Fieldwork FAQS
What date do I start placement?
Supervised Professional Practice (Fieldwork) units are second semester subjects. Please
note that SWK3180 and SWM5108 are between June and September and SWK4560 and
SWM5103 are between September and December each year. Actual dates are on Moodle
sites each year.
How long is placement?
Placements are 500 hours in duration as stipulated by the Australian Association of
Social Workers.
What hours is a placement day?
A placement day is generally 7hours, unless otherwise negotiated with your supervisor.
Can I apply for Credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
The university grants credit for previous learning where this is assessed as equivalent to
Monash University study. Credit is where a student is assessed and considered previously to
have completed the equivalent of a unit or a proportion of a course through formal study (see
Credit transfer) or other study, work or life-experience (see Recognition of prior learning).
They may receive credit for that unit or proportion, and the course requirements may be
correspondingly reduced.
Credit and RPL Policy
Supervisor Assessment for RPL
Are public holidays counted towards placement days?
No.
I am attending the university workshop during my placement. Are these days counted
towards my placement?
Yes, a maximum of 2 days is counted towards placement.
Do sick days count towards placement?
No.
Can I undertake my placement part time?
On campus students are required to undertake their placements full time within the stated
periods.
Off campus students are strongly encouraged to undertake their placements full-time,
however part-time placements of 3-4 days are an option. Students should be aware that
part-time placements will extend their placement dates.
I am located interstate. How is my placement allocated?
Interstate and country Victoria are required to provide the contact details of at least 2 Social
Workers and their agencies. See the Placement Planning Form for more details.
Can I start my placement early?
No, placement must occur within the stated blocks.
Can I organise my own placement?
No, students must not organise placements directly themselves. Protocols exist among the
six schools of social work in Victoria.
Can I undertake a work based placement?
As some students are employed or undertake voluntary work in the welfare sector, the
Department of Social Work occasionally receives requests from students to do their
placement in the agency where they work. In exceptional circumstances (that is, where no
other options are viable and the Department of Social Work is convinced that the student's
learning opportunities will not be jeopardised) the Department of Social Work will allow this
provided that:
(a) during placement the student has a reduced and protected workload
(b) the student is allocated tasks different from those usually undertaken, preferably
located away from their usual workspace
(c) the student must have as field educator, a social worker who is not their usual supervisor.
Such requests must be supported with the student’s response to the above criteria, in a
document outlining how the above conditions can be met. Requests must be submitted
using the Workplace based Placement Request Form which is to be signed by the employer
and the student.
I am a Melbourne-based student but would like to undertake my placement in Rural or
Interstate Australia. Is this possible?
Yes. Please indicate this on the Placement Planning form, where these options are asked.
Please note that students are responsible for their own accommodation, travel and living
expenses.
I am thinking of doing an International placement. Is this possible?
Yes, Monash Social Work offers students the opportunity to undertake their final placement
overseas.
Current partnership locations include Cambodia, India and the Philippines. Other countries
may be an option however a supervisor and liaison person with comparable AASW
qualifications is required.
Early planning for overseas placements is vital and students are encouraged to contact the
Field Education team within the first weeks of semester. Please indicate this on the
Placement Planning form, where these options are asked. Please note that students are
responsible for their own accommodation, travel and living expenses.
Am I covered by Insurance whilst on placement?
Monash University has a Personal Accident Insurance Policy which provides capital, medical
and loss of income benefits for all currently enrolled Monash University students.
Do I need a Working with Children Check (WWCC)?
Yes, most organisations require this.
Why do I need to complete a police check annually?
The University requires all students have a current Police check prior to placements and the
majority of agencies require the same. Police checks are valid for 12 months. Victorian
applicants can access the online process here:
http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/police-checks.html
Interstate students should apply via their state police website.
I have a police record. Can I still go on placement?
This will depend on the circumstances of your record. You will need to discuss this in
confidence with the fieldwork coordinator.