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School of Education

School of Education

Professional experience

Professional experience placements represent a core component of an education degree. They offer students opportunities to develop their teaching capacities in a range of prior-to-school settings, with community groups, and in primary and secondary schools as part of their university studies.

Contact us

Email: pex-enquiries​@uow.edu.au
Phone: (02) 4239 2380

Address:
Professional Experience Unit, School of Education
Room 222e Building 40
University of Wollongong
Northfields Avenue
Wollongong NSW 2522

Thank you to our placement partners

The School of Education extends sincere thanks and recognition to the early education and care centres, preschools, primary and secondary schools that offered placements for our students.

Our partner centres, preschools and schools play a critical role in preparing the next generation of educators and our students truly benefit from your generosity and professionalism.

Resources

The current professional experience handbooks can be downloaded from the following links.

2026

2025

Please note: Professional Experience is a compulsory component embedded in our Undergraduate and Master of Teaching courses. Therefore, it is expected that students who participate in these courses are capable of meeting the demands of navigating their own way to, from and around the Professional Experience contexts, e.g. school sites. It needs to be noted that the off-campus environment is beyond the control of UOW.

Disclaimer: The University of Wollongong uses its best endeavours to ensure all information contained in this website and these handbooks is accurate at the time of publication. However, information may be amended or deleted without notice.

The current school of education planners can be downloaded from the following links.

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2025

What is SONIA?

SONIA is UOW’s online system used to manage Professional Experience placements, checks, documents, reports, and communication.

How do I know if my checks or forms are complete?

Once checks have been cleared, they will turn green.

What happens if my checks are not cleared by the due date?

The due date provided by the PEX Unit is the deadline for submitting your checks, not for them to be cleared.

Please note that mandatory checks are reviewed manually and processing times may vary.

What happens if I miss a placement day?

Please refer to the PEX Handbook for further details

Do I make up days missed due to public holidays?

No. Public holidays are not required to be made up.

What if I am pregnant or require medical clearance?

Please refer to the PEX Handbook for further details

What is an Internship?

The Internship is part of the final PEX in NESA‑accredited programs and allows eligible students to teach with reduced supervision following a successful Interim Report.

What is Recognition of Prior Teaching (RPT)?

RPT allows eligible students with approved teaching experience to reduce the number of final PEX days. Fixed minimum PEX durations apply.

What is Waiver B?

Waiver B allows eligible final‑year students on a temporary teaching contract to complete their final PEX at their employing school.

Getting started & early semester requirements

Why haven’t I received my placement yet?

Placement allocations are typically released up to four weeks prior to commencement. Delays are not unusual and are not a cause for concern.

My name does not match my WWCC. What do I do?

You will need to provide official documentation that shows the name change (e.g. marriage certificate) with the uploaded document to SONIA. 

How are placements allocated?

Placements are negotiated by the PEX Unit in line with formal agreements. Students must not contact schools directly.

Can I choose my placement school?

No, students cannot choose their placement school, as it goes against the PEX agreement UOW has with the Department of Education.

Students undertaking their final PEX/Internship can select preferences, but placements are subject to availability.

Professional conduct & expectations

What professional standards apply during PEX?

Students must comply with the UOW Code of Practice – Work Integrated Learning and all school codes of conduct.

Can my placement be terminated?

Yes. Placements may be terminated in cases of professional misconduct or failure to meet requirements.

Contacting the PEX Unit

When should I contact the PEX Unit?

Contact the PEX Unit if your circumstances differ, documents are unclear, or you need individual advice.

How do I contact the PEX Unit?

Email pex‑enquiries@uow.edu.au and include your student number, degree, and subject code.
Phone: 02 4231 2380
In person: Building 40, Room 222e