Placements in Other Agencies
Criminal Records Check
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 declines 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.
NSW Health Placement Requirements – Changes in 2010
The Clinical Placement Authority Card will no longer be issued by NSW Health and all students undertaking a placement who have not requested a card will now be required to obtain a National Police Certificate.
Clinical Placement Authority cards will remain valid and those students with a card will not be required to obtain a National Police Certificate as well. Lost cards will require a National Police Certificate in replacement.
Further information can be found below and in the Student FAQS (PDF 5.08MB) and Notice to Students (PDF 4.03MB) All students in programs requiring a placement in a NSW Health facility should read these resources thoroughly.
Enrolment
Student Undertaking
Commencing students will be required to sign and submit a Student Undertaking Form (PDF 546KB) at the time of enrolment. Students who do not submit a Student Undertaking will not be permitted to enrol. The undertaking is a declaration that a student will notify the Department of Health of any charge or conviction of any criminal offence during the course of their program.
Prior to Placement
National Police Certificate
The NPC can be obtained from your state Police service or the Australian Federal Police. Applications can be found at www.police.nsw.gov.au or www.afp.gov.au
There is a fee of $52 for the National Police Certificate and this is payable directly to the Police Service.
The National Police Certificate is valid for three years and therefore you may be required to obtain another Certificate during your program. It is your responsibility to ensure your NPC covers the period of your placement. Additional Information (PDF 846KB).
Students whose National Police Certificate identify any charge or conviction will be required to apply to the NSW Department of Health, Corporate Governance and Risk Management, External Relations and Employment Screening Unit (ERESU) for authority to undertake clinical placements within NSW Public Health facilities. NSW Health may impose restrictions or conditions upon the student which must be disclosed to the University Clinical Placement Coordinator. The NSW Health facility must also be informed of those conditions.
Placement – Day 1
You must have the following documents to present to the NSW Health Facility on arrival for your placement:
* National Police Certificate or Clinical Placement Authority Card or conditional letter issued by the Department of Health
* Any overseas certificate or stat dec (for overseas students)
* Signed Commission for Children and Young People Student Declaration Form (PDF 857KB)
* Signed NSW Health Code of Conduct (PDF 623KB)
You must keep these documents in a safe place for the duration of your program and be ready to provide them again if requested.
Replacements and Amendments
Students with a Clinical Placement Authority (CPA) card issued prior to 1 June 2010:
You must apply for a National Police Certificate as above for all replacements and amendments.
Students with a National Police Certificate:
If the National Police Certificate is lost, students must re-apply for a new National Criminal Record Check as soon as possible via their local NSW Police station.
Where the details on the NPC are incorrect you should return the original certificate to NSW Police, indicating the details to be amended. NSW Police will issue an amended certificate. You can call (02) 8835 7888 if you require an urgent amendment.
Students with a Clinical Placement Authority Card/Conditional Letter to accompany a NPC:
You are required to complete a Request for Clinical Placement Authority – Replacement/Amendment Form (PDF 1.74MB) and send it to the ERESU of the NSW Department of Health, A fee of $33 is required for lost Clinical Placement Authority cards/Conditional Letters. No fee will be incurred for amendments of details or stolen cards.
Vaccination Against Infectious Diseases
Students who are going on a placement may require vaccinations and must read the NSW Health Important Requirements for Students Undertaking Clinical Placement Within NSW Health Facilities (PDF 265KB)
International Students
If you are an International Student and being placed in a NSW Health facility you must provide evidence from your country of origin and any country in which you have resided that a criminal record check has been conducted. If you are unable to provide a copy of your criminal record check, you must complete a Statutory Declaration indicating if you have/do not have any criminal charges/convictions recorded against your name.
You will also be required to obtain the National Police Certificate from the Australian Federal Police. You can do so prior to entry to Australia. Applications can be found at www.afp.gov.au
Prohibited Employment Declaration
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 by the University.
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 Admissions and Enrolments unit on telephone (02) 4921 6589.
