Deakin University’s School of Education is committed to advancing child safety and equipping future educators with the knowledge and skills to work in trauma-informed, ethical, and responsible ways. As part of this commitment, all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) students are required to complete Safer Learners—a foundational online training program—during their first professional experience unit.

What is Safer Learners?

Safer Learners is a compulsory online training program comprising four interactive modules focused on key child safety principles and practices. 
Each module concludes with a quiz that must be completed with 100% accuracy before progressing to the next. The modules are designed to be completed sequentially.

Who must complete this?

All students enrolled in Deakin University’s Initial Teacher Education programs, including:

• Early Childhood

• Primary

• Secondary

• Education Preparation for Beginning (EPB)

• Internship Pathways

• Any course delivered through the School of Education

Please note: Even students who have previously undertaken Child Safe training externally must complete the Safer Learners modules as part of their Deakin professional preparation.

When is this completed?

The training is a mandatory requirement and is integrated as an assessment task in each student’s first professional experience unit (or equivalent).

Students are expected to:

1. Upload their certificate of completion to the unit site

2. Submit a brief written reflection on their learning

Those who completed the training prior to 2025 may upload their existing certificate and complete the reflection.

Additional information

• Quizzes allow multiple attempts, with content designed to support student success

• Students maintain access to the Safer Learners site throughout their studies

• Embedded links to support services are included in each module