Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need to pay the student?

    Where a student is undertaking a WIL opportunity for course credit which is facilitated by the University, that WIL opportunity can be lawfully unpaid under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Whilst there is no expectation of student reimbursement, in some circumstances organisations choose to pay a stipend to cover students’ expenses. The Faculty is happy to advise around the benefits of awards, stipends and scholarships.

  • When can I host a student?

    Where a WIL opportunity is undertaken for course credit, it will be relevant for host organisations to note that  semester 1 usually starts in February and ends in June and semester 2 starts in July and ends in November. For WIL opportunities undertaken for course credit, we usually ask students to start their opportunity during the semester, but the start date can be flexible. For example, students enrolled in Semester 1, 2020 can start their WIL opportunity in December 2019. With Faculty approval, the student and host organisation are expected to negotiate start and finish dates between themselves.

  • Insurance

    Where a WIL opportunity for a student is facilitated by the University, the student is covered by the University’s Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance policies (in the case of overseas WIL opportunities facilitated by the University, students may also apply for coverage under the University’s travel insurance policy). In addition to the University’s insurance policies, the University requires a host organisation to take out and maintain Public Liability insurance cover.

  • Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

    As part of process of facilitating a WIL opportunity for students, the Faculty will request students sign a Deed Poll in favour of the University that imposes an obligation of  confidentiality with regard the host organisation's confidential information onto the student and sets out the relevant intellectual property agreements concerning work undertaken. Generally, copyright in work undertaken by a student for the purpose of his or her assessment or course requirements at the University will be owned by the student, and the host organisation cannot limit the student’s right to be examined by the University (subject to any further assurances around confidentiality reasonably required by the host organisation).