EDUCATION PLACEMENT FAQs

Who meets the cost of the placement?
Students are required to meet any costs incurred during professional experience placement including any transport, accommodation and living costs.

NSWDEC may offer limited financial assistance to third year Education students undertaking placement in NSWDEC targeted rural areas. Please note that students interested in undertaking a placement in a targeted rural area must obtain Course Coordinator approval prior to completing the application.

What is an OUT OF AREA professional experience placement?
All 3rd year Education students are required to undertake an 'OUT OF AREA' professional experience. This is intended to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their flexibility and ability to cope in a new environment, which will stand students in good stead during DET interviews. Students will be placed at schools outside of the Hunter, Central Coast and Port Macquarie regions.

How do I find a school in the area I wish to do my placement so that I can put my preference in?
Go to this link http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/schoolfind/locator for a list of all NSW public schools.

What if I cannot meet the 'Out of Area' requirement?
Students who need to remain 'in area' should seek advice from their professional experience Course Coordinator.

What if I cannot do my placement at the scheduled time?
Normally, no variation in professional experience dates is allowed. If students have a medical reason for needing to vary the dates, they should seek the advice of the professional experience Course Coordinator and complete an Application to Vary Professional Experience form. Variation in placement dates will not be approved for holiday travel, work or personal reasons. The dates for the current year are made available towards the end of each academic year to enable students to forward plan.

I am undertaking my professional experience placement and have days off due to illness. What do I do?
Make contact with the Professional Experience Unit and your School/Service placement supervisor as soon as possible. Complete an Application for Leave from Professional Experience, attach supporting documentation, and lodge this form with your School/Service placement coordinator. 

Generally any days missed do need to be made up. This may vary depending on your course so please refer to your Professional Experience guide and Course Coordinator for detailed information on absences. 

What if there is an accident or incident on placement?
If you are physically injured whilst on placement you should seek treatment and then report the injury to both School/Centre/Service staff and to Professional Experience Unit staff. You are covered, firstly under Medicare and secondly, under the University's Personal Accident Policy (if you do not have private health insurance.) Please refer to the Insurance website for additional information.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/ohs/incidhazrpt/index.html

What Insurances am I covered by?
All university students are covered by a number of insurance policies held by the University of Newcastle. Visit the Insurance website for further information.

Does the University insurance cover student participation in official placement activities such as School excursions?
Yes. University insurance covers students undertaking any official professional experience related activity. When travelling on excursions students need to be aware that University insurance does NOT cover student's private vehicles. For more information on insurance please visit the Insurance web pages. 

How do I apply for NSWDEC Casual teaching approval?
The University plays no part in the issuing of a NSWDEC casual teaching numbers. Students will need to contact the NSWDEC hotline or visit the NSWDEC website for information on how to apply for a casual teaching number.

If I have been offered a casual teaching job in Term 4, can I expedite the issuing of my NSWDEC casual teaching approval?
Again, the University plays no part in the issuing of NSWDEC casual teaching numbers. However, in past years the NSWDEC has allowed the school principal to fast track a teaching approval by ringing the NSWDEC Graduate Recruitment Section.

I would like to undertake a placement in an International school?  What should I do?
Students in the third year of an Education program can apply to undertake their professional experience placement at an International school. Please refer to International Placements for more details.