Frequently Asked Questions

This will vary depending on the particular placement your pre-service teacher is completing. For more specific information please refer to the Mentor Teacher information Sheet for each practicum.

Pre-service Teachers are required to maintain their own valid Child Safety Screening Clearance (CSSC) as per Australian state and territory regulations. Swinburne University of Technology Pre-service Teachers are required to apply and/or provide a copy of their current CSSC. Swinburne Online does not assess a person’s suitability to work with children, however we encourage our Pre-service Teachers to arrange an interview or planning visit prior to commencing their placement.

Professional experience cannot be undertaken in an education setting where:

• Pre-service Teachers are already employed (e.g. as an educator, teacher aide, technical assistant, administrator, etc.)
• Pre-service Teachers have family members (including their own children) or close friends are employed or attend the setting.

This condition is in place to protect the integrity of one or more of the abovementioned parties. In some instances exceptions can be made for students in rural and remote areas, or for other extenuating circumstances as negotiated with Swinburne Online.

As part of the placement, Pre-service Teachers are required to be involved in all aspects of the early childhood setting or school. For example: yard duty, staff/level meeting or professional development, collaborating with other teachers and engage with parents and carers. To have the opportunity to meet this requirement, Pre-service Teachers are required to attend full work days during their placement.

They are expected to shadow their Mentor Teacher and work similar hours with the minimum attendance being seven hours per day.

Early childhood placements have a minimum of five contact hours with children and two hours of planning that Pre-service Teachers should do onsite with their mentor.

Please see How Placements Work.

Payment is made for the supervision of our Pre-service Teachers. Please visit Claim for Payment for more information.

If permitted by the setting, Pre-service Teachers are encouraged to attend school camps and excursions. These events count toward the placement attendance provided that the Pre-service Teachers are able to meet the teaching load requirements outlined in the Mentor Teacher Information Sheets.

Swinburne University of Technology’s public liability insurance policy covers the University for any claims made against it related to personal injury to other parties or damage to the property of others. During the placement, Pre-service Teachers are regarded as an extension of the University and the policy protects them against such claims that may arise from activities associated with the placement.

Please note, that Pre-service Teachers are not paid by the University and therefore not covered by the University’s Workers’ Compensation policy.