Students

Choose your own path and build career readiness through real work placements and volunteering
As a secondary school, TAFE or university student you may be looking to gain real work experience to apply your learnings and explore your future career goals and pathways.

Student placement and volunteer opportunities

We offer a range of opportunities to suit your lifestyle and interests:

  • Work experience for secondary school students
  • Student vocational placements for TAFE and other Registered Training Organisations
  • General work experience in our Corporate Services
  • Other volunteering opportunities to broaden your experience
  • Allied Health student placements, both general and clinical
  • Allied Health Scholarship Program

Cerebral Palsy Alliance is a global centre of expertise for cerebral palsy and similar conditions. Learn and explore different career opportunities and pathways, while you develop important employment skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork and leadership.

Student placements and volunteer opportunities include supporting our allied health therapy teams working with children and adults, supporting our lifestyles, sports and accommodation clients, or gaining experience in our corporate services.

Allied health student placements will have access to clinical governance and mentoring as part of a multi-disciplinary therapy team to develop clinical skills and experience working with children and adults within evidence-based programs.

How we support you

  • Our dedicated volunteers and students team are interested in what drives you and aims to provide you with the best opportunities suited to your interests and needs
  • Access our online induction and training relevant to your role
  • Join our community and engage with other volunteers and students via regular online catch-up sessions, our Facebook community and receive regular updates on placements and volunteering opportunities throughout the year
  • Connect you with relevant teams to explore future placement and employment opportunities.

For further information please contact us by email students@cerebralpalsy.org.au.

To apply for a student placement or to review volunteer opportunities please apply below. Search for Students or Volunteers in the search bar to find roles to suit you.

CPA Allied Health Scholarship Program

Our Allied Health Scholarship Program recognises the needs of students to plan their transition into the workplace. We provide valuable clinical experience and support to explore your preferred field of expertise in your final year of study. Currently, we offer a select number of scholarships which are available in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology with Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s university partners.

"CPA gave me the practical skills and experience I needed during my student placement to secure work in the disability sector."

Josna, Disability Support Worker

Frequently asked questions

Cerebral Palsy Alliance provides services to children and adults with disabilities and their families across the state of NSW. Your placement location will depend on where you live and the course you are studying.

As a TAFE or vocational student you can apply directly to us using the register your interest button. As a University student we would prefer you apply via your University Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Office or similar. If you are a High School student 16 years or older, please ask your Careers Advisor to contact us by email students@cerebralpalsy.org.au.

The minimum age for a student on placement is 16 years of age at the time of the placement.

Students may be required to meet with a CPA staff member prior to commencement of the placement to complete necessary checks, documentation and establish learning goals. Sometimes all of this can be completed online.

All students are required to complete:

  • CPA Student Registration Form
  • NDIS Worker Screener Check
  • Working with Children Check
  • NDIS Orientation Module: Quality, Safety & You
  • All students and volunteers must be triple vaccinated against COVID-19, prior to their start date.

Yes. Your supervisor will orientate you to the work site on your first day. They have an induction checklist for all student placements that must be completed.

CPA will inform you of all safety requirements at that particular work site.

A qualified CPA staff member with the appropriate skills to meet your learning needs. Students on work experience from secondary schools and vocational institutions will usually be buddied up with a staff member who will work alongside them to demonstrate the skills and assist them to perform the tasks required.

The Student and Volunteer Engagement Specialist will make the placement arrangements with your supervisor and may be involved in the initial meeting but will not be your direct supervisor.

As a student on placement, you are covered by CPA’s Insurance. Most schools, colleges and universities also provide insurance cover for their student while on external placements.

  • To attend placement at the agreed times and keep a log of your hours.
  • To notify your supervisor if you are unable to attend for any reason.
  • To follow the policies and procedures of the organisation.

You can wear neat casual clothes that allow you to perform your tasks comfortably.

Closed toed shoes must be worn on all CPA work sites.

If your university or college has a uniform T-shirt, you can wear that to your placement.