Accreditation placements
Immerse yourself in your chosen profession with hands-on experience and practical learning in a work environment. Accreditation placements are a built-in component of some degrees and are a professional accreditation requirement.
Your accreditation placements at Swinburne
We've built long-standing relationships with leading organisations who welcome Swinburne students every year for accreditation placements.
Study areas with accreditation placements include Education, Engineering, Health and Law.
Some professional experiences or clinical placements are for credit in your degree while others are not, but all are compulsory in their respective courses.
Benefits of accreditation placements
Besides fulfilling the requirements of your chosen degree, there are many benefits to an accreditation placement.
Graduate with experience under your belt
Build next gen skills employers are looking for
Grow professional skills and networks
Your accreditation placement
Select your profession to find out more details about your placement.
Education accreditation placements
To help you inspire the next generation, you need hands-on experience. Professional experience placement – also called accreditation placement – is a mandatory component of all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) qualifications. These placements are required for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).
Benefits of Education placements
Share contemporary theory and best practice in teaching
Develop and hone your skills
Grow your confidence as an educator
Build professional networks and industry connections
Placement structure
You can find the structure of your accreditation placement and professional experience units in your course guide.
Duration [required by AITSL]
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) requires that you complete professional experience days as part of your degree.
Qualification |
Number of days |
|---|---|
| Bachelor degrees (single specialisation) | 81 days |
| Bachelor degrees (double specialisation) | 96 days |
| Postgraduate degrees | 60 days |
Supervision and assessment
You'll be supervised by a fully registered teacher and assessed according to the Australian Professional Standards. If you are completing an early childhood teaching course, you will also be assessed according to the National Quality Standard.
Attendance
Your course guide outlines the required attendance for each professional experience.
On-campus students must adhere to placement dates provided by Swinburne.
More information about the professional experience policies you’re expected to follow is available in the handbook.
Resources
The Professional Experience handbook contains all the information you need and is available through the Professional Experience Hub via Canvas.
Mandatory check
As a pre-service teacher, you are required to have a Working with Children Check before commencing your placement. More information about applications, fees and timeframes are available on the WWC website.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. All students undertaking professional experience in Victorian schools must complete a Working with Children Check, including those working or volunteering in early childhood centres, primary schools and secondary schools. As a volunteer, you do not need to pay for this card.
It depends. Pre-service teachers are usually not required to obtain a Police Check for placements; however, some schools and settings may request one. Once you receive your placement details, please check Canvas to confirm if a Police Check is needed.
Where possible, you’ll receive a placement within 1.5 hours travel of your residential address based on your nominated mode of transport (e.g. public transport or car).
If you’re undertaking Professional Experience units as part of a bachelor-level degree, the Professional Experience Team will source and allocate your placement.
If you’re undertaking the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching, you’ll be able to engage in either the Self-Placement (Workplace) or Self-Selectable placement process to determine your allocation.
Degree |
Days required |
|---|---|
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) |
80 |
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) |
96 |
Bachelor of Education (Primary) |
81 |
Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching |
60 |
Have questions about your Education placement? Get in touch
We can help you understand your obligations, requirements or allocation. Email us at eduplacements@swinburne.edu.au.
Engineering accreditation placements
As you build your engineering career, it’s important to put your knowledge to the test in real-world environments. You must complete a minimum of 12 weeks full-time equivalent (or 480 hours) of approved experience in an engineering environment before you can graduate. This is completed as a core unit, EAT20008, in your study plan.
Benefits of Engineering placements
Apply what you’ve learnt to solve real industry challenges
Develop and hone your practice of work
Work with industry standard technology in real-world settings
Build professional networks and industry connections
Placement structure
You can find the structure of your accreditation placement and professional experience units in your course guide.
Nature of work
For your work experience to be eligible as a placement, it must be of an engineering nature and must be linked to your engineering course.
Supervision
You must be supervised by a professional engineer (of the host organisation) that is degree qualified in engineering. Supervisors that do not hold an engineering qualification but hold an equivalent or related qualification may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Placement location
Your placement can be completed in industry, the profession or any workplace where engineering work is performed in Australia or overseas.
Duration
Your placement can be as many days as suits you and the host organisation. It can be done in a single block or spread out over an extended period.
Note: International students must follow the visa requirements regarding the maximum working hour limit during semesters.
If one placement is fewer than 12 weeks full-time equivalent (or 480 hours), the balance can be made up with another placement or other approved professional activities as listed in the EAT20008 Handbook via ORG-STU-Professional within the Canvas portal.
How it works
Process Checklists A&B in the EAT20008 Handbook provide an overview of the process. Follow these steps to complete your placement.
12-month placement option
As an Engineering student, you have the option of completing a 12-month placement. This will give you an opportunity to explore your chosen career in more depth and fulfill the requirements of your accreditation.
Frequently asked questions
The professional activities should draw upon your undergraduate learning from an engineering perspective and reinforce the skills and knowledge you gained during your undergraduate.
Professional activities may be industry placements/internships, employment, industry-based projects, feasibility studies, study tours, internships etc. Handbook p. 3 provides a list of approved activities and allocation of equivalent time and suggested evidential documents for each activity. The requirements for Practical experience (Activity 1) are explained in detail.
The professional activities can be full-time, part-time or casual; any time of the year; shorter or longer than 12 weeks, paid or unpaid, in Australia or overseas.
Note: international students must follow the visa requirement regarding working hour limit during semesters but can engage in full-time work during term breaks. If EAT20008 is the only remaining unit, international students can also engage in full-time work.
EAT20008 is a zero-credit unit with no fees, requiring students to self-source professional experience opportunities. Many platforms promote engineering roles:
- Assistance in Placement section in the Handbook: provides a list of resources for internships, placements, and employment in engineering.
- LinkedIn: a valuable tool for finding jobs and internships.
- Australian Business Database: available through the Swinburne library to expand your search options.
EAT20008 is a mandatory unit to complete the course. Students are encouraged to consider a broad range of professional activities as listed in Handbook page 3.
Take advantage of Swinburne Support which is very attractive to many businesses:
- Conducting approved (by major supervisor) professional activity towards EAT20008 does not need to be paid – and this is compliant with Australian Fair Work laws
- Students engaging in approved professional activities that count towards EAT20008 requirements will be covered under Swinburne’s general liability and personal accident insurance policies in Australia and overseas
Share the Flyer for Employer resource to help potential employers understand how this 12-week professional experience program works, the obligations of each party and flexibilities.
Enhance your employability with the Employability Training Module, which includes:
- Job search mindset
- Job search toolkit (resumes, cover letters, etc.) and interview skills
- Access to Swinburne student career services.
Work done in an industry related to your study can be credited to EAT20008 regardless if done before any formal paperwork has been done at Swinburne, as long as your employer can provide a completion letter stating the dates you worked there and examples of the work you did. Other past professional experience can also be credited towards the EAT20008 unit if identified in the list of approved professional activities and evidential documents are available. Process checklist B in the Handbook provides stepwise instructions. Specifically, you need to
- Email your major supervisor the detailed work experience information and seek approval. Make sure to include the initial offer letter, position description including the host organisation name, your role, completed activities/tasks and the total duration;
- If approved and you have completed 12 weeks FTE, proceed to Process Checklist A Step 8 in Handbook. Your supervisor will assess your submission and advise you and your convenor by email on the outcome.
Have questions about your Engineering placement? Get in touch.
We can help you understand your obligations, requirements or allocation. Email us at EAT20008@swinburne.edu.au.
Health accreditation placements
Health practitioners benefit from lifelong hands-on learning – and yours begins during your studies. In fields like Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, and Exercise Science, you may be required to complete between 160 and 1,000 hours of professional experience. These placements are essential for building practical skills and applying theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
Benefits of Health placements
Build professional networks and industry connections
Professional development from experienced practitioners
Build confidence as a future health professional
Experience a variety of placements across public, private, community and specialist services
Placement structure
The structure, timing and duration of your accreditation placement depends on which course you’re studying.
Bachelor degree courses
| Course | Number of placement hours |
|---|---|
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science |
Minimum 160 hours Two placements in Year 3 |
Bachelor of Nursing |
Minimum 800 hours Year 1: 80 hours Year 2: 320 hours Year 3: 400 hours |
Postgraduate degree courses
| Course | Number of placement hours |
|---|---|
Master of Dietetics |
Minimum 100 days Four 25-day placements in year 2 |
Master of Occupational Therapy |
Minimum 1000 hours across two years |
Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) |
Minimum 1000 hours across two years |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) | Minimum 1000 hours across two years |
| Doctor of Psychology (Clinical & Forensic Psychology) | Minimum 1600 hours across two years |
Master of Physiotherapy |
Minimum 800 hours across two years |
Frequently asked questions
Health placements occur within private, public, community, hospital, mental health, and specialist services settings. The best way to prepare for your course is to start your immunisation program
You’ll require immunisation against or immunity from the following:
- Covid-19
- Annual influenza vaccination
- DTPa vaccination within the past 10 years
- Varicella vaccination or demonstrated immunity
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations or demonstrated immunity
- Hepatitis B full vaccination course plus demonstrated immunity
- TB screening – Quantiferon Gold Tube Test
The Department of Health requires you to complete a number of checks and security screenings, including:
- National Police Check – renewed annually
- Working with Children Check – must be current for entire course duration
- NDIS Clearance – for Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Dietetics courses
Many factors contribute to your allocation, including but not limited to:
- Ensuring diversification of experiences across a variety of settings, for example private vs public health.
- Placement availability. Health placements are booked one year in advance and vary from year to year.
- Type of placement experience required for your stage/placement accreditation required.
- Location may also be considered where possible.
- Availability of regional opportunities.
Have questions about your Health placement? Get in touch.
We can help you understand your obligations, requirements or allocation. Email us at healthplacements@swinburne.edu.au.
Law accreditation placements
The best legal practitioners have the hands-on experience and professional perspective to practice with confidence. If you’re studying a Bachelor of Laws, you must complete three 20-day professional accreditation experience placements over the course of your degree.
Benefits of Law placements
Apply what you’ve learnt in practical situations
Further develop your skills and confidence in a legal setting
Get a closer look at exciting future career opportunities
Build professional networks and industry connections
Supervision
You must be supervised by an employee of the host organisation at or above manager level.
Placement location
Your placement can be completed in industry, the profession or any workplace where legal work is performed.
Duration
Your placement will comprise a minimum of 20 days full-time equivalent work, done in a single block or spread out over an extended period. If your placement is fewer than 20 days, the balance can be made up with another placement.
There is no time limit for completion.
Flexibility
Placements can be for as many days as suits you and the host organisation.
Notes
Students can obtain credit for more than one placement if:
- the length of the placement exceeds 20 days
- they undertake an authorised 6- or 12-month ‘Professional Experience in Law’ position
Completion letters are required from each relevant employer for verification.
Frequently asked questions
Browse our FAQs on the Ask George platform.
Have questions about your Law placement? Get in touch.
We can help you understand your obligations, requirements or allocation. Email us at lawplacements@swinburne.edu.au.
More industry experience opportunities
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Internships in bachelor degrees
Upgrade your bachelor’s degree with real industry experience through a part-time or intensive Swinburne internship.
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Placements
Give your degree an industry upgrade with a paid, full-time placement. Over 6 or 12 months, you’ll gain the next gen experience, insight and knowledge employers want.
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Industry projects
Make a real-world impact by responding to industry briefs, solving challenges, and using the tools of your field, all built into your courses.
