Frequently asked questions

Prior to the start of trimester, you will receive an email from the health WIL team with information related to pre-placement requirements and how to access the pre-placement modules, which will explain the requirements of placement and how to secure a placement.

Please check your Deakin email account regularly in the lead-up to trimester.

If you are unable to enrol or if the unit currently appears as INVALID, you may not have completed the required prerequisite units. Please refer to the unit page in the Handbook. If you have passed the pre-requisite units and still have issues enrolling, please contact Student Central or the Health WIL team.

No. You must be enrolled in a WIL unit to be eligible to undertake a placement. Placements cannot commence until approval has been granted by the WIL team.

If work experience is a requirement of your course and compulsory for you to gain your degree, the hours should not count towards your maximum work hours per fortnight.

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.

Read more information on visas and work component hours

When reviewing if WIL will impact your visa conditions, please keep in mind that the majority of WIL placements are unpaid.

RPL is generally not approved for WIL units but please refer to our recognition for prior learning webpage for information on restrictions and the RPL application process.

RPL queries should be directed to the contact details on the RPL webpage.

WIL hours cannot be approved retroactively. Students cannot commence placement until their placement has been approved.

You are not permitted to undertake placement at your workplace unless in exceptional cases (which would need to be approved by the unit chair and/or course director).

We encourage you to make the most of WIL by broadening your skills, knowledge and networks at a different organisation than your workplace.

Some WIL units require you to obtain a police check at your own expense prior to commencement of your placement. Police checks must be dated within the same year placement is being conducted. For example, if you undertake placement in 2026, you must have a police check dated in 2026.

A link to apply for a police check at a discounted student rate will be provided on the Cloud unit site prior to trimester of enrolment.

Some units and host organisations require you to complete a WWCC in order to participate in WIL. It is a legal requirement for those undertaking paid or voluntary child-related work in all Australian states and territories. For placements, you would only require a voluntary Working with Children’s Check, which is free.

Students enrolled in HSH303 Health Practicum, HSH324 Integrated Learning for Practice, HPS328 Psychology at Work (Internship) or HSH755 Postgraduate Health Practicum can undertake a FreelancingHUB project for credit towards these units.

View more information on the DeakinTALENT FreelancingHUB

It will depend on the placement, the organisation and you! The hours can be completed part-time 2-3 days per week or as a full-time block for 3-4 weeks. The hours must be completed in the trimester teaching period. The actual days and times of attendance are negotiated between the agency supervisor and student before commencement.

If you are sourcing a placement, please ensure you discuss this with your proposed organisation. If you are applying for placement, please ensure you check to see if they have requirements about how many days per week the student will be required to do.

It is possible to change your dates, but it is pending approval of the unit chair. Please reach out to health-wil@deakin.edu.au to discuss changing your placement dates. Please refer to the next two questions for implications regarding changing placement dates.

It is preferred that students undertake placement within the trimester dates. Finishing later may affect your result release and if you are in your final trimester, it could delay your graduation.

If you have special circumstances that require you to complete placement outside the normal trimester dates, please contact health-wil@deakin.edu.au au as academic approval will need to be requested.

Please be aware that if your placement dates extend beyond the trimester teaching dates, there could be a delay in receiving your result. If you are in your final trimester you should complete your placement hours and assessments prior to the end of unit assessment and exam period to receive your results on time.

Deakin provides insurance for students on placements or work experience.

You are covered under Deakin’s insurance policies while on placement as long as the placement is approved by Deakin and is a requirement of your studies. If you would like to continue in a volunteer capacity past the formal placement period, the organisation must agree and provide their own insurance cover.

Any accidents, injuries or incidents must be reported to Deakin. Placement students can fill out a report and reach out to the Health WIL team or their unit chair for a confidential discussion about the incident.

If you are experiencing financial hardship and meet the criteria, you may apply for the WIL student support scheme, which can help to relieve financial stress and allow you to take a placement experience either domestically or overseas. Please note 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  please visit our scholarships webpage for more information.

Students will generally be able to access the Cloud Deakin site during orientation week. Please contact the Health WIL team (health-wil@deakin.edu.au) if you require any assistance with the placement unit.