FAQs

Placement schedules can be found on your course community LMS and the Professional Experience LMS.

Placement dates are set in advance and Teacher Candidates are expected to follow the standard placement schedule. Teacher Candidates are not allowed to request an alternative placement schedule due to work commitments or holiday purposes.

Applications are made through Service Victoria. You can only apply when in Australia.

Upload a photo of your WWCC to SONIA => Forms => Checks => Working with Children Check. Make sure it’s in PDF or JPEG format, and includes proof that you have Melbourne University Faculty of Education as a listed as an associated organisation.

You will receive an email within 5 business days once your check has been cleared or if further information is required. If you are unable to upload your WWCC online, please contact the Professional Experience Team via Stop 1

Placement allocations are released two weeks before a placement is scheduled to begin. You will be notified by email that your placement information is ready to view on Sonia.

Placement details will not be visible in SONIA if you do not have a cleared Working with Children Check and/or have not completed the Mandatory Hurdle Modules.

Your placement can only be sourced by the Professional Experience Team. Students are not permitted to directly approach schools or personal contacts, and we are not able to take requests for specific schools.

You cannot be placed at a site where any of the following applies:

• You attended in the past five years
• You currently work or volunteer (unless you hold PTT registration)
• You have children attending
• You have family members or close friends working or attending

All of the above information needs to be declared on Sonia accurately.

Fill this information in on Sonia with as much detail as possible. This information must be completed at least six weeks prior to placement. Please contact the Placement Team directly if your circumstances or needs change.

If you hold an Academic Adjustment Plan (AAP) which permits adjustments to placements, please meet with your Course Coordinator to discuss your needs.

FoE does not generally allow Teacher Candidates to undertake international placement unless there are mitigating circumstances.

For those Teacher Candidates who are very keen to experience working in an international school then there are opportunities as part of the WIL Capstone to apply for a project in an international school.

Teacher Candidates are expected to undertake their placement in metropolitan Melbourne. Interstate placements need to be approved and there needs to be extenuating circumstances as to why you cannot undertake a placement within Victoria.

If an interstate placement is approved, these are to be sourced by the student, as the Professional Experience Team cannot source interstate placements. If you need to apply to undertake an interstate placement, please contact the Professional Experience Team.

Teacher Candidates are expected to travel up to 90 minutes by public transport or car to their placement setting. This is calculated using Google Maps’ directions from the Teacher Candidate’s ‘Contact’ address in the Student ePortal / ’Street’ address on Sonia, with an arrival time of approximately 8:30am. In cases where there is limited availability for certain learning areas, travel times may be greater.

Teacher Candidates can be placed at any suitable setting in keeping with requirements in this policy. Should a Teacher Candidate decline their placement offer, they may not be re-placed and a fail grade will be registered for them for the corresponding subject.

Inform the Professional Experience Office, your Course Coordinator and your Clinical Educator Coordinator straight away.

If you have already been advised what school/centre you will be attending, please use the details on Sonia to contact them to thank them for the offer and advise them that you will not be attending.

When illness or emergencies prevent attendance, Teacher Candidates should telephone the Student Teacher Coordinator or nominated staff member and their Clinical Educator before the teaching day commences.

For absences of 1-3 days, you must fill out a Placement Absence Form on Sonia and arrange your make up days as soon as possible at the end of the placement.

For absences of more than three days, you will need to apply for special consideration.

Please contact your Clinical Educator as soon as possible.

Feeling uncertain about your placement is not uncommon, and it's important to address any concerns you may have. Here's a step-by-step guide on what to do if you're considering ending your placement:

1. Contact your Clinical Educator and Cc your Clinical Educator Coordinator in the first instance: Your Clinical Educator and Coordinator are there to support you throughout your placement. Reach out to them as soon as possible to discuss your feelings and concerns. They can provide appropriate guidance and support, while also exploring possible solutions to address issues that may arise. Be aware that ceasing a placement risks not being able to meet this hurdle requirement and therefore extending the duration of your course.
2. Contact the Professional Experience Team by Stop1: If, after discussing your situation with your Clinical Educator, you still wish to end your placement, please inform the Professional Experience Team. This ensures that the appropriate administrative steps are taken.
3. Inform your Student Teacher Coordinator and Mentor Teacher: Once you've raised a ticket, it's important seek advice from your Clinical Educator on how best to inform your Student Teacher Coordinator and Mentor Teacher about your decision or whether they would be best placed to communicate with the school/site on your behalf. Your Clinical Educator may advise you on what to include in your message to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Remember, ending a placement is a significant decision, and it's essential to consider all options and seek support from your Clinical Educator and relevant stakeholders before taking any steps.

You must update your address via the Student ePortal, it cannot be updated on Sonia. Please follow these instructions. Make sure you update your ‘Contact’ address, not your home address.

Sonia will automatically update with this information overnight.

Please contact the Professional Experience Team via Stop 1 with evidence that an NCC is required (i.e. email from the site). Further instructions will be provided on how to obtain a check.

One you have an Employee Working With Children Check, your Volunteer check is no longer valid. Please email the Professional Experience Team as soon as possible with a photo of your new check and we will upload and clear it for you.

A Placement Summary Letter is provided for AITSL skilled visa assessment purposes. To request one, please contact the Professional Experience Team via Stop 1.

In your request, please include:

1. Your name and student ID number
2. The course you have completed
3. The year of completion

Placement Summary Letters take around five working days to prepare after your request has been received. The letter will be emailed to your University email address, or other email address if you have completed your studies.

Placement Summary Letters cannot be completed for:

1. Any years prior to 2005
2. Any failed placement subjects
3. Any elective subjects which included placement

Always contact the Professional Experience Team via Stop 1.