Business placement compliance

Industry placements provide business students the opportunity to put theory into practice, guide career choices and embed themselves into an organisation to gain experience they can draw on in graduate interviews. It is an integral component of the business degrees offered by Flinders University, to develop the workforce and entrepreneurs of the future.

An Industry placement can be a general experience or discipline-specific/project focused experience depending on the industry partner’s needs.

Pre-requisites for placement

Please access the BGL & HASS Work Integrated Learning FLO site for further information about business placements.

Enrolment

Enrolments for business placement topics open in late November for the following year, please check with AskFlinders to ensure you have space in your study plan.

Student placement checklist

Compliance requirements for placement eligibility

Essential compliance

You need a number of compulsory clearances and to undertake compulsory training before being allocated a placement.

You will not be eligible for placement until deemed fully compliant.

Activity	What you need to do	Form / more information	Submit to
Fitness for placement declaration	Declare your fitness for placement by reading and acknowledging the Fitness for Placement statement on InPlace. Let the University know if you have an access plan.	N/A	InPlace
Student consent for placement	Read and acknowledge the relevant essential conditions around student consent for placement using the applicable form. (Please note: if you are required to undertake multiple placements during your degree, you may be required to read both student consent documents, check with your WIL Support Team if you are unsure.)	Placements undertaken outside Flinders University - Student Consent for Placement Statement (PDF) OR Placements undertaken within Flinders University ONLY - Student Consent for Internal WIL Placement with Flinders University Statement (PDF)	InPlace
Intellectual property for placement	Watch the student IP declaration, then acknowledge your understanding in InPlace. Watch the IP counselling video.	Student Intellectual Property Statement (PDF)	InPlace
Emergency Contact	Confirm your emergency contact details are up to date in the Student Information System.		Student System
Student Declaration for Placement	Read and acknowledge the Student Declaration for Placement. If you agree with it, you will be eligible for placement.	Student Declaration for Placement (PDF)	InPlace
Police Check	You will need to provide a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC).	Police Check detailed information	InPlace

Additional compliance - may be required

Some host providers also require additional compliance evidence. You will be informed if these are required for your placement.

Department of Human Services (DHS) clearances

These clearances are valid for five years from date of issue (unless revoked prior), except Aged Care Sector Clearance, which has an expiry of three years.

There are three main types of screening offered by the DHS the University requires; Aged-Care Sector, Working With Children Check (WWCC), and NDIS Worker Check. Refer to the pre-placement compliance checklist to determine which screenings you require.

Formerly known as Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) clearances, DHS clearances are state-based clearances used to determine suitability for employment within specific care sectors in South Australia.

Note: Working With Children Checks issued prior to 1 July 2019 are known as Child-Related Employment Screenings.

Obtaining DHS clearances

The College of Business, Government and Law require students to obtain DHS Clearances through self-initiation via the DHS website.

Please follow this guide for step-by-step directions of how to start your application.

Existing clearances can be renewed up to 6 months prior to expiry. It is recommended that clearances are renewed early to ensure there is no lapse in compliance.

View more information on the DHS website.

What is the difference between DHS clearances and the Police Check?

The Police Check is a printout of all disclosable criminal convictions as recorded by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). DHS clearances involve additional probity checks and continuous monitoring. Both are required.

International Police Check (IPC)

An International Police Check (IPC) is required by students if in the last 10 years they have lived in a country other than Australia, for more than 1 year since turning 18 years of age.

Fit2Work is an accepted provider of an IPC or you may already have an IPC and can upload this as evidence on InPlace.

Police Check (NCCHC)

Students must supply a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) prior to the commencement of their placement.

Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC)

Valid for three years from date of issue

Commonly referred to as a Police Check, a National Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) is a document that lists all criminal convictions recorded against a person in the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) database. For more information visit the ACIC website.

Police Checks (NCCHCs) can be issued by:

State and Territory or
Private brokers that have been accredited by the ACIC

An acceptable Police Check (NCCHC) must meet the following requirements:

The following information is provided to assist you complete an application form for your Police Check:
Reason for Check – University Student Placement
Proposed Place of Work – Health/Aged Care Sector
Location – Adelaide, South Australia

Please note – if you are completing a Police Check for a Northern Territory placement, please follow the instruction provided by Flinders NT or your discipline specific checklist. In the absence of this advice, follow the above instructions to complete the application form.

Students are responsible for the cost of obtaining their Police Check (NCCHC).

Students completing placements in South Australia may choose to apply for a Police Check (NCCHC) directly through their local police, or through a commercial broker. If a Police Check (NCCHC) is required urgently (e.g. sooner than 4 – 5 weeks) then it is advisable to apply online through an accredited broker that offers fast turnaround.

Police Check (NCCHC) providers:

South Australia Police (SAPOL) - We strongly recommend you use the SAPOL Police Check as this the most accepted document.
Third party providers are https://flinders.checked.com.au and www.cvcheck.com.
State clearances are most widely accepted across organisations and interstate, third party provided clearances may not be accepted by host organisations outside of the control of the University.

Please note that Flinders University does not endorse these providers and cannot guarantee their turnaround times.

What happens if there are offences listed on my Police Check?

Students with criminal convictions should to refer to the SA Health Criminal and Relevant History Screening Policy Directive. Students with serious criminal convictions may be precluded from placement. Students with criminal convictions are advised to meet with their course coordinator to discuss their ability to satisfy the requirements of their placement topic.

Will you accept a Teachers Registration Board (TRB) Registration Certificate?

No. The Teachers Registration Board (TRB) undertakes a Police Check (Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check) as part of the registration process, however, no outcomes are listed on the registration certificate. You are required to obtain a separate Police Check (NCCHC).

How can I obtain a replacement Police Check?

Replacement Police Checks (NCCHCs) can sometimes be obtained by contacting the organisation that issued the original certificate. In many cases, students who have lost their Police Check (NCCHC) will need to apply for a new one.

Further information about placement

Types of placement

General placements

General placements provide you with experience and an opportunity to learn more about a business while participating in daily workplace activities and contributing to a range of business functions. You do not need to be completing your studies in any specific business or commerce major to complete a general placement.

Discipline-specific placements

With a discipline-specific placement, you can experience, learn and contribute to business functions relating to the professional discipline in which you are studying, as well as the business. Flinders Business has a range of disciplines, and you may even be studying a double degree and majoring in two of the following:

Accounting
Economics
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Human resource management
International business
Management
Marketing.

Tasks you can undertake on placement

Placements can be completed in any industry context, big or small, from any sector – specific to the discipline/major you are studying such as supporting accounting, finance, human resource management and marketing functions, or of a more general nature.

Some examples of previous work tasks assigned to student placements include:

Carrying out cost-benefit analysis; budgets and expenditure plans; plant and equipment audits; creating financial reports; assisting with implementation of new finance systems and general book-keeping.
Assisting with recruitment of staff, preparation of advertisements, interviews and associated HR administrative processes; reviewing organisational policies; creation of volunteer manual; assisting with performance management; training and development.
Assisting with marketing plans; market research; social media strategy; event management and branding.
Organising and participating at meetings; Business plans; policies and economic development; strategic analysis; grant applications; customer liaison; service provisions; general business errands and database management.

Will I be paid to go on placements?

Generally, students are not paid, however occasionally, we may have a paid placement. On the occasions where students have been required to travel to regional areas, the student is not expected to be out of pocket for transportation, accommodation, meal expenses etc, and host organisations offering these placements may be asked to assist with these expenses.

International student visa holders on placement in Australia

Student visa holders must be aware of any work restrictions on their visa. Most students are restricted to 48 hours of work per fortnight.

Placements and work experience (either paid or unpaid) that are part of an elective or option topic are considered work for student visa holders and are included in your work restriction of 48 hours per fortnight. If you are taking an elective topic with placement requirements and you have a job, you must ensure that your total work hours (placement plus job) do not exceed 48 hours per fortnight.

Placements and work experience that are part of a core topic and are a mandatory component of your course are not included in the work restriction of 48 hours per fortnight. If your placement is core to your course, you may exceed 48 hours per fortnight for the purpose and the duration of your placement.

Note – from time to time the conditions relating to working hours for student visa holders may change. Please refer the Department of Home Affairs website for current information.

Time requirements for placement

How much time is required to do a placement?

You must complete a minimum of 150 hours on placement and you would usually attend the placement two days per week over ten weeks; however, it does depend on the project or placement requirements and hours/days can be negotiated between yourself and the host organisation. During the University holidays for example, you may complete additional hours and complete the placement more intensively.

Will I have time to do other topics while I am on placement?

Placements are typically two days per week, therefore you should have time for other topics while on placement; however, it is not recommended that you undertake full-time course load during this time.

You may prefer to go on placement during the winter or summer break where you may have time to commit to only the placement requirements.

When you can go on placement

There are two main intakes times during the year, and a summer placement intake.

Semester 1 (March-July): You need to complete a pre-placement workshop the year prior or during the Christmas break.

Semester 2 (July- November): You need to complete a pre-placement workshop in semester 1 of the same year.

Summer (December – February): You need to complete a pre-placement workshop in semester 2, preceding the summer holidays.

Placements are flexible, the commencing times and dates are negotiable between the student and the host organisation.

Note: if you are graduating in the same semester as you complete your placement then you must let the WIL team know this and commence your placement as early as possible.

Options for sourcing a placement

Industry placements through the WIL team

Our College has numerous partnerships with industry who provide student placements and the WIL team will match students as best as possible to suit your needs and the needs of the organisation.

Self-sourced placements

If you want to source your own placement we will support this process and communicate with you and the host organisation. Your placement needs to be approved by the WIL coordinator, and placement documents completed and signed before commencing your placement.

Place of employment opportunities

You may complete a placement with your current employer, however, your duties will need to be different to those of your paid employment for the 150 hours of your placement. The first step is to ask your employer to complete a placement proposal identifying the placement tasks and requirements.

We will then contact the host organisation and discuss the responsibilities of becoming a Flinders Business host.

All legal placement documents must be completed and signed before commencing the placement.

Additionally, you will need to be covered by the host organisation's insurance policies as you will not be covered by the University’s policy.

When liaising with external organisations please ensure all communication is professional, including resumes and cover letters.

The placement selection process

During the application process you will be asked to list your interests, study area, and placement preferences. The WIL team will endeavour to match you according to your skills and interests and the needs of the host organisation.

You may be required to engage in an interview process where the host organisation has the opportunity to meet with several interested candidates.

The host organisation will inform the WIL team of the successful candidate.

You will be contacted by the WIL team to discuss the outcome of the interview.

When you're on placement

Assessment requirements while on placement

The typical placement assessment consists of four (4) parts:

Placement preparation: Pre-placement workshop, LinkedIn profile, work plan, InPlace questions, forms and resume.
During placement: Completion of 150 hours on placement.
Final week of placement: Written report: It is recommended that you keep a reflective journal throughout your placement to assist with this report.
Completion of placement: Host organisation’s evaluation and feedback (WIL coordinator collects), and student evaluation form.

You can log on to the Flinders Learning Online (FLO) topic site to access the topic guide and relevant information. This will provide you with assessment details and due dates. Your topic coordinator will communicate with you via the FLO site during and after your placement.

What to do if dates change while on placement

If your placement dates change while you are on placement you must inform the WIL team via email.

Date changes effect both your mid-way evaluation and final evaluation dates.

Is there a dress code for placement?

Please ensure you ask your placement host if they have any dress requirements, otherwise you should dress in business attire for the duration of your placement.

What if I have problems or concerns?

Students undertaking a placement in a placement organisation are bound by the standards of performance conditions in that workplace. It is suggested that issues should first be raised with your supervisor in the workplace, and if the issue(s) cannot be resolved, or if the concerns require discussion, please contact the WIL coordinator for support.

View more information.

What if I am sick or have any issues while on placement?

Find out what to do if you're sick or have any other issues while on placement.

Evaluation reports and final grades

Host evaluation reports

Both your mid-way and final reports should be completed by the host organisation in consultation with you. You will be given a copy of these reports upon request.

Final grades

Final grades will be posted once we have received all documentation from the host organisation and all your assessment items have been graded by the topic coordinator.

If you are planning on graduating and need to adhere to a specific timeframe, please let the WIL team and your topic coordinator know as soon as possible.