Student Placements

Each year, students join our teams to gain practical experience, learn from experienced practitioners, and develop the skills needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.

By investing in student learning today, we're helping ensure children and families can continue to access high-quality, evidence-informed support into the future.

Our placement program provides meaningful learning opportunities within a supportive, family-centred environment, where students can build their knowledge, develop their professional identity, and gain exposure to contemporary early childhood intervention practice.

Why Choose Noah's Ark?

At Noah's Ark, you'll experience allied health practice that focuses on children's participation, learning, and wellbeing in the places that matter most to them – where they live, learn, and play.

Students benefit from:

• Supervision and mentoring from experienced practitioners.
• Exposure to evidence-informed and family-centred practice.
• Opportunities to learn within transdisciplinary teams, gaining insight into how practitioners, families and educators work together to support meaningful outcomes for children.
• Experience supporting children and families in everyday environments.
• A welcoming and supportive learning culture.
• Regular feedback and opportunities for professional reflection.

Students are exposed to contemporary early childhood intervention practice that focuses on building the capability and confidence of the people who know the child best. Through observation, participation, and reflective learning, students develop an understanding of how evidence-informed practice can be applied in everyday routines, activities, and environments.

We typically support eight-week placements, while recognising that university requirements vary, and flexibility may be required to meet individual course needs.

For many students, placement is their first introduction to Noah's Ark and the broader early childhood intervention sector. It provides an opportunity to learn more about our organisation, our approach to practice, and potential future career pathways.

We partner with leading universities across Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory to provide high-quality placement experiences for allied health students. We welcome enquiries from universities seeking to establish or expand placement partnerships with Noah's Ark.

Universities interested in exploring placement opportunities with Noah's Ark are encouraged to contact the Student Placements Team at studentplacements@noahsarkinc.org.au.

Our current university partners include:

• Australian Catholic University
• Charles Sturt University
• Deakin University
• Federation University
• La Trobe University
• Monash University
• RMIT University
• The University of Melbourne
• University of Canberra
• Victoria University

Placement opportunities may be available across Noah's Ark locations in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, depending on service capacity and supervisory availability.

As demand for placements often exceeds available opportunities, we are unable to accommodate every request. Placement availability varies throughout the year and depends on supervisor capacity, operational requirements, and alignment with university learning objectives.

What You'll Experience

During a placement with Noah's Ark, students may have opportunities to:

• Observe and participate in therapy and support sessions.
• Learn how practitioners partner with children, families, and educators to achieve meaningful goals.
• Develop professional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Contribute to planning, reflection, and clinical reasoning discussions.
• Experience service delivery across home, education, and community settings.
• Learn alongside practitioners from a range of allied health disciplines.
• Participate in supervision, feedback, and reflective practice activities.
• Develop an understanding of contemporary early childhood intervention approaches.

Placement experiences vary according to discipline, stage of study, and learning requirements. Students are encouraged to take an active role in their learning by engaging in reflection, seeking feedback, and contributing to discussions about practice and outcomes.

Placements we do not currently offer

At this time, Noah's Ark does not generally offer placements for:

• Allied Health Assistant (AHA) programs
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate IV in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Placement Requirements

To fully participate in a placement with Noah's Ark, students are generally expected to:

• Hold a current driver licence.
• Have access to a reliable motor vehicle.
• Be able to travel independently to appointments and service locations.
• Meet all required screening, compliance, and university placement requirements.
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and a willingness to learn.
• Uphold Noah's Ark's values and commitment to respectful, inclusive practice.

As our practitioners support children and families across homes, education settings, and community locations, independent travel is an important aspect of most placement experiences.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Noah's Ark is committed to child safety and wellbeing. We are dedicated to creating environments where children feel safe, respected and included. Students undertaking placements are expected to support and uphold our commitment to protecting children and promoting their safety at all times. 

For all student placement enquiries, please contact studentplacements@noahsarkinc.org.au.