What is your SWLA?
SWLA stands for Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment.
Swinburne Open Education offers students a unique opportunity to study in an online environment to develop their skills and knowledge in their chosen field at a time and pace that suit them.
The Certificate III in individual support requires practical skill application as well to achieve competency.
The SWLA offers students the opportunity to seek out a workplace where they can apply their learning in practical ways in order to expand on and demonstrate their skills.
- You are required to complete a minimum of 120 hours for Certificate III in Individual Support, at an approved regulated Aged Care or Disability Service depending on the stream you have chosen to study and are enrolled in to study.
- The minimum number of hours is split across SWLA Block 1 (SWLA 1) and SWLA Block 2 (SWLA 2).
Your work placement is split into two (2):
- For SWLA Block 1 you are required to complete a minimum of 60 hours at an approved regulated Aged care or Disability service.
- For SWLA Block 2, you are required to complete a minimum of 60-120 hours at an approved regulated Aged care or Disability service.
- There is no age-group specification for SWLA
The units covered in each specific course are listed below:
CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
| Block 1 | Block 2 |
| CHCCLEG001 | CHCCCS036 |
| CHCCOM005 | CHCCCS040 |
| HLTWHS002 | CHCCCS031 |
| HLTINF006 | CHCCCS038 |
| CHCCCS017 | |
| CHCDIS011 | |
| CHCAGE011 | |
| CHCAGE013 | |
| CHCPAL003 |
CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
| Block 1 | Block 2 |
| CHCCOM005 | CHCCCS036 |
| CHCLEG001 | CHCCCS040 |
| HLTWHS002 | CHCCCS031 |
| HLTINF006 | CHCCCS038 |
| CHCCCS017 | |
| CHCDIS011 | |
| CHCDIS012 | |
| CHCDIS020 | |
| CHCCCS035 |
The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
| Block 1 | Block 2 |
| CHCCOM005 | CHCAGE013 |
| CHCLEG001 | CHCCCS040 |
| HLTWHS002 | CHCCCS031 |
| HLTINF006 | CHCCCS038 |
| CHCAGE011 | |
| CHCDIS011 | |
| CHCDIS012 | |
| CHCDIS020 | |
| CHCPAL003 |
We understand some of the tasks you will undertake during the SWLA may be repetitive in nature, but the units are set out in a way that ensure you get enough practice and hands on skills to gain confidence, appropriate work skills and to ensure you are work ready!
What do I need to do?
There are a few requirements you need to meet to ensure you can successfully complete SWLA 1:
Complete theory assessments
- Before commencing SWLA 1, make sure you have completed and submitted all theory assessments for the preceding modules. This is important so you can implement the theory in practice during placement
- Your SWLA Block 1 will not unlock until you have completed Modules 1 – 5. Similarly, when you complete Modules 7 – 15, then Module 16 (SWLA 2) will be unlocked.
For further information, please read the Student Guide to Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment document.
The following steps provide guidance on what is required of you to complete your SWLA.
Step 1 Pre-employment screening
Before commencing placement, you will need to undergo police check. Registered NDIS providers may also request you to complete a NDIS Worker Screening Check. This may include:
- Working with children check. To obtain a working with children check (WWCC), or pre-employment/child-safe screening, as per the requirements of each state/territory. You can check the requirements here.
- National Criminal Record Check/Police Check
- A signed confidentiality agreement
- You may need to have the required personal protective equipment necessary for the workplace.
- You may also need to have certain immunisations, depending on state/territory requirements.
- Please ask your workplace supervisor what vaccines they require you to have prior to commencing.
Please note that some immunisations such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19 need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before someone is deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting work placement.
Step 2 Formal documentation
It is important for you to:
- Complete the Host Organisation Approval Form providing the required details about your workplace, its facilities and resources and the details of your proposed Workplace Supervisor.
- Submit the form into Module 5. Once you have completed the learning and assessments for Modules 1 – 5, then your Module 6 (SWLA 1) will be unlocked
- Once the Host Organisation is approved, provide a copy of the Supervisor Guide to Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment to your proposed Workplace Supervisor.
- Read the Student Guide to Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment document that includes 'Frequently Asked Questions' for your information.
Step 3 Prepare for work placement
Your Assessor will use the information captured in the Host Organisation Approval Form to ensure that:
- The workplace meets the specific requirements of the course
- the Workplace Supervisor has the appropriate level of experience to supervise and guide you. Once approved, they will then contact the Workplace Supervisor to introduce themselves, have a chat about the process and requirements and answer any questions they have.
Step 4 Start your SWLA
When starting your work placement and SWLA, you are required to:
- complete all workplace induction/orientation, and to comply with workplace policies and procedures (e.g., code of conduct, confidentiality, work health and safety).
- receive this Guide and other relevant documentation relating to SWLA to ensure you are fully informed of the course requirements and SWLA process.
- use a Work Placement Plan (that we develop in conjunction with you and your Workplace Supervisor that guides you in the completion of your SWLA.
- professionally accept and respond to feedback on your performance from the Workplace Supervisor, as well as from the Assessor. Your Assessor will conduct the assessment against the requirements of the relevant Units of Competency for the structured work placement completed.
- Your Workplace Supervisor is required to sign off on all hours completed in both SWLA 1 and SWLA 2.
- You will be required to submit all SWLA assessment documents and supporting documents to demonstrate competency in the units covered during SWLA 1 and SWLA 2.
Common Questions
What is my role?
- Agree to take part in SWLA as part of your course of study
- Obtain a valid working with police check, NDIS Worker Screening Check and immunisation as required by the Host Organisation
- Work with your proposed Workplace Supervisor to complete the Host Organisation Approval Form and wait until it is approved by Swinburne Open Education before you start your SWLA
- Work closely with your allocated Swinburne Open Education Assessor and your Workplace Supervisor to develop and adjust your Work Placement Plan and conduct scheduled Interview Questionnaire process
- Commit to completing the designated tasks and activities captured in the Work Placement Plan, Logbook and Portfolio
- Carry out all reasonable and lawful directions of the workplace and perform your work to the best of your ability • Comply with all reasonable workplace rules and requirements governing safety and behaviour
- Attend the workplace on each day and time as agreed
- Dress in accordance with workplace guidelines
- Inform both the Supervisor and Assessor as soon as practicable if you are unable to attend work scheduled as part of your SWLA
- Promptly inform the Supervisor and Assessor of any accident, injury or incident that may occur
- Inform the Assessor and Supervisor of any necessary health information, including details of any known medical condition which may affect you and any medication or treatment which may be necessary
- Provide and receive feedback about your learning needs, objectives and performance to and from the Workplace Supervisor and your Assessor.
What is my Assessor’s role?
Your Assessor will:
- Review the proposed workplace/Host Organisation against the specified requirements to determine whether they are appropriate to host you
- Review your proposed Workplace Supervisor against the specific requirements to determine whether they hold the appropriate level of experience/qualifications to provide supervision and guidance to you
- Ensure you and the Workplace Supervisor understand the core learning objectives and approach of the SWLA
- Work in collaboration with you and your Workplace Supervisor to develop a realistic and relevant Work Placement Plan, and adjust this as you go if required Ensure that the type of activities you will undertake during SWLA are:
- directly related to, and at the appropriate skill level, for the training outcomes of the course you are undertaking, and useful for the vocation and employment outcomes of the course
- Explain the qualification requirements, and assessment process, answer any questions or address any concerns from you or your Workplace Supervisor
- Conduct the assessment of the evidence submitted by you against the requirements of the qualification
- Provide timely and constructive feedback on your performance against the competency requirements
- Ensure all records associated with the SWLA are retained securely and copies are provided to both you and the Workplace Supervisor.
What is my Workplace Supervisor’s role?
- The Workplace Supervisor’s role is to provide guidance and support to you during your SWLA in a safe and reliable environment.
- You will gain a lot of knowledge from the Workplace Supervisor’s experience in the industry.
Note: The Workplace Supervisor does not formally assess you, the student.
- The Assessor conducts the assessment.
- The Workplace Supervisor also conducts the following:
- Understands and follows the Supervisor Guide for Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment.
- Completes the Host Organisation Approval Form accurately and honestly, including an agreement with the student.
- Provides necessary resources and equipment for assessment by the Assessor.
- Discusses learning opportunities and core objectives of SWLA with the student and Assessor.
- Develops a plan with the student and Assessor for relevant activities during SWLA, aligned with training outcomes and vocational goals.
- Collaborates in developing and adjusting the Work Placement Plan, Interview Questionnaire, and Third-Party Report.
- Conducts an orientation/induction, covering workplace health and safety and key policies.
- Ensures compliance with workplace health and safety and workplace relations laws and standards.
- Provides guidance and support to the student throughout the SWLA.
- Signs off on placement hours and performance of tasks outlined in the Work Placement Plan, Logbook, and Third-Party Report.
- Confirms whether the student has met acceptable workplace standards.
- Maintains confidentiality of any medical or other sensitive information that has been disclosed and disclose information to another party only if permission has been given, or in the case of a medical emergency
- Contacts the Assessor as soon as practicable if you are absent, injured or become ill in the course of undertaking SWLA
- Contacts your emergency contact person and the Assessor in the case of an emergency
- Contacts and consult with the Assessor if they consider it necessary to modify or terminate the arrangement prior to the end of the placement.
- Provides feedback on your performance in the workplace and ensure that you gain the most from your workplace experience.
Can I do my SWLA if I am already working in the Aged or Disability Industry?
You may be able to do your work placement, however Swinburne Open Education will need to check that your current workplace and your Workplace Supervisor meet the requirements for supporting SWLA in relation to the course outcomes. In this instance, you still complete the Host Organisation Approval Form and submit for sign off.
What documents do I need?
You will find the required SWLA documents linked under Step 2.
They are also provided here for your convenience:
