Health placement unit FAQs

You’ll find your clinical placement dates and times in the teaching schedule provided when you enrol or re-enrol. These are set in advance and can’t be changed.

We’ll let you know your placement details well ahead of time, so you can plan your travel and personal commitments to attend as scheduled

Requesting a variation to your placement

Variations to placement allocations are only considered in specific circumstances. If you believe you may be impacted, the Clinical Placement Policy includes eligibility criteria.

If you have personal circumstances that may affect your ability to attend certain placement locations, you're encouraged to submit a pre-allocation request to the HPU. This must be submitted at least 12 weeks before your placement starts and include supporting evidence.

To request a variation after your placement has been allocated, contact the HPU to obtain, complete and submit the requisite forms within the timeframe specified in your placement notification. For instructions on how to upload your documents, refer to your student checklist.

Each request will be reviewed by your Course Coordinator. If you wish to appeal a decision, you can submit a written appeal. For Nursing placements, please contact the Program Director ELA for appeal information.

If you have an Access Plan that includes placement requirements, you’re encouraged to meet with your Program Director, Course Coordinator and Access and Inclusion Adviser as early as possible. Together, you can discuss any adjustments that may be needed and how (or if) your information will be shared with the placement provider. This helps make sure your placement is safe, supportive and sets you up for success.

For nursing and midwifery students: You’ll need to complete the Fitness to Practice in Clinical Placement documentation before your placement begins. The HPU can provide further information on this process.

Adelaide University reserves the right to change clinical placement dates to suit clinical practice sites' availability if necessary. Students will be notified as soon as possible should such a circumstance eventuate.

Students are strongly advised to read the Clinical Placement Policy prior to placement. All students must adhere strictly to the requirements around clinical placement practice for their program. The requirements are detailed in the Course Outline, other course documentation, and additional information that will be provided by the HPU. Adelaide University students are covered under Adelaide University’s insurance policy while on placement, provided that certain criteria are met.

Your placement details will only be published once you’re fully compliant.

If further checks are needed due to partial compliance, this will be noted in the verification comments on your documents. The HPU may need to work with your Course Coordinator and placement provider to confirm whether your current compliance status can be supported

Yes. Students must have copies of their conditional evidence documents available for sites to check on the first day of their placement. Documents can be accessed through students InPlace and PebblePad (nursing/midwifery students only)

Please note that from 2026 the Uniform policies will be changing, students will no longer be able to wear the UniSA or University of Adelaide branded uniforms past 2025. Adelaide University has a plan for replacing uniforms for continuing students.

Some programs will require students to undertake a rural or interstate clinical placement. All nursing and midwifery students will be required to undertake a rural placement at least once during their program. Medical Radiation Science (all streams) students are also required to undertake a rural placement.

Further information can be found on the Rural Placements page.

Placements outside South Australia can be difficult to secure due to high demand from local education providers. You should be prepared to undertake your placement within South Australia. 

If you're completing a placement interstate, there are specific requirements you’ll need to meet and submit to the Health Placements Unit (HPU) before your placement begins.

Nursing students studying from outside South Australia:
All clinical placements must be undertaken in South Australia.

You may be required to complete intra-placement site travel as part of your placement i.e. to secondary sites, community partners or home visits during your placement. 

Where possible, Adelaide University will ask its Industry Partners to provide access to vehicles where intra-placement travel is required.

Students are also advised to provide information about their ability to drive on InPlace (if they have a car and if they are willing to drive), to assist in matching students to placement opportunities.

Where a student uses their own car for intra-placement travel, the student must have their own comprehensive insurance for damages. Limited personal accident insurance cover is provided for injuries sustained whilst undertaking intra-placement travel. 

For further information about insurance coverage, please check the AU Work Integrated Learning Insurance page for Personal Vehicle usage while on placement.

Students who will be undertaking an interstate placement may require additional compliance documents before their placements can be confirmed. Each state also has its own requirements, which it is the student’s responsibility to meet. You can find out more about interstate requirements on the Australian Institute of Family Studies website.

Most students need to complete fit testing before placement. The HPU will email you 6–8 weeks before your placement to book your appointment.

You must:

• Book and attend your fit test after receiving the notification

• Complete the online consent form before your appointment.

Fit testing is free for Adelaide University students but masks are not provided. Placement sites will supply masks if needed.

You may be turned away from placement if you can’t show evidence of your fit test.

Note: If you’ve already uploaded your fit test evidence to InPlace, you don’t need to book again.

From 1 July 2025, eligible students in teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work can apply for the CPP to help with placement costs. The payment is means-tested and offers up to $319.50 per week during placement. Further information about the CPP is available on the Department of Education web page.