Essential checklist

We  can guide you through setting up a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) work placement at your organisation  to gain the most out of the opportunity.

We appreciate your willingness to host a student undertaking a WIL work placement in your workplace. Our goal is to ensure that both the student and your organisation derive the maximum benefit from the experience.

Additional support is available from the Work Integrated Learning program or the student’s academic supervisor.  This checklist guides you through the preparation, the student placement, and the evaluation and reflection afterwards.

Prepare for placement

• Create a written proposal of the structured program of work you anticipate the student completing. This includes information about your organisation, the purpose and outcomes of the student’s proposed work, and any specific requirements of the student. Our work placement expression of interest form is designed to assist you in preparing a proposal.
• Identify a workplace supervisor for the student who has expertise and experience in the student’s discipline.
• Enter into a workplace business agreement with Murdoch University. This is required before the student can begin their work placement. 
• Formalise the arrangement with the student in terms of days / hours they will work, and their total required hours for the work placement.
• Ensure the student has a dedicated workstation and other resources required for their role in the workplace.
• Provide an induction to your workplace for the student which may follow your organisation’s usual induction procedure. Prior to coming to the workplace our students receive specific preparation in areas such as occupational safety and health, professional communication and learning in the workplace.

If you are interested in becoming a placement provider and partner with Murdoch University to develop future professionals for your industry, we welcome you to register with us.

Murdoch University is committed to developing adaptive and innovative students who can bring fresh perspectives and diversity to your workplace through a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement. Hosting a student also gives you the opportunity to familiarise students with your work practices and evaluate their potential.

New to hosting placements? Click the button below and select "Register your Interest".

Already registered? Click the button below and select "Choose a Relevant Discipline" then your role from the drop down menu (top left) to log in and access relevant placement information.

During the placement

• Review the specific learning goals for the student during the placement provided to you by the student’s academic supervisor, and any criteria by which you will be asked to evaluate their performance. You are encouraged to discuss these together with the student and ensure they will be covered during their time with your organisation.
• Set up a series of regular meetings with the student to ensure there are frequent opportunities to supply the student with constructive feedback on their work performed. Look for opportunity to create some discussion with the student on how theory and practice come together in their work in your workplace.
• If things do not proceed as anticipated, we encourage you to contact the student’s academic supervisor immediately to resolve any challenges.
• Arrange to meet with the university representative and the student in the workplace at least once during the term of the placement.

Evaluation and reflection

• Provide an evaluation of their performance in your workplace at the conclusion of the student’s work placement you will be asked to.
• Partake in a final meeting with the student, summing up what has been learned, and letting them know your evaluation of their work in your organisation.
• We invite our host organisations to give us their valued feedback on the process and experience to help us implement changes to improve our partnership in the future.