Apply for a visual journalist traineeship at the Herald and The Age

An exciting opportunity to learn alongside some of the nation’s most talented photographers and videographers at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age has opened as part of a new 12-month traineeship program.

The Herald and The Age have a rich tradition of photographing major milestones and events in Australia for nearly 200 years. The newsrooms, which have a total readership of 12 million, are seeking two visual journalist trainees, one to be based in Sydney and the other in Melbourne.

The traineeships are entry-level roles aimed at fostering the next generation of photojournalists and videographers. The trainees will be mentored by the Herald and The Age’s award-winning staff as they develop skills in covering breaking news, social issues, politics, environment, sport, arts and portraiture for digital and print platforms.

The traineeships are an extension of the Herald and The Age’s commitment to high-quality and groundbreaking journalism, said Luke McIlveen, executive editor of Nine’s metro mastheads.

“The Herald and The Age have an extraordinary history of photographic excellence, and this is an incredible opportunity for us to unearth the next generation of visual journalists. Words are important, but a good news picture is everything,” McIlveen said.

Canon Australia has committed to funding the traineeships as part of a three-year deal with Nine Publishing, including Canon photographic kits for each trainee. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age’s photographers will also benefit from the partnership with new equipment.

“In partnership with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Canon Australia is proud to champion authentic visual journalism by equipping Nine’s journalists with our latest imaging gear and empowering the next generation of image-makers,” said Aaron Berthelot, senior general manager of consumer sales and marketing at Canon Oceania.

The traineeships are full-time, 12-month fixed-term contracts that could involve shift work, including weekends. The roles will commence in early 2026.

To apply for the traineeships, you must submit the following:

• A CV demonstrating your experience in basic photography and/or video production.
• A compelling portfolio of your work.

A successful applicant will have:

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Proven initiative and commitment to quality work and problem-solving.
• The ability to build rapport and communicate clearly.
• A capacity to thrive in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• A full Australian driver’s licence. Own transport is essential – you will be refunded for mileage, petrol and tolls.

More information at the Nine Careers website or apply here for the Herald or The Age roles.