SLE301 Professional Practice information for students

Integrating study and work experience in a systematic way is essential for forging close links between the university education process and the workplace. In this unit, you will have the opportunity to gain professional work experience with a course-related host organisation, approved by the unit chair for a minimum of 80 hours to a maximum of 160 hours.

To apply for an SLE301 placement, read the application timeline and then work through the steps below.

Application Timeline

Trimester 1 2026

Applications open in InPlace	Last day to secure a placement and lodge your application	Trimester 1 commences	Last day to complete the placement
Monday 1 September 2025	Sunday 22 February 2026	Monday 2 March 2026	Friday 15 May 2026 (end of Week 10)

Trimester 2 2026

Applications open in InPlace	Last day to secure a placement and lodge your application	Trimester 2 commences	Last day to complete the placement
Monday 1 September 2025	Sunday 28 June 2026	Monday 6 July 2026	Friday 18 September 2026 (end of Week 10)

Trimester 3 2026

Students planning to enrol in SLE301 for T1/T2 2027 can undertake their placement from September 2026 until Friday Week 10 of their enrolled trimester.

How to apply for an SLE301 WIL placement

Before you work through the steps below, please note the following information:

Start looking for a placement from 1 September of the previous year or at least 6 months prior to undertaking the unit because it can take a long time and many attempts to secure a placement.
Apply for placement approval as early as possible.
The WIL Team requires a minimum of 10 working days to process placement applications.
Hours completed at the placement organisation prior to the approval of your placement cannot be counted towards SLE301.
Placements for this unit can be commenced once the placement has been approved and you are enrolled (from 1 September in the year before the unit coursework commences) but the placement must be completed by the end of Week 10 of the enrolled trimester.
It is recommend you use the university breaks to undertake your placement.
Watch the recent SLE301 Information Session here.
For tips on how to find a placement, please see the How To Find a Placement Module.

Step 1 – Check your SLE301 eligibility

Step 2 – Prepare to apply for a placement

You should update your resume and write a high-quality cover letter before you apply for a faculty-sourced opportunity or approach a host organisation directly.

Use the following resources:

DeakinTALENT to prepare your application
SLE301 cover letter and email template.

Remember to check the dates in the timeline and start your search early to ensure you have a placement and all paperwork ready in time.

Step 3 – Find a host organisation

The nature of the work undertaken during your placement should be relevant to your course and future career objectives. You will need to liaise with the organisation to negotiate a relevant placement opportunity that fulfils these requirements. The placement for SLE301 is generally unpaid, however if you find a paid placement, it is still possible to complete it for credit towards SLE301.

There are two ways to search for a placement opportunity:

Faculty-sourced opportunities are posted on the DeakinTALENT jobs and internships board. Keep in mind that these opportunities are limited and highly competitive.
Alternatively, you can approach a host organisation directly to express your interest in a placement.

The organisation must meet the following criteria:

It must have a valid ABN, website and a physical address.
It must be able to provide a suitably qualified supervisor who can provide feedback on your performance and complete a Performance Evaluation, which contributes to your assessment.

Step 4 – Complete the placement documentation

Step 5 – Request placement approval

Step 6 – Enrol in SLE301 and access your unit site to complete placement activities

When your placement is approved you will receive an email from the SEBE WIL team with directions on how to enrol in SLE301 Professional Practice in Student Connect.

Within 24 to 48 hours of enrolment, you will have access to the T1 or T2 SLE301 unit site.

In preparation for the placement, you are required to complete the following steps before commencing.

Submit the Career Goals-Placement Activities-DGLOs Template to the Career Objectives dropbox on the unit site. This will allow you to access the Placement Preparation Module (PPM).
Complete the PPM to obtain the Completion Certificate.
Submit the Completion Certificate to the PPM dropbox on the unit site. This will give you access to the mid-Placement evaluation dropbox to submit your mid-placement evaluation and activity log. Submission of this will then provide access to the dropbox to submit your end of Placement evaluation and activity log.

Assessment and evaluation of SLE301

Further details about completing and submitting evaluations can be found on the SEL301 unit site. All assessment and evaluation questions should be directed to your Unit Chair.

Please note that while you may undertake the placement component of the unit earlier, other assessments and classes for SLE301 will occur during the trimester. Use the Placement Activities Log (available on the SLE301 unit site) to help you keep track of your hours, activities and reflections to help you with your assessments during trimester.

For more information and support

To speak to someone about your placement or enrolling in SLE301, contact the WIL team at sebe-wil@deakin.edu.au.