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.
Fieldwork forms and resources
Return to campus procedures
- The following processes [.pdf 190kB] are being used to assure your safety on campus.
Fieldwork
- Guidance on additional travel approvals for students, internal WA travel and interstate travel
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.
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]
A Fieldwork Agreement is negotiated between Curtin and partners who host students on a placement or industry-based project. Curtin’s Fieldwork Agreement template can be accessed below.
Your Fieldwork Coordinator may request that you complete the following checklist before commencing your fieldwork activity. Please return this checklist to your Fieldwork Coordinator.
- Student Domestic Fieldwork Preparation Checklist [.pdf 174kB]
- Host Site Induction Checklist [.pdf 45kB]
- Student International Fieldwork Checklist [.pdf 186kB]
- Study at Home Checklist [.doc 37kB]
- Working Remotely: A guide for safe virtual work [.pdf 934kB]
- Guide for Workstation Set-up and Exercises [.pdf 369 kB]
- Global Online Program Checklist [.pdf 136 kB]
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, Employment & Leadership 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.
Travel approval for domestic and international fieldwork is completed through the Travel Operations Portal (TOP) in accordance with Curtin’s travel procedures.
The forms below are useful for staff and students preparing for fieldwork overseas.
- Accommodation and site safety assessment [.pdf 210kB]
- Curtin emergency notification plan – International [.pdf 259kB]
- Emergency contacts [.doc 83kB]
- Fitness to travel medical certificate
- Host organisation detail of work placement form [.pdf 75kB]
- Host site induction checklist [.pdf 45kB]
- Student international fieldwork checklist [.pdf 186kB]
For information and examples of Fieldwork agreements with international host organisations, contact Julie Brunner, Learning Innovation and Teaching Excellence Centre, LITEC@Curtin.edu.au
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.
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 251kB]
- Curtin Emergency Notification Plan – International [.pdf 259kB]
- 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.
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 slide deck can be used to guide pre-briefing responsibilities.
All fieldwork must be approved before students commence fieldwork. Unit coordinators, fieldwork coordinators, staff and students must use the Fieldwork Online Risk Assessment and Approval tool, to determine the level of risk associated with the activity to initiate the approval process. Guidance on using the Risk Assessment and Approval too is available here [.pdf 841kB]. The Fieldwork Online Risk Assessment and Approval tool is integrated with the Travel Operations Portal for approval of fieldwork related travel.
- Fieldwork Online Risk Assessment and Approval tool
- Vehicles and Driving Risk assessment [.doc 180kB]
- Work alone, in isolation or remote areas Risk Assessment [.doc 290kB]
- Confined Space Risk Assessment [.doc 249kB]
- Plant and Equipment Risk Assessment [.doc 236kB]
- Hazardous Substances, Dangerous Goods & Biologicals Risk Assessment [.doc 289kB]
- Curtin Emergency Notification Plan – Domestic [.pdf 251kB]
- Curtin Emergency Notification Plan – International [.pdf 259kB]
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.
Check your course guide for appropriate security clearances prior to fieldwork.
Domestic travel – 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
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.
Travel approval
Travel approval for domestic and international fieldwork is completed through the Travel Operations Portal (TOP) in accordance with Curtin’s travel procedures.
See specific COVID-19 related advice on internal WA travel and interstate travel for Curtin students.
For more information about travel, refer to the Curtin Travel website.
For information about travel insurance, see Curtin’s Risk and Assurance website.
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.
Fieldwork manual
The fieldwork manual is a consolidated guide to procedures relating to fieldwork at Curtin.
