How to apply for a WIL placement

The SEBE WIL units are listed below with links to the Handbook for more information, including prerequisites and assessments.

Note: Enrolment in Information Technology, Engineering, and Architecture and Construction Management WIL units requires approval from the SEBE WIL Team. You must have an approved placement before you can enrol in these units.

Life and Environmental Sciences

SLE301: Undergraduate unit, offered in T1 and T2, placements range from 80–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SLE768*: Postgraduate unit, offered in T1 and T2, requires placement of 225-250 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SLE769*: Postgraduate unit, offered in T1 and T2, requires placement of 225-255 hours, can be paid or unpaid. 
SLE225 : Elective unit, offered in T3, placements are international with a duration of 80–160 hours.

Note: placements must involve practical work and not be solely observational.

*SLE766 Industry Practice (4 credit points) is no longer available for enrolment from 2025, alternate units SLE768 Industry Practice A (2 credit points) and SLE769 Industry Practice B (2 credit points) will in combination offer the Industry Practice Pathway for students enrolled in courses S713, S721, S727, S728, S772.

Engineering

SEL703: Available in all trimesters, placements range from 225–450 hours, can be paid or unpaid. This unit is mandatory for Engineers Australia accreditation.

Information Technology

SIT306: Undergraduate unit, available in all trimesters, placements must range from 100–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SIT709: Postgraduate unit, available in all trimesters, placements must range from 100–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SIT344: Undergraduate unit, available in all trimesters, placements must range from 450–900 hours and are paid.
SIT791: Postgraduate unit, offered in all trimesters, placements must range from 450–900 hours and are paid.

Architecture and Construction Management

SRM372: Undergraduate elective unit, available in all trimesters, placements must range from 112–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SRM772: Postgraduate elective unit, available in T2 and T3, placements must range from 112–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.
SRM777: Postgraduate optional core unit, available in all trimesters, placements can be in-person or simulated, must range from 112–160 hours, can be paid or unpaid.

To secure a placement, begin by identifying the type of experience that aligns with your interested and career goals. This will ensure you make the most of your WIL opportunity. Then, there are two ways to search for a placement opportunity.

Faculty-sourced opportunities are posted on the DeakinTALENT jobs and internships board. Keep in mind that these opportunities are limited and highly competitive.

Alternatively, you can approach a host organisation directly to express your interest in a placement.

You should update your resume and write a high-quality cover letter before you apply for a faculty-sourced opportunity or approach a host organisation directly. Use the excellent resources on the DeakinTALENT website to prepare your application.

Once you have secured a placement, you must submit an InPlace application for approval (prior to your placement commencement date). There is a 10-working day turnaround time for assessing placement applications, so you will need to take this into consideration when negotiating a start date with your host organisation.

1. Before you send your placement agreement to an organisation, you should contact the WIL team to check if your faculty has an existing agreement with your host organisation.
2. Then, complete the following forms:
   Placement agreement and schedule 1* . (PDF, 267.3KB) Ensure your host organisation completes and signs all highlighted fields.
   Industry placement form. (PDF, 724.0KB) Your host organisation must fill in the organisation details, including Appendix A or B.
3. Finally, you can submit your application using InPlace. Refer to the InPlace Student Instructions for assistance.
4. Once you have received approval for your placement, you can enrol in your SEBE WIL unit.

The SEBE WIL Team is dedicated to ensuring that the placement you've secured aligns with all compliance guidelines set forth by the faculty and Deakin. Delays in receiving necessary documentation may impact the confirmation of your enrolment and/or the commencement date of your placement.

To host a Deakin student on placement, an organisation must:

• have an ABN number (if located within Australia)
• have a website and email address
• have a minimum of 5 employees
• be able to provide a placement experience relevant to the student’s discipline and learning outcomes
• agree to comply with Deakin’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines and insurance requirements.

The organisation must also be able to provide students with a suitable supervisor. Students need to be supervised by a professional currently employed in a role related to the student’s tasks. For example, a student coding computer software for an organisation would need to be supervised by a professional whose primary role in your organisation is related to software design. Supervisors should be able to offer students access to feedback, guidance and mentoring.

Deakin values inclusion and diversity, embraces difference and seeks to nurture a connected, safe and respectful community. The WIL Team is committed to supporting all students in securing the right WIL experience for their goals. If you are a student from a diverse group and would like more information to help you navigate the WIL process, please visit the DeakinTALENT Diversity and Inclusion webpage. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team and the Disability Resource Centre can provide further support.

Students participating in work-integrated learning placements should be aware of their right to work in a respectful and inclusive workplace and know how to seek support if they are experiencing sexual harm and other forms of discrimination.

The National Plan Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education 2024 highlights placements as high-risk environments. A pre-placement module has been developed and is now available for all students as part of ongoing work in this space.

This module is expected to take 15 minutes and is designed to be completed before a placement or internship.

Complete the Respectful and Inclusive Workplace Pre-Placement Module.