Education placements

The 2025 Education Professional Experience Guide (PDF 674KB) provides essential information for all UniSQ pre-service teachers, supervising teachers, site coordinators, liaisons, School of Education staff, and university partners.

As a pre-service teacher, you must:

1. Read the Placement Book thoroughly.
2. Complete the declaration on the final page by accepting the conditions and signing the form.
3. Upload the signed declaration to InPlace.

This step is mandatory before your placement can be confirmed.

All supervised placements in Queensland must be arranged by the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Team. As part of the placement allocation process, you will be asked to provide information that assists the WIL team in sourcing a suitable placement for you.

Once you have enrolled in an education course that includes a professional experience component, please log in to InPlace and complete the Student Information Required section. It is important that the information you provide is accurate and up to date, as it will be used to match you with an appropriate placement.

1. Fully enrol in your professional experience course.
   Note: Your enrolment may take 24–48 hours to appear in InPlace. You will not be able to finalise your placement request until this occurs.
2. Log in to InPlace.
   If you need help accessing the system, refer to the guide: How do I log in to InPlace?
3. Go to your My Details page in InPlace.
   Click the drop-down arrow beside your Student ID in the top right corner of the page.
4. Review and update your student information.
   Ensure your responses under the Student Information Required heading are correct. The WIL team will use this information when arranging your placement, and it is your responsibility to keep it accurate.
5. Upload your Blue Card or equivalent.
   You must hold a current and valid Blue Card (or state equivalent if outside Queensland). Upload a copy of your card or clearance letter to InPlace so the WIL team can verify it.

Once your placement is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email from the WIL team.

Please remember:

• Students are not permitted to contact schools or centres in Queensland to arrange their own placements. This is part of the Partnership Agreements outlined in the Professional Experience reporting framework.
• Interstate and international students will receive additional information about the placement process directly from the WIL team.

Under Queensland’s 'No Card, No Start' laws, you must hold a valid Blue Card or Exemption Card for the entire duration of your placement. Expired or soon-to-expire cards are not accepted.

Applying or Renewing Your Blue Card

1. Apply or renew online via the Blue cards for working with children website and verify your ID online.
2. Once approved, enter your account or card number in InPlace and upload a copy of your card.

For renewals, apply at least 28 days before expiry to avoid delays.

If you cannot apply online, you may use a paper form and submit it with certified ID to WIL@unisq.edu.au.

Linking Your Card to UniSQ

If you already hold a Blue Card, link it to UniSQ by entering your full blue card/exemption details in InPlace and uploading a copy of your card.

For new applications, provide your portal account number or card number in InPlace for linking by the WIL team.

Alternatively, to link your Blue Card offline, complete a Link a person to organisation form and email it to the WIL team via WIL@unisq.edu.au for processing.

Placements Outside Queensland

If your placement is outside Queensland, you must hold a valid clearance for your state or territory. Provide evidence of your clearance and any required training to the WIL team.

• New South Wales - Office of the Children's Guardian
• Victoria - Working with Children Check
• Northern Territory - Working with children clearance
• Western Australia - Working with Children Check
• South Australia - Screening checks
• Tasmania - Registration to Work with Vulnerable People
• ACT - Working With Vulnerable People

Note: Some individuals may be ineligible for a working with children check. Please contact your local authority for guidance.

UniSQ preservice teachers may be eligible for several grants through the Department of Education to support placement-related travel and expenses:

• Regional Professional Experience (RPE) Grant
  Supports placements at least 2 hours from your home in TR2–TR3 rated Queensland state schools.
  Grant amount: $2250–$3400
• Beyond the Range (BTR) Grant
  Supports placements in priority regions with TR4–TR7 rated schools.
  Grant amount: $3375–$5000
• Teach Queensland Placement Grant
  Provides $5000 to support final professional experience placements in any Queensland state school.

As an Education student, you may also be eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment.

UniSQ interest free loans are also available for educational costs incurred whilst on placement (e.g., travel, professional attire).

If you plan to undertake a placement outside Queensland, whether interstate or overseas, you are responsible for sourcing your own supervised placement. Once confirmed, you must submit a completed Professional Experience Placement Application Form A (PDF 374KB)  to the WIL team at WIL@unisq.edu.au.

Important: All placements must meet UniSQ’s supervision and curriculum requirements. If you are unsure whether your placement is suitable, please contact the WIL team before submitting your form.

Overseas placements

While international school calendars may differ from Australian schedules, you are encouraged to complete your placement as close as possible to the dates outlined in the UniSQ Professional Experience Calendar.

You may complete your placement using the curriculum relevant to your host country (e.g. English National Curriculum, Montessori, IB), provided:

• You are supervised by a teacher who is QCT-registered or eligible for registration.
• The majority of your placements are completed in Australian educational settings.
• You meet the minimum placement requirement: 40 days (undergraduate) or 30 days (postgraduate) in Australian schools or childcare centres.

Before starting your overseas placement, ensure you meet all local requirements, including:

• Working with Children or Criminal History Checks
• Any mandatory training or certification.

If you are unable to return to your previous placement site for your Internship, please contact the Work Integrated Learning Team by emailing WIL@unisq.edu.au as soon as possible. They will assist you in sourcing an alternative placement that meets course and registration requirements.

If you are planning to undertake your placement in a Queensland State School, you must not contact schools or Senior Guidance Officers (SGOs) directly. These placements are coordinated centrally.

If you are seeking placement outside the Queensland State School system, you may liaise directly with the Senior Guidance Officer (or equivalent) at your intended site. Further details about the placement process will be provided via email once you enrol in EDU8336.

Once your placement has been confirmed with the SGO (or equivalent), submit a completed  Professional Experience Guidance and Counselling Placement Application (Form G) (PDF 499KB)   to the WIL team at WIL@unisq.edu.au.

Note: Completing this form allows you to identify site contacts. The WIL team will then work with regional SGOs to confirm a suitable placement. While every effort is made to honour your preferences, placements cannot be guaranteed.

If you have any questions, please contact the WIL team for assistance.

Professional conduct is essential during your placement, beginning with punctual daily attendance, respectful communication, and adherence to school policies and procedures.

Your placement is a chance to apply your learning in a real-world setting, so it’s important to approach each day with professionalism and a willingness to learn. Be proactive in understanding what’s expected of you, ask questions if you’re unsure, and take responsibility for your role.

If any issues arise, reach out early by emailing WIL@unisq.edu.au. Support is available, and communicating concerns helps ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. You can also access UniSQ's online support services during your placement.

You can find detailed information on attending placement and support in the 2025 Education Professional Experience Guide.

UniSQ provides course-specific guidelines and reporting tools to support your professional experience placement.

Professional Experience Placement Guidelines

Each placement has different expectations depending on your program and year level. The Professional Experience Placement Guidelines outline what you’re expected to do and how these activities align with the Australian Professional Standards for Graduate Teachers. Print the guideline from the sections below for your course and bring it with you on your first day of placement. Make sure your supervising teacher also receives a copy.

Professional Experience Reports

Professional Experience Reports include SMART goals, interim feedback, and a final evaluation completed by your supervising teacher. You can find out more about the report process in the InPlace Student User Guide - Professional Experience Reports (PDF). Completed reports must be uploaded to StudyDesk or InPlace, depending on your course.The Professional Experience Placement Guidelines include an example report template. An online final report will be sent to your supervising teacher three days prior to the end of your placement.

Students enrolled in EDU4100, EDM8100, and EDU8336 are required to complete paper-based reports or time logs during their placement. These documents must be uploaded to the Professional Experience Survey as part of the course requirements. See the sections below to access the forms.

Professional Experience Program Progression guidelines:

• Bachelor of Early Childhood (BECH) - Professional Experience Program Progression (PDF)
• Bachelor of Education Early Childhood (BEED) - Professional Experience Program Progression
• Bachelor of Primary Education (BPED) - Professional Experience Program Progression
• Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) - Professional Experience Program Progression

Course guidelines and final report examples:

• EDU1100 - Introduction to Professional Experience
• EDU2100 - Curriculum & Pedagogy Professional Experience
• EDU2199 - Play & Play Based Professional Experience
• EDU2299 - Perspectives of Early Years Professional Experience
• ECL2200 - English Curriculum and Pedagogy in Early Primary 2
• ESP2200 - Senior Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy
• EDU3100 - Assessment & Reporting Professional Experience 
• EDU3199 - Infant & Toddler Professional Experience
• ECF3100 - Contemporary Approaches to Infant and Toddler Curriculum and Pedagogy
• EPP3100 - Practising as a Professional Teacher 1
• ESP3100 - Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Contemporary Secondary School Contexts
• EPP3200 - Practising as a Professional Teacher 2
• EDU4100 - Evidence for Teacher Impact guidelines and EDU4100 QPERF Report.

Professional Experience Program Progression guides:

• Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years) (MELT) - Professional Experience Program Progression
• Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) (MPLT) - Professional Experience Program Progression
• Master of Learning and Teaching (Secondary) (MSLT) - Professional Experience Program Progression
• Master of Education (Guidance and Counselling) (MEDC) - Professional Experience Program Progression

Course guidelines and final report examples:

• EDM5000 - Planning for Learning: Introduction to Curriculum and Pedagogy
• EDM5001 - Understanding Learners and Learning
• EDM5014 - Planning for Learning: Curriculum, Play and Pedagogy
• EDM8017 - Relating and Inquiring in Infant and Toddler Education and Care Contexts
• EDM8100 - Evidence of Learning in Teaching and QPERF Final Report and QPERF Report
• EDU4199 - Numeracy, Literacy and STEM in Early Childhood Professional Experience

If you have received communication advising your current placement requirements have been adjusted, please use the following modified Final Report and guidelines instead of the regular guidelines.  

• Modified 5 Day Placement Guide
• Modified 15 Day Placement Guide
• Modified 20 Day Placement Guide
• Modified Final Report

Once your Professional Experience Report is completed in InPlace, you’ll need to download a copy and upload it to your StudyDesk assessment portal. This step is essential for your placement result to be applied to your course grade. Follow the guide to find out how to download your final report from InPlace.

For non-urgent enquiries please email WIL@unisq.edu.au with the subject heading ‘Professional Experience Report’ and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. For urgent enquires please contact the WIL team on 07 4631 2974.