Fieldwork preparation
Below are the forms and resources to prepare for fieldwork and ensure compliance with Curtin’s fieldwork policies and procedures regarding risk, occupational safety and health, travel, legal arrangements and insurance.
Your responsibilities
In order for a Fieldwork activity to be approved by Curtin, it must first undergo an approved Risk Assessment process.
In most instances, your Fieldwork Coordinator will complete a Fieldwork Risk Assessment on your behalf prior to the commencement of activity.
If your instructor has asked you to complete a Fieldwork Risk Assessment, you can access this Online Risk Assessment tool.
If you are unsure as to whether you are required to complete a Fieldwork Risk Assessment, your first point of contact should be your Fieldwork Coordinator, to verify whether one has already been completed on your behalf.
For assistance navigating and completing the Fieldwork Risk Assessment, email LITEC@curtin.edu.au.
Vulnerable students
The Australian Health Principal Committee has identified people who may be a greater risk of COVID-19 infection who should take additional precautions for self care and wellbeing.
If you believe that you are in one of these categories of vulnerable people, please contact your Unit Coordinator, Fieldwork Administrator, Student Wellbeing or Accessibility staff and develop a plan [.pdf 164kB] to manage any concerns.
The majority of fieldwork (placements) is conducted as part of a degree program (referred to a Curricular Fieldwork). Fieldwork administrators, Unit coordinators and HDR Supervisors should be able to assist with completion of the Online Fieldwork Risk Assessment, including approval of various Health and Safety risk assessments. Fieldwork approved through this process is covered by university insurance.
Co-curricular Fieldwork is not part of your degree, it is a range of complementary skill development opportunities undertaken on a voluntary basis with community organisations. Contact the Curtin Careers Team on 9266 7802 or visit them in B102 Curtin Connect. They will facilitate your Online Fieldwork Risk Assessment and ensure you meet health and safety requirements and have appropriate insurance coverage.
Students studying at Curtin Perth, Curtin Kalgoorlie and OUA are covered by Curtin University’s Australian insurance. Students studying on our international campuses are covered by our global campus partner’s insurance.
Certificates of Currency cover staff and students undertaking approved fieldwork activities for personal accident, public liability and professional indemnity where appropriate.
Access Certificates of Currency, insurance documents and frequently asked questions on the Fieldwork insurance webpage.
It’s important that students attend a pre-briefing session before they participate in fieldwork. Unit coordinators or fieldwork advisors organise and inform students of when they need to attend a pre-briefing session.
The following document can be used to guide pre-briefing responsibilities.
Curtin uses the SONIA Fieldwork Management system to record and manage Fieldwork activity. To access this system, visit the SONIA website, locate your discipline area and sign in using your Curtin credentials.
Access to SONIA is only provided to students that are enrolled in a designated Fieldwork Unit or Course. If you cannot login to SONIA with the instructions above, then you have likely not met the enrolment criteria required. To clarify these requirements, you should contact your Fieldwork coordinator to see if you meet the access criteria.
The functions used by each discipline area in SONIA may differ, so refer to your Fieldwork Coordinator for specific instructions on the processes involved in uploading check documentation, timesheets and other Fieldwork evidence. The document below provides an initial outline of the various student functionalities of SONIA Online.
Download the SONIA Online Student Guide [.pdf 807kB]
For further assistance with SONIA, email SONIA@curtin.edu.au
Travel approval for domestic and international fieldwork is completed through the Travel Operations Portal (TOP) in accordance with Curtin’s travel procedures. More information can be found on the Travel Support webpage.
The forms below are useful for students preparing for fieldwork overseas.
- Accommodation and site safety assessment [.pdf 210kB]
- Curtin emergency notification plan – International [.pdf 548kB]
- Emergency contacts [.doc 82kB]
- Fitness to travel medical certificate [.pdf 204kB]
- Host organisation detail of work placement form [.pdf 75kB]
- Host site induction checklist [.pdf 45kB]
- Student international fieldwork checklist [.pdf 225kB]
International fieldwork pre-departure resources
International travel – iSOS app
All fieldwork participants undertaking international travel for fieldwork are required to download the International SOS app (Curtin University Membership No: 12AYCA656047).
Regular check-ins are required. The app should be used by all students undertaking international fieldwork.
For information and examples of Fieldwork agreements with international host organisations, contact LITEC@Curtin.edu.au.
Fieldwork forms and checklists
Your Fieldwork Coordinator may request that you complete the following checklists before commencing your fieldwork activity. Please return this checklist to your Fieldwork Coordinator.
- Student Domestic Fieldwork Checklist [.pdf 534kB]
- Host Site Induction Checklist [.pdf 45kB]
- Student International Fieldwork Checklist [.pdf 225kB]
- Fitness for Placement Declaration [.pdf 122kB]
- Global Online Program Checklist [.pdf 151kB]
- Curtin Serology and Immunisation Form [.pdf 244Kb]
Additional resources
Certain Fieldwork Host Organisations require students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in Fieldwork activities.
If your Fieldwork activity requires you to be vaccinated against COVID-19, you will be required to upload evidence of vaccination to SONIA.
COVID-Student-Declaration [.docx 33KB]
Conditions of Participation [.doc 66KB]
COVID-19 Vaccination – Collection Statement [.pdf 177KB]
How to redact your Individual Healthcare Identifier [.pdf 217KB]
Vulnerable students
The Australian Health Principal Committee has identified people who may be a greater risk of COVID-19 infection who should take additional precautions for self care and wellbeing. If you believe that you are in one of these categories of vulnerable people, please contact your Unit Coordinator, Fieldwork Administrator, Student Wellbeing or Accessibility staff and develop a plan [.pdf 164kB] to manage any concerns.
You may need a Working with Children Check (WWC Check), or equivalent, prior to engaging in child-related work as part of your fieldwork, assessments, research, or volunteering activities. You can collect an Application for a WWC Check form from your School’s reception or an authorised Australian Post outlet.
Once you have filled in your personal and residential information, return the form to your Fieldwork Coordinator or School/Area administration staff. An authorised Curtin representative will complete the Sponsor Details section before returning the form to you to lodge at an authorised Australia Post outlet.
You may need to submit your WWC Check in SONIA, Curtin’s Fieldwork Management system. To do so, login to your SONIA discipline area, navigate to the ‘Checks’ tab, upload a copy of your WWC Check, and submit.
Contact your Fieldwork Coordinator if you are unsure whether you need to apply for a WWC Check or equivalent.
Visit the Working With Children Check Western Australia website for more information, including instructions and tips on how to complete your application.
For Information on obtaining a Working with Children check (or equivalent) in other states, see below.
Certain Fieldwork Activities may require you to receive a Police or security clearance prior to the commencement of Fieldwork activity.
The most common security clearance that is commonly associated with Fieldwork activity is a National Police Certificate. You can find out more information about obtaining this certificate on the WA Police website.
To understand what type of security clearance you may need for your Fieldwork activity, contact your Fieldwork Coordinator or refer to your course guide.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national scheme that supports individuals living with disabilities and provides a framework of management for organisations that facilitate health and support services to those with a disability.
If you are participating in Fieldwork with a NDIS provider, you will need to have an approved NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to the commencement of any Fieldwork Activity. You will not be able to commence any NDIS related work without a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check.
To obtain a NDIS Worker Screening Check, follow the instructions below
- Apply online through the Department of Transport’s DoTDirect Portal, selecting the option for NDIS application.
- When completing this application you will need to have Curtin University’s NDIS provider number – use the NDIS Provider Finder tool to find this number.
- Once you have completed the online application, you must visit a Department of Transport Driver and Vehicle Service Centre with ID to complete the application process. You will need to provide proof of identity documents during this process.
For further guidance on whether your Fieldwork requires the completion of a NDIS Worker Screening check, contact your Fieldwork Coordinator.
SafeZone app
It is recommend that fieldwork participants download the SafeZone app as a tool to request help, report any incident, concern, emergency and access first aid.
The Emergency and First Aid buttons activate immediate support from the Safer Community Team who will triage, refer and/or coordinate a response.
- Fieldwork within metropolitan Perth – download and activation optional
- Fieldwork in country towns, rural and remote areas – download and activation required, check-in daily
- Fieldwork trips around rural and remote areas (with a team leader) – download and activation required, daily check-in by team leader
Travel approval
Travel approval for domestic and international fieldwork is completed through the Travel Operations Portal (TOP) in accordance with Curtin’s travel procedures.
For more information about travel, refer to the Curtin Travel website.
For more information about travel insurance, see the Curtin Travel Insurance brochure [.pdf 4MB].
Domestic
Threats to personal safety at any Australian location, should be reported through 000 or to Safer Community Team through the SafeZone app.
Incidents should be reported to your Curtin Fieldwork supervisor and host supervisor (if appropriate). Your supervisor will file reports in the Health and Safety system CHARM.
Concerns about harassment, behaviour, physical and mental health, and wellbeing should be reported to your Curtin Fieldwork supervisor, and host supervisor (if appropriate). Your supervisor will file reports via CHARM.
International
Threats to personal safety should be reported through the International SOS app (or their reverse charges number).
Students on DFAT funded fieldwork (e.g. New Colombo Plan) have some specific additional notification responsibilities in relation to sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse of children and vulnerable people. There are strict timeframes for reporting (2-5 days).
Reporting in Curtin systems
Fieldwork supervisors have the responsibility of ensuring that all concerns, incidents and accidents are reported via CHARM.
- Curtin Emergency Notification Plan – Domestic [.pdf 519kB]
- Curtin Emergency Notification Plan – International [.pdf 548kB]
- Notification form for reports of sexual exploitation, abuse or concerns about welfare of children.
- Notification form for reports of sexual exploitation, abuse or concerns about welfare of vulnerable people.
Fieldwork at Curtin operates under a broad range of national, WA state, and interstate legislation; as well as policies and standards of external organisations with which we collaborate or receive funding for fieldwork activities.
These are encoded in Curtin’s policies and procedures, as well as the Fieldwork Policy and Procedures.