Fit to practice requirements

What is fit to practice?

Before attending work integrated learning (WIL) you are required to submit various evidence and documentation before you are deemed fit to practice (FTP).

Each health course has specific FTP requirements based on legislation, accreditation, student and client/patient safety and site expectations.

FTP requirements can be grouped into four main categories:

  1. General forms and documentation
  2. Vaccinations and health screening
  3. Checks and certificates
  4. Site specific requirements, including online learning modules

You can view your course FTP requirements on the Course specific information page.

Fit to practice variation application

We acknowledge that there may be circumstances outside your control that impact on your ability to submit necessary evidence by the published FTP due date. If required, you can apply for an extension to the FTP deadline by submitting a Fit to Practice Variation application online in Sonia via the Forms tab.

All applications must meet the grounds for consideration, and must include supporting documentation that provides factual and corroborative evidence to support your request.

Questions?

Further information about how you can become fit to practice can be found on our Frequently asked questions page.

Standard Requirements

  • You must apply online through an accredited organisation and a list of accredited providers can be found on the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)
  • National Police Check by CV Check is recommended by students. This providers has a streamlined process with most results returned within three (3) business days.
  • Your NPC must:
    • State that it is a National or Australian-wide check
    • Include your full name and date of birth
    • List the same name that is recorded within the university
    • State ‘complete disclosure’ if issued by the Australian Federal Police, (partial or standard will not be accepted).  If partial or standard, you will need to apply for a new certificate.
  • The Faculty of Health accept NPC's up to three years old
  • Some sites require NPC's more recent than three years old, and at times you may be required to apply for an additional NPC throughout your course as a result
  • You must retain the original email/certificate for verification by your allocated site if required.
  • All certificates with a charge or listed conviction must be uploaded in Sonia. Once uploaded the Fit to Practice team will forward your certificate to the Faculty of Health Faculty Exemption Committee for an internal risk assessment.

This agreement lists the conditions and obligations under which you will undertake work integrated learning (WIL) at Southern Cross University. It is important that you read this carefully and understand our expectations, prior to and during WIL, including your code of conduct.

This statement is an annual requirement and can be submitted online in Sonia via the Forms tab.

It is your responsibility to notify the WIL Unit immediately if you become aware of anything that may adversely affect WIL or your fitness to practice.

 

Vaccination and Health Screening

Blood Borne Virus Declaration - recommend students print and sign this document before uploading to Sonia Online.

Discipline Submission requirements
Midwifery students You must complete this form as part of your course fit to practice requirements
All other students

This form is not applicable.

Acceptable forms of evidence include:

  • Documented history of one adult dose of dTpa within the past ten years
Discipline Submission requirements
Nursing and Midwifery students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination records and/or serology via a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement. Copies of vaccination records and copies of relevant serology reports should also be provided if available. 

Written and/or original records will also be accepted if the following information is provided:

  • Your personal details (including name and date of birth)** AND
  • Provider full name and signature AND
  • Date(s) specific vaccine was given AND
  • Official provider stamp and time of vaccine administration AND
  • Name of vaccine and batch number(s)

** Your name details should match University records. If your name has changed, please ensure you provide evidence of your name change documentation.
All other students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination records in addition to completing the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Verification form.
Obtaining school vaccination records

If you believe a school vaccination has been administered and is not visible on your Australian Immunisation History statement please contact the Australian Immunisation Register for assistance.

Acceptable forms of evidence include:
  • Documented history of one* dose of vaccine

*In some instances you may be required to provide evidence of further vaccination and/or of a COVID-19 booster.

Acceptable forms of evidence include:
  • Documented history of age-appropriate course of hepatitis B vaccination (NOT an accelerated course)

AND/OR*

  • Anti-HBs greater than or equal to 10 IU/mL (serology)

*Evidence of hepatitis B vaccination and serology is required for all nursing and midwifery students or if you are allocated to a NSW Health facility in another discipline.

Discipline Submission requirements
Nursing and Midwifery students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination records and serology via a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement. Copies of vaccination records and copies of relevant serology reports should also be provided if available. 

Written and/or original records will also be accepted if the following information is provided:

  • Your personal details (including name and date of birth)** AND
  • Provider full name and signature AND
  • Date(s) specific vaccine was given AND
  • Official provider stamp and time of vaccine administration AND
  • Name of vaccine and batch number(s)

** Your name details should match University records. If your name has changed, please ensure you provide evidence of your name change documentation.
All other students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination records and/or serology in addition to completing the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Verification form.
Obtaining school vaccination records

If you believe a school vaccination has been administered and is not visible on your Australian Immunisation History statement please contact the Australian Immunisation Register for assistance.

Acceptable forms of evidence include:
  • Documented history of one dose of current southern hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccine.
Discipline Submission requirements
Nursing and Midwifery students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination records and/or serology via a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement. Copies of vaccination records and copies of relevant serology reports should also be provided if available. 

Written and/or original records will also be accepted if the following information is provided:

  • Your personal details (including name and date of birth)** AND
  • Provider full name and signature AND
  • Date(s) specific vaccine was given AND
  • Official provider stamp and time of vaccine administration AND
  • Name of vaccine and batch number(s)

** Your name details should match University records. If your name has changed, please ensure you provide evidence of your name change documentation.
All other students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination records in addition to completing the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Verification form.
Obtaining school vaccination records

If you believe a school vaccination has been administered and is not visible on your Australian Immunisation History statement please contact the Australian Immunisation Register for assistance.

Acceptable forms of evidence include:
  • Two documented doses of MMR vaccine at least one month apart

OR

  • Positive IgG (serology) for each of MMR

OR

  • Birth date before 1966
Discipline Submission requirements
Nursing and Midwifery students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination records and/or serology via a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement. Copies of vaccination records and copies of relevant serology reports should also be provided if available. 

Written and/or original records will also be accepted if the following information is provided:

  • Your personal details (including name and date of birth)** AND
  • Provider full name and signature AND
  • Date(s) specific vaccine was given AND
  • Official provider stamp and time of vaccine administration AND
  • Name of vaccine and batch number(s)

** Your name details should match University records. If your name has changed, please ensure you provide evidence of your name change documentation.
All other students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination and/or serology records in addition to completing the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Verification form.
Obtaining school vaccination records

If you believe a school vaccination has been administered and is not visible on your Australian Immunisation History statement please contact the Australian Immunisation Register for assistance.

NSW Health - Tuberculosis (TB) Assessment Tool - recommend students print and sign this document before uploading to Sonia Online.

Discipline Submission requirements
Nursing and Midwifery students

All students must complete this form as part of their course fit to practice requirements.
All other students

If allocated to a NSW Health site, students are required to complete this form as part of their site fit to practice requirements.

NSW Health - Undertaking / Declaration Form - recommend students print and sign this document before uploading to Sonia Online.

Discipline Submission requirements
Nursing and Midwifery students

All students must complete this form as part of their course fit to practice requirements.
All other students

If allocated to a NSW Health site, students are required to complete this form as part of their site fit to practice requirements.

This document must be completed by the student's treating medical practitioner or a registered nurse.

Discipline Submission requirements
Nursing and Midwifery students

Do not complete this form. All original vaccination records and serology results must be uploaded against the relevant check in Sonia Online which will be reviewed and assessed by an external vaccination assessor.
All other students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination records and/or serology in addition to completing the SCU Vaccine Preventable Diseases Verification form.

Acceptable forms of evidence include:
  • Documented history of age-appropriate course of varicella vaccination (including zoster)

OR

  • Positive IgG (serology) for varicella
Discipline Submission requirements
Nursing and Midwifery students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination records and/or serology via a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement. Copies of vaccination records and copies of relevant serology reports should also be provided if available. 

Written and/or original records will also be accepted if the following information is provided:

  • Your personal details (including name and date of birth)** AND
  • Provider full name and signature AND
  • Date(s) specific vaccine was given AND
  • Official provider stamp and time of vaccine administration AND
  • Name of vaccine and batch number(s)

** Your name details should match University records. If your name has changed, please ensure you provide evidence of your name change documentation.
All other students

You are required to provide evidence of all vaccination and/or serology records in addition to completing the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Verification form.
Obtaining school vaccination records

If you believe a school vaccination has been administered and is not visible on your Australian Immunisation History statement please contact the Australian Immunisation Register for assistance.

Further testing and/or health assessment may be required, depending on your responses within the form and your personal circumstance.

Discipline Submission requirements
Nursing and Midwifery students

You are required to complete the NSW Health - Tuberculosis (TB) Assessment Tool. Further information can be found above under NSW Health.
All other students

You are required to complete the Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Form for Students.

 

Other Certificates

Students who have completed fit to practice documentation under a different name to what is recorded against University records, must also provide evidence of their change of name certificate. 

This is only mandatory for students who meet the above criteria.

This certification is only accepted from selected professional bodies or National Recognised Training organisations with the following registration codes:

Certificate Accepted Training Codes Accepted Certificates Not Accepted
First Aid
  • HLTAID010 - Provide basic emergency life support
  • HLTAID011 - First aid and CPR
  • Certificates issued by Nationally Accredited Training Providers
  • Paramedic certificate
  • Certificate to practice (ambulance
  • NSW Health First Aid/CPR qualification
  • Qld Health First Aid/CPR qualification
  • Aged Card Facility First Aid/CPR qualification

If waiting on your certificate, a completion letter will be accepted, however must be on an official letterhead and have appropriate signatory.

Training must be conducted in person, therefore all online courses are not accepted.

A list of common courses that are not accepted can be found below:

  • My CPR Now
  • National CPR Foundation (NCPRF)

Training should also be completed in Australia which means any overseas certificate will be rejected.
CPR
  • HLTAID009 - CPR only

Further information about Mask Fit testing can be found in our Frequently asked questions FAQs

Hand hygiene is a fundamental part of patient care to prevent the spread of infections and contamination of the healthcare environment.

To receive this certificate you are required to complete online modules. To access the required module, visit the NHII website and either login or register an account by clicking on the 'NHHI Learning Management System (LMS) or eLearning modules' section. Once logged in, complete the Hand Hygiene for clinical healthcare workers module. 

Please apply for an NDIS screening as a NSW, Vic or Qld resident, using one of the links below (please search for application details if a resident of another state):

You do not have to pay for your disability worker screening for an unpaid student placement (volunteer).

  1. Select Southern Cross University as "employer"
  2. The WIL unit will review your application and you will have to wait for your NDIS clearance.
  3. Once you have received your NDIS clearance please upload an image/document of your NDIS clearance into Sonia on the Checks Tab.

NSW Health Code of Conduct - recommend students print and sign this document before uploading to Sonia Online.

Discipline Submission requirements
Nursing and Midwifery students

All students must complete this form as part of their course fit to practice requirements.
All other students

If allocated to a NSW Health site, students are required to complete this form as part of their site fit to practice requirements.

This is a continuous checking service for those carrying out child-related work in New South Wales.

Action Further information
Step 1. Complete the online form
  • Complete the online application
  • Select ‘Volunteer, student of professional placement’ as the purpose of check
  • Once complete you will be sent an application number by email
Step 2. Got to Service NSW Centre or Motor Registry
  • Take your email receipt and proof of identity documentation to a Service NSW Centre
  • Your proof of identify documentation must be verified within 28 days of your application submission, otherwise your application will expire
Step 3. Upload your Working with Children Check (WWCC) to Sonia

 

This is a continuous checking service for those carrying out child-related work in Queensland.

  • If you have a valid Qld blue card you don’t need to apply again.
  • If you are currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in the same discipline that you are studying, you do not need to apply. Instead, upload evidence of your registration in Sonia.
  • If you are not living in Qld or near the NSW/Qld border you will need to apply via a Blue Card remote pack
  • Most applications with no criminal history or concerning information are processed within 28 days business days and will arrive by post up to 21 business days after the application has been approved.
  • Further information on how to apply for a Qld blue card as a student or volunteer can be found below:

Step 1: Obtain a Qld Department of Transport and Main Road (TMR) Customer Reference Number (CRN)

Step 2: Register for an online account

  • If successful, you will be provided with your online account number
  • Upload your account number (this is not your CRN) to Sonia so that the WIL unit can create a link with Blue Card Services. 
  • You cannot continue with your online application until the link has been established by the WIL unit
  • You will be notified by SMS or email once the link has been successful.

Step 3: Apply for a Qld Blue Card using the online application portal

  • Ensure you select that you are a student applying for a Qld Blue Card and that you have successfully been linked to Southern Cross University.

If you are living outside of Queensland or New South Wales, you are required to apply for a working with children check for the Australian state that you reside in.

This is a continuous checking service for those carrying out child-related work in their Australian state of residence (excluding NSW and Qld).

For further information, please refer to the rules and information specific of your Australian state.

Telehealth is a core component of healthcare delivery and is an essential skill for graduating health care practitioners. Students can complete the module linked below which is a free self-paced online course devised by Three Rivers University Department of Rural Health and Charles Sturt University. 

Telehealth - Embracing technology in health care

The course takes approximately 4-6 hours and can be done over a period of time, in several sessions. Upon completion participants receive a digital certificate.

Site Requirements

Form Name Student Information
NSW Health Blood Borne Virus Declaration
  • All Midwifery students must complete this form.
  • Students can download this form through the NSW Health HETI website (linked below).
NSW Health Code of Conduct
  • All Nursing and Midwifery students must complete this form.
  • Other students allocation to a NSW Health site are required to complete this form as part of their site requirements.
  • Students can download this form through the NSW Health HETI website (linked below).
NSW Health Tuberculosis (TB) Assessment Tool
  • All Nursing and Midwifery students must complete this form.
  • Other students allocated to a NSW Health site are required to complete this form as part of their site requirements.
  • Students can download this form through the NSW Health HETI website (linked below), within the Immunisations and vaccinations section.
  • Students must read this form carefully and it is important that all questions are answered in Part A, B and C.
NSW Health Undertaking / Declaration Form
  • All Nursing and Midwifery students must complete this form.
  • Other students allocation to a NSW Health site are required to complete this form as part of their site requirements.
  • Students can download this form through the NSW Health HETI website (linked below), within the Immunisations and vaccinations section.
  • This form ensures all applicants are aware of an comply with the NSW Health Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccinations against Specified Infectious Diseases (OASV) policy directive.
  • It is important that you read this form carefully and only tick the relevant box that applies to your personal circumstance in Part 2. 

Further information can be found on the Student Compliance HETI website.

Form Name Student Information
Qld Health iLearn Modules
  • All students who are allocated to a Qld Health site must complete various iLearn modules as part of their site requirements.
  • Students can determine which modules are required based on mandatory checks listed in Sonia Online.
  • Students must register for an iLearn account which will take a minimum of 48 hours.
  • Once registered, students must complete the required modules, which can be accessed here.
Qld Health Record of Allied Health Student Training
  • All students (excluding Nursing and Midwifery) who are allocated to a Qld Health site must complete this form as part of their site requirements.
  • Students can download this form (found within Step 2) through the Qld Health Allied Health Student Information website. 
Qld Health Student Deed Poll
  • All students who are allocated to a Qld Health site must complete this form as part of their site requirements.
  • Students can download this form (found within Documents for your clinical placement) on the Qld Health Student Information website (linked below).
Qld Health Student Orientation Checklist
  • All students who are allocated to a Qld Health site must complete this form as part of their site requirements.
  • Students can download this form (found within Documents for your clinical placement) on the Qld Health Student Information website (linked below).
Qld Health Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment Questionnaire for Students
  • Nursing and Midwifery students who are allocated to a Qld Health site must complete this form as part of their site requirements.
  • Students can download this form (found within Preparing for your clinical placement) on the Qld Health Student Information website (linked below).

Further information can be found on the Qld Health Student Information website.

Related pages

Faculty of Health
WIL Home
Course info
WIL FAQs

Need help?

health.WIL@scu.edu.au +617 5589 3439 Visit our frequently asked questions