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Graduation 2025
We’re excited to celebrate your amazing achievements at our upcoming Graduation ceremonies! This page gives you the key details and links to all FAQs so you can prepare for your special day.
For any questions not covered in the FAQs, contact the Student Experience Team by submitting a Request or use the Help widget.
Changes to Professional Experience (Placement) Course Structure – From Trimester 1 2026
From Trimester 1 2026, Ikon Institute will introduce an updated Professional Experience (Placement) structure for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education (DECE) and Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE). The new dual-stream model aligns with ACECQA 2025 standards, ensuring all students meet accreditation and registration requirements. Review the details below to confirm which stream applies to you and how it affects your placement schedule and course progression.
Overview
Ikon’s School of Education has undertaken a comprehensive review of all Professional Experience (Placement) subjects to ensure they meet accreditation and registration requirements and align with current sector expectations.
This review was prompted by:
Current sector trends and limitations in the capacity of early childhood services to accept students for placement
ACECQA’s July 2025 changes (effective from 2026) to the minimum number of supervised placement days
Recent ACECQA program accreditation renewals
To meet these standards and maintain course quality, a dual Professional Experience Stream model will apply from Trimester 1 2026.
Stream 1 – Current Students (Pre-2026)
Applies to: Students who have completed PLAC907, PLAC908, or PLAC909 before January 2026.
Subject Code
Subject Name
Age Group / Focus
PLAC907
Professional Experience 1
3–5 years
PLAC908
Professional Experience 2
0–3 years
PLAC909
Professional Experience 3
3–5 years
PLAC910
Professional Experience 4 (Capstone)
Student-selected focus
No action is required — your course progression and completion timeline remain unchanged.
Stream 2 – New Students (From T1 2026 Onwards)
Applies to: Students who commence study, receive credit, or complete PLAC917 from Trimester 1 2026 onward.
Subject Code
Subject Name
Placement Days / Focus
PLAC917
Professional Experience 1 (On-Campus Immersion)
0 supervised days – on-campus learning and excursions to early childhood services
PLAC918
Professional Experience 2
35 days (15 days with 0–2 yrs, 10 days with 2–3 yrs, 10 days with 3–5 yrs)
PLAC919
Professional Experience 3
25 days (3–5 yrs)
PLAC920
Professional Experience 4
25 days (student-selected age group and service type)
Key Points
These changes will not negatively impact your progression or graduation.
Both streams remain fully ACECQA and state registration compliant.
Completion of PLAC907 or PLAC917 qualifies you to apply for early childhood educator roles.
A new fee applies to PLAC917 (from 2026). See Ikon’s 2026 Fee Schedules for details.
The update improves sector alignment and placement readiness for all students.
FAQs
1. Why is PLAC907 no longer offered?
The Head of School has undertaken a comprehensive review of all Early Childhood Professional Experience subjects to ensure they meet accreditation and registration requirements and align with current sector expectations. This review was prompted by:
Current sector trends and placement-capacity limitations
ACECQA’s July 2025 changes (effective 2026) to supervised placement requirements
Recent ACECQA program accreditation renewals
2. Why has the placement been removed or postponed?
No placement units have been removed from the qualifications. Trimester 3 2025 and Trimester 1 2026 postponement has been required due to current sector trends and limitations in the capacity of early childhood services to accept students for placement.
This approach ensures continuity for current students while aligning future placement structures with sector needs and ACECQA’s 2025 standards.
3. What does this change mean for the course?
The update introduces two course streams depending on your study progression.
Stream 1 – Current Students (Pre-2026) Applies to: Students who have completed PLAC907, PLAC908, or PLAC909 before January 2026.
Subject Code
Subject Name
Age Group / Focus
PLAC907
Professional Experience 1
3–5 years
PLAC908
Professional Experience 2
0–3 years
PLAC909
Professional Experience 3
3–5 years
PLAC910
Professional Experience 4 (Capstone)
Student-selected focus
No action is required — your course progression and completion timeline remain unchanged.
Stream 2 – New Students (From T1 2026 Onwards) Applies to: Students who commence study, receive credit, or complete PLAC917 from Trimester 1 2026 onward.
Subject Code
Subject Name
Placement Days / Focus
PLAC917
Professional Experience 1 (On-Campus Immersion)
0 supervised days – on-campus learning and excursions to early childhood services
PLAC918
Professional Experience 2
35 days (15 days with 0–2 yrs, 10 days with 2–3 yrs, 10 days with 3–5 yrs)
PLAC919
Professional Experience 3
25 days (3–5 yrs)
PLAC920
Professional Experience 4
25 days (student-selected age group and service type)
4. What is the cost of PLAC917? Is there a change to my tuition fees?
5. Will this change affect the total professional placement hours that I will complete in my course?
No, all students will complete the required number of supervised placements days prior to course completion. It will just be in a different structure.
6. Will this change affect my ability to meet the professional experience requirements needed to become an Early Childhood Teacher after graduation?
No, DECE students will continue to meet ACECQA accreditation requirements, and BECE students will still meet accreditation and registration requirements as an Early Childhood Teacher in each State and Territory.
7. Is it possible for students to remain on the original course structure that included PLAC907?
Students will follow their current progression if they complete PLAC907, PLAC908, or PLAC909 prior to January 2026. All other students will move to the new course progression from Trimester 1 2026.
8. Will this change affect my ability to look for employment as a Certificate III educator at the end of PLAC917?
No, you will continue to be eligible to apply for early childhood educator roles upon successful completion of PLAC907 or PLAC917. As always, employment decisions remain solely with individual employers, and Ikon cannot influence these outcomes.
Still need clarification or help? Simply reach out to our friendly Student Experience Team by submitting a Request or use the Help widget.
We’ve listened to your feedback and are excited to announce that student email addresses are coming in January 2026! This new communication channel will become our official way of contacting all students from 2026, ensuring you receive important updates, notices, and resources in one secure location. You’ll also gain online access to Microsoft Office 365 tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive.
What’s Coming
From January 2026, each student will receive:
A student email address (e.g. firstname.lastname@student.ikon.edu.au)
Online access to Microsoft Office 365 suite:
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook & Email
OneDrive
Note: Access will be digital/online only (no desktop download).
Why We’re Introducing Student Emails
Having a dedicated student email ensures:
You receive all official communications in one place
Greater security and privacy for student information
Easier access to course updates, event invitations, and support resources
Seamless collaboration using Microsoft tools
What’s Next
We’re also developing a new Student Portal — your future central hub for:
Accessing learning platforms
Finding important resources and forms
Connecting with support services
And more exciting features to come!
More details about the portal and your new email login will be shared closer to launch.
We Value Your Feedback
Your input drives improvements like this. You can share suggestions through:
The end-of-term/trimester student survey, or
By speaking directly with your Student Experience (SX) team
FAQs
1. When will I receive my student email address? Student email accounts will begin rolling out from January 2026. More details about access and login will be shared closer to that date.
2. Will my student email replace my personal email for communication? Yes. From 2026, your student email will be the official contact used for all communications. Please make sure to check it regularly once it’s launched.
3. Can I access my student email on my phone or tablet? Yes! You’ll be able to log in to your student email using any web browser or the Outlook mobile app.
4. Do I need to pay for Microsoft Office? No. Access to Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive) will be provided free of charge for enrolled students. It’s available online only.
5. Will my personal Microsoft account be affected? No. Your student Microsoft account will be completely separate from any personal account you already have.
6. What happens after I graduate? Information about ongoing access or expiry of your student email and Microsoft tools will be provided closer to completion.
7. Who can I contact if I have issues accessing my email or Office 365? Once the rollout begins, you’ll be able to contact the Student Experience Team for login or access support.
Still need clarification or help? Simply reach out to our friendly Student Experience Team by submitting a Request or use the Help widget.
It is essential to remain calm so you can provide clear and concise details about your emergency and location to the operator.
While studying in Australia, it’s important to be aware of potential risks. Although most communities are safe, international students have occasionally been targeted by criminals.
CATEGORY
ACTIONS TO TAKE
After-Hours Critical Support
For urgent support outside business hours, contact AccessEAP (24/7) on 1800 818 728. They provide immediate phone support, and an on-site response can be arranged if required.
Cyber Abuse
Cyber abuse can have severe effects on your mental health, wellbeing, and academic performance. It can occur via social media, messaging services, online classrooms, email, or forums.
Forms of Cyber Abuse:
Online stalking
Sharing intimate images without consent
Targeted personal attacks
Encouraging self-harm or suicide
Posting someone’s personal information
Threatening violence or inciting others to do so
If you experience or witness cyber abuse, speak up. For ongoing support, contact the Student Experience Team or the Australian Government eSafety Commissioner via www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues.
Emergency Contacts for Cyber Abuse:
Police: Triple Zero (000)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Campus Safety
Ikon is committed to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
Prohibited Behaviour: Harassment, bullying, intimidation, or violence.
Personal Safety Tips: Stay alert, avoid unnecessary risks, travel in groups after dark, and maintain online safety practices.
Report incidents such as theft, assault, stalking, harassment, or abuse to a staff member you trust. All reports will be handled confidentially.
On-Campus Emergencies
Every campus has evacuation plans and safety maps.
In an evacuation, follow the guidance of Fire Wardens and safety officers.
Assemble at designated safety points and do not return to the building until instructed.
In the Event of a Robbery:
Stay calm and comply with instructions. Remember, no amount of money is worth a life.
Reporting an Emergency or Crime: Dial 000.
On-Campus Support During Office Hours
For support during business hours, contact the Student Experience Team:
Ikon maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment and assault.
Sexual Harassment: Unwanted sexual behaviour that causes offence, humiliation, or intimidation.
Sexual Assault: Forced, coerced, or non-consensual sexual acts, including exposure of minors under 18 to sexual activities.
Reporting: All incidents of sexual assault must be reported to the police and Ikon.
Understanding Consent: Consent is a free and active agreement without coercion, intimidation, or force. It involves a clear willingness from all parties to participate.
If you feel unsafe or need support, reach out to staff or the appropriate emergency services.