Work placements
Step into your future career with hands-on learning through a vocational education work placement. Our strong industry connections ensure you graduate with the skills, confidence, and networks to succeed.
Vocational education work placements at Swinburne
We've built long-standing relationships with leading organisations who welcome Swinburne students every year for vocational education work placements.
Study areas with work placements include Health, Education and Community.
Benefits of work placements
Besides fulfilling the requirements of your chosen vocational education course, there are many benefits to a work placement.
Graduate with experience under your belt
Build practical skills employers are looking for
Grow professional skills and networks
Your vocational education work placement
Select your profession to find out more details about your work placement.
Health, Education and Community work placements
Practical work placements provide you with the opportunity to gain hands on experience which is crucial for success in your preferred sector, apply theory to practice and gain lasting connections in your chosen field.
Benefits of Health, Education and Community work placements
Share contemporary theory and best practices
Develop and hone your skills
Grow your confidence in your sector
Build sector networks and connections
Placement structure
You can find the structure of your practical work placement on the individual course page.
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
- Certificate IV in Mental Health
- Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
- Certificate IV in School Based Education Support
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- Diploma of Community Services
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- Diploma of Emergency Health Care
- Diploma of Nursing
- Diploma of Nursing (Swinburne Online delivered)
- Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation
Duration
The work placement duration varies per course.
Early Childhood and Education courses
| Course code | Course name | Number of placement blocks | Number of placement hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHC30121 | Certificate III In Early Childhood Education and Care | 3 | 322 |
| CHC50121 | Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care | 2 | 560 |
| CHC40221 | Certificate IV in Education Support | 2 | 138 |
| 22602VIC | Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation | 1 | 66 |
Community Services and Youth Work courses
| Course code | Course name |
Number of placement blocks | Number of placement hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHC43315 | Certificate IV in Mental Health | 1 | 120 |
| CHC43515 | Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work | 1 | 80 |
| CHC40421 | Certificate IV in Youth Work | 1 | 120 |
| CHC52021 | Diploma of Community Services (accredited) | 2 | 400 |
| CHC52021 | Diploma of Community Services (non - accredited) | 1 | 200 |
Nursing and Health courses
| Course code | Course name |
Number of placement blocks | Number of placement hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| T33115 | Certificate III in Health Services Assistance | 1 | 80 |
| CHC33021 | Certificate III in Individual Support | 1 | 120 |
| HLT43021 | Certificate IV In Allied Health Assistance | 1 | 120 |
| HLT54121 | Diploma of Nursing | 3 | 440 |
| HLT54121 | Diploma of Nursing (online delivery) | 4 | 440 |
| HLT51020 | Diploma of Emergency Health Care | 1 | 160 |
Supervision and assessment
When participating in face-to-face practice, you will be supervised at all times by qualified and experienced staff. You will also receive ongoing support from a Swinburne teacher through your work placement.
Each course has individual placement course requirements.
Attendance
To gain the best placement experience from the chosen industry, work placements are vetted for students by Swinburne. This also ensures Victorian Training Package guidelines are followed and completed in full, to gain competency.
You are expected to be punctual and proactive in your attendance during the work placement. You must make up any missed attendance time.
Resources
You can access required placement documentation and compliance information in the Professional Experience Hub via Canvas. Access will be given upon commencement of your course.
Placement compliance
Please check specific requirements on the individual course pages listed under the placement structure.
Mandatory for all placements
All work placements require mandatory compliance checks which must be completed before commencing your placement:
- Working with Children Check (Victorian volunteer or employee checks are accepted)
- Police Check (you will be given a student discount link when commencing your course).
Course specific
You may be asked by your Placement Coordinator to meet these requirements. Please do not apply unless requested to.
- NDIS workers screen check
- immunisations.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. All students undertaking a health work placement must complete a Working with Children Check (WWC). More information about applications, fees and timeframes are available on the WWC website.
Work placements can be allocated, self sourced or advertised as an opportunity. Your Placement Coordinator will advise you the correct way to gain your placement for your course requirements.
Placement Coordinators make every effort to allocate placements as close as possible to the suburb where you live however this is not always possible.
You are expected to travel up to 1 hour to the placement, each way.
Some courses will require you to purchase a placement uniform.
If this does not apply, business casual clothes are expected to be worn during your placement.
We encourage you to treat your work placement like you would as an employee in your chosen sector.
If you cannot attend your placement, you will need to let your Placement Supervisor, Swinburne Supervisor and Placement Coordinator (depending on the course), know of your absence.
Any missed hours need to be made up.
If you are unwell and cannot attend placement, you must provide a medical certificate to Swinburne.
Yes, your work placement is cover by the Education Departments insurance via Swinburne University.
During your work placement, you are expected to be:
- professional
- punctual
- proactive.
Have questions about your Health Science and Community work placement? Get in touch
We can help you understand your obligations, requirements or allocation. Email us at vestudentplacements@swinburne.edu.au.
More industry experience opportunities
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Internships in bachelor degrees
Upgrade your bachelor’s degree with real industry experience through a part-time or intensive Swinburne internship.
-
Industry projects
Make a real-world impact by responding to industry briefs, solving challenges, and using the tools of your field, all built into your courses.
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Accreditation placements
Get the hands-on, real-world experience needed to complete some bachelor and postgraduate degrees to meet industry accreditation standards.
