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.

How long is placement?
Placements are 70 days in duration (14 weeks full time) as stipulated by the Australian Association of Social Workers.

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

Are public holidays counted towards placement days?
Yes, public holidays are counted towards your placement.

I am attending the off campus workshop during my placement. Are these days counted towards my placement?
Yes.

Can I undertake my placement part time?
On campus students are required to undertake their placements full time in within the stated periods..

Off campus students are strongly encouraged to undertake their placements during the above periods to maintain the consistency of placements. However if students require part time placements or placements outside the nominated dates, they need to discuss this with the fieldwork coordinator well in advance of their placement.

Can I organise my own placement?
No, students must not organise placements directly themselves. Protocols exist among the six schools of social work in Melbourne that is, the Combined Schools of Social Work (CSSW) as well as agencies offering social work placements.

Please do not contact agencies directly, discuss this with fieldwork staff first.

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 should be supported by a letter from the employer outlining that the employer accepts the spirit of a field Placement and that the above conditions can be met.
This needs to be approved by the Fieldwork Co-ordinator in writing.

I am a Melbourne-based student but would like to undertake my placement in Rural or Interstate Australia. Is this possible?
Yes. Students will be provided with a Placement Preference Form where they can indicate where they would like to do their placement. A member of the fieldwork team responsible for organising placements will liaise with you early in the year. 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. Monash University, in partnership with La Trobe and RMIT, offers students the opportunity to undertake placements in India or 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 Stephanie Vrionis on 9903 1042 or e-mail stephanie.vrionis@med.monash.edu.au within the first weeks of semester.

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. The policy covers students undertaking placement.

Do I need a Working with Children Check (WWCC)?
All students are encouraged to take out a WWCC as most organisations now require this.

Why do I need to complete a police check annually?
Under DHS policy, if clinical placement requirements form part of your course of studies, you are required to have a current police check. This needs to be renewed annually. Please go to
http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/police-checks.html

Students cannot start placement without a current police check.

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.