How to apply for a WIL placement

The SEBE WIL units are listed below with links to the Handbook for more information, including prerequisites and assessments.

Before proceeding with an application, you must ensure that you have confirmed your eligibility to undertake the SEBE WIL unit during the intended trimester. Please use the following link or contact Student Central to request an up-to-date course map.

A course map (valid for the 6 months prior to the date of application) is a compulsory requirement for a completed SEBE WIL application.

REQUEST COURSE MAP

Please note: Enrolment in all SEBE WIL units requires approval from the SEBE WIL Team. You cannot enrol in your WIL unit or start your placement until this approval is granted.

Life and Environmental Sciences

SLE301: Undergraduate unit, offered in T1 and T2, placements range from 80–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SLE768: Postgraduate unit, offered in T1 and T2, requires placement of 225-250 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SLE769: Postgraduate unit, offered in T1 and T2, requires placement of 225-255 hours, can be paid or unpaid. 
SLE225: Elective unit, offered in T3, placements are international with a duration of 80–160 hours.

Note: placements must involve practical work and not be solely observational.

Engineering

SEL703: Offered in all trimesters, placements range from 225–450 hours, can be paid or unpaid. This unit is mandatory for Engineers Australia accreditation.

Note: Placement supervisors must be accredited engineers with at least 5 years of experience within the industry.

Information Technology

SIT306: Undergraduate unit, offered in all trimesters, placements must range from 100–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SIT709: Postgraduate unit, offered in all trimesters, placements must range from 100–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SIT344: Undergraduate unit, offered in all trimesters, placements must range from 450–900 hours and are paid.
SIT791: Postgraduate unit, offered in all trimesters, placements must range from 450–900 hours and are paid.
SIT776: Postgraduate unit, offered in T1 and T2, placements must range from 100–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.

Architecture and Construction Management

SRM372: Undergraduate elective unit, offered in all trimesters, placements must range from 112–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SRM772: Postgraduate elective unit, offered in T2 and T3, placements must range from 112–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.

To secure a placement, begin by identifying the type of experience that aligns with your interested and career goals. This will ensure you make the most of your WIL opportunity. Then, 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 (a self-sourced placement) to express your interest in a placement.

A self-sourced placement is one you find yourself, rather than through the SEBE WIL Team. Around 70% of all placements are self-sourced. We strongly encourage you to take the lead in finding opportunities. Explore job sites like SEEK, professional networks such as LinkedIn, and reach out to lecturers who may have industry connections or know of projects needing support. Think of this as a chance to build your skills and professional network.

For useful resources on how to self-source a placement or approach employers, check out our How to Find a Placement module.

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 excellent resources on the DeakinTALENT website to prepare your application.

Once you have secured a placement, you must submit an InPlace application for approval (prior to your placement commencement date). Placements cannot be backdated and the processing of applications takes approximately 10 working days. Therefore, your application start date must be at least two weeks after submission. Please coordinate and negotiate this timeline with your host organisation.

In some instances, there may be delays in completing the necessary paperwork to confirm the placement. Please ensure that you plan early and keep your host organisation informed of the progress of your application and any anticipated changes to the start date.

After confirming your unit eligibility, please proceed to complete the following:

Submit your application through InPlace and complete all required fields (You no longer need to complete a separate Industry Placement form).

You must ensure you have an up-to-date course map (no more than 6 months old) before applying, as this is a compulsory document required to complete your application in InPlace.

Refer to the InPlace Student Instructions (PDF, 411.7 KB) for assistance.

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Once your application has been conditionally approved by the Unit Chair, you will receive an email from the SEBE WIL Team, notifying you of the conditional approval and instructions on how to complete the required documentation through DocuSign to confirm your placement.

If your host organisation already has a placement agreement in place with SEBE WIL, only the Student Undertaking (PDF, 173.5 KB) will need to be signed by you and your supervisor.

If your host organisation does not have an existing agreement, a SEBE WIL Placement Agreement, including the Student Undertaking, will be issued. The Agreement (PDF, 231.8 KB) must be signed by all required parties.

You cannot begin your placement until the documents have been signed and you have received a final approval email from the SEBE WIL Team confirming you can enrol in your WIL unit.

For additional guidance, please refer to the Understanding Your Student Undertaking (PDF, 135.1 KB) document.

The SEBE WIL Team ensures that all placements meet faculty and Deakin compliance requirements. Delays in submitting required documentation may impact the confirmation of your enrolment and/or your placement start date.

Reach out to the SEBE WIL Team at sebe-wil@deakin.edu.au if you require any further support to complete your application. It is highly recommended that you attend our weekly SEBE WIL Support Session for additional 1-1 support with your application.

To host a Deakin student on placement, an organisation must:

• have an ABN number (if located within Australia)
• have a website and email address
• have a minimum of 5 employees
• be able to provide a placement experience relevant to the student’s discipline and learning outcomes
• agree to comply with Deakin’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines and insurance requirements.

The organisation must also be able to provide students with a suitable supervisor. Students need to be supervised by a professional currently employed in a role related to the student’s tasks. For example, a student coding computer software for an organisation would need to be supervised by a professional whose primary role in your organisation is related to software design. Supervisors should be able to offer students access to feedback, guidance and mentoring.

Deakin values inclusion and diversity, embraces difference and seeks to nurture a connected, safe and respectful community. The WIL Team is committed to supporting all students in securing the right WIL experience for their goals. If you are a student from a diverse group and would like more information to help you navigate the WIL process, please visit the DeakinTALENT Diversity and Inclusion webpage. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team and the Disability Resource Centre can provide further support.

Students participating in work-integrated learning placements should be aware of their right to work in a respectful and inclusive workplace and know how to seek support if they are experiencing sexual harm and other forms of discrimination.

The National Plan Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education 2024 highlights placements as high-risk environments. A pre-placement module has been developed and is now available for all students as part of ongoing work in this space.

This module is expected to take 15 minutes and is designed to be completed before a placement or internship.

Complete the Respectful and Inclusive Workplace Pre-Placement Module.