Our structured student placement opportunities offer:
- Financial incentives and support, such as payments and assistance with accommodation.
- Experience across a diverse range of contexts and clients
- Supervision and support from experienced clinicians
- A supportive team environment
- Experience in a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with professionals from different disciplines
- Opportunities to work in our schools and Child and Family Learning Centres across urban, rural and remote locations.
Why choose Tasmania for your placement?
Not only will you gain invaluable professional experience, you’ll also be able to explore one of Australia’s most beautiful states! Whether you’re drawn to hiking through breathtaking national parks, relaxing by stunning beaches or enjoying vibrant city life, Tasmania has it all. Discover more and plan your adventure.
Scholarships and other support
We offer $25,000 scholarships to speech pathology and psychology students in their final year of study. Eligible students can apply for an advertised permanent graduate position with DECYP and the scholarship at the same time. Visit DECYP speech pathology scholarship or DECYP school psychology scholarship to find out more.
From 1 July 2025, the Commonwealth Prac Payment will provide eligible domestic social work students with a weekly payment during mandatory placements.
Your university may provide support for interstate, rural or remote placements.
The NAFEA Equity Rural Placement Scholarship Program offers scholarships to assist students experiencing financial hardship to undertake placements/work integrated learning activities in rural and remote settings.
The University of Tasmania offers free accommodation and extra support for interstate students undertaking placements in rural areas (subject to availability). Visit the UTAS web site to find out more.
How to apply for a placement
If you are interested in a placement with us, contact the placement coordinator at your university. All placement details will be organised between DECYP and your university.
“Last year, I had the opportunity to complete my university placement at DECYP, and I quickly fell in love with the work. I knew I had to come back! Schools provide such a unique and enriching environment for children, and I feel truly honoured to be part of the schools I work with.
The Speech Pathology team in the North-West has been exceptionally welcoming and supportive. From day one, I’ve felt like a valued member of the team, receiving ongoing support and drawing from the knowledge of my colleagues. I feel incredibly fortunate to be in this role, working in the beautiful state of Tasmania.”
– Zoe
Education providers
We are keen to partner with education providers to offer student placements in our speech pathology, school psychology, and school social work teams. Get in touch with us to talk about placements for your students: ls.ss@decyp.tas.gov.au.
Graduate careers and supervision
When you graduate and choose to start your career with us, we provide:
- A structured induction and orientation program
- Ongoing supervision and mentoring to help you transition into your career
- Board-approved supervision for provisional psychologists to gain general registration.
- Supervision for area of practice endorsement for eligible psychologists (subject to availability).
Join our webinars! Meet our team, ask questions and learn about career opportunities. Visit our careers page to find out more.
Employment in your final year of study
You may be able to work as an Allied Health Professional in Training while completing your final year of study.
Final year speech pathology and social work students may be employed in fixed term (temporary) positions.
You will work under the direct supervision of an experienced professional. These positions are not advertised in the same way as other positions and are subject to availability.
You can submit an application for an Allied Health Professional in Training position to the Employment Register where you will find a Statement of Duties with details about the criteria and requirements of the role.
Please be aware that applying to the register doesn’t guarantee we can offer you a position. If you would like to find out more about these roles contact us at: ls.ss@decyp.tas.gov.au
“My experience as a student on placement as DECYP was an amazing learning opportunity which helped me develop many entry level skills and inspired me to begin my career as a speech pathologist in Tasmania.
Moving to northwest Tasmania to join the DECYP team has been a breath of fresh air. The tightknit community and surrounding national parks have made the area a beautiful place to set down roots and begin my career as a speech pathologist”.
– Skye