How to get the New Colombo Plan funding for a 6-month internship in Bali 🦘🌴

Greenternships
Jul 17
4 min read

Are you an Australian student dreaming of doing your internship in Bali? Imagine working on real-world projects under the sun, surrounded by palm trees, creative hubs, and a deep cultural heritage — all while getting funded by the Australian Government.

Thanks to the New Colombo Plan (NCP), this vision is more than possible. You can turn your overseas internship dreams into a reality — with financial support, university credits, and valuable global experience in one of Southeast Asia’s most inspiring destinations.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to secure NCP funding to do a 6-month internship in Bali, how it works, and why Bali is one of the top locations for students on exchange programs in the Indo-Pacific region.

✨ What Is the New Colombo Plan?

The New Colombo Plan is a flagship initiative by the Australian Government that supports undergraduate students to study and intern in the Indo-Pacific region. It aims to build strong regional partnerships and help young Australians gain in-demand international skills and experience.

There are two types of funding under the New Colombo Plan:

NCP Mobility Grant: For short to medium-term study and internships, often through your university.
NCP Scholarship Program: A competitive one-year program combining study, internships, and language training.

For a 6-month internship in Bali, the Mobility Grant is your go-to option.

✅ Step-by-Step: How to Get NCP Funding for Your Bali Internship

Step 1: Check if your University offers NCP-funded exchange programs in Bali

Your first step is to reach out to your university’s Global Mobility Office, Careers and Internships team, or International Exchange Office. Many Australian universities already have pre-approved NCP funding for projects in Indonesia, including Bali.

However, when it comes to on-the-ground internship opportunities, your university might not know where to begin — and that's where we come in.

Greenternships partners with universities and students to offer NCP-aligned internships with companies, NGOs, and social enterprises in Bali. These placements are environmentally conscious, socially impactful, and designed to help you grow both personally and professionally.

Step 2: Find or propose a suitable internship in Bali

To find your ideal internship in Bali, you can:

Browse Greenternships' current internship programs at www.greenternships.co
Or, if you're unsure where to start, just send us your CV and book a free call. We’ll guide you through everything, help match you with a host, and advise on the best-fit placement for your field of study and NCP requirements.

💡 Important: Most internship hosts in Bali only accept students for a minimum of 3 months. Anything less than that (like 2 months) is often too short — not only for the host but also for the intern to get settled and make a meaningful impact.

Step 3: Meet the requirements

To qualify for NCP funding, your internship must:

Be 4 weeks or longer, though 3–6 months is strongly recommended in Bali
Be hosted by an eligible organization in the Indo-Pacific (Greenternships ensures this)
Take place while you're still enrolled as an undergraduate student
Be unpaid or modestly paid (as per NCP guidelines)

We help make sure your internship aligns with your academic field and degree requirements so you can earn credits or recognition while gaining hands-on experience abroad.

Step 4: Apply for NCP funding with University support (we help you do this)

You don’t apply to the New Colombo Plan directly — your university applies on your behalf. But don’t worry, Greenternships will:

Provide you with a formal internship offer and project outline
Help you structure your proposal so it fits your university’s criteria
Give guidance for writing your motivation statement
Coordinate with your university to provide all supporting documents

We’ve supported multiple Australian students through this process — and we’re happy to liaise with your faculty or global mobility officer as needed.

Step 5: Finalize Logistics with Greenternships' Support

Once your funding is approved, you can start preparing for your adventure! We support you with:

Internship host onboarding
Student visa assistance for Bali
Help finding affordable, student-friendly accommodation
General orientation and on-the-ground guidance

✨ Some programs also offer student discounts in Bali on things like housing, transport, SIM cards, co-working spaces, and visa services. Just ask Greenternships — we know what’s available locally and can help you make the most of your budget.

🌿 Why do your internship in Bali?

Bali is more than just a tourist destination — it’s a growing hub for entrepreneurship, regenerative tourism, and environmental innovation. That makes it perfect for students looking for internships with purpose and impact.

Top reasons to choose a student exchange program in Bali:

Affordable living with plenty of student discounts
Unique access to local culture, sustainability practices, and spiritual traditions
Thriving creative and digital nomad communities
Hands-on experience with NGOs, eco-startups, and socially responsible businesses

From surf and yoga to permaculture and design, Bali is a hotspot for meaningful, real-world learning.

💡 Work with a Student Internship Agency

To make things easier, many students work with internship agencies like My Bali Internship and Greenternships, which specialize in helping Australian students

secure NCP-eligible internships in Bali.

Benefits of applying through an agency:

Pre-vetted host companies - personal, eco-conscious & committed
Help with student visa services and budget accommodation
Weekly reporting and university paperwork support
On-the-ground support for your entire journey
Access to student discounts in Bali and local professional networks

Agencies can also ensure your internship aligns with your degree and fulfills your university’s academic and insurance requirements — saving you time and cross-cultural stress.

🌍 Final Thoughts

Doing your internship in Bali with New Colombo Plan funding is one of the best ways to gain real-world experience, make international connections, and contribute to positive change — all while exploring one of the most inspiring islands in Southeast Asia.

Whether you're studying business, engineering, marketing, environmental science, or the arts, a student exchange program in Bali can give you a huge advantage — personally, professionally, and culturally.

📲 Ready to Start?

Greenternships helps Australian students find impactful internships in Bali, work with NCP-friendly organizations, and access student discounts on visas, housing, and more. Send your CV to info@greenternships.co to get started.

👉 Find your internship of choice :