Work Integrated Learning & Career Development Units
Work-integrated learning (WIL) is an opportunity to combine your university studies with practical experiences in the workplace. It is a chance to test-drive your future career, learn from industry professionals, and make connections that could open doors you haven’t even imagined yet. Whether you’re working with leading companies, contributing to community projects, or solving real-world problems in a professional setting, WIL gives you the chance to experience first-hand what your career could look like. In many ways, consider WIL the bridge between your learning journey and the professional universe you are aiming towards.
How WIL looks will differ between courses. Many courses in education and health have embedded placements as part of the course requirements, while other courses may offer elective space for you to complete either WORK100, WORK300, or WORK500. Either way, the ultimate goal of WIL is to connect you, UNE, and a host employer so that you can explore, learn, and grow in your career area of interest.
The following information about WORK100, WORK300 and WORK500 is for students and host employers.
The WORK units
WORK100 Engaging in My Future takes a practical approach to exploring the world of work. It will provide students with the necessary career knowledge and skills to start thinking about and planning their careers.
As a first-year unit, students can view where their studies will take them in a real-world work context. This is done through the completion of either a 40-hour work placement OR an in-depth employer report. These activities aim to broaden the student's skills and knowledge in their career field of interest.
Other practical approaches within this unit include understanding, identifying, and demonstrating the professional skills needed in the world of work, crafting an effective resume, and learning about the labour force.
Students, please ensure that you meet your degree and course rules.
Host Employer, if you areinterested in supervising a UNE student for their 40-hour placement, please get in touch with the UNE Careers team via email at careers@une.edu.au
WORK300 Work Integrated Learning Professional Skills Developmentis an opportunity for students to broaden their skills, knowledge and capabilities whilst networking with industry professionals in the workplace. It is where the theories and concepts learnt at university can be applied in a real-world work environment.
This unit is available for students with enrolled in bachelor’s degree who have already completed 72 credit points in their current degree. Students will complete 120 hours of work placement within an Australian workplace. Placements are organised by the student, and the UNE Career team can provide support for how to approach a potential host employer.
Please note that if a student undertakes placement within an existing workplace, the duties and responsibilities must align with the study area and be substantially different from those of their current duties and responsibilities for the duration of the 120 hours of placement.
Students, please ensure you have read the WORK300 prerequisites for enrolment and that the unit can be counted towards your degree.
Host Employer, if you areinterested in supervising a UNE student for their 120-hour placement, please get in touch with the UNE Careers team via email at careers@une.edu.au
WORK500 Work Integrated Learning Professional Skills Developmentis an opportunity for students to broaden their skills, knowledge and capabilities whilst networking with industry professionals in the workplace. It is where the theories and concepts learnt at university can be applied in a real-world work environment.
This unit is available for students enrolled in a postgraduate degree who have already completed 12 credit points in their current degree. Students will complete 120 hours of work placement within an Australian workplace. Placements are organised by the student, and the UNE Career team can provide support for how to approach a potential host employer.
Please note that if a student undertakes placement within an existing workplace, the duties and responsibilities must align with the study area and be substantially different from those of their current duties and responsibilities for the duration of the 120 hours of placement.
Students, please ensure you have read the WORK500 prerequisites for enrolment and that the unit can be counted towards your degree.
Host Employer, if you areinterested in supervising a UNE student for their 120-hour placement, please get in touch with the UNE Careers team via email at careers@une.edu.au
FAQs for the WORK units
When can I do a placement?
You can enrol in WORK100, 300 or 500 in Trimester 1 or 2. Placements start from the census date and finishes the last day of teaching in the trimester.
When does placement start?
Trimester 1, 2025 – Monday, 24 March to Friday, 23 May
Trimester 2, 2025 – Monday, 21 July to Friday, 19 September
Can I complete my placement in the family business, such as at harvest time?
Placements within family business where the supervisor is a direct relative will not be approved. This is to avoid conflict of interest. In the case of completing a placement at harvest time where the role is operating machinery or manual labour will not be approved. Your placement must be relevant to the UNE course and its course learning outcomes, which a traditional harvest role will not meet.
Can you send me the insurance documents early?
All host employers will receive a copy of the required documentation upon approval of your placement.
Can I do a placement overseas?
No, all placements must be completed in an Australian-based workplace.
Career Development is about navigating life, learning, work, and everything in between to create a future that’s uniquely yours. The career development learning units are designed to help you take charge of your career with confidence, clarity, and purpose. These units provide a structured yet flexible approach to understanding yourself, exploring opportunities, and building the skills needed to navigate an ever-evolving world of work.
Whether you're a first-year student wondering where your studies might take you, a mid-career professional looking to pivot or upskill, or someone returning to the workforce, these units are for you. They are tailored for anyone ready to invest in their professional growth, adapt to change, and embrace lifelong learning.
The following information about DYPP100 and DYPP500A/B is for curious students.
The DYPP units
DYPP100 Demonstrate Your Professional Preparation equips students with the skills, knowledge, and self-awareness to pursue their studies and career goals while learning invaluable career management skills needed in the ever-evolving world of work.
Within this unit, students will focus on the conscious connection between study and the many career possibilities available to them now and in the future. Students are encouraged to learn about themselves and taught how to understand the trends and challenges in the labour market and economy and how this can support their exploration of career and job possibilities. This culminates in giving students the skillset to create realistic and adaptable study and career plans to seek out or create opportunities.
DYPP500A/B Developing Your Professional Practice is designed to assist students to reflect on their experiences to identify knowledge, skills and abilities that have contributed to who they are as professionals.
Students are guided by their experience to define their professional identity and how it positions them within a rapidly evolving world of work. The unit is structured to cater for a range of students and allows them to customise their learning experience by engaging in topics that are relevant to their professional growth and development.
Available as either a 6 credit point unit, DYPP500A, or 12 credit point unit, DYPP500B.
