Work Experience Placements

'Everyone has something to teach, everyone has something to learn’

Work Experience @ Wonthaggi Hospital, part of Bayside Health

The Learning and Development team leads a culture of life-long learning for a diverse and innovative workforce that embraces best practice at all career stages. We strive to increase the knowledge and skills of our current and future workforce by facilitating access to learning, development and growth opportunities, thereby supporting the provision of safe, high-quality care.
 

About our Work Experience Program 

The Bass Coast Health Work Experience Program provides secondary students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience and learning opportunities within the public health sector. This program is open to Year 10, 11 and 12 students who, as a part of their school curriculum, are required to undertake work experience for a period of one week (5 consecutive working days, Monday – Friday). Students are placed within various departments (listed below) to observe and learn from their supervisors. The work experience program is planned and implemented to ensure a coordinated approach across departments with consideration shown to both service delivery requirements, availability and capacity of employees to supervise the placement and the learning objectives of the student.

During work experience, students are able to participate in a range of activities as appropriate according to the BCH Work Experience Policy. Please note the following statement in regard to healthcare consumers :“Students should only be given enough basic information to appreciate the task at hand, with their main observation being of the health professional at work, rather than a patient or client’s condition.”
 

What areas of the hospital can students apply for Work Experience?

Upon application, students have the opportunity to request areas they are interested in. Bass Coast Health will take these requests into consideration, however please note that all students will rotate across a number of departments. 

Wonthaggi Hospital offers placements in a number of areas including but not limited to the areas listed below:

• Nursing (limited clinical areas)

• Allied Health (i.e. Allied Health Assistants, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Dietetics)

• Dental

• Pharmacy

• Administration

• Information Technology

• Support Services (Porters and Food Services)

• Leisure and Lifestyle.

Upon application, students have the opportunity to request areas they are interested in. Wonthaggi Hospital will take these requests into consideration, however please note that all students may rotate across a number of departments and allocation to preferred areas cannot be guaranteed.  


Vaccination requirements for work experience placements:

For the safety of staff, students and consumers, students must have the current year's Flu Vaccination (or be willing to receive this) prior to their placement commencing.

In addition to the above, students should ideally have (for the duration of their placement):

a) Immunity to hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis, rubella, varicella;

b) No active infection with tuberculosis; and

c) It is strongly recommended to remain up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations as per Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advice and the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

We will work on a case by case basis, in consultation with our Infection Control team, if you do not meet the above requirements to determine your suitability for our Work Experience program.
 

Applying for Work Experience:

Who can apply?

• Year 10, 11 or 12 students enrolled in the Work Experience program at a Victorian secondary school and are 15 years or older
• If you are seeking a placement between May and September 2026
• If you have a genuine interest in perusing a career in the departments listed above.
   

How many Work Experience students are accepted?

Wonthaggi Hospital has a limited number of placements available, resulting in a competitive application process and unfortunately not all students will be offered placement.

All expressions of interest are taken into consideration during the selection process and no late applications will be accepted. You will receive an email regarding your application outcome as soon as practical (based on your requested placement dates).

Local students with a demonstrated interest in health and support services will be prioritised for these limited placements. 
 

How do I apply?

Applications for our 2026 Work Experience Program must be completed through the link below:

Bayside Health Wonthaggi Hospital 2026 Work Experience Application - Fill in form

Please take the time to complete this application thoroughly and accurately.

Please email workexperience@basscoasthealth.org.au if you have any concerns.