Co-op placements

Co-op students will complete a minimum of 60 days’ paid placement relevant to their course – contributing directly to course credits – either full time, part time over an extended period or in blocks embedded into their subjects.

Here’s how it works

• Your organisation agrees to participate in Federation Co-op by signing an agreement that sets out the expectations and obligations of each party.  
• We give you access the resources you’ll need to help placement students.
• We help you create and advertise placement positions.
• You receive applications then interview and recruit student/s just as you would regular employees.
• We help you set learning objectives at the start of the placement.
• We check in regularly during placement and provide ongoing support.
• You complete a simple student assessment at the end of the placement.
• You give us feedback about the Co-op placement process.

Let’s talk about money

Yes, your organisation does have to pay placement students. The salary must be at least the minimum wage for your industry/sector (consistent with requirements under the Fair Work Act 2009), and you’ll need to list it on the position advertisement.

We’ll do the groundwork

Students must complete a subject called Professional Identity before they can start their placement. This introductory unit covers:

• self-awareness
• self-efficacy
• professionalism
• understanding workplace culture and practices
• effective communication
• problem solving
• career planning
• teamwork
• networking
• time management.

We’ll also include discipline-specific aspects (including industry expectations and professional practice) tailored to the student’s field of study.