Workplace learning

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Last Updated

26 Oct 2020 at 2:12pm

COVID-19 and your workplace learning:

We are encouraging all students currently undertaking workplace learning or with workplace learning experiences coming up to be extra-vigilant in minimising potential exposure to COVID-19:

  • Only travelling when it is essential
  • Maintaining good hand hygiene
  • Strictly following social distancing measures.

Some placement sites also have additional requirements. Your Workplace Learning Team will advise if these apply to you.

Following these simple steps will help reduce your likelihood of coming into contact with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, or developing other symptoms that prevent you from continuing with your placement at this time.

You must follow all NSW Health and government guidelines and instructions in the first instance, and must not attend placement if you are unwell. If you develop any symptoms during your placement, contact your placement supervisor and Workplace Learning team and stay home until you are fully recovered. You should also see a medical practitioner or have a COVID-19 test if requested.

Currently, most domestic placements are continuing as scheduled, apart from placements that were scheduled to take place in Victoria. All international placements have been cancelled and affected students will be contacted individually.

Due to the spread of the virus, individual health services and other organisations are making decisions about placement cancellations, suspensions or increased student preparation requirements. These decisions are site-specific, and in response to the spread of the virus in particular areas and the level of risk.

To date only a small number of domestic placements have been affected. Should your placement be affected, the workplace learning team will advise you as soon as possible  and will seek an alternate placement for you.

If you have any questions or need to contact your Faculty Workplace Learning team, please contact your team by emailing one of the following addresses:

New South Wales and Victoria Border Closure

Workplace learning teams will review all upcoming placements requiring travel into Victoria in order to reduce the risk to our students. This may include rescheduling or finding alternative placement sites. If you have a placement scheduled in Victoria, your Faculty workplace learning team will be in direct contact to discuss your situation.

FAQs about COVID-19 and workplace learning

The following FAQs answer some of the general questions you may have around the impacts of COVID-19 on workplace learning.

  • What is Charles Sturt doing about Workplace Learning placements in response to COVID-19?

    Depending on the type of placement students undertake, such as in a hospital setting, we have confirmed with these placement providers that students  will not be placed at the frontline in the management of COVID-19. For placements in hospital settings, we have also increased our staffing resources to prepare students for these types of placements.

    For placements at schools, libraries and early child care centres, we are following the advice of accrediting bodies to ensure that the best interests of our student are catered for on placement.

    For some health and allied-health areas, such as psychology, placements will be conducted through the Australian Government’s Telehealth Services which has been expanded in response to COVID-19.

    We are also continually updating the COVID-19 student updates page with Australian Federal and State health department advice about the virus.

  • How will we decrease the risk of students coming into contact with COVID-19?

    We have confirmed with all health and medical placement providers that students will not be placed at the frontline in the management of COVID-19. We have also increased our resources to prepare students for placement.

    We are also continually updating the COVID-19 students updates page with Australian Federal and State health department advice about the virus.

  • What happens if I don’t feel comfortable going on placement?

    You can postpone or defer your placement experience because of COVID-19.

    You will need to apply for special consideration and undertake the placement at a later time. You'll receive a GP (Grade Pending) grade so you can complete your placement after session ends.

    If you would like more advice, contact your Faculty Workplace Learning team to discuss your situation and how to apply for special consideration.

  • Will my placement definitely go ahead?

    No, your placement may be cancelled if Government advice changes or conditions at placement sites change. We will also follow industry decisions, such as in the case of school, health service, government, and business closures.

    Your Faculty Workplace Learning team will work with you to reschedule the placement.

    It is possible given the uncertainty with the length of time we will need to respond to COVID-19 that finding you another placement will take time to organise and confirm. Our priority will be finding placements for final year students.

    You will not fail the subject if you are not able to complete your placement in the current session due to COVID-19. You will receive a TA (To Be Assessed) grade so you can complete your placement after session ends.

  • If my placement is cancelled, what will happen?

    Your Faculty Workplace Learning team will work with you to reschedule the placement, or if possible, find you an alternative placement.

    It is possible given the uncertainty with the length of time we will need to respond to COVID-19 that finding you another placement will take time to organise and confirm. Our priority will be finding placements for final year students.

    You will not fail the subject if you are not able to complete your placement in the current session due to COVID-19. You will receive a TA (To Be Assessed) grade so you can complete your placement after session ends.

  • I am currently on placement should I continue?

    Yes, you should continue on your current placement unless you are advised by either the placement organisation or the University that your placement has been cancelled.

    If you feel uncomfortable continuing your placement due to COVID-19 you should discuss your concerns with your Faculty Workplace Learning team. You will need to apply for a special consideration and undertake the placement at a later time. You'll receive a GP (Grade Pending) grade so you can complete your placement after session ends.

  • What should I do if I feel unwell or have come into contact with COVID-19?

    If you feel unwell or have come into contact with COVID-19, you should not attend your workplace learning placement. Please advise the Faculty Workplace Learning team immediately as well as your placement site supervisor.

    If you feel unwell or are needing to isolate yourself for 14 days, you should not attend your workplace learning placement. Please advise your Faculty Workplace Learning team immediately as well as your placement site supervisor.

    Contact your Faculty Workplace Learning team for further advice if you have:

    • Been in close contact with someone diagnosed with the COVID-19
    • Recently travelled from another country and have developed COVID-19 symptoms
    • Recently travelled from another country and have not developed COVID-19 symptoms
    • Are needing to isolate yourself for 14 days.

    If your workplace learning has been disrupted because you are unwell or have been in contact with COVID-19, your Faculty Workplace Learning team can help you to arrange to finish your workplace learning requirements and provide support.

  • What if my supervisor cancels my placement?

    You need to notify your Faculty Workplace Learning team  who will discuss your options with you.

    Your Faculty Workplace Learning team will work with you to reschedule the placement, or if possible, find you an alternative placement.

    Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 duration, it is possible that finding you another placement will take time to organise and confirm. Our priority will be finding placements for final year students.

    You will not fail the subject if you are not able to complete your placement in the current session due to COVID-19. You will receive a TA (To Be Assessed) grade so you can complete your placement after session ends.

  • Will I get my subject fees reimbursed if I can’t complete my placement?

    Not automatically. You can choose to either stay enrolled in the subject and to receive a TA (To Be Assessed) grade so you can complete your placement after session ends. Or you can apply for special consideration to withdraw from the subject so you can then apply for a remission or refund of your subject fees. Certain COVID-19 criteria for special consideration applies.

    If you decide to withdraw from your placement subject, you may, with Faculty approval,  also add another subject late. In this circumstance when you can’t complete your placement, you will not have to pay a late enrolment fee. This will allow you to keep your student load at the same level if you can’t complete your placement.

    To add a subject late, complete the Late Application to Add a Subject form.

Courses with workplace learning

The following Faculties and Schools have a workplace learning component. There are steps you need to take before taking part in workplace learning, like ensuring your immunisations are up-to-date.

Your Faculty or School workplace learning team will let you know about the requirements that apply to your placement.

Faculty of Arts and Education

There are workplace learning components for subjects that fall within the following schools and courses. Please refer to the school site to find more information about workplace learning / professional experience in these courses.

  • School of Education and School of Teacher Education
    • Bachelor of Education (Birth to 5 Years)
    • Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)
    • Bachelor of Education (Secondary) – Industry Entry
    • Bachelor of Education (K-12)
    • Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education)
    • Bachelor of Education (Outdoor Education)
    • Bachelor of Education (Technology and Applied Sciences)
    • Bachelor of Educational Studies
    • Bachelor / Master of Teaching (Primary)
    • Bachelor / Master  Teaching (Secondary)
    • Graduate Diploma of Mathematics

    Visit the School website

  • School of Humanities and Social Sciences
    • Bachelor of Health Science (Leisure and Health)
    • Bachelor of Human Services
    • Bachelor of Social Work
    • Masters in Child and Adolescent Welfare
    • Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)

    Visit the School website

  • School of Information Studies
    • Bachelor of Information Studies
    • Master of Information Studies
    • Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship)

    Visit the School website

  • School of Communications and Creative Industries
    • Bachelor of Creative Industries
    • Bachelor of Communication
    • Bachelor of Theatre Media
    • Master of Communication

    Visit the School website

Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences

Faculty of Science

There are workplace learning components for subjects that fall within the following schools and courses. Please refer to the Faculty of Science WPL Interact 2 site to find more information about workplace learning in these courses.

  • School of Agricultural & Wine Sciences
    • Bachelor of Agriculture
  • School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences
    • Bachelor of Animal Science
    • Bachelor of Veterinary Science
    • Bachelor of Veterinary Technology
  • School of Biomedical Sciences
    • Bachelor of Paramedicine
    • Bachelor of Clinical Science/Bachelor of Medical Science/Bachelor of Medical Science (with Specialisations)
  • School of Community Health
    • Bachelor of Health and Rehabilitation Science
    • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
    • Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine
    • Bachelor of Physiotherapy
    • Bachelor of Speech Pathology
  • School of Dentistry & Health Sciences
    • Bachelor of Dental Science
    • Bachelor of Oral health (Therapy and Hygiene)
  • School of Environmental Science
    • Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management
    • Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage)Bachelor of Oral health (Therapy and Hygiene)
    • Bachelor of Applied Science (Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism)
    • Bachelor of Environmental Science
  • School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health
    • Bachelor of Exercise Science
  • School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health

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