Physiotherapy Work Integrated Learning - Southern Cross University

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Important updates

From January 2025, students will have a limit of one WIL Attendance Varaition Applications (WIL AVAs) per request type for each unit, unless there are extenuating circumstances. All further applications will be assessed by the AVA Review Committee before an outcome is issued. In addition, Statutory Declarations will no longer be accepted as supporting evidence.

From January 2025, the Faculty of Health will introduce two new proformas as below:

Form	Further Information
Student Medical Certificate	Students seeking approval to adjust their placement dates or those unable to attend their allocation due to medical reasons should complete and submit this form as part of their supporting documentation. All forms must be submitted alongside a WIL Attendance Variation application and should be submitted as early as possible and no later than 2 business days from your final date of absence on placement. This form is also available to download through Sonia Online.
Student Medical Clearance	Students who have had a significant injury or illness are required to submit this form before returning to placement at the discretion of the WIL Unit. This form will be made available to students to which it applies.

Form

Further Information

Student Medical Certificate

Students seeking approval to adjust their placement dates or those unable to attend their allocation due to medical reasons should complete and submit this form as part of their supporting documentation.
All forms must be submitted alongside a WIL Attendance Variation application and should be submitted as early as possible and no later than 2 business days from your final date of absence on placement.
This form is also available to download through Sonia Online.

Student Medical Clearance

Students who have had a significant injury or illness are required to submit this form before returning to placement at the discretion of the WIL Unit.
This form will be made available to students to which it applies.

Request Type	Further information
Exemption for entire course	From January 2025, students seeking approval for a medical exemption who are unable to be vaccinated as a result of medical contraindication to a vaccine(s), must provide either: A copy of their Immunisation History Statement from the (AIR) that evidences the contraindication; or An AIR - immunisation medical exemption form (IM011) completed by a health professional who can grant an exemption More information on medical exemptions and who can provide this exemption are available online.
Temporary exemption for a specific unit or time period	Students seeking approval for a temporary vaccination exemption can continue to submit a doctor's letter or certificate as supporting documentation.

Request Type

Further information

Exemption for entire course

From January 2025, students seeking approval for a medical exemption who are unable to be vaccinated as a result of medical contraindication to a vaccine(s), must provide either:

A copy of their Immunisation History Statement from the (AIR) that evidences the contraindication; or
An AIR - immunisation medical exemption form (IM011) completed by a health professional who can grant an exemption

More information on medical exemptions and who can provide this exemption are available online.

Temporary exemption for a specific unit or time period

Students seeking approval for a temporary vaccination exemption can continue to submit a doctor's letter or certificate as supporting documentation.

Course checks

What must I complete?

Mandatory course fit to practice (FTP) requirements can be viewed your course checklist below:

Checklist - Physiotherapy

When is my deadline?

All documentation must be submitted to Sonia Online no later than your course FTP deadline. We recommend submitting as early as possible, allowing time to provide further information if requested.

It is important to continously review your submitted checks until they have been cleared.

What if I can't meet it?

We acknowledge that there may be circumstances outside your control that impact on your ability to submit necessary evidence by your FTP due date.

If eligible, you can apply for an extension to your deadline by submitting a Fit to Practice Variation application in Sonia Online via the Forms tab.

Standard Checks

Vaccination Checks

Other Certificates

Standard Checks

What must I submit?

You must complete the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Statement. This document specifies the conditions under which you will participate in WIL and outlines expectations, prior to and during WIL, including your code of conduct.

How do I complete?

The WIL Statement is an online form that can be completed in Sonia Online via the Forms tab.

How long is this statement valid?

This statement is an annual requirement.

What must I submit?

You must provide evidence of a current National Police Certificate (NPC) issued by an accredited organisation. A list of accredited providers can be found on the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).

What should my certificate include?

Accepted	Not Accepted
Your NPC must: State that it is a National or an Australian-wide check Include your full name and date of birth List the same name that is recorded with the University State ‘complete disclosure’ if issued by the Australian Federal Police	Partial or standard disclosure certificates Receipt of payment for application lodgment Documentation with no name or date of birth listed

Accepted

Not Accepted

Your NPC must:

State that it is a National or an Australian-wide check
Include your full name and date of birth
List the same name that is recorded with the University
State ‘complete disclosure’ if issued by the Australian Federal Police

Partial or standard disclosure certificates
Receipt of payment for application lodgment
Documentation with no name or date of birth listed

How long is my certificate valid?

The Faculty of Health recognise certificates issued in the past three years as current. Some sites require more recent certificates, and at times you may be required to apply for an additional NPC as a result of your allocation.

What if my certificate has charges listed?

All certificates must be submitted to Sonia Online regardless. Once received the WIL Unit will seek further information from you before forwarding your case to the Faculty of Health Faculty Exemption Committee for an internal risk assessment.

Vaccination and Health Screening Checks

What must I submit?

You must provide your most recent evidence of one adult vaccination administered in the past 10 years.

What evidence is accepted?

Accepted	Not Accepted
Boostrix or Adacel vaccination documented on a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement, including copies of original vaccination records if available. Records must include: 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)	Serology Receipt of payment for vaccination Documentation with no name or date or birth

Accepted

Not Accepted

Boostrix or Adacel vaccination documented on a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement, including copies of original vaccination records if available.

Records must include:

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)

Serology
Receipt of payment for vaccination
Documentation with no name or date or birth

What if my documentation is recorded against a previous name?

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

What must I submit?

You are required to provide your most recent evidence of an age appropriate vaccination course OR a positive serology. Your serology must be greater than or equal to 10 IU/mL anti-HB's to show immunity.

What documentation is accepted?

Accepted	Not Accepted
Hepatitis B vaccinations documented on a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement, including copies of original vaccination records if available or serology report. Records must include: 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)	Accelerated vaccination course Receipt of payment for vaccination and/or serology Documentation with no name or date of birth listed

Accepted

Not Accepted

Hepatitis B vaccinations documented on a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement, including copies of original vaccination records if available or serology report.

Records must include:

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)

Accelerated vaccination course
Receipt of payment for vaccination and/or serology
Documentation with no name or date of birth listed

What if my documentation is recorded against a previous name?

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

What if my serology is negative?

If you have completed the required vaccinations and your serology shows you are not immune, please upload your documentation to Sonia Online and await further advice.

Where can I obtain 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.

What must I submit?

You must provide your most recent evidence of two vaccinations at least one month apart OR a positive serology (IgG) for each MMR OR have a birth date before 1966.

What evidence is accepted?

Accepted	Not Accepted
Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccination documented on a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement, including copies of original vaccination records if available OR original serology reports. Records must include: 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)	Receipt of payment for vaccination and/or serology Documentation with no name or date of birth listed

Accepted

Not Accepted

Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccination documented on a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement, including copies of original vaccination records if available OR original serology reports.

Records must include:

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)

Receipt of payment for vaccination and/or serology
Documentation with no name or date of birth listed

What if my documentation is recorded against a previous name?

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

Where can I obtain 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.

What must I submit?

You must complete the Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Form for Students. We recommend you print and sign this document before uploading to Sonia Online.

Do I need a TB screening?

Further testing and/or health assessment may be required, depending on your personal circumstance and your responses to each question in the above form. It is important that you read each question carefully and complete all mandatory sections.

What must I submit?

You must complete and submit the following against the corresponding check in Sonia Online:

A completed SCU Vaccine Preventable Diseases Verification form
Your original vaccination records and/or serology reports

Who can complete the vaccine preventable diseases form?

This document must be signed by your treating medical practitioner or a registered nurse (other than yourself).

What should I do if I am partway through my vaccinations?

Each check in Sonia Online lists the minimum submission requirements for each vaccination. If you have met the minimum requirement, please upload your vaccination evidence alongside your signed vaccine preventable diseases form which details your upcoming scheduled appointment(s). Your submitted evidence will be reviewed and if eligible you will be issued a temporary verification and will not be penalised for having outstanding documentation by your FTP deadline.

All students with temporary verification must finalise their outstanding vaccination(s) by their temporary verification expiry date, including submission of their newly signed vaccine preventable diseases verification form and final vaccination evidence.

Do I need to be vaccinated for all diseases listed?

At minimum, you must meet the vaccination and/or serology requirements as detailed in your course FTP checklist above. If you are later allocated to a site that requires further vaccination, you must adhere to these additional requirements to be eligible for placement.

What must I submit?

You must provide your most recent evidence of an age appropriate vaccination course OR a positive serology (IgG).

What evidence is accepted?

Accepted	Not Accepted
Varicella vaccination (including zoster) documented on a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement, including copies of original vaccination records if available OR original serology report. Records must include: 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)	Receipt of payment for vaccination and/or serology Documentation with no name or date of birth listed

Accepted

Not Accepted

Varicella vaccination (including zoster) documented on a Medicare or Australian Immunisation History statement, including copies of original vaccination records if available OR original serology report.

Records must include:

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)

Receipt of payment for vaccination and/or serology
Documentation with no name or date of birth listed

What if I have had chickenpox or shingles?

This must be evidenced through a positive serology confirming natural immunity.

What if my documentation is recorded against a previous name?

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

Where can I obtain 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.

Other Certificates

What must I submit?

You must provide evidence of current certification for HLTAID009 CPR issued by a Nationally Recognised Training Organisation or selected professional bodies.

What evidence is accepted?

Accepted	Not Accepted
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	Online courses, commonly My CPR Now and National CPR Foundation (NCPRF) Training conducted overseas

How long is my certificate valid?

Each certificate is valid for 12 months.

What must I submit?

You must provide evidence of current certification for HLTAID010 Provide basic emergency life support or HLTAID011 First Aid and CPR issued by a Nationally Recognised Training Organisation or selected professional bodies.

What evidence is accepted?

Accepted	Not Accepted
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	Online courses Training conducted overseas

How long is my certificate valid?

Each certificate is valid for three years.

What must I submit?

You must submit your completion certificate once you have completed the Hand hygiene for clinical healthcare workers module.

How do I complete?

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, select and complete the Hand Hygiene for clinical healthcare workers module.

How long is my certificate valid?

Each certificate is valid for 12 months.

What must I submit?

Students who reside in New South Wales are required to submit evidence of this check to Sonia Online as part of their course FTP requirements. Students who reside in Queensland are also required to obtain this when enrolling in units that mandate this. Please refer to your checklist above to determine this information.

How do I complete?

You should apply direct through Service NSW, further instructions below:

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 Online

Do I need to pay?

No, applications submitted as a volunteer or student do not incur a fee.

How long is my check valid?

Each clearance is valid for five years.

What must I submit?

Students who reside in Queensland are required to submit evidence of this check to Sonia Online as part of their course FTP requirements. Students who reside in New South Wales are also required to obtain this when enrolling in units that mandate this. Please refer to your checklist above to determine this information.

How do I complete?

Action	Further information
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.

Do I need to pay?

No, applications submitted as a volunteer or student do not incur a fee.

Can I apply if I am not living in Queensland?

You can submit an application by post and apply via a Blue Card remote pack.

What are the processing times?

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. More information can be found online.

WIL Information

Physiotherapy

Information on the timing in which your placement will be scheduled can be found on the WIL calendar below:

2025 WIL Calendar - Physio

You will be required to complete approximately 1000 hours of work integrated learning in the form of professional practice placement.
Uniform requirements

External placement

You must adhere to the following uniform requirements whilst attending placement external to SCU:

Physiotherapy Uniform Requirements - Faculty of Health Guideline

Internal placement (SCU Health Clinic)

You must adhere to the following uniform policy if attending placement at SCU Health Clinic:

Faculty of Health Guideline - Student Health Clinic Uniform policy
WIL Attendance Variation Application

You may request a variation to any of the following:

Pre-placement

Defer the commencement of WIL

Adjustment tothe timing of WIL

Adjustment to the location of WIL

If you wish to be considered for for any of the above you must complete a WIL Attendance Variation Application (AVA). This application can be found in Sonia Online via the Forms tab. Applications must be submitted a minimum eight weeks prior to commencement of WIL and require supporting documentation.

During placement

Record an absence on WIL

All absence on placement must be documented on the same WIL AVA. Applications must be submitted within two business days of your final date of absence and require supporting documentation.
Log in to Sonia Online
Accommodation

Some sites provide subsidised accommodation for students on placement. Once you have been allocated, review any information found in Sonia Online regarding your placement details and potential accommodation options. We also encourage you to speak to your site contact for more information about local accommodation options.

The University also has an off-campus accomodation database called UniStays which provides various accommodation vacancies for students.
Visit UniStays