Questions have arisen over whether unpaid internships are a valuable experience or exploitation, as they become increasingly viewed as necessary for securing employment.

Young job seekers are paying up to $2000 to get work experience as unpaid interns, raising concerns about the potential for exploitation and an unfair playing field for those unable to afford the opportunities

Work experience or internships are a common path to employment. But at what point does working for free become exploitative? Jeannette Francis looks at the current situation. Watch the video above, or check out some of the online responses below.

The term 'intern' has crept into the Australian lexicon, lending an air of legitimacy to a dodgy practice. Desperate young people should not be seen as walking dollar signs.

While many young people see unpaid internships as a way to find work in competitive industries, Interns Australia says too many employers use the system for their own benefit.

A simple search of the internship/work experience category on Pedestrian Jobs reveals hundreds upon hundreds of results, each boasting the unrivalled opportunity for the ‘right candidate’ (read: prospective doormat) to get a foot in the door of their dream job. There’s just one catch. Salary: $0.

Even if you haven’t seen The Devil Wears Prada, you’d be familiar with the idea of the horrific internship spent fetching coffees and posting letters rather than doing anything towards your future career.

Employers who take on interns would have to sign a code of practice to protect young workers from exploitation under a proposal before a NSW parliamentary inquiry into unpaid work.

On the one hand, why should companies pay to teach you? But on the other, if you’re contributing time and effort to their company, why should you be expected to work for free?The debate rages on.