Prepare for your counselling placement

To be able to go on placement, you will need to submit evidence that you have met the requirements listed below.

You must complete all requirements by the deadline. If you don't, you may not be able to attend your placement and it may significantly impact your ability to progress through your program.

Some of these requirements have expiry dates so there will be times when you will need to renew a requirement. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet or renew all requirements before they expire.

Make sure you read and promptly action any emails from the HMBS Placement Ready team so that we can assist you to be placement ready. If you don't meet the requirements, you will not be able to complete your placement and progress in your program.

Need help?

Contact the HMBS Placement Ready team for help understanding and completing your requirements before you go on placement.

Master of Counselling

Mandatory requirements

If you are enrolled (or planning to enrol) in the below courses for the upcoming year or semester, you must complete the following requirements and provide evidence by the deadlines listed below:

Mandatory requirement	Year 2 2026	Year 2 2027
HMBS placement preparation module You only need to complete this module once – no renewal required. If you have not previously completed this module, you must complete it by the deadline.	19 December 2025	11 December 2026
Working with Children Check (blue card) Queensland Working with Children Checks (blue cards) are valid for 3 years. If your blue card is due to expire while you are attending placement, you must renew it. If you have an existing blue card you will need to link it to UQ.	19 December 2025	11 December 2026

Possible additional requirements

You may need to provide evidence of additional pre-placement requirements, depending on your allocated placement site or the activity you are undertaking.

Before you start your placement, check with your placement provider or HMBS school to confirm whether any of the below requirements apply to you.

Your school may also require you to complete other tasks before you can attend your placement (such as arranging uniforms or clinic ID cards). If this applies to you, your school will give you more information.

Possible requirement	Year 2 2026	Year 2 2027
Immunisation record You must complete your immunisation requirements and provide evidence of current immunisations by the deadline. This includes any follow-up or booster doses. You’ll receive a student immunisation evidence request email with detailed instructions. Start as soon as possible as requirements can take up to 6 months to complete.	Depends on placement site	Depends on placement site
COVID-19 vaccination UQ strongly encourages healthcare students to receive the number and timing of COVID-19 vaccine doses recommended by the Australian Government. Pay close attention to the student immunisation evidence request that will be emailed to you. It will tell you if COVID-19 vaccination is required for your placement and the required number of doses.	Depends on placement site	Depends on placement site
Mask fit testing Quantitative fit testing determines whether a specific make, model and size of N95/P2 mask or respirator achieves an adequate seal on your face.	Depends on placement site	Depends on placement site
Flu vaccination Pay close attention to the student immunisation evidence request that will be emailed to you. It will tell you if flu vaccination is required for your placement.	Depends on placement site	Depends on placement site
Disability Worker Screening Clearance (yellow card) Disability Worker Screening Clearances (yellow cards) are valid for 5 years. If your yellow card is due to expire while you are attending placement, you must renew it.	Depends on placement site	Depends on placement site
National Police Certificate (criminal history check) and statutory declaration if applicable At the time you submit your National Police Certificate it must have at least 6 months' validity left. Certificates are valid for 3 years. If your certificate is due to expire while you are attending placement, you must renew it.	Depends on placement site	Depends on placement site
First aid certificate First aid certificates are valid for 3 years. If your first aid certificate is due to expire while you are attending placement, you must renew it.	Depends on placement site	Depends on placement site
CPR certificate CPR certificates are valid for 1 year. If your CPR certificate is due to expire while you are attending placement, you must renew it.	Depends on placement site	Depends on placement site
Travel requirements If you need to travel and stay away from home for your placement (within Australia more than 50km from home, or outside Australia), you must complete additional requirements.	Complete before you leave for placement	Complete before you leave for placement

Professional responsibilities and safety

Understand your professional responsibilities and how to prioritise your safety while you're on placement.

Fitness to study: standards expected for your professional behaviour and conduct, including reasonable adjustments
Safety on placement: tips for staying safe, and key contacts for reporting incidents and getting support