Supervision and supporting students on placement

To ensure a successful placement experience, you will be asked to assign a dedicated placement supervisor to be the primary point of contact for the student/s with your organisation. The supervisor will offer support, mentoring, feedback, and guidance throughout the placement. When assigning a supervisor, keep in mind the following:

  • Professional accreditation requirements: If the placement is part of a student’s professional accreditation requirements, their supervision must be facilitated by a professional from their chosen field.
  • Non-accreditation placements: If the placement does not contribute to professional accreditation requirements, supervision can be facilitated by a professional from a different field. However, the professional should still be employed in a role related to the student’s tasks.

Host Supervisor Toolkit (PDF, 332KB)

Our Host Supervisor Toolkit is designed to guide industry partners in effectively supervising and supporting students during career-ready placements, ensuring a positive and productive experience for both the student and your organisation. It includes:

  • Supervision overview and best practice
  • Tips for supervisors for before and during the placement
  • Induction/orientation checklist and example schedule
  • Weekly activity schedule template
  • Placement hours log template
  • Information on WHS, intellectual property, and insurance
  • Troubleshooting information covering lateness, absence, inappropriate behaviour, incidents and accidents

While students have received formal education, they may not have had many opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. As you assign tasks, provide clear and practical instructions. Expect that students will make mistakes and be ready to help them learn from these errors. Your support in these moments is invaluable.

Remember, students on placement still need to attend tutorials and fulfill other course requirements. They should not miss scheduled classes or assessments due to their placement. We appreciate your help in balancing our students’ practical experience with their academic commitments.