Student Placement Hub

Welcome to The Break Inc. Student Placement Hub

We provide practical learning opportunities for students undertaking Community Services, Social Work, Counselling, Mental Health and related studies.

Our placements help students develop professional skills, gain valuable experience and contribute to meaningful community programs.

Explore our placement process, requirements and opportunities below.

Explore Placement Opportunities at The Break Inc.

Why Complete Your Placement with The Break?

At The Break Inc., we provide meaningful placement opportunities where students can develop practical skills and gain experience in a community-based organisation. Students have opportunities to participate in community engagement, case management support, community development, mental health and wellbeing activities, group programs, outreach, administration and event support. Our aim is to provide a supportive learning environment where students can connect their academic knowledge with real-world community work.

Placement Opportunities and Learning Areas

The Break Inc. offers supervised, practical placement opportunities for students undertaking Community Services, Social Work, Counselling, Mental Health and related qualifications.

Students have the opportunity to develop their professional skills and gain experience in a community-based organisation while contributing to meaningful programs and services.

Learning areas include:

  • Community engagement and development

  • Case management support and client communication

  • Mental health and wellbeing programs

  • Group activities and community support

  • Outreach and referral services

  • Administration and documentation

  • Events, fundraising and volunteer engagement

  • Food Share Hub and community initiatives

All placement activities are subject to organisational needs, student learning objectives, supervision capacity and approval by The Break Inc.

Placement Requirements and Eligibility

To be considered for a student placement at The Break Inc., students must meet the following requirements:

Before commencing placement:

  • Complete a pre-placement interview with The Break Inc.

  • Provide confirmation of enrolment in a relevant course.

  • Provide the placement agreement and required documentation from their education provider.

  • Confirm the required placement hours, learning objectives and proposed schedule.

  • Obtain approval from both the education provider and The Break Inc.

  • Attend the organisation’s placement induction.

Documents and checks

Depending on the course, placement requirements and role, students may be required to provide:

  • Student identification.

  • Working With Children Check (where applicable).

  • National Police Check (where required).

  • First Aid and CPR certificates (where required).

  • Relevant vaccination records or other course-specific documentation.

  • Evidence of insurance and placement approval from the education provider.

Important: A pre-placement interview does not guarantee a placement. All placements are subject to availability, supervision capacity, suitability, organisational requirements and final approval by The Break Inc.

Students must have their placement arrangements and required documentation confirmed before commencing.

Placement Application Process

Step 1 – Submit an Expression of Interest

Students or education providers contact The Break Inc. to enquire about placement opportunities.

Step 2 – Attend a Pre-Placement Interview

A pre-placement interview is arranged to discuss the student’s interests, course requirements, availability and suitability.

Step 3 – Confirm Placement Requirements

The Break reviews the student’s required placement hours, learning outcomes and course documentation.

Step 4 – Submit Required Documentation

Students provide the relevant placement agreement, identification, checks and supporting documents.

Step 5 – Education Provider Approval

The education provider confirms placement arrangements, requirements and approval.

Step 6 – Placement Confirmation

The Break reviews capacity and supervision availability before confirming the placement dates, roster and allocated program areas.

Step 7 – Induction and Commencement

Approved students complete an induction and receive information about workplace expectations, policies, safety and supervision.

Step 8 – Placement, Supervision and Completion

Students complete their agreed hours, participate in learning activities, receive supervision and have their placement records reviewed.

Important: Students may only begin once all required documentation, approvals and roster arrangements have been confirmed by The Break Inc.

Placement Hours, Attendance and Supervision

Placement Hours

The Break Inc. offers placement opportunities during the following general operating hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

  • Saturday: Generally from 8:00 am, subject to operational requirements.

  • Sunday: May be available for approved activities and community events.

Placement schedules are arranged individually and confirmed before commencement. Actual placement hours will depend on the student’s course requirements and the agreed roster.

Attendance and Time Recording

Students are expected to:

  • Attend all scheduled placement days and arrive on time.

  • Follow their confirmed placement roster.

  • Record their actual start, finish and break times accurately.

  • Notify their placement supervisor as early as possible if they are unable to attend.

  • Obtain approval before requesting changes to their placement schedule.

  • Arrange make-up hours in consultation with The Break Inc. and their education provider.

Lunch Breaks and Placement Hours

Lunch breaks are unpaid and are excluded from completed placement hours. Only actual placement hours worked and verified by the organisation will be recorded towards placement completion.

Additional hours or changes to scheduled hours must be approved in advance.

Supervision and Student Support

The Break Inc. provides supervision and guidance throughout the placement. Students are expected to:

  • Participate in scheduled supervision and feedback sessions.

  • Follow instructions from their allocated supervisor or team leader.

  • Work within their knowledge, skills and approved student scope.

  • Ask for guidance when uncertain about a task or situation.

  • Raise concerns, incidents or safety issues promptly.

  • Maintain professional conduct and respect confidentiality.

Supervision arrangements and student capacity are determined according to organisational requirements and the individual education provider agreement.

Important: Students must not undertake additional or make-up placement hours without prior approval from The Break Inc. and, where required, their education provider.

Student Responsibilities and Professional Conduct

Professional Behaviour

Students undertaking placement at The Break Inc. are expected to:

  • Treat clients, staff, volunteers and other students with dignity, respect and courtesy.

  • Maintain professional boundaries and communicate appropriately.

  • Follow reasonable instructions from supervisors and team leaders.

  • Demonstrate punctuality, reliability, accountability and a willingness to learn.

  • Participate actively in assigned activities and learning opportunities.

  • Work within their training, knowledge, skills and approved student scope.

  • Seek guidance whenever they are unsure about a task or situation.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Students must protect the privacy and confidentiality of all clients, staff, volunteers and organisational information.

Students must:

  • Keep all personal, client and organisational information confidential.

  • Access client information only when authorised and required for placement activities.

  • Never share client information with unauthorised people.

  • Follow The Break Inc.’s privacy, confidentiality and information-handling procedures.

  • Immediately report any suspected privacy breach or inappropriate disclosure to their supervisor.

Photography, Social Media and Communication

  • Students must not take photographs, record videos or audio involving clients, staff or organisational activities without prior organisational authorisation and any required consent.

  • Client information, photographs and placement experiences must not be shared on personal social media accounts.

  • Students must not publish statements or content on behalf of The Break Inc. without authorisation.

  • All communication involving clients must remain professional and within approved organisational channels.

Workplace Safety and Incident Reporting

Students are responsible for following workplace health and safety instructions, attending required inductions and using appropriate safety procedures.

Any accident, injury, hazard, safeguarding concern or incident must be reported promptly to the allocated supervisor or manager.

Important: Failure to comply with organisational policies, confidentiality requirements or professional conduct expectations may result in placement review, suspension or termination, in consultation with the education provider where appropriate.

Placement Contribution Fee

A placement contribution fee may apply to students undertaking placement at The Break Inc.

The standard contribution is subject to the written agreement between The Break Inc. and the students/RTOs’

The responsible payer and payment arrangements must be confirmed in writing before the student’s placement commences.

Only verified placement hours are included in the calculation. Unpaid meal breaks and hours not completed are excluded.

Education Provider Responsibilities

Education providers are responsible for:

  • Providing a formal placement request and relevant course information.

  • Confirming the student’s required placement hours and learning outcomes.

  • Providing the relevant placement agreement and insurance documentation.

  • Confirming the student’s eligibility and any required checks.

  • Maintaining communication with The Break Inc. throughout the placement.

  • Supporting the student and addressing placement concerns when required.

  • Confirming assessment, supervision and reporting requirements.

  • Ensuring any agreed placement contribution fees are managed according to the written agreement.


Placement Approval and Financial Arrangements

All placement arrangements, including student commencement dates, supervision, placement hours and financial responsibilities, must be agreed upon before commencement.

The Break Inc. reserves the right to decline or defer placement requests based on organisational capacity, supervision availability, operational requirements and suitability.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does completing a pre-placement interview guarantee a placement?

No. A pre-placement interview is part of the assessment process and does not guarantee a placement. All applications are subject to availability, suitability, supervision capacity and final approval.

2. Which students can apply?

Students undertaking Community Services, Social Work, Counselling, Mental Health and other relevant qualifications may enquire about placement opportunities.

3. What placement hours can students complete?

Placement schedules are agreed individually, based on course requirements, organisational operations and supervision availability.

4. Can students complete additional or make-up hours?

Additional or make-up hours must receive prior approval from The Break Inc. and, where required, the education provider.

5. Is there a placement contribution fee?

A standard contribution does apply. The responsible payer and payment arrangements are confirmed with the education provider before commencement.

6. How do students apply?

Students or education providers can contact The Break Inc. to express interest. A pre-placement interview and review of course requirements will follow.

Ready to Apply for a Student Placement?

The Break Inc. welcomes enquiries from students and education providers interested in meaningful community services placement opportunities.

If you are interested in completing your placement with us, please submit an expression of interest. Our team will review your enquiry and contact you regarding the next steps.

Please note that submitting an enquiry does not guarantee placement approval.