Canberra's Tahnee Barnes wins LJ Hooker's Million Dollar Intern competition

A Canberra woman is a step closer to a career in real estate, winning a prestigious national internship.

Tahnee Barnes has been crowned LJ Hooker’s Million Dollar Intern.

The 28-year-old recruitment consultant will be mentored by LJ Hooker Double Bay agent Bill Malouf during a three-month paid position.

Mr Malouf sells more than $300 million worth of property a year in the prestigious Sydney Harbour market.

Ms Barnes was among almost 200 hopefuls and 16 finalists vying for the internship.

She said she was “completely blown away” to have won.

“I wanted it so badly but to actually have won is just amazing,” she said.

“I have a second-to-none work ethic; I don’t give up when it gets hard, and I want to make LJ Hooker my brand and grow my own brand within this network.”

Ms Barnes, who spent a decade in the military, including deployments in Afghanistan and East Timor, will be flown to Sydney in July to learn the ropes in an initial real estate course.

She will then spend the next three months shadowing Mr Malouf.

Included as part of the prize is Sydney accommodation and an Audi car for the duration of the internship.

Finalists were judged on their presentation in a submission video, how they performed in a behavioural test, and their responses during a number of phone interviews.

Ms Barnes was one of two Canberra finalists, with 22-year-old Hope Wilkins also vying for the spot.