Opting out of placement during the COVID-19 pandemic
The health, safety and wellbeing of our students, including those completing approved course-related placements, is our highest priority.
While the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) currently supports the continuation of health and Initial Teacher Education (ITE) placements and La Trobe University is continuing or commencing student health and ITE placements as scheduled unless advised otherwise, where you have significant concerns for your health and wellbeing - or for that of others living in your home - you can choose to opt-out of placement.
Students undertaking on-site placements in other disciplines (such as IT, Engineering, Science, non-clinical Health, Agriculture, Law, Business and Humanities) are also eligible to opt-out for these reasons.
Completing an accredited program of study requires completion of all approved activities (including professional placement). Your course progression may be affected by your choice to opt-out at this time, so it is important to seek guidance from your subject or course coordinator before filling in this form. We cannot guarantee when an alternative placement will be available so if you are currently in your final semester or year of study, you may need to graduate and/or become registered for your profession later than you expected before COVID-19.
Supporting documentation required:
⁃ If you are already on placement let both your placement supervisor and La Trobe subject coordinator know of your decision.
⁃ If you are not yet on placement, contact your La Trobe subject coordinator by email and upload a copy of your email correspondence to this form as a supporting document.
