Elective placements
Build your employability with real-world experiences
At La Trobe University, we’re committed to helping you develop the skills, confidence, and connections needed to succeed in your career. Through Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), you’ll apply your academic knowledge in real-world settings, gaining valuable experience while you study and boosting your employability.
- Develop technical and professional skills
- Boost your confidence and communication
- Strengthen problem-solving and adaptability
- Build strong industry relationships
- Explore career pathways and grow your network
The Industry Placement Elective Subjects
2025: Summer semester
The Industry Placement Elective subjects
The Industry Placement Subjects are 15 credit point elective subjects designed to help students to develop employability skills within a professional setting. The 100-hour industry placement experience is designed by students, to meet their interests, with the support of La Trobe academic staff.
The Professional Placement subjects
The Industry Placement Minor as four combined subjects and qualification is no longer available for enrolment, however the individual Professional Placement Subjects remain available for enrolment up to the end of 2026. Consultation with the Professional Placement Program Coordinator is essential.
2026: Semester 1
Industry Placements and Projects
From Semester 1 2026, the Industry Placement Elective Subjects are changing to bring La Trobe students a more structured, supported, and accessible way to gain real-world experience through placements or projects, embedded directly into your course and aligned with your career goals.
CHOOSE YOUR PATH: A PLACEMENT OR PROJECT
INDUSTRY PLACEMENT
- Apply theory in real-world settings
- Access to workplace support and supervision
- Build skills that help you stand out in your future career
INDUSTRY PROJECT
- Solve real problems in multidisciplinary teams
- Access to academic support and supervisor
- Present your ideas to industry professionals
Please note: If your study plan includes elective space, a placement and project subject will be available in your study plan for enrolment when you reach 90 credit points.
More detailed subject information will be updated on the website by the end of August 2025.
Placement Options
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
Each semester, La Trobe University offers a limited number of multidisciplinary placement opportunities available through a competitive application process. These placements are sourced by the University and matched to students based on the information provided in their application.
To be considered, you must submit a strong application that demonstrates your skills, interests, and readiness for industry experience. Priority is given to well-prepared applications, so it’s important to plan ahead and follow the application instructions carefully.
Find out more about how to apply and the key dates for each semester and subject.
Find out more
Get yourself industry ready
Get Industry Ready Before You Apply for a Placement
Preparation is a key step before submitting your placement application.
All La Trobe students have access to CareerHub – your centralised employability platform. Here, you'll find resources, workshops and tools to support you through every stage of applying for a placement or job.
Visit Career Ready Assist for guidance and tools to help you:
- Build your resume and get AI-powered feedback
- Practice your interview skills using the Mock Interview Tool
- Access templates and expert advice for writing cover letters
Tip: First impressions matter – take the time to present yourself professionally.
Need support?
Contact the Employability Programs team for help with resources, workshops, webinars and more.
Information Sessions
The Industry Placement Information Sessions are designed to give students an overview of the elective Work Based Learning subjects at La Trobe. 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.
When sessions are available, details will be included here.
Financial Support Available
La Trobe offers financial support to students undertaking an industry placement. You may be eligible for one of the following:
- Industry Placement Bursary: for undergraduates completing at least 70 hours and experiencing financial or personal disadvantage.
- Placement Travel Bursary: for students travelling 120km+ (one way) for a placement lasting 10+ days.
- Commonwealth Prac Payment: for students in teaching, nursing, midwifery or social work, starting July 2025.
Contact us
For further information about the Industry Placement Elective Subjects, email the Industry Placements Team at: industryplacements@latrobe.edu.au