Hosting a Student Placement
The School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences has developed strong partnerships with industry through research and engagement in student placements.
The school is seeking new industry partnerships to provide placement opportunity across our five programs.
The five programs (degrees) within the school that require students to undertake placements are:
- Bachelor of Science (Animal Science)
- Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour)
- Bachelor of Veterinary Technology
- Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
There are several benefits for organisations in hosting our students:
- Opportunity to share your experience and knowledge.
- Opportunity to help shape our future animal scientists, animal behaviour experts, veterinary technologists and veterinarians.
- Identify future employees.
- Build networks with future graduates, research and academic staff.
- Gain assistance in undertaking your day-to-day operations.
You must have an ABN, provide adequate supervision, run an induction and provide evidence of public liability insurance.
Paperwork
You will complete a once-off Terms & Conditions and COVID Site Assessment form.
For each placement, we will send you a Student Placement Agreement which contains school, student, placement and insurance information. The student will keep a diary of their activities on placement which the host supervisor signs on the last day to verify their attendance.
We ask the supervisor to complete a supervisor report at the end of the placement to give us feedback on the student’s performance. All forms are electronic and will be emailed to you.
The University maintains public liability insurance that will indemnify the host organisation for any negligent act, error or omission by the student during the period of the work placement.
You will need to provide evidence of your organisations own Public Liability Insurance.
If you are interested in hosting students, you can submit your interest below.
If you have any further questions, contact the Placement Team below or via animalvetsci@adelaide.edu.au.
| Kat Ingram | Placement Coordinator | 08 8313 7797 |
| Mandi Simpson | Placement Support Officer | 08 8313 7607 |
| Rachel Davies | Placement Support Officer | 08 8313 7601 |
| Narelle Presser | Placement Support Officer | 08 8313 9683 |
Placement requirements
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Bachelor of Science (Animal Science)
Bachelor of Science (Animal Science) students must complete 200 hours of work experience during their three-year degree. Animal science students must be vaccinated against Q-Fever.
Animal science host fact sheet
Types of host organisations
Bachelor of Science (Animal Science) students can attend a wide variety of host organisations in animal related industries, including:
- Agribusiness/service (e.g. livestock consulting)
- Animal breeding facilities
- Animal research facilities
- Animal shelters / rescue organisations
- Animal training organisations
- Animal welfare organisations
- Aquaculture facilities
- Boarding facilities
- Dog day care businesses
- Education (e.g. media, science communication)
- Farms
- Feedlots
- Intensive production facilities
- Laboratory animal organisations
- Nutrition companies
- Riding schools
- Sales (animal related, e.g. pet stores, nutrition)
- Scanning services
- Studs
- Wildlife rescue organisations
- Zoos / wildlife parks
Please note that animal science students are not permitted to attend veterinary clinics.
When can placements occur?
We want to be as flexible as possible in the delivery of this program to fit in with the needs of you, the host organisation.
It is possible to complete work experience as:- block periods during non-teaching periods;
- day-per-week during semester fitting in around scheduled courses; and
- weekend work.
Students cannot miss any University classes to attend placements. Most students will attend placements during the non-teaching University vacation periods, which are:
- Semester 1 mid-semester break - April (2 weeks)
- Mid-Year break - June/July (3 weeks)
- Semester 2 mid-semester break - September/October (2 weeks)
- Summer break - November – March (14 weeks)
What will students do on placement?
The focus for animal science students is on animal husbandry and gaining experience in animal-related enterprises or research facilities. Examples can include livestock and agriculture, wildlife, companion, equine and laboratory animal related enterprises.
Specific tasks completed or observed by the students will vary between organisations, but could include activities that develop their skills in animal husbandry and management, professional skills such as communication, or research skills.
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Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour)
Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) students must undertake a placement in Semester 2 in their final year.
This is part of the course AN BEHAV 3010RW - Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour, and includes an industry experience component and a research component. The placement is for 120 hours.
In addition, students have the opportunity to complete voluntary placements through the school or through the Adelaide Graduate Award during their three year degree.
Animal behaviour host fact sheet
Types of host organisations
Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) students can attend a wide variety of host organisations in animal related industries, including:
- Agribusiness/service (e.g. livestock consulting)
- Animal breeding facilities
- Animal production
- Animal research facilities
- Animal shelters
- Animal therapy organisations
- Animal training organisations
- Animal welfare organisations
- Aquaculture facilities
- Boarding facilities
- Local Councils (Animal Management)
- Dog day care businesses
- Education (e.g. media, science communication)
- Farms
- Feedlots
- Intensive production facilities
- Laboratory animal organisations
- Riding schools
- Studs
- Wildlife conservation organisations
- Zoos / wildlife parks
Please note animal behaviour students are not permitted to attend veterinary clinics.
When can placements occur?
Students cannot miss any University classes to attend placements. Most students who attend voluntary placements will do so during the University vacation periods, which are:
- Semester 1 mid-semester break - April (2 weeks)
- Mid-Year break - June/July (3 weeks)
- Semester 2 mid-semester break - September/October (2 weeks)
- Summer break - November – March (14 weeks)
Students enrolled in AN BEHAV 3010RW Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour will undertake their Research Placement during Semester 2 (August – October) usually for two days a week around their University timetable.
What will students do on placement?
During the AN BEHAV 3010RW placement, each student will spend 60 hours on a research project and 60 hours on gaining industry experience.
The experience component depends on the industry of your organisation and your requirements and could range from animal husbandry to science communication tasks.
During the research component the student will investigate a research question that is of relevance and interest to your organisation. The students will aim to apply and strengthen their analytical, research and problem-solving skills, while providing value to the host organisation.
Research projects are typically observational, and University staff can assist organisations to develop a research project.
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Bachelor of Veterinary Technology
Bachelor of Veterinary Technology students must complete seven weeks of placements throughout their degree (Four weeks at the end of first year and three weeks in their final year). Most placements will occur in two-week blocks.
Veterinary technology students are vaccinated against Q-Fever. They must be under the guidance and/or supervision of a qualified veterinary nurse, veterinary technician, veterinary surgeon or facility manager employed by the practice or business at all times while working on placement.
Types of host organisations
Bachelor of Veterinary Technology students will attend veterinary clinics or other animal health/welfare related facilities.
When can placements occur?
Students cannot miss any University classes to attend placements. Students in their first and second year attend their four weeks of placements during the University vacation periods below. In third year, they attend placements between July and December.
- Semester 1 mid-semester break - April (2 weeks)
- Mid-Year break - June/July (3 weeks)
- Semester 2 mid-semester break - September/October (2 weeks)
- Summer break - November – March (14 weeks)
What will students do on placement?
Veterinary technology students can undertake several tasks depending on their year level. Students are encouraged to fully engage in all aspects of the enterprise where opportunity presents.
We have created a clinical skills checklist to help host organisations and student understand the types of activities they would benefit from.
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Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience)
The three-year Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) program forms the first part of the veterinary science program.
It is followed by a three-year postgraduate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program that focuses on the clinical skills required for veterinary practice.
Students must complete the full six-year program to achieve the level of competence required to graduate and be registrable as a veterinarian.
Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) students must complete 12 weeks of Animal Husbandry Extra Mural Studies (AHEMS) placements during their three-year degree. Students will attend placements in weekly blocks of 40 hours per week.
Veterinary bioscience students are vaccinated against Q-Fever.
Animal husbandry host fact sheet
Types of host organisations
Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) students can attend a wide variety of host organisations in animal related industries, including:
- Animal breeding facilities
- Animal production
- Animal research facilities
- Animal shelters
- Animal training organisations
- Animal welfare organisations
- Aquaculture facilities
- Boarding facilities
- Dog day care businesses
- Farms
- Feedlots
- Intensive production facilities
- Laboratory animal organisations
- Riding schools
- Studs
- Zoos / wildlife parks
Please note veterinary bioscience students are not permitted to attend veterinary clinics.
When can placements occur?
Students cannot miss any University classes to attend placements. Students attend placements during the University vacation periods.
- Semester 1 mid-semester break - April (2 weeks)
- Mid-Year break - June/July (3 weeks)
- Semester 2 mid-semester break - September/October (2 weeks)
- Summer break - November – March (14 weeks)
What will students do on placement?
The focus for veterinary bioscience students is on animal husbandry and industry knowledge. Animal handling opportunities may or may not be offered during placements. Tasks will depend on the type of enterprise.
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Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The three-year Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) program forms the first part of the veterinary science program.
It is followed by a three-year postgraduate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program that focuses on the clinical skills required for veterinary practice.
Students must complete the full six-year program to achieve the level of competence required to graduate and be registrable as a veterinarian.
Year Year in Program 1 Vet bio – 1st year 2 Vet bio – 2nd year 3 Vet bio – 3rd year 4 DVM – 1st year 5 DVM – 2nd year 6 DVM – 3rd year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students must complete 26 weeks of clinical placements during their three-year degree.
Students must attend placements in weekly blocks (40 hours) usually 2 weeks in duration.Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students are vaccinated against Q-Fever and must be always under the guidance and/or supervision of an experienced registered veterinary surgeon.
This should be a veterinarian who has at least two years post qualification practice experience.
Types of host organisations
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students attend veterinary clinics. Placement at similar facilities may be granted with prior approval.
When can placements occur?
Students cannot miss any University classes to attend placements. Students in DVM 1 (4th year) and DVM 2 (5th year) attend placements during the University vacation periods, which are:
- Semester 1 mid-semester break - April (2 weeks)
- Mid-Year break - June/July (3 weeks)
- Semester 2 mid-semester break - September/October (2 weeks)
- Summer break - November – March (14 weeks)
Final year students - DVM 3 (6th year) can attend placements all year round.
What will students do on placement?
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students can undertake several tasks depending on their year level.
We have created a skill level document for host organisations and students to understand the learning objectives for each year level.
DVM 1 students - 4th year
Preparatory extra mural studies should focus on:
- Primary opinion work
- Observing how practices work
- The role of professional staff (e.g. veterinarian, nurses) and paraprofessional staff (e.g. receptionists)
- Record keeping
- Admission and discharge procedures
- Communication required for all aspects of veterinary work
- An introduction to the ethical and professional responsibilities of the veterinary profession.
Students in DVM 1 must not perform surgeries as they have not received any training in basic surgical principles or aseptic technique. This policy has been recommended and endorsed by the University’s Legal and Risk Department.
DVM 2 - 5th year
Objectives should expand beyond that of DVM 1, and include observations of, and supervised participation in:
- Diagnostic procedures
- Decisions about case management and treatment options
- Record keeping.
DVM 3 - 6th year
Objectives should expand beyond that of DVM 2, and include taking active participation in:
- Diagnostic procedures
- Decisions about case management and treatment options
- Record keeping.