Work Placement
At TAFE NSW, we pride ourselves on our connection to industry and our focus on practical learning. Many of our courses have a compulsory work placement component where learning and assessment occurs in an actual workplace or in a simulated workplace environment at a TAFE NSW campus.
These placements are a crucial part of our commitment to skilling the workforce of the future. They give you the opportunity to learn on-the-job and to gain an insight into your future career possibilities.
TAFE NSW responsibilities
TAFE NSW has a responsibility to protect members of the public and our learners from any harm that may occur because of a work placement or simulated workplace learning. If there is evidence that a learners skills or behaviours could present a risk, they may not be allowed to continue to participate in the work placement.
Student responsibilities
To make sure you understand your work placement responsibilities, you’ll be given a code of practice before you begin. This code sets out the expected standards of behaviour.
If your course has a work placement element, your teacher will explain to you and your workplace supervisor the range of duties that you can perform. You must not carry out any duties other than those specified by your teacher.
Student readiness for work placement
Generally, work placements will only occur after there has been a reasonable amount of learner-teacher contact, and when your teacher is satisfied that you’re ready to participate in workplace learning and duties. Your teacher can provide you with further information on your level of readiness.
Breaches of discipline
Learners who commit a breach of discipline, or who are assessed as presenting a significant risk to themselves or others during work placement, may be prevented from continuing their work placement. For courses where successful completion of work placement is a requirement, this could mean that the learner will not complete their course.
Finding a work placement
Depending on the course you choose and your mode of study, you may be responsible for arranging your own work placement or TAFE NSW may be responsible for arranging this. Our team are here to offer you support and assistance in finding a suitable industry employer.
Workplace requirements by industry
Some industries and work placements have prerequisites you must meet before you are able to begin your placement. These differ from course to course.
It’s important that you check the work placement requirements for your course on the course page. You’ll find these under the entry requirements tab.
Aged Care
Depending on your course you may be required to undertake a National Police Check before you start your work placement in aged care.
Community Services
If your community service work placement involves any level of child-related work (including student placements and volunteers), you must have a current Working with Children Check (this is free for students and volunteers).
Additionally, if you are over 18, you’ll be required to undertake a National Police Check.
Early Childhood Education and Care
Anyone in child-related work (including student placements and volunteers), must have a current Working with Children Check (this is free for students and volunteers).
Health
Before you undertake a clinical work placement with NSW Health, you’ll be required to:
- Undertake a National Police Check, if you’re over 18
- Comply with the NSW Health policy Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases and any other relevant policies
- Provide your Health Care Worker/Student Vaccination Record Card
- Read and sign the NSW Health Code of Conduct form
For more information visit NSW Health and search clinical placement information.
Industry work placement requirements – At a glance
| National Police Check | Working with Children Check | Record of vaccination | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care |  |
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| Community Services | |
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| Early Childhood Education and Care | |
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| Health | |
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Work Health and Safety
TAFE NSW has a duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace for all employees, learners and visitors and we take this duty very seriously.
During your enrolment, you’ll be informed of any course requirements for you to provide and/or wear protective clothing and equipment. You can also find this information on your course page under additional materials needed.
When you first start classes, you’ll be given information on what to do in case of an emergency or if you are injured or require first aid. All courses include instruction and training in the work health and safety practices that are relevant to your learning.
Collaborating to create safe environments
Work health and safety is everyone’s responsibility. Work health and safety legislation also emphasises your duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of others.
It is your responsibility to:
- take reasonable care of your own health and safety
- ensure that your acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others
- follow local procedures in relation to work health and safety
- comply with any reasonable safety instruction or lawful direction as far as you are reasonably able
- Report any safety issues or concerns to your teacher or campus staff as soon as possible
When you are undertaking work placement you must abide by the work health and safety regulations of your employer.
For more information on work health and safety visit SafeWork NSW and read TAFE NSW’s work health and safety policies and procedures.