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is ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½'s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) management system.

If you are enrolled in a course that includes placement, you will use Sonia Online to:

• View, submit and track your Fit to Practice (FTP) requirements and Site Checks
• Access information about your placements
• Submit placement assessments and evaluation forms
• Complete timesheets
• Track your placement hours and progress towards course requirements

You will be given access to SONIA Online when you are admitted to an eligible course.

If you need help accessing your account, refer to the  guide.

You will receive access to after you have accepted your SCU offer and meet one of the following criteria:

• You are enrolled in a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or placement unit, or
• You are enrolled in a course that does not include placement in the first year but requires you to complete first-year Fit to Practice (FTP) requirements.

Once these requirements are met, your Sonia Online account will be activated.

You can find instructions on how to access and use Sonia Online in the Sonia Online Instructions for Students

The guide includes information on:

• Logging in to Sonia Online
• Viewing your placement details
• Checking and uploading required documents
• Monitoring your placement and compliance requirements
• Updating your profile information

Refer to the Sonia Online User Guide for step-by-step instructions.

To upload a document to Sonia Online:

1. Log in to .
2. Select the tab.
3. Find the relevant requirement.
4. Select Browse and choose the document you want to upload.
5. Select Save and Submit.

Important: Your document will not be recorded unless you select Save and Submit.

For detailed instructions, refer to the .

If you are unable to access , contact the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team for assistance.

When contacting the team, include details of the issue you are experiencing, along with any error messages or screenshots if available.  This will help the team resolve the problem more quickly.

Documents can be rejected for a range of reasons, such as missing information, incorrect documentation, poor-quality files, or evidence that does not meet the stated requirements.

To find out why your document was rejected, view the reference field for the relevant check in . This field contains information about the issue and what action you need to take.

Review the feedback carefully and upload any replacement or additional documentation as soon as possible. To avoid delays to your placement, make sure any revised documents are submitted before the relevant deadline.

Mask fit testing checks whether a P2 or N95 respirator fits your face correctly and forms an effective seal.

A mask fit test helps identify the specific respirator type and size that provides the best fit for you. This ensures the mask can work as intended and provide appropriate protection from airborne particles during placement.

Mask fit testing is only required if it is a requirement of your allocated placement site.

To check whether you need a mask fit test, view the mandatory site checks listed in the tab of your Sonia Online profile. If you're unsure, contact the Work Integrated Learning Unit (WIL) for advice.

If your placement site requires a mask fit test, you can book a free appointment at an SCU campus.

Booking instructions are available in the Mask Fit Test in Sonia Online, including the password required to access the booking system.

Mask fit testing appointments are available at:

• Gold Coast
• Lismore
• Coffs Harbour

If you have completed a mask fit test through your employer or an external provider within the last 12 months, upload your evidence to Sonia Online for review.

You do not need to complete your mask fit test at an SCU campus.

If you can't travel to campus, you can arrange mask fit testing with an external provider. Once completed, upload your mask fit test evidence to the tab in Sonia Online for review.

You can search for a provider using services such as or .

Please note that mask fit testing is only required if it is a requirement of your allocated placement site.

If you need a mask fit test for placement, book your appointment as early as possible. Appointment availability is limited and appointments are typically released one month in advance.

Mask fit testing sessions are usually offered:

• Weekly at Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour
• Every two months at Lismore

If no appointments are currently available, check again later as additional sessions may not have been released yet.

If you are unable to book an appointment before your Site Check deadline, contact the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team on 07 5589 3439 for advice.

Please note:

• Book only one appointment, even if you require fit testing for multiple masks.
• If you need to change your appointment, cancel your existing booking before making a new one.

Yes. SCU offers free mask fit testing for students at its Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, and Lismore campuses. Appointments can be booked through the University's online booking system.

If you decide to use an external mask fit testing provider instead, you will need to pay the provider directly. These costs are not covered or reimbursed by SCU.

Yes. SCU will accept a mask fit test certificate completed through your employer or an external provider, provided the test was completed within the last 12 months.

Upload your certificate to the Mask Fit Test in Sonia Online for review.

Facial hair, including beards, moustaches and stubble, can prevent the respirator from forming a proper seal. This may reduce the effectiveness of the mask and the protection it provides.

For this reason, mask fit testing can only be completed when you are clean-shaven where the respirator sits. Please refer to Acceptable Facial Hair Styles for more guidance.

If you are unable to shave for medical or religious reasons, contact the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Unit for advice.

If you can no longer attend your mask fit test appointment, you can cancel it using the link in your original booking confirmation email.

If you need to reschedule, cancel your existing appointment first and then book a new appointment.

If you require assistance, contact the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Unit. 

To ensure your mask fit test can be completed successfully, please:

• Be clean-shaven where the respirator seal will sit. Mask fit testing cannot be completed if facial hair interferes with the mask seal.  More information on .
• Tell the mask fit tester if you have had any recent significant dental work.
• Avoid smoking, vaping, eating, drinking, or chewing gum for at least 30 minutes before your appointment.

Following these instructions will help ensure you receive an accurate mask fit test result.

Most mask fit test appointments take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The exact duration may vary depending on the individual and the type of respirator being tested.

You can find your Fit to Practice (FTP) requirements and submission deadlines in your FTP checklist.

To attend placement, you must provide all required FTP evidence and keep it current throughout your studies. Failure to meet FTP requirements by the required deadlines may affect your eligibility for placement allocation.

The Fit to Practice (FTP) requirements you need to complete depend on your course and placement unit.

Your required FTP checks, supporting evidence and submission deadlines are listed in your FTP checklist. You must ensure all required evidence is submitted and approved by the relevant deadlines before attending placement.

It is your responsibility to regularly check your FTP checklist and keep your requirements up to date throughout your studies.

All Fit to Practice (FTP) requirements must be submitted through the tab in Sonia Online.

You can track the status of each requirement using the colour indicator displayed on the check.

Regularly check your Sonia Online account to ensure all required FTP checks remain valid and up to date.

Possibly. Some placement providers require additional site-specific checks before you can attend placement.

If your allocated placement site has extra requirements, these checks will appear as mandatory in the tab of Sonia Online after your placement has been allocated.

You must complete and submit all required site checks by the relevant Site Check deadline to remain eligible for placement.

You may be able to obtain your vaccination records from one of the following sources:

• (AIR): Access your Immunisation History Statement through Medicare online or myGov.
• Your GP or medical clinic: Contact your current or previous healthcare provider to request a copy of your vaccination records.
• Personal records: Check any vaccination documents you or your family may have retained, such as your baby book or immunisation records.
• School records: Contact the relevant public health authority in the area where you attended school.
• Public Health Units: You may be able to request vaccination records from your local Public Health Unit, including:
• NSW Health Northern and Mid North Coast:
• Other NSW Health Public Health Units:

If you are unable to locate your records, speak with your GP or immunisation provider about alternative evidence that may be accepted.

This depends on your Fit to Practice (FTP) requirements and where you are completing your placement.

If you are attending a NSW Health facility, you must provide both:

• Evidence of your Hepatitis B vaccinations, and
• Evidence of a positive Hepatitis B serology result.

Students enrolled in Nursing, Midwifery, Biomedical Science, and Medical Laboratory Science must also meet NSW Health requirements, regardless of where their placement is located. This includes providing both vaccination and serology evidence before they can be verified for placement.

If you are still completing your Hepatitis B vaccination course, you may be eligible for temporary verification. This allows you to attend placement while completing the remaining vaccine doses and required serology testing.

You must complete all requirements before your temporary verification expires. Failure to do so may affect your placement eligibility.

The recommended Hepatitis B vaccination schedule can vary depending on your individual circumstances. Speak with your GP or immunisation provider about the timing of your vaccinations and when you should complete your Hepatitis B serology (blood test).

Do not commence an accelerated Hepatitis B vaccination schedule, as accelerated schedules are not accepted for placement verification.

For general information about Hepatitis B vaccination, refer to the .

Tip: Start the vaccination process as early as possible, as completing the full vaccination course and required serology testing can take several months.

The requirements depend on your course.

If you are studying Nursing, Midwifery or Medical Laboratory Science:

• Upload your positive Hepatitis B serology result and any vaccination evidence you have to Sonia Online.
• An external screening and vaccination assessor will review your documents and advise whether any further action is required.
• If you submit all available evidence by the deadline, you will not be disadvantaged while waiting for the assessor's advice.

If you are studying any other course, you can meet the Hepatitis B requirement by providing either:

• Evidence of a completed Hepatitis B vaccination course, or
• A positive Hepatitis B serology result.

No further action is required unless advised by your healthcare provider.

Upload each vaccination record separately to the correct check in Sonia Online.

If you are studying Nursing, Midwifery or Medical Laboratory Science:

• Upload each vaccination record to the relevant in Sonia Online.
• Your records will be reviewed by an external vaccination assessor.
• You will receive an email to your SCU student email account advising whether your evidence has been accepted or if additional information is required.

If you are studying any other course:

• Upload each vaccination record to the relevant in Sonia Online.
• Submit the . Note:  This form must be completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner before submission, as indicated on the form.

Yes. Vaccination records in another language can be accepted if they are accompanied by an official English translation.

The translation must be completed by a medically certified translator. This includes translators who are formally accredited and qualified to translate medical or healthcare documents.

Examples include:

• A NAATI-certified translator with a medical specialisation
• A professional translator with a qualification in medical translation
• A certified translator with a clinical or healthcare background and documented medical terminology training

Upload both the original document and the official English translation when submitting your records.

The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Unit aims to provide your placement details as early as possible, so you have time to plan for your placement.

In most cases, placement details are confirmed within six weeks of the placement start date.

Please note that confirmation timeframes can vary depending on placement availability and provider requirements.

Usually, no. Most students cannot arrange their own placement or contact placement providers directly. Placements are coordinated by the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Unit.

You should only contact a placement provider if the WIL Unit has specifically instructed you to do so.

Some courses allow students to source their own placement. If this applies to your course, the WIL Unit will provide information about the requirements and process you must follow.

Contacting a placement provider without approval may affect your placement eligibility.

You are responsible for any travel and accommodation costs associated with placements.

However, you may be eligible for financial assistance or support services, including:

• Scholarships
• Student Loans
• Commonwealth Prac Payments (CPP), where eligible
• – ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½’s off‑campus accommodation support service

We recommend exploring these options as early as possible to help you plan for placement-related expenses.

Not always. While SCU aims to place students as close to their home address as possible, placement locations are ultimately determined by placement availability and provider capacity.

You may be eligible for a placement location adjustment if you have:

• A current Learning Access Plan (LAP) that includes approved placement adjustments, or
• An approved Pre-Placement Attendance Variation Application (AVA) supported by appropriate documentation.

To help ensure your placement is allocated correctly, make sure your home address is up to date in .

Yes. If you are registered with Inclusion Support and have a current Learning Access Plan (LAP) that includes placement adjustments, these requirements will be considered during placement allocation.

If you require placement close to home due to a disability, medical condition or other approved circumstance, this must be clearly documented in your Learning Access Plan.

SCU will make every reasonable effort to accommodate approved placement adjustments. However, placement allocations are also dependent on placement availability and provider capacity, so adjustments cannot always be guaranteed.

If an approved adjustment cannot be accommodated, you will be contacted to discuss available options and next steps.

Caring responsibilities are not usually considered when placement allocations are made, and SCU cannot offer priority placement based solely on sole parent or sole carer responsibilities.

If you care for a child with a disability or have other significant caring responsibilities that may affect your placement arrangements, contact the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team, or alternatively speak with the Inclusion Support team. They can discuss your circumstances and advise whether a Learning Access Plan (LAP) may be appropriate.

If you have an approved LAP that includes placement adjustments, these will be considered during the placement allocation process.

Placement timing varies by course and is based on the recommended course progression for your program, rather than whether you study full time or part time.

You can find information about when placements are typically scheduled in the Course Structure section of your

If you have questions about your individual study plan or when you may be eligible for placement, contact Client Services for advice.

The number of placement hours required depends on your course. You can view the estimated placement hours for your course on your course page.

Placement hour requirements are a guide only. You may need to complete additional placement hours to demonstrate all required competencies.

All Health courses require students to achieve prescribed competencies to meet course requirements and professional accreditation standards.

If you are unable to attend placement, notify your placement supervisor as soon as possible and follow any absence reporting requirements set by the placement provider.

You must also submit a Placement Attendance Variation Application (AVA) through .

Nursing students

• Absences must be reported through your placement ANSAT in Sonia Online.
• This will trigger an email to your SCU student email account with a link to the Placement AVA.
• You must complete and submit the AVA using this link.
• The Placement AVA cannot be accessed unless it has been triggered through ANSAT.

All students

• Submit your absence documentation as soon as possible.
• Absences must be reported no later than two days after the final day of absence.

You are expected to attend all scheduled placement days and complete all required placement hours.

If you miss a placement day, you will usually need to make up any hours you missed. The amount of make-up placement required will depend on your course requirements, placement availability, and your progress towards achieving the required competencies.

Because placement opportunities are limited, it may not always be possible to arrange make-up hours that exactly match the time you missed. In some cases, you may be required to complete additional placement hours.

Nursing students: Missing one or two placement days may require you to complete up to 40 hours of make-up placement.

The timing of make-up placement hours depends on your course and the availability of suitable placement opportunities.

If you are required to complete make-up hours, your WIL Coordinator will contact you once arrangements have been confirmed and provide details about when and how the hours will be completed.

If you have questions about your make-up hours, contact the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Unit.

If you are experiencing difficulties during placement, contact your Unit Assessor as soon as possible.

Your Unit Assessor can discuss your concerns, provide support, and advise you on any available options or next steps. Raising issues early often helps resolve problems before they affect your placement progress or learning outcomes.

If you are undertaking a Work Integrated Learning (WIL), you must comply with all relevant University, placement provider and industry requirements.

Key policies, procedures and guidelines include:

• Annual Work Integrated Learning Student Statement - which outlines your responsibilities and conditions of participation in placement.
• Faculty of Health Guideline - Pregnant students attending WIL

It is your responsibility to read and comply with all relevant policies, procedures and guidelines before and during placement.

There are several important deadlines you must meet before attending placement. These deadlines are listed on your Work Integrated Learning (WIL) calendar. Fit to Practice (FTP) deadlines are also available on your FTP checklist.

Some placement deadlines occur weeks or months before the placement itself because planning and allocation processes begin well in advance.

Before placements can be confirmed, a range of activities must be completed, including:

• Reviewing Fit to Practice (FTP) requirements
• Verifying compliance documents
• Meeting placement provider requirements
• Completing site-specific checks
• Allocating students to available placement opportunities

As a result, some deadlines for placements in the first half of the year may fall in the previous calendar year.

Meeting these deadlines helps ensure placements can be allocated and confirmed on time.

If you think you may miss a Fit to Practice (FTP) or Site Check deadline, apply for an extension as soon as possible.

If you can't provide a mandatory requirement for your course or placement, such as a vaccination record, health screening, check, or other compliance document, you may be able to apply for an exemption through the Faculty of Health.

Exemption applications must meet the for either a temporary or permanent exemption and are assessed on a case-by-case basis. All Fit to Practice (FTP) exemption applications are reviewed by the Faculty Exemptions Committee.

Approval is not guaranteed. Depending on the requirement, an exemption may affect your ability to attend placement or progress in your course.

Important: Exemptions for site-specific requirements are assessed by the placement provider, not SCU. If a placement provider does not approve an exemption, you will need to meet the site's requirements or withdraw from the placement unit.

For information about the exemption process and how to apply, contact the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Unit.

Tip: Enrol in your placement units as early as possible. Early enrolment helps ensure you receive important communications, are included in placement planning, and have enough time to meet all required deadlines.