Work Experience: FAQ

Students are expected to complete hours in line with their industry of choice. 

Based on recommendations by the Queensland Government business and industry regarding restrictions on children working, students should not work more than 8 hours per day during work experience, with at least one break after the end of the fourth hour.

If there is a requirement from the provider for the student to work longer hours, this should be discussed with the principal prior to the Work experience agreement being finalised. In such cases, the principal will consider whether the placement is appropriate. 

Yes, but only in limited circumstances. The work experience provider/business owner cannot be a parent or relative of the participating student. A student may work in an organisation that employs a student’s parent or relative, as long as the student is not under the direct supervision of the parent or relative.

Placements with parents or other relatives are not encouraged, as work experience programs should assist students to broaden their experiences by working in an unfamiliar environment.  

The student and parent/carer (if under 18 years of age and not an independent student) are responsible for all expenses relating to a student’s participation in a work experience placement. 

The Education (Work Experience) Act 1996 (Qld) states that students are allowed to work a maximum of 30 days in a calendar year. The principal may approve work experience of more than 30 days for a student with disability. 

Yes. Work experience usually occurs during the school week but in some cases, students may work on weekends or in school holidays. In these circumstances, the principal will give careful consideration to the reasons why work experience would need to occur outside the normal school week.

The Education (Work Experience) Act 1996 (Qld) states that a work experience placement must finish in the year it starts.

No. The student must not be paid as they are not considered to be an employee of the work experience provider and the provider is not the employer of the student under the Education (Work Experience) Act 1996 (Qld). 

Yes. Under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld), the sharing of information by the student and/or the parent (if the student is under 18 years of age) is required, if it is necessary in averting a serious risk to the life, health or safety of the student or the safety of others. The school should not provide this information to any other person or agency unless the student and/or parent have given the school permission or the Department of Education is required by law to do so.  

Prior to undertaking the work experience placement, students must be aware of the industry requirements, particularly in relation to health and safety.  

For example, if a work experience placement is being arranged for students on a construction site, students must have a General Construction Induction card (white card). This is a requirement under Queensland's workplace health and safety legislation.