Industry consulting projects

Getting involved in an industry consulting project is a great way to give your studies a practical focus, eligible for credit.

Industry consulting projects involve teams of up to 5 students from various business degree specialisations working with industry partners to solve real business problems, reflecting the work carried out by business consultants in professional settings. Projects are diverse and may include:

• Financial tasks such as analysing resourcing, funding, risk, compliance and governance, tax management and business law
• Marketing, both internal and external, business development, strategic planning and communications
• Relationship building with your host organisation and external suppliers and contacts
• Human resources and people management, drafting of policies and OH&S
• Researching, gathering data and making recommendations and presentations to the host organisation

Students work directly with each organisation and are supported by an academic supervisor to complete their project.

Consulting project units run in all semesters throughout the year.

Consulting project units

The workload for most projects will be equivalent to 20 days for a 6 credit point unit and 30 days for a 12 credit point unit, though this may vary slightly according to the team, project and organisation.

Undergraduate

• BEX3350/3351 Consulting project
• BEX3450 - Consulting project

Graduate

• BEX5006 - Consulting project
• BEX5112 - Consulting project

Partner organisations

Monash works with a variety of host organisations and we are always working to onboard new hosts with exciting new projects.

Organisations who have previously hosted include:

• Australia Myanmar Institute
• Food Next Door
• Innovation Youth Centre
• Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network
• Slack

Are you interested in hosting an industry consulting project in your organisation? Contact us at buseco-consulting-projects@monash.edu

Apply now

Register for an information session

Application dates for Semester 1 2027

Monash sourced

Applications open: Monday 12/10/26

Applications close: Monday 16/11/26

Student sourced

Applications open: Monday 12/10/26

Applications close: Monday 16/11/26

Applications for Semester 1 2027 are now open.

How to apply

Step 1 - Eligibility

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have available credit points in your course to fit your IE unit. IE units can usually be taken in place of elective or capstone units, or a combination of both.

We encourage you to use the Monash University handbook from the year you started your course, for further assistance on course advice and planning your degree please talk to our friendly course advisers.

Step 2 - Prepare your IE application and supporting document

For Student-sourced applications

Please attach a project brief from your host organisation for student-sourced applications. The brief will illustrate the problem you are looking to solve for your host organisation. The provider of your project will be able to supply you with this information.

Step 3 - Submit your application

Please complete the Industry Consulting Project application form, taking care to answer each question and upload all documents requested.

You may apply for an onshore unit and an offshore unit, however, applying for more than one opportunity will not improve your chance of a successful outcome.

Applications are now open!

NOTE: If you apply for more than one opportunity, only one application will be considered.

Step 4 - Application assessment

What to expect:

1. After your application has been submitted, you will automatically receive a confirmation email to advise that it has been received.
2. Your eligibility will be assessed and your application will be checked to ensure we have all the information we need. We’ll contact you if we need further information.
3. The faculty will match you with the project group which best aligns to your preferences and the skills of your fellow group members. Once matching begins, we will reach out and confirm that you are still interested and available to undertake a project. This may take a few weeks due to the volume of applications received.
4. Finally, we will confirm your project and invite you to a compulsory induction session where you will meet your teammates and project supervisor.

Please remember to monitor your student emails as this is a competitive process and if we do not receive a timely response to communications, you may miss out on a place in a consulting project group.

Step 5 - Outcome advice, placement agreements and enrolment

We will contact you with the final outcome of your application once the matching process is complete. You will then need to confirm your unit enrolment for final processing and unit enrolment. Note: Please ensure you are fully enrolled in alternative units as you may not have the final outcome of your consulting project unit until the first week of the teaching period.

Step 6 - Moodle unit assessment and information

Moodle

You’ll get access to the relevant Moodle site where you’ll find all the information about your assessment.

Induction

You will receive details of the induction session in your confirmation email. This induction is compulsory and will outline the unit expectations and requirements including:

• Project brief (for Monash sourced projects)
• Student agreement to sign and return, if applicable
• Details of your team members, academic supervisor and client

Frequently asked questions

Is this a credit bearing unit?

Yes. Depending on the unit you choose, it will be worth 6 or 12 credit points.

Can this unit be counted as a capstone unit?

This unit is listed as part of the capstone suite of units in all comprehensive courses within the faculty. Specialist degrees will have a specific mandatory capstone unit. Please seek course advice if you are unsure of your course requirements.

Do consulting projects run in every teaching period?

Yes, student sourced consulting projects run throughout the year in summer A, Term 1, semester 1, winter and semester 2 teaching periods. However, Monash-sourced projects run only in semesters 1 and 2.

Can I apply for both a placement and a consulting project?

Yes, it is possible to complete both a placement and a consulting project in the same semester. However, please keep in mind that both of these programs require a significant time commitment, and some students may find it more manageable to complete them separately. If you plan to study a consulting project with a full-time enrolment load in semester 2, we would recommend holding off until summer to complete your placement.

Can I choose my project or see the list of projects before applying?

Unfortunately no. Each teaching period is different with different clients and projects becoming available throughout the year. Some projects also contain confidential and proprietary information so cannot be shared until student groups are confirmed.

How does the faculty decide which project group I go into?

The faculty uses the information provided in your application, as well as your major, to match you to a group and project, subject to project availability.

Will I always be placed on a project specifically related to my major?

The faculty considers your major in allocating groups, however consulting projects are designed to be relevant to all students from Business and Commerce degrees. A combination of students from different majors ensures the client gets a full range of skills and allows students to learn from their peers. Group allocations are also dependant on project availability.

Does everyone who applies get accepted?

Consulting project applications are a competitive process and success is based on information you provide in your online application, as well as the number of projects available.

Why do organisations decide to host consulting projects?

There are a number of reasons that host organisations choose to host consulting projects. In some cases, they may not have the required expertise or resources to solve a problem, or they may need a group of students to discover and explain to them what the problem really is. In other cases, they may want an external perspective from someone outside of the organisation who can bring fresh ideas and insights.

Will the assessments be marked individually or as a group?

Project units include a mix of both individual and group assessments. The unit Moodle page will have more detail on your assessment requirements.

How often will I meet with my academic supervisor?

For most projects, these meetings usually occur weekly although you are able to contact your supervisor between meetings.

When will I first meet my client and group?

Once you receive confirmation that your application is successful, you will be invited to attend the compulsory induction session where you will meet your teammates. You will also meet your academic supervisor who will take you through the assessments and how best to succeed in the unit.

Can I complete multiple projects in my course?

Yes, and it will be recorded as a separate unit code on your transcript. Note: while we do permit students to complete multiple projects, the competitive nature of entry to the program means that priority is given to students who’ve not yet completed a project.

Past consulting project examples

While projects change every semester, below are some examples of projects students have completed in the past.

Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) application

The organisation is a start-up not-for-profit with an aim to improve employment and life outcomes for young people, especially those in Melbourne's growth corridors which are often lacking in support services. It has planned a suite of programs that encourage young people to take initiative with appropriate support and guidance.

The organisation is currently volunteer run and while it has substantial notional support and goodwill, and is bidding for government grant funding, it currently has no regular or recurrent funding. Key to attracting new funding is the acquisition of Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, which usually requires approval from the Australian Tax Office (ATO). DGR status allows for donations to the organisation to be used as an income tax deduction by donors and introduces additional tax benefits to the organisation’s employees.

Business plan

The host organisation is a medium sized manufacturer who has identified a gap in the market to sell their existing product in smaller quantities to smaller businesses. Larger manufacturers in their industry have dismissed this market as unprofitable in the past.

The project would begin with a competitor analysis, then a market survey and meetings with industry to establish demand for the new product and identify target market contacts. A business plan will then be developed including a budget profit and loss over time and an analysis of the logistics of operation, and marketing plan to cover pricing, target markets and advertising possibilities. Finally the team will deliver their recommendations to the host on whether or not this idea is profitable.

Communications strategy

The organisation is an independent media company with a focus on community service promotion. They are self-funded however revenue is falling and they have proactively identified a need to build capital to sustain the business. Their vision is to grow into a true knowledge hub, using platforms of podcasts, radio, TV, online, e-news, conferences, training, workshops and a website portal.

The project will involve building a cohesive communications strategy that serves this transition. This communication strategy should include the analysis of the host’s target audiences, key messaging and recommended channels to ensure continuous, relevant and timely communications to all our stakeholders. The strategy will also identify target markets and market segments, analyse the current audience and clarify the value proposition of the organisation, and the most cost-effective and sustainable products and services that connect with the target market.

Social media evaluation

The host is a registered charity managed by a community based board of directors. Their vision is to preserve and publicly display memorabilia and to work with youth developing knowledge in the maritime history area.

The aim of this project is to iInvestigate the advantages of social media in promoting and developing the host’s vision, develop an understanding of the current capability of the organisation and identify their target audience. Furthermore, the team will identify the best Social Media opportunities available to promote the host’s activity with a view to building interest and membership, identify where grants may be available to support Social Media Development and finally share recommendations on a system to monitor the effectiveness of Social Media use.

Testimonial

Learn more about Industry Experience Consulting Projects

Find out more about these projects from the Unit Coordinator and Chief Examiner.

Discover more Have questions about internships eligibility, specific opportunities or the application process? Contact us via Monash Connect.