Placement Support and Pre-Placement Reimbursement Grant
The CESE, CHMW, and CHSF placement initiatives, alongside the SSAF-funded Pre-Placement Reimbursement Grant, help reduce financial barriers, improve placement readiness, and boost student wellbeing.
In Q1, 2025, over 300 students were engaged during Orientation and Welcome Week through placement packs and from Campus to Career workshops. The $100 reimbursement grant supported key costs like vaccinations, police checks, PPE, Lantite exams, and training, with strong uptake: 100 approvals in CHMW, 16 in CHSF, and 20 in CESE.
Survey results showed that placement packs helped with preparation (116 responses), finances (67 responses), organisation (79 responses), and overall support (126 selected “all of the above”). Student awareness of services improved, with high recognition of financial support (115 responses), career services (112 responses), and wellbeing advisors (101 responses). Collaborating with Wollotuka, Careers, Health, and Course Coordinators, the initiative has strengthened student preparedness, reduced stress, and enhanced retention — ensuring students feel ready, supported, and confident during placements.
Placement Packs/Guessing Competition - Welcome Week Survey Results
| How will a placement pack assist you during placement? | Responses |
|---|---|
| Preparation | 116 |
| Financially | 67 |
| Organisation | 79 |
| Efficiency Booster | 42 |
| Industry Insight | 36 |
| Essential Items | 48 |
| Health and Well-Being Resources | 45 |
| All of the above | 126 |
| What support are you aware of that is available to students currently? | Responses |
|---|---|
| None | 61 |
| Financial Support | 115 |
| Career Support | 112 |
| Professional Experience Support Coordinators | 55 |
| Wellbeing Advisors | 101 |
| HEPPP Grants | 32 |
| What did you like about the session? | Responses |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Wellbeing Counselling | 22 |
| Professional Experience Support Coordinators | 24 |
| Student Experience Talk | 40 |
| Placement Packs | 17 |
| Lucky Door Prize | 11 |
| Food | 10 |
| All of the above | 23 |
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.