What about safety during a participation activity?

The University takes the issue of safety very seriously. All partner organisations must be screened to ensure they meet strict requirements in terms of safety, OHS and capacity to host a student. An onsite visit might be conducted if there are any safety concerns.

How do you enrol in a participation unit?

Enrolment is through eStudent. As is the case with all units, a student must meet the unit's pre-requisites before they can enrol. Some units might also require a 'pre-application for enrolment'. Check the Handbook for details of unit requirements.

Are there any prerequisites and corequisites for participation units?

All pre/corequisites requirements are detailed in the Handbook.

Can you be a full-time student and enrolled in a participation unit?

Yes.

When do participation units begin?

All units have an official start and end date (check the online Calendar of Dates or your Unit Convenor). Some units might also require a 'pre-application for enrolment' (check with the unit convenor for details of unit requirements).

Can enrolment in a participation unit be undertaken before the participation activity has been confirmed?

This will depend on the specific participation unit. Check the Handbook for details of unit requirements. For further information, contact the unit convenor.

Can a student undertake a participation activity but not enrol in a unit?

There are a limited number of co-curricular opportunities available through PACE International.

How do you change enrolment (withdraw from a unit / add a unit / change classes)?

There are constraints associated with adding or withdrawing from all units, including participation units. Contact your unit convenor, or the Student Enquiry Service (Lincoln Building, L1; 9850 6410) for advice on changing enrolment. Withdrawing from units after the census date incurs an academic and/or financial penalty.

Does a census date apply for participation units?

Yes. Check here for details of all census dates.

What happens if there is unavoidable disruption during a participation activity?

Follow the requirements for Special Consideration. You should also advise your unit convenor and (if applicable) your supervisor at the partner organisation.

How is the unit graded - is it Pass/Fail or a graded unit with a Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG)?

This will depend on the specific participation unit. Check the Handbook for unit details.

Will the grade of a participation unit impact a GPA calculation?

Yes if the unit is a graded unit (HD, D, Cr, P, F); No if the unit is ungraded (Satisfactory/Fail).

Will the unit appear on a transcript?

Yes.

Can a participation unit be taken twice?

Whilst is it possible to enrol in a unit twice (subject to meeting pre/co-requisite requirements) the credit points for completion can only be counted once.

Where can a Unit Guide be accessed for a participation unit?

Check the website of the Department offering the unit, contact the unit convenor, or check with the Faculty office.

Who can provide advice on an academic program including a participation unit?

Each faculty has academic advisers. Check the list of Academic Advisers for details of who to contact.

What happens if the participation unit is failed and the unit is needed to graduate?

The unit will need to be attempted again or a change in program may be appropriate. Seek academic advice. Check the list of Academic Advisers for details of who to contact.

Can a people or planet unit also count as a participation unit?

No.

Can a participation unit also count as a people or planet unit?

No.

Can a participation unit also be a capstone unit?

Yes.

How many participation units does a student need to undertake?

The structure of each degree program determines whether completion of a participation unit is a requirement. In some cases it will be a requirement; in other cases a participation unit will be an option; and in yet other cases, a participation unit may be selected as an elective. How many participation units a student undertakes will depend on their program. Check the Handbook for details of program requirements.

Can a participation unit be taken as an elective?

This will depend on the student's program. Check the Handbook for details of program requirements.

When in their program is a student required to attempt a participation unit?

This will depend on the student's program. Check the Handbook for details of program requirements.

What are the implications regarding a participation unit if a student changes their degree in 2012 or later?

The structure of each degree program determines whether completion of a participation unit is a requirement. In some cases it will be a requirement; in other cases a participation unit will be an option; and in yet other cases, a participation unit may be selected as an elective. Check the Handbook for details of program requirements.

Can an exemption be given for a participation unit?

An exemption is possible if the student has been awarded credit for previous studies (CPS) at the correct level (ie 100 level, 200 level) and an Exemption Officer determines that the previous studies involve sufficient content overlap with the participation unit in question.

Who is required to complete a participation unit?

The structure of each degree program determines whether completion of a participation unit is a requirement. In some cases it will be a requirement; in other cases a participation unit will be an option; and in yet other cases, a participation unit may be selected as an elective. Check the Handbook for details of program requirements.

What are the implications regarding a participation unit for students who started their program before 2012?

In most cases, students who started their program of study prior to 2012 will not be required to do a participation unit, unless that unit is already a core requirement of their degree. These students may, however, elect to do a participation unit, subject to normal pre/co-requisite and program requirements.

Who finds a participation activity?

This will depend on the specific participation unit. Check the Handbook for details of unit requirements. For further information, contact the unit convenor.

Can a student find their own participation activity?

It depends on the participation unit. Check the Handbook for details of unit requirements. All participation unit activities must be approved by the unit convenor in advance of commencement.

Do all participation activities involve going overseas?

No. There are a range of opportunities available - local, regional and international - depending on the specific participation unit. Check the Handbook for details of unit requirements. For further information, contact the unit convenor.

Are working with children or criminal record checks required undertake a participation unit?

This will depend on the specific participation unit activity and partner organisation requirements.

Will undertaking a paid participation activity impact a student who holds a scholarship?

Potentially. If a student is in receipt of a Commonwealth means-tested scholarship, then it is possible they could be negatively impacted by undertaking a paid participation activity. Contact Centrelink for advice.

How much does a participation unit cost?

This will depend on the specific participation unit. The cost of a participation unit is calculated in the same way as for all other units in that it is dependent on level (postgraduate/undergraduate), type of student (international/domestic), fee (Commonwealth Supported/Fee Paying) and credit points. See the Office of Financial Services for further information.

Is a participation unit covered by HECS for local students?

Yes. The student must be in a Commonwealth Supported Place, an Australian Citizen and have supplied their Tax File Number (TFN) to the University.

If the participation unit involves travel outside of Sydney or Australia is there any financial assistance?

Financial assistance is available to assist in meeting the costs of international and regional participation activities, subject to eligibility and availability of funds. Contact the unit convenor for details on how to apply for this assistance.

Will reimbursement be made for travel to and from a participation activity workplace?

The cost of travel to and from a participation activity based in metropolitan Sydney is the responsibility of the student. Financial assistance is available to assist in meeting the costs of international and regional participation activities, subject to eligibility and availability of funds. Contact the unit convenor for details on how to apply for this assistance.

Will the student receive a payment for undertaking a participation activity?

In general there will be no payment for undertaking a participation activity within a participation unit, although this will depend on the specific participation unit.

Does a student have to pay tax for undertaking a participation activity?

If the student undertakes a paid activity, they will be liable for tax in the same way as for any other paid work. If the student undertakes an unpaid activity, they will not incur a tax liability.

Is a student covered for insurance during the participation activity?

Students are covered for Third Party Public Liability (TPPL) and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) insurance for the duration of their enrolment in a local or regional participation activity. The unit must have commenced for the insurance to be valid. Insurance arrangements for students engaging in an international participation activity differ from local and regional activities. For international insurance details, contact the PACE office.

Does a student undertaking a participation activity receive a letter stating that they are covered by insurance?

No. The confirmation letter is provided to a partner organisation by the relevant Faculty Participation Manager on request. Insurance information will be included in the Participation Unit Student Handbook.

Does a partner hosting a participation activity receive a confirmation letter detailing student insurance coverage?

A confirmation letter can be provided to a partner organisation by the Faculty Participation Manager on request.

For a student undertaking a participation activity, where can the Macquarie University Certificate of Currency be obtained from?

The Macquarie University Certificate of Currency can be obtained from the Faculty Participation Manager. The Certificate is valid for 12 months and is renewed annually.

For a student undertaking a participation activity, is it possible to obtain the Policy Disclosure Statement?

Yes. Contact the Macquarie University Tax and Insurance Officer in the Office of the Financial Services.

Is there any variation in insurance - Third Party Public Liability (TPPL) and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) - between paid and unpaid participation activities?

No, as long as the participation activity is a requirement of the participation unit in which the student is enrolled.

What are the implications for Workers Compensation when the student completes a paid participation activity? 

Students are covered by Third Party Public Liability (TPPL) and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) for both paid and unpaid local and regional participation activities. Workers Compensation is not covered by Macquarie University for students undertaking a paid participation activity as this is the responsibility of the organisation paying the student.

What are the insurance implications of a student undertaking a participation activity with a health care professional such as in a psychology clinic?

The student is covered for Third Party Public Liability (TPPL) and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) as long as they are only observing under supervision, and the activity is undertaken in Australia.

What is the insurance coverage for professional sport such as elite athletes working in sporting clubs or other sporting activities as their participation activity?

The student is covered for Third Party Public Liability (TPPL) and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) as long as the participation activity is required by the participation unit in which they are enrolled, they are not performing the activity as a professional athlete and the activity is undertaken in Australia.

What kinds of activities are appropriate for a participation unit?

This varies depending on the intended learning outcomes of the specific unit, but could range from such things as: internships, work integrated learning, practicums with a partnership component, field trips with a partnership component, community service and learning, and community development projects.

Is there a list of existing partner organisations who host participation activities?

The University maintains details of the organisations to whom it sends students for duty of care and compliance purposes.

What are the implications of the Fair Work Act 2009 for participation activities?

As long as the participation activity is a requirement of a student's academic program it can be classified as a Vocational Placement as identified by the Fair Work Act and can be undertaken as an unpaid activity.

For further clarification, contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

What are the tax implications for a partner who provides a participation activity for a student?

If the student is paid, the tax implications are the same as for other employees. If the student undertakes an unpaid activity, then there are no tax implications. Contact the Australian Taxation Office for further advice.

What are the criteria for a participation unit or activity?

The criteria for determining whether a unit can be designated a 'participation' unit were approved by Academic Senate in November 2009. Convenors of units wishing to apply for participation accreditation for an existing unit will need to complete the Nomination Form and submit it through their Head of Department to their Faculty Standards and Quality Committee. Examples of participation activities that are likely to meet the criteria include: work integrated learning including internships; community based research; field trips and practicums with a partnership component; service learning; and community development projects.

What are the components of a participation unit?

A participation unit should have the following components:

• Preparatory activities that give students an orientation to the experience, including relevant content and logistical information
• Experiential component that satisfies the minimum hours for participation (at least 30 hours for a 3cp unit and 60 hours for a 6cp unit)
• Scaffolding for skill and knowledge development, including assessment tasks
• Wrap up, including debrief and reflection.

Please refer to the Senate-approved Participation Criteria for more information on these components.

Who decides whether a unit meets the criteria?

Ultimately Senate. Convenors of units wishing to apply for participation accreditation will need to complete the Participation Unit Nomination Form and submit it through their Head of Department to the relevant Faculty Standards and Quality Committee (FSQC). Once approved by the FSQC, participation unit nominations will be considered by the Academic Standards and Quality Committee (ASQC) prior to being submitted to Academic Senate for final approval.

Can a capstone unit be a participation unit?

Yes.

Will there be Credit for Previous Study (CPS) in a participation unit?

Credit for Previous Study (CPS) will be applied according to the existing CPS policy.

Will a participation unit be academically rigorous?

All participation units will need to conform to the same academic standards and policies as all other units at Macquarie. Students will be expected to submit at least three assessment tasks, fulfill other unit requirements and complete the minimum experiential hours. All participation units will be subject to standard unit and curriculum review processes.

Can staff be involved in a Participation & Community Engagement (PACE) activity?

There will be opportunities for both academic and professional staff to participate in a number of ways including:

• being a team leader on a project
• going on a teaching exchange at a partner university
• co-teaching or twinning with a counterpart from a partner university
• conducting research relevant to PACE
• being involved in community development projects run by Macquarie University.

Who can be contacted for further information about PACE?

There are eight faculty-based staff who can be contacted in the first instance - one Faculty Academic Director of Participation and one Faculty Participation Manager in each of the four faculties. The PACE Office is also available for support and assistance. See Contact Us for details.