VIC.GOV.AU | Policy and Advisory Library

School operations

Structured Workplace Learning

Policy

This policy outlines the requirements for schools in planning for and implementing structured workplace learning (SWL) placements for secondary school students.

Summary

  • Structured workplace learning provides students with the opportunity to integrate on-the-job experience with secondary study as part of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), the VCE Vocational Major or the Victorian Pathways Certificate.
  • Schools must implement this policy and follow the guidance on the Guidance tab, when planning for and conducting structured workplace learning arrangements, to ensure compliance with legislation.
  • Principals may nominate other school-based staff to authorise structured workplace learning placements. Refer to Roles and responsibilities for more information.

Details

Structured workplace learning provides students with the opportunity to:

  • integrate practical on-the-job experience and learning in workplaces with nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) undertaken as part of the VCE, the VCE Vocational Major or the Victorian Pathways Certificate
  • undertake work placement to complement an applied learning program as part of the VCE Vocational Major or the Victorian Pathways Certificate
  • demonstrate the practical application of work-related skills as part of VCE Industry and Enterprise.

Structured workplace learning provides the opportunity for:

  • enhanced skill development
  • practical application of industry knowledge
  • assessment of units of competency
  • achievement of some learning outcomes
  • enhanced employment opportunities.

Structured workplace learning arrangements

All structured workplace learning arrangements must comply with Ministerial Order 1412 – Structured Workplace Learning Arrangements (PDF)External Link .

The department's comprehensive guidance, on the Guidance tab, supports schools to comply with their obligations under Ministerial Order 1412.

Structured workplace learning arrangement form

The Structured workplace learning arrangement form must be completed and signed before the structured workplace learning commences. It must be signed by:

  • the employer
  • the student
  • the parent/carer of the student – if the student is under 18 years of age
  • the principal or nominated person – the principal may nominate a person or a member of a class of persons (nominated person), for example, assistant principals, teachers or education support staff employed by the school, to perform the powers and functions of the principal which relate to structured workplace learning. The principal must ensure that nominated persons have the required knowledge and understanding of obligations in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic)External Link and Ministerial Order 1412 (PDF)External Link relating to structured workplace learning arrangements. More detail on the provision of principal nomination for SWL can be found in the guidance chapter, Roles and responsibilities.

Government school users can access the form on the dedicated Work-Based Learning Application (WBL App). Refer to the guidance chapter, Structured workplace learning arrangement form on the Guidance tab for further details.

Structured workplace learning travel and accommodation form

The department's Structured workplace learning travel and accommodation form (PDF)External Link must be used if:

  • it is proposed that the student may need to undertake vehicle travel with their employer and/or supervisor during the arrangement, including travel to-or-from the workplace
  • the student is required to stay in accommodation other than their normal place of residence while undertaking structured workplace learning.

This form must be signed by:

  • for travel – both the employer and the parent/carer – or the student if they are aged 18 years or over
  • for accommodation – the parent/carer – or the student if they are aged 18 years or over.

Government school users can access this form via the WBL App. Refer to Travel and accommodation arrangements on the Guidance tab for further information about this form and how it can be accessed.

Work-Based Learning Application

The Work-Based Learning Application (WBL App) enables government schools to digitally coordinate and process structured workplace learning arrangements. This includes the creation and management of digital arrangement forms.

Refer to the Work-Based Learning Application on the Guidance tab for further details.

School to Work Statewide Portal

The department’s School to Work (S2W) Statewide Portal provides students and teachers with a single, easy to navigate, information and referral point for work-based learning opportunities offered by a diverse range of employers.

Searching on the portal can be done by:

  • location
  • industry
  • VET certificate.

If you are a student or teacher looking for work-based learning opportunities, including work experience and structured workplace learning, refer to the statewide School to Work PortalExternal Link .

The 31 Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) in Victoria are funded to deliver the S2W Program and facilitate student access to work-based learning placements tailored to local priorities and employment opportunities. To find your nearest LLEN, refer to the Local Learning and Employment NetworkExternal Link .

Occupational health and safety

Principals or nominated persons must be satisfied that a student is either undertaking or has completed occupational health and safety (OHS) training prior to commencing structured workplace learning as follows:

  • where a student is undertaking structured workplace learning as part of a VET program within the VCE including the VCE Vocational Major, or the Victorian Pathways Certificate – the principal or nominated person must be satisfied that the student is undertaking, or has completed the OHS training unit of competency within the VET program
  • where a student is undertaking structured workplace learning which is not related to their VET program within the VCE including the VCE Vocational Major, or the Victorian Pathways Certificate – the principal or nominated person must be satisfied that the student has completed an OHS program required by the department as follows:
    • if the student is undertaking VCE Industry and Enterprise – they must complete safe@workExternal Link
    • if the student is undertaking structured workplace learning to complement an applied learning program as part of the VCE Vocational Major or the Victorian Pathways Certificate – they must complete safe@workExternal Link .

Child Safe Standards

All Victorian schools are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards to ensure they are well prepared to keep children and young people safe and protect them from abuse. Ministerial Order 1359 – Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the risk of child abuse in schools PDF)External Link provides the framework for child safety in schools.

The Child Safe Standards require schools to put in place systems and processes to help prevent harm to students in all school environments, including workplace learning environments where students undertake:

  • work experience
  • structured workplace learning
  • school community work/volunteering
  • and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

For more information, visit:

Refer to Student safety and wellbeing for more guidance and helpful fact sheets on implementing Child Safe Standards in structured workplace learning placements.

Contacts

For assistance with queries relating to structured workplace learning, please contact the relevant organisation as outlined below.

For government schools

School Industry Engagement, Strategy and Secondary School Reform at: work.based.learning@education.vic.gov.au

For Catholic schools

Contact the relevant Diocese representative:

Carmel Clark
Ballarat Catholic Education
pathways@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

Jenny Wilson
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools
pathways@macs.vic.edu.au

Sam Franzi
Sale Catholic Education
pathways@doscel.catholic.edu.au

Barry Norton
Catholic Education Sandhurst
pathways@ceosand.catholic.edu.au

For independent schools

Maria Floudiotis
Independent Schools Victoria
maria.floudiotis@is.vic.edu.au
enquiries@is.vic.edu.au
Phone: 03 9825 7200

Definitions

Structured workplace learning
Provides students with the opportunity to integrate on-the-job experience with secondary study.

Relevant legislation

Department policy outlining planning for and conducting structured workplace learning (SWL) in schools.

Reviewed 24 July 2025

Policy last updated

24 July 2025

Scope

  • Schools

Contact

There are multiple contacts for this policy. Refer to the foot of the policy page for contact details.

Was this page helpful?