Social Work

In order to be allocated a social work placement, all students are required to:

• Complete the NSW Health Student Compliance Requirements
• Submit to UOW a NSW Working with children check (can be for paid or volunteer work)
• Submit to UOW an Australian National Police Certificate (NPC).  National Police Certificates (or National Police Checks) are available through all State or Territory Police Forces, the Australian Federal Police or a number of Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) accredited bodies.  NPC's are valid for five years from date of issue and must be valid for the duration of your placement/s.  
• If you are an International Student, in addition to an Australian NPC, you must also provide a National Police Certificate from your home country (or any country you have resided in for more than 6 months since turning 18 years of age).  If this is not possible, you must complete the Overseas Student Statutory Declaration which needs to be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace, a Legal Practitioner or a Judicial Officer. Please note, this Declaration can only be completed after arriving in NSW.

If you are completing a health-related program, you must meet mandatory NSW Health Student Compliance requirements for immunisations and vaccinations, Code of Conduct and National Police Check.

Evidence of you meeting these requirements MUST be provided. UOW will forward your evidence to NSW Health who will verify your compliance status. This must be done prior to you attending a placement within either a NSW Health Facility or a private health facility.

UOW has produced the following one page “checklist” outlining the requirements. Please use this guide to ensure you have uploaded all the required documents.

NSW HEALTH COMPLIANCE AND VERIFICATION ASSISTANCE UOW CHECKLIST (PDF: 178 KB)

UOW checklist 

1. UOW or UOW College Student ID Card
2. NSW Police Check (Australian)
3. Overseas Police Check OR Statutory Declaration Form (International students only)
4. Code of Conduct Form
5. Vaccination Evidence – Immunisation History Statement (IHS), a Vaccination Record Card or other evidence)
6. Covid-19 vaccinations: No longer mandatory, however is strongly recommended. If you have documented history of vaccinations, please upload.
7. dTpa vaccination: One dose in the last 10 years.
8. Hepatitis B vaccinations: Evidence of age-appropriate doses AND proof of immunity via serology OR Hepatitis B declaration form AND proof of immunity via serology.
9. MMR vaccinations: Evidence of two doses OR serology proving immunity OR birth date before 1966.
10. Varicella vaccinations: Evidence of age-appropriate doses OR serology proving immunity.
11. Influenza vaccination: One dose of the current seasonal vaccination. A valid vaccination is one received on or after 1 March each year.
12. Undertaking/Declaration Form
13. Tuberculosis (TB) Assessment Tool Form: If you tick “Yes” for IGRA / TST, you must provide a copy of the results.
14. Blood Borne Virus Declaration Form (Medical Students only) 

Checklist further information

UOW Student ID Card (Checklist item 1)

NSW Health require proof that you are a student at UOW. A copy of your UOW student ID card must be provided as part of your documentation (UOW ID Cards are only available after you have enrolled at UOW). Please provide a PDF copy under 3 MB in size.

Australian National Police Certificate (NPC – all students) (Checklist item 2)

All students (both local and international) must provide a valid Australian National Police Certificate (NPC).

The preferred method is to obtain a NPC through the NSW Police or other state based police service check as these are automatically valid for five (5) years. If you are planning to do a health placement within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), it is recommended that you specifically obtain your NPC through either the NSW Police or the Australian Federal Police (and not a listed ACIC accredited body) as ACT Health have slightly different requirements.

Disclosable Outcomes

If your NPC contains any disclosable outcomes (i.e., a charge or conviction etc.), you must independently apply for a Risk Assessment. The application process is detailed on the HETI Website. The Verification Team will arrange a letter from your placement co-ordinator that must be included in the application.

International Students – Overseas Police Check/Stat Dec (Checklist item 3)

If you are an international student, you must also provide either:

• An Overseas Police Check (OPC) from your home country (and / or any country you have resided in since turning 18 years of age) OR
• A signed and witnessed Overseas Student Statutory Declaration form, as found on the HETI Website. NB: this Statutory Declaration can only be completed after arriving in NSW as it must be witnessed by an authorised person as detailed on the form.

NOTE: Providing suitable police check documentation can be complex. To assist, HETI have provided some frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) on their website.

Code of Conduct Form (Checklist item 4)

You should read and familiarise yourself with the policy document listed on this form and when ready complete the document and submit. Code of Conduct.

Vaccination Evidence – Immunisation History Statement (IHS), Vaccination Record Card etc. (Checklist item 5)

The best form of evidence of your immunisation and vaccination status is a copy of your Immunisation History Statement (IHS) from Medicare Australia.

If your immunisation history statement does not capture your full immunisation / vaccination history, you will need to provide additional evidence. Other acceptable forms of evidence could be a childhood immunisation record (e.g., Baby Blue Book (or similar)); a school vaccination card; or other vaccination records. International vaccination cards are acceptable if they are in English and vaccination names, dates and doctors' signature are clearly visible.

Alternately, you can download a copy of the NSW Governments Vaccination Record Card for Health Care Workers and Students and have your GP or health care provider complete it (use the current version from this link as older versions will not be accepted). Ensure your GP/health care provider sign, date, and use a practice stamp for all entries made on the form.

Covid 19 Vaccinations (Checklist item 6)

While the Covid-19 vaccination is not mandatory at present, NSW Health strongly recommend that all staff (including students) stay up-to-date with Covid-19 vaccinations as recommended for their age and health status by the Australian Immunisation Handbook. Students are encouraged to provide evidence of past vaccinations if they are available.

For COVID-19 vaccines administered in Australia, the only acceptable evidence of vaccination is either, a Medicare Australia Immunisation History Statement (IHS), a COVID-19 and Influenza IHS or a COVID-19 digital certificate.

For COVID-19 vaccines administered overseas, overseas COVID-19 vaccination records are acceptable evidence if the NSW Health assessor is satisfied that the evidence is from a legitimate source, the vaccine is approved for use or recognised in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and it was received on or after 1 March 2020. Any vaccination records recorded in a foreign language must be translated to English using a translation service. 

dTpa (Checklist item 7)

Evidence of one adult dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa) vaccine within the last 10 years. Vaccination MUST contain pertussis, i.e. DO NOT use ADT vaccine as it will not be accepted by NSW Health. Serology is also not acceptable evidence for dTpa.

Hepatitis B (Checklist item 8)

To meet the full Hepatitis B requirements, you must include evidence of (at least) age-appropriate Hepatitis B vaccine doses (i.e., 3 x infant doses; OR 2 x adolescent doses (11-15yrs); OR 3x adult doses (16+yrs)) PLUS serology (blood test) proving immunity.

The following table defines the acceptable minimum timeframes between infant and adult Hepatitis B doses (as extrapolated from the Australian Immunisation Handbook).

NB: Accelerated Hepatitis B dosage regimes that are shorter than the above timeframes will not be accepted by NSW Health.

A Hepatitis B Vaccination Declaration form is available if you do not have evidence of your vaccinations. Section A of the Hepatitis B Vaccination Declaration form should be completed and signed. NSW Health staff will complete Section B (there is no need to have an independent assessor complete section B).

Non-responders

A non-responder is a person who:

• is not infected with hepatitis B virus,
• has a documented history of an age-appropriate course of hepatitis B vaccine,
• has a current level of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) of <10 mIU per mL (4-8 weeks after a booster dose).

If you have not responded (i.e. are not immune) after receiving your age-appropriate vaccinations, and are not infected with hepatitis B, you should receive further booster doses.

Booster doses can be given ONE MONTH APART; booster doses DO NOT follow the timeframe from the table above which pertains to the age-appropriate doses.

If you are a non-responder, you should begin with one booster dose (e.g. 4^th adult dose). After this booster dose wait 28 days and have a hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) serology test. If the resultant level of antibody (anti-HBs) is above 10mIU, upload evidence of the booster dose and full serology results and this will satisfy the requirements of NSW Health. DO NOT have further doses.

If your serology results highlight less than 10mIU NSW Health will require you to have a 2^nd booster dose (at least one month after the 1^st booster dose) and 3^rd booster dose (at least one month after 2^nd booster dose) and then repeat the serology 28 days after your final dose. If the results are above 10mIU then upload evidence of the vaccination and full serology results and this will satisfy the requirements of NSW Health. DO NOT have further doses.

If the results are below 10mIU and you have had all three recommended booster doses after your age-appropriate doses, upload evidence of ALL booster doses and ALL serologies which will be sent to NSW Health for assessment and further instruction.

NSW Health will advise appropriate protocols for students who are deemed persistent non-responders. 

Full details can be found in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

MMR Vaccinations (Checklist item 9)

Students are required to provide evidence of 2 doses of MMR vaccine at least 4 weeks apart or

• Positive IgG for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (Rubella immunity is provided as a numerical value with immunity status as per lab report) or
• Birth date before 1966.

Varicella Vaccination (Checklist item 10)

Students are required to provide evidence of 2 doses of Varicella vaccine at least 4 weeks apart or

• One dose if given before age 14 or
• One dose of Zostavax if given at age over 50 or
• Positive serology for Varicella or
• An Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) history statement that records natural immunity to chickenpox.

Influenza (Checklist item 11)

The influenza vaccine is seasonal and is only valid for the season it was produced and is required annually. The annual season commences on 1 March each year and finishes on 30 September.

The annual Influenza vaccine must be the Southern Hemisphere seasonal variant that is usually available from 1 March each year.

The UOW Verification Team will inform you when you can provide your evidence.

Undertaking/Declaration Form (Checklist item 12)

You should read & familiarise yourself with the policy document listed on this form, then appropriately answer Question 2, which requires either (a.) or (b.) to be acknowledged (depending on your circumstances). Question 2 b. should only be selected when you know that you have a medical contraindication OR are a non-responder; this must be supported by evidence. Do not selected 2 b. if you suspect an issue but have no evidence.

Tuberculosis (TB) Assessment Tool (Checklist item 13)

In additional to your personal details, this form has multiple sections. Please complete ALL questions in each section. If you have ever had a positive TB skin test (TST) or a blood test (IGRA or QuantiFERON TB Gold, you must provide a copy of these reports with your form). After review, NSW Health will advise if additional screening is required.

Blood Borne Virus Declaration (Medicine Students Only) (Checklist item 14)

This form is Medical Students only. If you are a Medical Student, you must sign and initial this form as part of your evidence. Serology reports are not required.

Medical Exemption or Contraindications

If you have a medical exemption or contraindication to any vaccine, you will need to provide specific evidence of your circumstances to NSW Health. Full details of the requirements are listed under the FAQ’s page on the NSW Health website.

General information

Students should acquaint themselves with the NSW Health Policy document Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases as it details the requirements. Further detail and FAQ’s can be found on the Health Education and Training website (HETI).

It is strongly recommended that all students (including future students) start collating immunisation & vaccination evidence as soon as possible. Some vaccination courses can take several months to complete (e.g., a full course of Hepatitis B can take 6 months).

If you have not received all your required vaccinations, discuss options of receiving these ASAP with your GP / health care provider.

It is your responsibility to comply with these requirements and to maintain compliance throughout your course. If you do not, you may be prevented from attending placements. 

Uploading your evidence to Sonia

Once you have met the minimum requirements, please send your compliance evidence via email to the UOW Verification Team uow-verification@uow.edu.au.

Please ensure that you:

• Keep the total size of your email below 8MB
• Use your UOW email address to send your documentation to the UOW Verification team
• Include your Full Name, Student Number, and your Course Discipline in all correspondence with the UOW Verification Team.

Your evidence will be checked by the UOW Verification Team before it is sent to NSW Health to be verified.

If there is a need for you to provide additional or to correct some evidence, you will be sent an email to your UOW mail address requesting the same. It is important that you follow up on these requests as soon as possible.

NOTE: Your evidence package can only be sent to NSW Health for verification once we have received at least the minimum vaccination requirements and ALL required Health documentation and police check information.

Keep all your original compliance documentation in a safe place.

You may be asked to produce certain documents prior to attending a facility / placement, even after you have become fully verified by NSW Health. Some private facilities may also request this evidence. You will also need to produce most of these documents to a future employer as your student compliance will not carry over into the workplace.

Further information can be found on the FAQ’s - NSW Health Student Compliance and verification (PDF) or directly from the UOW Verification Team via email uow-verification@uow.edu.au, or phone 4239 3555.

It remains mandatory for students placed within NSW Health facilities to be appropriately fitted for P2 or N95 masks or respirators prior to attendance; this also applies to most private facilities.

Masks must be worn whenever a patient under airborne precautions is being treated or if aerosol generating procedures are anticipated. Whilst masks may not be required if you are placed in a lower risk area, you must still be fit tested and ready to don (i.e. put on) a mask should circumstance change. You may be refused entry to your placement facility if you have not been fit tested prior. 

What is mask fit testing, and how often should I be tested?

Mask Fit testing determines which mask is right for you. The right mask will appropriately seal around your mouth and nose, preventing you from being exposed to airborne particles within the environment. 

Fit testing (or retesting) must occur at least every 12 months. Retesting should be conducted within that time if there has been a significant change to your facial characteristics or a change to the availability of a previously fitted mask. Testing may involve several different masks, and the correct mask for you may be different to that of your peers. It may also be different to what you were tested for previously.

Who can conduct testing?

UOW is the primary fit testing organisation for UOW students. However, many other organisations, including public and private health facilities as well as WHS organisations, can conduct testing. At UOW, testing is conducted from various campuses and is currently provided free of charge.

If within the last 12 months, you have been fit tested elsewhere (e.g. your work, or on a previous placement), you may not need to be retested straight away. You must share your test results with UOW. We will update your student profile within the NSW Health system to advise NSW Health of your status.

How do I book a mask fitting appointment?

To ensure timely access to mask fitting appointments, priority is given to those students with a pending placement; bookings are therefore by invitation only. Please contact your placement coordination team who will liaise with the UOW Verification Team to coordinate appointment times. You will then be given instruction on how to access the booking system within Sonia.

What else do I need to know about mask fitting?

Before attending a mask fit test appointment, you must meet the following criteria:

• NO FACIAL HAIR* - You must be cleanly shaven for fit testing; facial hair (even stubble) may compromise the seal of the mask.
• LONG HAIR - Bring a hair elastic or similar, to keep your hair off your neck.
• NOT CONSUMED FOOD or DRINK within 30 minutes prior to the test (this includes chewing gum and coffee).
• NOT SMOKED within 30 minutes prior to the test.
• WEAR any corrective glasses (every day / reading glasses). These must be worn on your test to ensure they do not interfere with the mask seal OR that the mask does not interfere with your vision.

*Exceptions can be made if you have facial hair for religious or cultural observance purposes or due to a documented medical condition. Whilst UOW is unable to perform these tests locally, we will liaise with ISLHD to facilitate specialist assessment. Please contact the UOW Verification team for more details. 

• What if I have previous experience in the Social Work industry?

  There is the possibility of being assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL) for the first field placement or part thereof. UOW is guided by the AASW guidelines in relation to RPL assessment. Please see RPL/CPL section on this page for more detailed information.

• How long is a placement?

  The AASW requires all students undertaking a Social Work degree to undertake 1000 hours of placements per degree. UOW delivers these requirements in two 500 hour placements (in different practice fields) per degree (approximately 70 days based on 7 hours a day plus 30 minutes for lunch). Each placement must commence at least one year apart.

• How many days per week will I attend placement?

  Placements are usually four days per week in the agency. This is negotiated between yourself and the agency at the pre-placement agency interview. You will also attend compulsory seminars alongside your attendance in the agency. Details can be found on the subject timetable.

• When does placement commence?

  Bachelor of Social Work first placement - February 
  Bachelor of Social Work second placement - July
  Master of Social Work Qualifying first or second placement - July
  
  Placement can commence and finish outside of standard semester dates.
  
  See Credit for prior learning

• Will I get paid for my placement?

  Being paid for a field education placement is not the standard practice. We understand it's difficult not to get paid for such a large duration however all Australian Universities are governed by the requirements as outlined by the AASW when offering an accredited program.

• Can I do my placement where I work?

  Yes but there are strict guidelines from the AASW with regards to work-based placements. You must perform a different role for your placement to what you are employed in. There needs to be a formal agreement between the University and your workplace.

• Where can I do my placement?

  Placements are usually undertaken in settings, including community service organisations, health, mental health, research projects, youth, children and family services, aged care and occasionally education providers.

• Do I need to find my own placement?

  No. All placements are sourced by our Field Education Coordinators. You will submit a field application form and attend a consultation prior to being allocated a placement.

• UOW Professional Experience Policies and Documents
• Product Disclosure Statement for Personal Accident Insurance

The AASW and UOW acknowledge that social work students bring with them skills, knowledge and experience that can be recognised through the RPL/CPL assessment process. You can only apply for RPL/CPL for your first placement. 

To determine if you are eligible for full or partial recognition/credit of prior learning for your first placement you will need to meet the current criteria outlined by the AASW guidelines for Recognition for Prior Learning in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). 

Your application and evidence will be assessed by UOW in keeping with the UOW and AASW RPL/CPL assessment process and you will be informed of the outcome with enough time to withdraw from the subject before census, submit a grievance regarding the RPL/CPL assessment outcome or make arrangements to continue with your placement.

Below are the guidelines specified by the AASW for RPL/CPL:

• I can demonstrate that I have at least three years (full-time equivalent) in a health or welfare setting that would be deemed appropriate as a field education setting for a first placement student.
• I can demonstrate that the tasks in the roles I have held are similar to those of a Social Worker, for example, casework, risk assessment, counselling, management or community development work.
• For each role I am using as evidence, I am able to provide a referee to verify I performed the tasks I have stated
• I am able to forward a portfolio of evidence that will meet UOW and AASW RPL requirements.
• I understand that to be assessed for RPL/CPL, I need to submit necessary documentation in addition to my evidence by the date advised by the field education team. These documents include UOW Learning Statement, UOW Application for Credit for Prior Learning, Student Performance Evaluation Addressing AASW Graduate Attributes and UOW HAS RPL/CPL Assessment Document.

All students who are eligible for placement will be contacted about their intention to apply for RPL/CPL and there will also be information sessions advertised to actively enrolled students. If you have questions about the RPL/CPL application process after reviewing the pre-placement Moodle site, please contact your campus Field Education Team for assistance.

Please self enrol in our pre-placement Moodle site to find all the information you need in order to be ready for placement or apply for recognition of prior learning. The site is not a subject, enter the site name in the search box on your Moodle home page (use the self enrol document linked above). The site name can be found on your Sonia home page.