School of Behavioural and Health Sciences

Work integrated learning

Help others find the mental and physical strength to be their best.

At the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, you’ll learn cutting-edge techniques from leading practitioners, clinicians, scientists and researchers – and put those lessons into practice through real-world placements. Our extensive partner network means you’ll be able to engage with relevant industry and community partners, and have opportunities to gain community-based experience locally, nationally and overseas.

Type: Self-placement – clinical/research/industry placements

Brisbane: Opportunities include Optimum Patient Care, Mater Research Institute, Translational Research Institute, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Institute for Urban Indigenous Health.

North Sydney: Opportunities include the pharmaceutical industry, human data engineering, drug clinical trials, scientific communication, manufacture of molecular diagnostics, Victor Chang Research Institute, Parkinson’s research, laboratory administration.

Melbourne: Opportunities include Peter MacCallum Research Institute, St Vincent’s Research Institute, the pharmaceutical industry, clinical trials, science communication and not-for-profit organisations.

Units: BMSC301
Location: Brisbane, North Sydney, Melbourne (various locations).
Offered in Semester 1

Units: BMSC302
Location: Brisbane, North Sydney, Melbourne (various locations).
Offered in Semester 1 and 2

Type: Self placement – volunteer, charity, not-for-profit organisations
Unit: HLSC301
Location: Brisbane, North Sydney, Melbourne (various locations). Offered in Semester 1 and 2

Type: ACU Exercise Lifestyle Clinic/placement
Unit: EXSC398, EXSC309
Location: On campus

Type: Placement
Unit: EXSC398, EXSC309, EXSC399
Location: Off-campus at various sites including in private practice, state health services, sporting clubs and centres, and community health services/sporting activities

Type: ACU Exercise Lifestyle Clinic/placement
Units: EXSC636, 637, 638, 680
Location: On campus

Type: Placement
Unit: EXSC637, 638, 680
Location: Off campus at various sites including in private practice, state health services, occupational rehabilitation and community health services

Nutrition and dietetics
Type: Community engagement/food and culture study tour/professional practice
Units: NUTR305, NUTR308, NUTR309, NUTR310
Location: Melbourne, Sydney (2021); Bali (2022); Solomon Islands (2021 onwards)

Grants/funding: New Colombo Plan (NCP)

Bali: On offer from 2022 for 10 students, (NCP funding available - $3,000 each)
Solomon Islands: On offer from 2022 to 2024 for 8 – 16 students, (NCP funding available - $3,000 each)

Undergraduate psychology
Our undergraduate psychology students regularly volunteer and complete community engagement experiences.

Type: Community engagement
Unit: PSYC
Locations: Various sites including The Asylum Seekers’ Resource Centre, community homework and reading programs, Headspace, Orygen, Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Institute for Child Protection Services.

Postgraduate psychology
These are examples of placements for Master of Psychology (Clinical) in Melbourne and Strathfield and the Master of Professional Psychology and Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) in Melbourne.

Type: ACU Psychology Clinic
Unit: PSYC613, PSYC614
Location: On campus

Type: Placement
Unit: PSYC615
Location: Off campus at Headspace (various sites)

Type: Placement
Unit: PSYC614
Location: Off campus at Epworth Rehabilitation and Mental Health

Type: Placement
Unit: PSYC614
Location: Off campus at The Royal Children’s Hospital

Type: Placement
Unit: PSYC615
Location: Off campus at St John of God Hospital

Type: Placement
Unit: PSYC615
Location: Off campus at Department of Education and Training – Student Support Services

Type: Placement
Unit: PSYC614 or PSYC625
Location: Off campus at CatholicCare

Type: Placement
Unit: PSYC625
Location: Off campus at JobCo

Type: Placement
Unit: PSYC625
Location: Off campus at Ravenhall Correctional Centre

During the final year public health students take part in 200 hours of placement in Applied Public Health 1 and 2 (PUBH302/305). You’ll participate in a broad range of placements within government and non-government sectors. Some of these experiences are in areas that address social determinants of health within gender equality, including:

Type : Placement
Units : PUBH302 and PUBH305
Locations: Project Respect – working to reduce the harms of sex trafficking in Victoria.
Moreland City Council – assisting with a project focused on stopping men's violence against women.
Women's Property Initiatives – working to provide secure housing for women.
Melbourne Fire Brigade – improving gender inclusive outreach work.
Shire of Yarra Ranges – assisting with a project that supports women who have been assaulted by men.

You may also undertake placements in other areas that are designed to promote health and prevent illness, including:

Diabetes Victoria
The Cancer Council
The Heart Foundation
Mental health
Immigrant and refugee health
Housing for vulnerable citizens
Community gardens
Employment security and work conditions (with unions)
Addressing global warming

Type: Research/Entrepreneurial/Community engagement/Professional practice

First year units: NUTR505, NUTR600, NUTR601, NUTR602

Second year units: NUTR603, NUTR604, NUTR605, NUTR607, NUTR608

Location: Melbourne, North Sydney. Placements are both on and off campus depending on the specific placement unit. Placement sites off campus include metropolitan and rural hospitals, private practice, food industry, sporting clubs, social enterprise and community organisations.

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