FAQs

Congratulations on securing a role, we welcome you to complete and submit a self-sourced WIL application so we can assess the opportunity and advise you whether it qualifies as a WIL experience. You can find step-by-step instructions on our How to apply page.

We encourage you to read about the available WIL options to see if your experience meets the criteria, submissions are subject to approval or may not qualify.

• Business students can review the ‘Using your current workplace’ options via our MWL318/MWL718 Internship unit.
• Law students in law related roles can review MLL338/MLJ738 Legal Professional Practice for further guidance.

Most of our WIL programs have set dates that generally run within the trimester. Check our program specific webpages for key dates on each of our offerings. Self-sourced placements are flexible and can occur at any time. You must apply by the application deadlines listed on our how to apply page with a self-sourced opportunity in order to ensure the opportunity will count as a WIL unit in a particular trimester. When choosing a trimester, you should look at the trimester where most of your placement dates fall.

Changes to your Internship start and/or end date must be communicated to the WIL Team in advance to your approved dates lapsing (i.e. dates cannot be retrospectively changed). Your placement supervisor must provide written confirmation of the new date/s to the WIL Team: bl-wil@deakin.edu.au. 

If your internship dates extend beyond the trimester teaching dates, there could be a delay in receiving your result. Students in their final trimester should complete their internship hours and assessments prior to the end of unit assessment and exam period to receive their results on time. 

Deakin's insurance policy provides insurance cover for students completing a University-approved placement, please see insurance for students on placements. Please note, this insurance policy does not cover expenses associated with illness, such as testing positive for COVID-19.

Once you have sought the appropriate health advice and medical support, we encourage you to consult with your internship (where feasible) to accommodate you being able to complete your hours.

Yes, WIL units incur normal unit fees within your degree. Some Deakin-led WIL experiences (especially those overseas) will incur additional costs beyond the unit fee. We will always endeavour to communicate these to you before you apply. Find out more about course fees. 

You will receive a normal grade. WIL grades do count towards your WAM. 

 If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for the WIL Student Support Scheme, which can help to relieve financial stress and allow you to take a placement experience locally or overseas. Please note that the scheme has strict eligibility criteria and funding levels can vary depending on the unit taken and duration of placement. Other scholarships may be available – for information please visit the scholarships webpage.

Assessment in a WIL unit is highly reflective, and requires documentation of your work. Refer to the Handbook entry or CloudDeakin site (if enrolled) for your WIL unit to understand specifics about assessment.

If you’re undertaking an external placement, assessment deadlines are largely based around your specific placement start and end dates, rather than the standard trimester dates.

If you’re undertaking a Deakin WIL program, assessment deadlines will be uniform and will be communicated to you on your Cloud Deakin unit site.

In some of the WIL experiences, your host or program lead will assess you. In other experiences, your assessment tasks are handled entirely by Deakin academics. The specifics of your assessment regime will be communicated to you by the unit chair.

WIL units are ‘locked’ until your placement has been formally approved by the WIL team. If you haven’t received approval yet, please wait until you have received instructions on how to enrol. 

Yes, however there are requirements that you need to be aware of and it is your responsibility to ensure that you do not breach conditions of your visa. View information on work component hours and visas.

No, Deakin does not recommend that you participate in any internships with hosts or third-party providers seeking to obtain payment for connecting you with an internship opportunity. Speak with the WIL Team if you are struggling to find an internship opportunity.