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How do I organise a Work Experience Placement for our students?

Contact points for organising a Work Experience Placement will be included in the information provided on the Defence Work Experience Program Website. Simply look up the individual placement details to locate a point of contact.

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Can I organise a placement for my student/s directly with a Defence establishment?

Work experience placements, other than those offered on the Defence Work Experience Website, may be arranged through direct contact with the Defence establishment. In these cases, Defence does not guarantee a placement.

Where an individual placement is arranged, it will need to comply with the Work Experience Program requirements and the relevant Work Experience Application and Agreement forms will need to be completed.

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Are there a minimum number of students required for a placement?

The number of students involved in any placement will depend on the type of placement that is being offered. Information about the type of placements, any special conditions and the placement limits are detailed on the Defence Work Experience Website under 'Current Work Experience Placements'.

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Are the Work Experience Placement's dates flexible?

Generally, the Defence Units will make available a range of suitable Work Experience placements. Defence considers the operational requirements of the Defence unit when making placements available.

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Is there any pre-requisite training required by the student?

Defence does not require any pre-requisite training other than that required by State Legislation. You should check with the relevant education department in your state for any specific requirements.

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Do the individual State Legislative requirements apply?

Yes, Defence will comply with all State Legislative requirements when designing and offering work experience placements.

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Can students with special needs undertake work experience placements with Defence?

Wherever possible Defence will make appropriate and reasonable adjustments to accommodate students with special needs. This arrangement also applies for students from culturally-diverse backgrounds.

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Is the work experience program subject to written agreement?

Work Experience Placements are subject to a written agreement between Defence, Students, Parents and Educational Institutions. A Work Experience Agreement form must be completed and signed by all parties and submitted to your Work Experience Coordinator.

You should check with the relevant education department in your State if there are additional documents required.

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Is there a deadline for submitting work experience program documents?

If not otherwise agreed, the signed Defence Work Experience Agreement should be received four weeks prior to the commencement of the Work Experience Placement.

Essential Placement Documentation

Offer of Placement with Defence Work Experience Agreement should be immediatley forwarded to the student. A maximum of seven days should be allowed for the student to complete and return the documents to the Educational Institution. The original signed copy of the Defence Work Experience Agreement should be returned to the Defence Point of Contact. One copy is to be maintained by the school with the student's records.

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Are the students covered by Insurance while on a placement?

Government school students are covered by public liability and third party property and personal accident insurance through the Department of Education and Training.

Non-government schools have separate insurance arrangements.

The Work Experience Liaison Officer within your region will be able to provide you with guidance regarding insurance. Below are the contact details:

SNSW.WorkExperienceProgram@defence.gov.au NNSW.WorkExperienceProgram@defence.gov.au QLD.WorkExperienceProgram@defence.gov.au VICTAS.WorkExperienceProgram@defence.gov.au CW.WorkExperienceProgram@defence.gov.au

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Is there a Student Reserve List?

Units may establish a reserve list if the number of student applications exceed placement numbers. Completed paperwork is still required from these students to ensure that they are eligible to participate in a placement should an enrolled student withdraw or cancel at the last minute.

Students on the reserve list will be given preference on the next available placement.

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Do students need to be fit and healthy to participate in the program?

Students regardless of their health and fitness, are encouraged to apply for a Work Experience Placement at the Australian Defence Force. However, the Educational Institution must notify Defence (via the Agreement form) of any students who have medical or other conditions that may affect their ability to participate in all or part of the Work Experience Placements and/or have special needs. Some placements will require the applicant to complete a Health and Fitness questionnaire.

The Point of Contact on the advertised placement or the Work Experience Liaison Officer within your region (details above) will be able to provide you with guidance.

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