Who Can Apply to Accueillez un stagiaire? Employer and Intern Eligibility (AUS)

Accueillez un stagiaire (AUS) is a Quebec internship wage subsidy administered by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) via Pratiques RH and funded federally through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP). The program supports Work‑Integrated Learning (WIL) by reimbursing a portion of intern wages. Eligible employers can receive up to 50% of wages to a maximum of $5,000 per intern, and up to 70% to a maximum of $7,000 for first‑year students and diverse or under‑represented groups.

This article explains who can apply to the AUS program. It outlines employer and intern eligibility, size and location considerations, project requirements, exclusions, and special cases. It also provides a quick self‑assessment checklist so you can confirm whether your organization and your internship qualify before preparing an application.

Note on timing: as of December 2025, Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 intakes are closed. The Winter 2026 intake opens January 12, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Program Overview

AUS is a non‑repayable wage subsidy designed to help Quebec employers hire students for hands‑on learning experiences linked to their field of study. By lowering labour costs, the program encourages the creation of high‑quality internships across sectors and regions of Quebec. It is open to a wide range of organizations, including small and medium‑sized enterprises, large private employers, and non‑profits.

Key points:

• Funding model: wage subsidy (reimbursement) per intern

• Amounts: 50% of gross wages up to $5,000; 70% up to $7,000 for first‑year students and interns from under‑represented groups

• Jurisdiction: internship must take place in Quebec

• Administration: FCCQ via Pratiques RH; funded under SWPP

• Cost coverage: wages only (no equipment or overhead)

Eligibility is assessed at both employer and intern levels, and the internship itself must meet Work‑Integrated Learning criteria. Meeting all three dimensions is essential for approval.

Applicant Type Requirements

AUS eligibility depends on the legal status and operating profile of the employer, as well as the intern’s academic and residency status.

Eligible employer types:

• Private‑sector businesses incorporated or registered to do business in Quebec

• Non‑profit organizations (including charities) with operations in Quebec

• Employers across industries such as manufacturing, technology, retail, hospitality, construction, logistics, healthcare, education, professional services, and clean tech

Core employer requirements:

• Operate in Quebec with a valid business presence (e.g., head office or active branch)

• Hire and pay the intern directly, at or above the applicable Quebec minimum wage

• Provide workplace insurance and coverage compliant with CNESST and Quebec labour standards

• Supervise the intern and provide a work plan aligned to the intern’s academic program

• Be able to issue standard payroll documentation (pay stubs) and keep records

Intern requirements (at a glance):

• Enrolled at a recognized Canadian post‑secondary institution (vocational, college, or university)

• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or refugee

• Completing a Work‑Integrated Learning internship that occurs in Quebec

• For 70% rate: first‑year student or belongs to an under‑represented group as defined by the program

Size & Scale Criteria

AUS is accessible to organizations of many sizes, from micro‑enterprises to larger employers, with an important caveat for certain financial‑sector employers.

• No minimum number of employees is prescribed for general eligibility.

• Many SMEs and non‑profits qualify, provided they meet employment and supervision obligations.

• Certain large financial institutions are not eligible when they employ 500 or more employees, as outlined by the program’s rules.

• The program focuses on the nature of the employer (private or non‑profit), compliance with labour requirements, and the quality of the internship.

Geographic Eligibility

AUS is a Quebec internship wage subsidy with clear location rules:

• The employer must have an active business presence in Quebec.

• The internship must be performed in Quebec. On‑site or hybrid is typical; remote arrangements are acceptable when the work is based in Quebec and supervised by a Quebec employer.

• Interns may study at institutions anywhere in Canada, but the work placement must be in Quebec and aligned with their program of study.

Organizations with operations in multiple provinces can apply for interns working in Quebec through their Quebec location, even if head office is elsewhere.

Project & Activity Requirements

AUS funds Work‑Integrated Learning internships that provide meaningful, supervised experience aligned to academic programs. The internship must:

• Be a defined WIL placement during an academic term (e.g., Winter 2026), with clear start and end dates

• Include tasks that contribute to the employer’s operations and align with the intern’s field of study

• Be paid at least the Quebec minimum wage for the entire duration

• Be supervised by a qualified staff member who can provide regular guidance and evaluations

• Produce standard payroll records (first and last pay stubs are required for claims)

• Occur in Quebec; remote work must be anchored to a Quebec employer and provide adequate supervision

Common eligible activities span many functions:

• Manufacturing process support, quality assurance, and maintenance planning

• Technology and IT support, software development, and digital projects

• Retail operations, e‑commerce, and customer experience initiatives

• Hospitality and tourism services, event coordination, and marketing

• Construction project support, drafting, and site coordination

• Logistics, warehousing, and supply chain analysis

• Healthcare administration and community services within non‑profits

• Professional services, research, communications, and business analysis

Financial & Operational Criteria

Employers must demonstrate the capacity and compliance to host interns responsibly:

• Pay at or above the Quebec minimum wage for the full internship

• Provide CNESST‑compliant coverage and adhere to Quebec health and safety rules

• Maintain payroll systems that generate valid pay stubs and records

• Ensure funds are not duplicative of other federal wage subsidies for the same intern and period (no double‑funding)

• Keep accurate records to support claims and possible audits

• Respect employment standards, including hours, breaks, and paid status

Note on stacking: AUS may be combined with certain provincial incentives, such as Quebec internship tax credits, subject to each program’s rules and non‑duplication of costs. Employers remain responsible for ensuring stacking complies with all applicable guidelines.

Ineligible Applicants

AUS explicitly excludes certain employer categories and situations. You are likely ineligible if:

• You are a federal, provincial, or municipal government department or agency

• You are a public‑sector body not permitted under program rules

• You are a large financial‑sector employer that meets the program’s exclusion threshold (for example, 500 or more employees in the institution)

• Your organization does not have a business presence in Quebec

• You cannot pay the intern at least the Quebec minimum wage for the entire internship

• You cannot provide CNESST‑compliant coverage and safe working conditions

• There is a conflict of interest (e.g., the intern is an immediate family member of the supervisor or owner) that would undermine an impartial learning experience

• The internship is unpaid, volunteer‑based, or primarily academic with no wage relationship

• You intend to use another federal wage subsidy for the same intern and period

If you are unsure whether your structure is considered public‑sector or falls under a restricted category, seek clarification before applying.

Special Cases & Exceptions

• Non‑profits and charities: Generally eligible if operating in Quebec and meeting wage, supervision, and CNESST requirements.

• Multi‑site or national companies: May apply for interns working in Quebec through the Quebec site, even if the head office is in another province.

• Multiple interns: You can apply for more than one intern, subject to funding availability. Each intern must independently meet eligibility criteria.

• First‑year students and under‑represented groups: Eligible for the enhanced 70% subsidy, up to $7,000 per intern. You must be able to document status according to program guidance.

• International students: Not eligible under AUS. Interns must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees.

• Remote internships: Allowed when the work is based in Quebec, the intern is adequately supervised, and all wage and safety requirements are met.

• Academic institutions as employers: Typically out of scope when the employer is a public‑sector body; confirm employer type and exclusions before applying.

Self‑Assessment Checklist

Use this quick list to determine if you likely qualify for the AUS program.

Employer checklist:

• We are a private‑sector business or a non‑profit operating in Quebec.

• We can pay our intern at or above the Quebec minimum wage for the full term.

• We provide CNESST‑compliant coverage and adhere to Quebec labour standards.

• We will supervise the intern with a defined work plan and learning objectives.

• We can issue regular pay stubs and maintain payroll records.

• We are not a government entity or an excluded large financial institution.

• We will not claim another federal wage subsidy for the same intern and period.

Intern checklist:

• The student is enrolled at a recognized Canadian vocational, college, or university program.

• The student is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.

• The internship will take place in Quebec and align with the student’s field of study.

• For the 70% option, the student is a first‑year student or from an under‑represented group as defined by AUS.

Internship checklist:

• The placement is a WIL internship during an academic term (e.g., Winter 2026).

• Duties are meaningful, supervised, and tied to learning outcomes.

• The internship has clear start and end dates and a realistic schedule.

If you can answer “yes” to all applicable items, you likely meet AUS eligibility.

Conclusion

Accueillez un stagiaire is a flexible Quebec internship wage subsidy that supports employers across sectors while advancing student inclusion. To qualify, ensure your organization is a private or non‑profit employer operating in Quebec, that your internship is a paid WIL placement conducted in Quebec, and that the student meets academic enrollment and residency requirements. Employers that plan ahead on CNESST coverage, supervision, payroll documentation, and non‑duplication of funding are best positioned for approval.

Remember the intake schedule: as of December 2025, Summer and Fall 2025 are closed; Winter 2026 opens January 12, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. If you meet the AUS eligibility criteria, prepare your documents early to apply as soon as the window opens.