This is the Placement system used by the Sport & Exercise Science Program at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Once you have logged into Sonia Online, your School homepage will become active. From here you can access information relating to your Placement including:

  • your placement details;
  • forms and information for mandatory requirements;
  • reminders and important dates;
  • electronic forms;
  • facility information;
  • selecting placement group preferences;
  • uploading and viewing documentation.

On this page:

Please note:

  • When you attend your enrolment meeting, please bring your placement folder containing two copies of all of your mandatory check documents.
  • For your deadlines for placement please refer to the community page.

Financial Support

Financial Support opportunities while you are on placement 

Mandatory Checks

You need to ensure that you have completed the following mandatory checks by the deadline given by your Placement Officer and that they are valid for the duration of your placement.

UniSC has a responsibility to ensure all students comply with the mandatory checks (requirements) of placement sites and UniSC. It is essential that each student maintains their own personal process to manage paper and electronic documents associated with these checks. Many placement sites will ask to see hardcopy evidence of all checks on the first day of placement, so it is the responsibility of each student to be able to provide these on request. For additional information on how to complete each mandatory check, please click on the headings below which will direct you to any forms, websites, or other applicable information that you will need to complete the check. Once completed, please upload the relevant documentation to the 'Checks' tab in Sonia Online.

For assistance with mandatory requirements contact the Fit for Placement Office by emailing ffpo@usc.edu.au

Click on the appropriate buttons below to be directed to information relating to each specific check.

ALL STUDENTS – PRE-ENROLMENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Blue Card  

Apply for a new card or link your existing card to UniSC

First aid and CPR Certificate  

Must be maintained and current at all times

ALL STUDENTS - POST-ENROLMENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

PrePlace  

PrePlace is a series of three module online program located on Canvas that you must complete once prior to your placement.

Enrolment to PrePlace is an automated process, so is directly related to your course enrolment. If you are not yet officially enrolled in a placement course, the auto process cannot be triggered. Once you have been enrolled in your placement course the process will happen overnight and PrePlace will then be available to you.

UniSC Code of Conduct  

To be eligible to attend placement, you must complete the UniSC Code of Conduct by reading the document and Agreeing by submitting the electronic form.

This is a per placement requirement available upon finalisation of allocations, you will receive an email when this form is available to you.

UniSC Student Placement Agreement Forms  

The Student Placement Agreement (SPA) consists of two mandatory electronic forms completed in your Sonia Online account before you attend your placement.

  • Placement Disclosure Statement (Disclosing Health Conditions):
    Available within 8 weeks of the first group commencing (as per the placement calendar). Only one placement disclosure statement is required per enrolment.
  • Placement Details Agreement:
    Available 1–2 weeks before placement commencing (per placement requirement).

You will receive an email when a Student Placement Agreement has been added to your Sonia Online > Forms.

ADDITIONAL PRE-ENROLMENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR: SPX402 and SPX403 STUDENTS

National Police Check (Australian Federal Police - Purpose Check 37)  

Police Check applications can take up to 6 weeks to be processed. NB. Only Australian Federal Police certificates with Purpose Type 37 are accepted.

NDIS Worker Screening Card Fact Sheet  

To be eligible for placement you must hold a valid NDIS Worker Screening Card or valid Yellow Card

Respirator Fit Testing  

It is a Queensland Government requirement that all students attending any placement in a health facility and residential aged care setting, are required to undertake respirator mask fit testing prior to commencing.

Vaccination Preventable Diseases (VPD)  

All required vaccinations must be completed prior to your placement enrolment meeting. Vaccinations can take up to 12 months to complete the full vaccination courses.

ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING QUEENSLAND HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SERVICES

Queensland Health Pre-Placement Requirements  

To be eligible for a Queensland Health placement you must complete the following Queensland Health checks and iLearn training modules (iLearn User Guide ):

- Queensland Health Orientation Checklist
- Queensland Health Student Deed Poll
- Queensland Health Allied Health Training Record

You will be notified by the Placement Officer if you are required to complete these mandatories.

TB Screening  

To be eligible for placement you must complete a Queensland Health TB Risk Assessment. If required, you also need to provide evidence of further testing.

SITE SPECIFIC MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Annual Influenza Vaccination  

Some placement host organisations may require students to obtain the Annual Influenza Vaccination . You will be notified by the Fit for Placement Office if you are required to complete this mandatory. If you are required to have your flu vaccination for your placement, it will appear in Sonia Online > Checks. This will only show up if it is mandatory for you. Evidence of an annual influenza vaccination is required each year, when the new vaccine becomes available. This is usually in March or April. Please wait until the new strain is available each year before you have another vaccine.

Covid-19 Vaccination Evidence  

Students allocated to certain placement sites MAY be required to show evidence of a COVID-19 Vaccinations, especially students enrolled in the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology who are allocated to sites in a Clinical setting. This requirement is not currently mandatory for your program, however is highly recommended, not having these vaccinations may limit your placement opportunities. UniSC supports your right to make an informed choice regarding COVID-19 vaccination. However, as an education provider, the University does not have the authority to waive the requirements set out by a facility hosting a student for placement.

Student Minimum Pre-Placement Requirements  

Students attending a Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service facility will need to complete all Student Minimum Pre-Placement Requirements which are SCHHS site specific checks and the SC-Learning on Line (SC-LoL) training modules.
You will be notified by the Placement Officer if you are required to complete these mandatories. You must complete and print all documents and take to your first day of placement. Failure to have these documents will result in you being removed from placement.

PLEASE NOTE: You will be granted full access to Sonia Online, once you have been enrolled into your program.

If you require further information or assistance with submitting any of these mandatory checks please contact the Fit For Placement Office on the details below:
Building H1.G
Tel: +61 7 5456 5487
Email: ffpo@usc.edu.au


Contact the Placement Office

Jennifer MacNevin
Phone:  07 5456 5036
Email: SHSSPlacements@usc.edu.au
In person: H1 Ground Floor, Reception (H1.G.66)

Amanda Grant
Phone:  07 5430 1103
Email: SHSSPlacements@usc.edu.au
In person: H1 Ground Floor, Reception (H1.G.66)

Placement Calendars

Placements will be arranged in full-time blocks, students can review placement group dates and placement block periods for the academic year. This provides an overview of when students will be expected to be available for placement. It is important to note that holidays should not be booked within the placement block periods.

2025 UniSC Sport and Exercise Science Placement Calendar (PDF 201 KB)  


Regional and Remote

The below guide provides a complete overview of the regional and remote placement process, including eligibility, how to apply, scholarships and financial aid, what to do once you have a regional or remote placement, an essential placement checklist, etc.

Regional and Remote Placement Guide (PDF 766KB)  


PebblePad

Access to PebblePad.


ESSA Website

The Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) website www.essa.org.au includes the ESSA application forms and guides for how to complete these forms in order to gain membership and AEP accreditation. It is important for all SPX300 and SPX402/SPX403 students to be familiar with this information.


Assessment Requirements

Once you are enrolled in SPX300, SPX340 or SPX402/SPX403 Prac Placement, you will find important documents you must 'download/read/print out' in order to complete the Assessment requirements of the Prac Placement. These documents are found on Canvas under “learning materials”. Please ensure you download and familiarise yourself with these before the lecture.


Student Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure their mandatory documents are current and that the originals are available for sighting on request from UniSC or Placement Staff.

You may still need to check Canvas for additional information, and some facility information may be provided via additional emails. If you believe any of the content is incorrect please contact the placement coordinator.


Announcements

Login to Sonia Online

To login to Sonia Online:

Select your role
(i.e. Student / Site / Supervisor)

  • Student: University Sign In
  • Site Contact: Username and Password
  • Supervisor: University Sign In (for UniSC employees), Username and Password (for external employees)

Sonia for Students App

Download the Sonia for Students App:

Apple iTunes for IOS
Google Play for Android

Sonia for Students App instructional video

Sonia Support

For technical support:

Email: USCSoniaSupport@usc.edu.au