Candidate's Guide - Placements in Other Agencies

Criminal Record Checks
Vaccination Cards
Prohibited Employment Declarations

Criminal Record Checks

If you are considering a program which prepares you for a profession involving the teaching or care of children, the ill or other people in a vulnerable position, you should be aware that agencies providing clinical placements, internships or fieldwork during the program may exercise their right to require you to undergo a criminal records check before agreeing to host a placement for you.

Employers and agencies which already require such criminal records checks include the New South Wales Department of School Education and the New South Wales Department of Health.

If the program you wish to select has a fieldwork, practicum or internship component, and the relevant agency or agencies decline(s) to permit you to undertake this aspect of your studies, then you may not be able to complete the requirements of the program. You should therefore note that in such circumstances, you may not be able to graduate with the award which you entered the University to undertake. In such circumstances, the University will do what it can to assist you to transfer to another program, but this cannot be guaranteed.

You should note that in order to run the criminal records check the University provides the required forms for completion at the time of enrolment.

Enquiries should be directed to the Faculty office responsible for the program you are interested in. To do that, phone (02) 4921 5000 and ask for the Faculty Office of the relevant Faculty:

The Faculty of Education and Arts
The Faculty of Health
The Faculty of Science and Information Technology

Vaccination Cards

Any student who needs to enter a public health facility for a placement, research, or any other purpose is also required to maintain a vaccination card as a proof of the currency of their vaccinations. International students with vaccination records in languages other than English must provide a certified translation in English.

Prohibited Employment Declarations

The Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 requires the University to protect children by means of screening students who undertake practical training as part of an educational or vocational course.

The University of Newcastle is required under the "Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998" to distribute to students a declaration for completion before students will be allowed to take part in practical training. The form is a "Prohibited Employment Declaration" and is provided to each student with their enrolment form.

If you are identified as a prohibited person and the University is unable to arrange, through its normal avenues, clinical placements necessary for the completion of your degree requirements, you will not be able to graduate from this program.

Enquiries should be directed to the Faculty office responsible for the program you are interested in. To do that, phone (02) 4921 5000 and ask for the Faculty Office of the relevant Faculty:

The Faculty of Education and Arts
The Faculty of Health
The Faculty of Science and Information Technology

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