Partner with us

• Complete the placement proposal form below or contact us directly to discuss.
• We will organise for one of our academic team to contact you if you have questions relating to the nature of the project/s student can undertake.
• You have the option of how students can apply to participate. We can manage this for you, or you can use your existing recruitment processes.
• We will send you a placement agreement that will cover areas such as IP, responsibilities and insurance.

There is some flexibility in the timing of placements, however, the main intake times are:

• Semester 1 (Starting as early as January)
• Semester 2 (Starting as early as July)
• Summer placement (Starting in November and February)

This depends on the students you are looking for. Below is a guide of length of placement depending on discipline and student type. Placements can be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis.

Students apply for opportunities that interest them and suit their skill requirements. We collect and collate applications on your behalf, or you can ask students to apply directly to you. Once you receive the application you can interview and select your best candidate using your choice of selection process.

We do not charge any fees, and there is no requirement for you to pay students while on placement, however, it is more common in the longer placements, and can assist you in attracting students.

Host organisations offering regional placements may be asked to assist with accommodation and transportation expenses (eg. billeting, reduced rates etc).

Placements that are vocational in nature, assessed, supervised and are a learning experience, meet the definition of a “vocational placement” under the Fair Work Act. Therefore, it is a legal unpaid learning experience whereby the student can apply the skills and knowledge from University into a professional workplace. Providing it is a legal and structured framework based on a course, which the students are completing for credit, it is completely acceptable.

The level and technical knowledge of the supervisor depends on the type of student you are hosting. Our engineering, computer science and IT students require access to a qualified or highly experienced supervisor. All other students will require regular supervision, guidance, and feedback.

Sometimes, hosting two students at the same time can reduce the overall time spent on supervision, as they are able to work together to resolve issues, however, there will always be the requirement for their work and progress to be monitored, and support provided when needed.  

If you choose to host a student you will need to:

• Sign a Letter of Agreement
• Assist in developing the student’s work plan
• Support the documentation of relevant WHS requirements

The Letter of Agreement is a legally binding document completed and signed by the Placement Provider and Flinders University. This agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of all parties. The agreement will last for a duration of five years and enables you to access students from any College and discipline within Flinders University. However, at no point are you under any obligation to accept students. Please note students are not permitted to begin placement with a provider until this document has been fully executed.

The Work Plan guides student’s work while on placement is agreed to by the Placement Provider, student and supervising academic, and is the basis of assessment of the student’s placement. The Work Plan should document the scope, objectives, deliverables, and proposed outcomes of the project, and is not just a list of tasks.

The Placement Provider will be requested to share any relevant documentation relating the management of the safety of students while they are on placement. This may include risk assessments, inductions, or training requirements.

From a host organisation’s perspective, a placement works well when a student feels comfortable and safe in their workplace, and able to contribute to the organisation.

Expectations should be made clear at the initial interview including work and learning objectives, dress standards; work attendance; and clear project outlines (if a project is to be completed).  A great start can be supported by a first day orientation to the workplace, an introduction to other staff and a health and safety induction. It is also helpful if other staff are aware of the student and the role they are to play.

It is worth noting many students may have never worked in a professional environment similar to your organisations, so allowing them time to adjust not only to the task at hand, but also the workplace norms, policies and standard procedures, will enhance their confidence, reduce the need for direction over time, and set the experience up for success for both you and the student.

Students will ideally spend most of their time in in the workplace, or with a reasonable blend of workplace and online work. If possible, inclusion of students in all aspects of the work environment including meetings is highly valued. We ask students to act in a professional manner, show initiative and be willing to perform a variety of jobs from the mundane to the exciting. We have very rarely been disappointed.

Before students start placement, we ensure they clearly understand the behaviour standards expected of them. Students undertaking a placement in a host organisation are bound by the standards of performance conditions in the host workplace. Their workplace performance will have implications from an academic viewpoint, as part of the student assessment is reliant on the report from the host organisation.

If you have concerns it is suggested issues are first addressed by the workplace supervisor, and if the issue(s) cannot be resolved, or if the concerns require discussion, then contact the placement team to discuss.

Recognising IP is important. The Agreement signed by Flinders University and the host organisation ensures the ownership of any created IP remains with the host organisation, under specific conditions relating to the use of the IP for the student’s reports and assessment.

You may also choose to request the student sign a confidentiality agreement. We are open to discussing how we can further support the protection of confidential and commercially sensitive is managed throughout the student’s placement and assessment.

Students undertaking an unpaid placement are covered by the University's insurance policies. The University's personal accident policy covers the Student for disablement occurring whilst on field expeditions or practical placement anywhere in Australia, New Zealand and in Territorial waters.

The University's public liability and professional indemnity policies provide cover for the student whilst on placement but do not indemnify the Placement Provider. A copy of these policies is available upon request.

If the student is undertaking a paid placement they will be employed by the Placement Provider and as such, will be covered by the Placement Providers relevant insurances.