Fieldwork preparation

Fieldwork at Curtin operates under a broad range of national, WA state, and interstate legislation; as well as policies and standards of external organisations with which we collaborate or receive funding for fieldwork activities. These are encoded in Curtin’s policies and procedures, as well as the Fieldwork Policy and Procedures.

Fieldwork Legislative and Policy Environment [.pdf 106KB]

Your Fieldwork Coordinator may request that you complete the following checklist before commencing your fieldwork activity. Please return this checklist to your Fieldwork Coordinator.

It’s important that students attend a pre-briefing session before they participate in fieldwork. Unit coordinators or fieldwork advisors organise and inform students of when they need to attend a pre-briefing session. The following slide deck can be used to guide pre-briefing responsibilities.

Domestic Student Pre-Briefing Presentation [.pptx 700KB]

A Fieldwork Agreement is negotiated between Curtin and partners who host students on a placement or industry-based project. Examples of templates are provided below. The templates may be edited according to the particular context.

All fieldwork must be approved before students commence fieldwork. Unit coordinators, fieldwork coordinators, staff and students must use the Fieldwork Online Risk Assessment and Approval tool, to determine the level of risk associated with the activity to initiate the approval process. Guidance on using the Risk Assessment and Approval too is available here. The Fieldwork Online Risk Assessment and Approval tool is integrated with the Travel Operations Portal for approval of fieldwork related travel.

Vulnerable students

The Australian Health Principal Committee has identified people who may be a greater risk of COVID-19 infection who should take additional precautions for self care and wellbeing. If you believe that you are in one of these categories of vulnerable people, please contact your Unit Coordinator, Fieldwork Administrator, Student Wellbeing or Accessibility staff and develop a plan to manage any concerns.

Return to campus procedures

The following processes are being used to assure your safety on campus.
A COVID-19 Declaration should be completed by all students attending activities in specialised spaces on campus (e.g. labs, studios, clinics or performance spaces). If you answer YES to any of the questions on the COVD-19 declaration please contact your Unit Coordinator / Fieldwork Administrator to develop a plan to manage any concerns. If you wish a more confidential approach please contact Student Wellbeing or Accessibility staff and develop a plan to manage any concerns.

Fieldwork

A COVID-19 Declaration should be completed by all students attending professional/volunteer placements prior to undertaking these activities. If you answer YES to any of the questions on the COVD-19 declaration please contact your Unit Coordinator / Fieldwork Administrator to develop a plan to manage any concerns. If you wish a more confidential approach please contact Student Wellbeing or Accessibility staff and develop a plan to manage any concerns.
New guidance for Fieldwork briefings: Domestic Fieldwork considerations [.pptx 1.75MB] in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
Guidance on additional travel approvals for students, internal WA travel and interstate travel
Guidance on the use and reuse of masks [.pdf 120KB] on fieldwork placements

Vulnerable students

The Australian Health Principal Committee has identified people who may be a greater risk of COVID-19 infection who should take additional precautions for self care and wellbeing. If you believe that you are in one of these categories of vulnerable people, please contact your Unit Coordinator, Fieldwork Administrator, Student Wellbeing or Accessibility staff and develop a plan to manage any concerns.

Conditions of Participation [.doc 66KB]

Domestic travel – SafeZone app

It is recommend that fieldwork participants download the SafeZone app as a tool to request help, report any incident, concern, emergency and access first aid.

The Emergency and First Aid buttons activate immediate support from the Safer Community Team who will triage, refer and/or coordinate a response.

Fieldwork within metropolitan Perth – download and activation optional
Fieldwork in country towns, rural and remote areas – download and activation required, check-in daily
Fieldwork trips around rural and remote areas (with a team leader) – download and activation required, daily check-in by team leader

International travel – iSOS app

All fieldwork participants undertaking international travel for fieldwork are required to download the International SOS app (Curtin University Membership No: 12AYCA656047).

Regular check-ins are required. The app should be used by all students undertaking international fieldwork.

Travel approval

Travel approval for domestic and international fieldwork is completed through the Travel Operations Portal (TOP) in accordance with Curtin’s travel procedures.

See specific COVID-19 related advice on internal WA travel and interstate travel for Curtin students.

For more information about travel, refer to the Curtin Travel website.

For information about travel insurance, see Curtin’s Risk and Assurance website.

The majority of fieldwork (placements) is conducted as part of a degree program (referred to a Curricular Fieldwork). Fieldwork administrators, Unit coordinators and HDR Supervisors should be able to assist with completion of the Online Fieldwork Risk Assessment, including approval of various Health and Safety risk assessments. Fieldwork approved through this process is covered by university insurance.

Co-curricular Fieldwork is not part of your degree, it is a range of complementary skill development opportunities undertaken on a voluntary basis with community organisations. Contact the Curtin Careers, Employment & Leadership Team on 9266 7802 or visit them in B102 Curtin Connect. They will facilitate your Online Fieldwork Risk Assessment and ensure you meet health and safety requirements and have appropriate insurance coverage.

Students studying at Curtin Perth, Curtin Kalgoorlie and OUA are covered by Curtin University’s Australian insurance. Students studying on our international campuses are covered by our global campus partner’s insurance.

Certificates of Currency cover staff and students undertaking approved fieldwork activities for personal accident, public liability and professional indemnity where appropriate.

Domestic

Threats to personal safety at any Australian location, should be reported through 000 or to Safer Community Team through the SafeZone app.

Incidents should be reported to your Curtin Fieldwork supervisor and host supervisor (if appropriate). Your supervisor will file reports in the Health and Safety system CHARM.

Concerns about harassment, behaviour, physical and mental health, and wellbeing should be reported to your Curtin Fieldwork supervisor, and host supervisor (if appropriate). Your supervisor will file reports via CHARM.

International

Threats to personal safety should be reported through the International SOS app (or their reverse charges number).

Students on DFAT funded fieldwork (e.g. New Colombo Plan) have some specific additional notification responsibilities in relation to sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse of children and vulnerable people. There are strict timeframes for reporting (2-5 days).

Reporting in Curtin systems

Fieldwork supervisors have the responsibility of ensuring that all concerns, incidents and accidents are reported via CHARM.

Check your course guide for appropriate security clearances prior to fieldwork.