Elective placements
Why do an Industry Placement?
Undertaking an Industry Placement is an excellent way to put theory into practice and develop professional skills in a working environment. Completing an industry placement as part of your degree will assist you to develop professional networks that enable you to more easily gain employment upon graduation.
You will explore what it means to be a member of a professional team in a workplace, reflect upon your experiences and career aspirations and develop transferrable skills that will improve your employability.
- Apply and develop knowledge and skills in the industry
- Expand communication skills
- Connect with professionals in your field
- Identify potential career options
- Possible future employment
You may be eligible for financial support while on placement
La Trobe offers financial support to students undertaking an industry placement. You may be eligible for one of the following:
- Industry Placement Bursary: for enrolled undergraduate students completing a minimum of 70 hours of placement and demonstrating financial or personal disadvantage;
- Placement Travel Bursary: for enrolled students travelling 120kms or more (one way) from their semester address to attend placement and for the duration of 10 days or more.
- Commonwealth Prac Payment: available to students enrolled in teaching, nursing and midwifery, or social work degrees undertaking a mandatory placement. This commonwealth initiative will commence in July 2025.
Industry Placement Information Sessions
Find out more
The Industry Placement Information Sessions are designed to give students an overview of the elective Work Based Learning subjects at La Trobe, including their relationship to various courses and how they compare to other subjects.
You'll have an opportunity to hear from the Subject Coordinators, past students who've done a placement and to ask questions about placements and how to find one!
We strongly recommend attending an information session if you are interested in completing a for-credit elective industry placement at any point during your degree.
Register for a ‘Lunch and Learn’ information session
| Session | Day/Date | Time | Registration link |
|---|
| Undergraduates | Wednesday 14 May | 12pm – 1pm | Register now |
| Postgraduates | Wednesday 14 May | 1pm – 2pm | Register now |
*Once you register for an information session, click on 'View attendance instructions' for the link to the Zoom meeting. Please add this event to your calendar.
Get yourself industry ready
Career Ready Assist
Preparation is an essential step prior to submitting a placement application.
All La Trobe students have complimentary access to Career Ready Assist, an interactive online tool designed to help you prepare for placement applications and boost your employability.
This platform not only helps you build your resume and practice interview skills, but it also provides AI-powered feedback on your CV and interview techniques. For tips on putting together a cover letter for a placement application, please visit CareerHub.
Remember, first impressions matter!
Contact the Employability Programs team for further information about workshops, webinars and for general support on any of these resources.
The Industry Placement Elective Subjects
The Industry Placement Minor
The Industry Placement Minor comprises 4 subjects which you can use to complete between 1 and 4 placements (totaling 400 hours). The Industry Placement Minor allows you to apply your knowledge and skills in a professional work setting and gain valuable work experience and industry connections.
Find out more
Industry Placement subjects (LTU3IND and LTU5IND)
The Industry Placement Subjects (LTU3IND and LTU5IND) are designed to offer you the opportunity to develop your employability skills in a professional setting.
Find out more
Summary of placement options
Students can undertake a placement opportunity and enrol into an Industry Placement Elective Subject via one of three options:
| Placement option | Definition | LTU3IND | LTU5IND | Industry Placement
Minor |
|---|
Student Sourced Industry Placements | Students are responsible for identifying, securing, and submitting details of their own host organisation and placement opportunity to La Trobe for review. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
University Sourced Industry Placements | Students apply to various opportunities sourced by the university. Placements are not guaranteed. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Industry Venture Challenge | The Industry Venture Challenge is an 8-week placement option, undertaken as part of the 100-hour industry placement elective subject, LTU3IND. Fully funded by La Trobe University. | Yes | No | No |
Student Sourced Industry Placements
Searching for a placement requires advance planning. Reflecting on your values, interests and goals will help you find a placement that aligns with your course and your personality. The Student Sourced Checklist provides step by step instructions on how to find your own placement opportunity. You may also wish to refer to the WBL Industry Placement guides to find out more about Work Based Learning at La Trobe and the student/host responsibilities whilst on placement.
University Sourced Industry Placements
Check out the list of current university sourced opportunities that you can apply for. These amazing opportunities are exclusive to students who want to complete one of the Industry Placement elective subjects.
Find out how to apply.
The Industry Venture Challenge
The Industry Venture Challenge is a placement option, undertaken as part of the 100-hour industry placement elective subject, LTU3IND. Eligible students will have completed 120 credit points and have space in their degree for a 15 credit point elective subject. Participating in the Industry Venture Challenge will enable you to boost your confidence, professional connections and your in-demand industry skills - preparing you to become work ready.
Find out more about the Industry Venture Challenge.
Don't miss out - Apply Now!
Gain credit for 'Internship' or 'Vacation' programs
"Vacation" or "internship" programs are a great way to apply skills and gain valuable experience which may lead to a graduate program entry or direct employment opportunities. These programs are offered across a broad range of organisations and study disciplines, including Accounting, Finance, Cyber security, Marketing, Communications and Environmental Sustainability. Many websites advertise these opportunities, such as Grad Connection, Grad Australia, and Career Hub.
Did you know that these programs may be used to gain credit towards your degree?
When undertaking an internship program, it may be possible for students to concurrently enrol into one or more of La Trobe’s Industry Placement Elective Subjects and use the internship experience to fulfill the industry placement requirements of the elective subject/s (subject to approval from the Subject Coordinator).
Students must submit a student self-sourced online application (including a Placement Description) prior to the closing date for the selected Industry Placement subject/s. The application and Placement Description will then be assessed and must be approved by La Trobe prior to enrolment into the Industry Placement elective subject. Refer to Step 2a or 2b to find out how to apply.
For more information about your eligibility, speak with your Course Coordinator. For find out more about the application process and the Industry Placement elective subjects, visit our website or contact the Industry Placements team: industryplacements@latrobe.edu.au
Interested in doing an Industry Placement?
Fill in the Expression of Interest (EOI) form to tell us about your dream placement!
Complete the EOI form
Contact us
For further information about the industry placement subjects, the application process and placement opportunities, please email: industryplacements@latrobe.edu.au
