals, sit in on meetings, and complete some structured tasks or projects.

At an accounting firm: Big 4 firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and mid-tier accounting practices sometimes take school students. You'd typically spend time in audit, tax, or advisory teams, and get exposure to client work at a junior level.

At a fund manager or financial planning firm: Smaller but often more hands-on. You might help with research, observe client meetings, or work on admin tasks that give you a real window into how the business runs.

Don't expect to be doing complex financial modelling. The value is in the exposure, the conversations, and the professional environment — not the tasks themselves.

How to Find Finance Work Experience in Australia

1. Start with your school coordinator Most Australian secondary schools have a work experience coordinator who manages placements. They may already have relationships with local firms or banks. Start here before you do anything yourself.

2. Use F3's school student work experience program F3 connects school students with finance work experience placements across Australia. This is specifically designed for students in your position — you don't need connections or prior experience. [Apply through the F3 school student program here.]

3. Reach out directly to local firms Look up accounting firms, financial planning practices, or bank branches in your area and email them directly. Many small and mid-sized firms are willing to take school students even if they don't advertise it.

4. Ask family and community connections If anyone in your network works in finance — even tangentially — ask if their firm takes work experience students. Personal referrals make a significant difference.

What to Say in Your Work Experience Application

Whether you're emailing a firm directly or filling out a formal application, keep it short and specific. Cover:

Who you are and what year you're in
Why you're interested in finance specifically (not just "I like numbers")
What you hope to learn from the placement
Your availability and any relevant school requirements

Example email:

"Hi [Name], my name is [Your name] and I'm in Year 10 at [School] in [City]. I'm applying for work experience as part of my school program and I'm keen to arrange a placement with a finance firm. I'm particularly interested in [banking / accounting / investments] and I'd love to get a better understanding of how professionals in this field work day-to-day. I'm available during [dates] and would only need [number of days]. Would you be open to having me? I'm happy to provide more details or complete any paperwork your firm requires."

Short, professional, and specific beats long and generic every time.

How to Make the Most of Your Placement

Ask questions — this is the main thing most students don't do enough of. People in finance are generally happy to explain their work; they just need to be asked.
Take notes — you won't remember everything, and your observations will be useful when you write about the experience later in university applications
Be on time, every day, and dress appropriately — it sounds obvious but it's what people remember
Connect on LinkedIn afterwards — send a short thank-you message and connect with anyone you spent meaningful time with

One week of finance work experience, done well, can open doors that take other students years to access.