Engineering Professional Practice Activity Table
UQ Engineering students in the BE, BE(Hons), BE(Hons)/ME and ME programs must complete at least 450 hours of professional practice to meet the requirements of the program.
The following table outlines activities the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology will credit towards the 450 hours of professional practice requirement.
All students must complete at least 450 hours of professional practice:
- At least 225 hours of professional practice in an engineering environment assisting or under the supervision of a professional engineer (type A)
- Remaining hours made up of a range of allowable professional practice activities.
A professional engineer is someone who is degree qualified in engineering. Supervisors that do not hold an engineering qualification but hold an equivalent or related qualification may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Faculty. Email your request for approval to employability@eait.uq.edu.au
Completion of more than 450 total hours is encouraged for your own development.
Please note: all claims and evidence submitted are subject to audit and verification. Claims will be denied when evidence is insufficient and/or cannot be verified.
Please note: Students may not 'double-up' when claiming for activities (e.g. if while on external professional practice for six (6) weeks the employer sends the student to a one (1) day training course, then the student cannot claim the training course because they are already claiming the same hours under the six (6) weeks of professional practice).
Category 1 – Professional practice in an engineering environment
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional practice in an engineering environment | A and/or B | Claim the number of hours you work at the engineering worksite. This will typically exclude travel time and lunch breaks. No limit to the number of hours claimable under this category. | Work assisting or under the supervision of a professional engineer may be claimed as Type A. Other work in an engineering environment (e.g. of a manual or trade nature) must be claimed as Type B.
| Online approval completed by supervisor. Other evidence may be accepted for historical claims, e.g. old-style Certificate of Professional Practice signed by supervisor. Note: please submit the EPP Certificate to Category 14 via the EPP System Type A claims for practice within a University research facility/laboratory must show evidence of weekly supervision by a professional engineer. EAIT Research Facility Logbook must be submitted as evidence of supervision by a qualified engineer. |
Category 2 – BE(Hons)/ME placement project or CEED placement project
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | BE(Hons)/ME placement project or CEED placement project | A | Up to 300 hours for a 4-unit project/placement; up to 450 hours for a 6 or 8 unit placement. | Reflections must be completed even if similar reflections were undertaken as part of the assessment of the course. The only exemption is a student who successfully completed a BE(Hons)/ME Industry Placement (8 units) prior to 2018. Anyone who is completing the placement from 2018 onwards must complete the reflections component.
| Statement from the industry and/or academic supervisor confirming the number of hours claimed. The Faculty will check that the student has passed the course. |
Category 3 – Paid work experience outside of an engineering environment
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Paid work experience outside of an engineering environment | B | Up to 75 hours of work in this category may be claimed (total). | This may include paid employment in retail or hospitality. Work in an engineering environment but not assisting or under the supervision of a professional engineer should be claimed in Category 1 - Type B.
| Online approval completed by supervisor or, evidence of employment and dates/hours claimed, e.g. letter from supervisor on company letterhead, payslips, etc. |
Category 4 – Tutoring at UQ
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Tutoring at UQ (i.e. student is employed by a UQ School or Faculty) | B | Up to 75 hours of work in this category may be claimed (total). | This may include tutoring in non-Engineering courses. | Evidence of employment and dates/hours worked. Payslips from Workday is the only form of acceptable evidence. |
Category 5 – Significant industry exposure within a UQ course
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Significant industry exposure within a UQ course
| B | Courses are pre-approved for a certain number of hours. There is no limit to the total number of hours that may be claimed in this category. | The student must pass the course. Click here for approved courses. The Associate Dean (Academic) may consider requests to approve other courses. You cannot claim EPP hours for courses that you have received transfer credit for from another university. | None. Faculty staff will check enrolment and completion of the course. |
Category 6 – Engineering related site visits
Note: Only the time spent on site may be claimed.
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Engineering related site visits. | B | Up to 75 hours of visits in this category may be claimed (total). | Click here for approved site visits. Further site visits may be approved. | Contact details of the visit organiser and/or site representative who can verify participation. |
Category 7 – Relevant VET/TAFE courses
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Relevant VET/TAFE courses | B | Up to 75 hours of courses in this category may be claimed (total). | Courses must be relevant to Engineering. | Official document from the provider indicating duration and successful completion of the course. |
Category 8 – Industry workshops, conferences, EAIT Employer Presentation events, Engineering engagement programs
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Industry workshops, conferences, hackathons, seminars, lectures, mentoring events, EAIT Employer Presentation events, Engineering engagement programs (e.g. Icarus, Liveris Academy, Leaders@EAIT Gateway Program (Formerly LaMPs) and any other events that provide EA CPD points. | B | Up to 75 hours of activities in this category may be claimed (total). Note: Travel time and meal breaks may not be claimed. | UQ Ventilator Hackathon 2020 – 32 Type B hours (participation will be verified by the Faculty) | Evidence will depend on the event, but may include:
|
Category 9 – Study Tours relevant to engineering studies
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Study Tours relevant to engineering studies.
| A and/or B | Up to 160 hours may be approved per study tour. Some study tours have pre-approved hours. | Click here for approved study tours. Further study tours may be approved.
Note: Study tours involving engineering work under the direction of a professional engineer may be eligible for Type A credit. | Evidence of participation and completion issued by the organiser or, contact details of the organiser who can verify participation. If the number of hours has not been pre-approved, then full details of all activities undertaken on the study tour will be required. |
Category 10 – Significant Senior Leadership in official* UQ-related extracurricular activities
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Significant Senior Leadership in official* UQ-related extracurricular activities * Clubs & Societies registered with UQU or officially affiliated with Faculties or Schools. | B | Up to 75 hours of courses in this category may be claimed (total). | Example: significant leadership role (President, Vice-President, Treasurer or Secretary) in any official student organisation at UQ where there is a clear link to the development of professional skills. | Statement from a more senior person who can verify the role, duration, duties and hours claimed, plus a reflection (using SEAL format) showing how the experience has contributed to the development of professional skills (please attach the reflection as evidence to support your claim)
|
Category 11 – Completion of UQ MOOC EMPLOY101x Unlocking your Employability
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Completion of UQ MOOC EMPLOY101x Unlocking your Employability | B | 14 hours |
| Verified certificate of completion.
|
Category 12 – Participation in UQ Ventures Program
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Participation in UQ Ventures Program.
| B | Up to 50 hours may be claimed. | Click here for approved Ventures Programs. Further programs may be approved. | Certificate signed by Program Leader. |
Category 13 – Industry experience completed as part of previous Engineering related degree or diploma
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Industry experience completed as part of previous Engineering related degree or diploma | A and/ or B | Hours worked may be claimed. |
| Proof of completion of previous degree or diploma and, confirmation of duration (hours/weeks/ semesters) of activity. Proof of engineering environment and/or supervision type may also be required. |
Category 14 – Previously approved UQ Engineering professional practice
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Previously approved UQ Engineering professional practice days in an engineering environment (either assisting or under the supervision of a professional engineer or not). | A and/ or B | Previously approved days may be converted to hours on the basis of 7.5 hours per day (with the total rounded up to the nearest hour). | A day is equal to 7.5 working hours (not including lunch breaks).
| No evidence is required for previously approved days – the claimed totals will be checked against your UQ student records. To claim more than 7.5 hours per day, submit evidence of total hours worked (e.g. timesheets). Note: Please use this category to upload your EPP Certificate from the old scheme. |
Category 15 – Engineering related industry experience completed prior to commencing study
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Engineering related industry experience completed prior to commencing study at UQ but not completed as part of a previous engineering related degree of diploma | A and/ or B | Hours worked may be claimed | Work assisting or under the supervision of a professional engineer may be claimed as Type A. Other work in an engineering environment (e.g. of a manual or trade nature) must be claimed as Type B. Experience of a manual or trade nature must relate to the engineering discipline being studied e.g. labouring on building site for a civil engineering student or, electrical trade assistant for an electrical engineering student. | Online approval completed by supervisor or, evidence of employment and dates/hours claimed, e.g. letter from supervisor on company letterhead, payslips, etc |
Category 16 – Engineering related participation in UQ endorsed outreach or volunteering opportunities
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Engineering related participation in UQ endorsed outreach or volunteering opportunities | B | Up to 20 hours may be claimed | Examples include:
| Evidence of participation and completion issued by the organiser or, statement from a more senior person who can verify the role, duration, duties and hours claimed. |
Category 17 – Completion of an industry thesis project and/or coursework placement
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Completion of an industry thesis project and/or coursework placement in an engineering environment – assisting, or under the supervision of a professional engineer. | A | Up to 300 hours for a 4-unit project/placement; up to 450 hours for a 6 or 8 unit placement. | The student must enrol in and pass the associated course. As part of your course requirement you may have provided a reflection on your learning experience. Reflection requirements as part of a course should not be confused with the requirement to provide reflections in order to complete Engineering Professional Practice as they are completely separate. Please review the examples below to ensure your thesis can be claimed under this category. | A minimum of fortnightly person-to-person meetings with the industry partner is to be completed for the thesis to be considered industry based and claimable under category 17. Industry Thesis Logbook must be submitted as evidence of industry engagement. The Faculty will check that the student has passed the course. |
What is an industry thesis project?
Chen is undertaking their final year thesis to satisfy the requirements of their degree. Chen has identified a project with Brisbane Utilities and has a contact at Brisbane Utilities that has agreed to provide supervision throughout Chen’s thesis. Chen has submitted the thesis project to their School and has received approval and has identified a School-based academic supervisor. Chen will be able to provide evidence of fortnightly person-to-person meetings with the industry partner throughout their thesis to submit the Industry Thesis Logbook along with their Engineering Professional Practice claim. Chen can claim their thesis under category 17 of the EPP Activity Table.
What is not an industry thesis project?
Chen is undertaking their final year thesis to satisfy the requirements of their degree. Chen has identified a project through the EAIT Thesis Database that has been submitted by a UQ based academic. The UQ academic has received a grant through the Australian Research Council to undertake research related to the thesis project. The UQ academic has some contact with industry through the research grant, however, Chen does not have direct contact with industry throughout their project. As Chen does not have direct contact with industry, they will be unable to show evidence of industry engagement for the Industry Thesis Logbook. Chen cannot claim their thesis under category 17 of the EPP Activity Table.
If you have questions as to whether your thesis is eligible to claim under category 17, please email the Deputy Associate Dean Academic via employability@eait.uq.edu.au, with a description of your thesis topic including an outline of who the industry partner is and your engagement with them throughout the project.
Category 18 – Summer and/or Winter research project
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Summer and/or winter research project | A and/ or B | Up to 450 hours can be claimed. Claim the number of hours you work on the project. This will typically exclude travel time and lunch breaks. | Summer/Winter research placements within
| A minimum of weekly person-toperson meetings (e.g. face-toface or Zoom) with the supervisor is to be completed. Summer/Winter Research Logbook must be submitted as evidence of minimum contact hours with a supervisor. |
Category 19 – Virtual Work Experience Modules/Programs
| Category | Category description | Type of practice | Hours claimable | Notes and examples | Evidence to substantiate claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19 | Virtual Work Experience Modules/Programs | A and/ or B | From 1 January 2023, up to 50 hours in this category may be claimed (total). | This category is for virtual work experience modules/programs where there is no physical supervisor (e.g. Engineers Australia virtual work experience modules). Type A hours can be claimed for the Engineers Australia Virtual Experiences for 2022 and 2023 only. Type B hours can be claimed for other virtual work experience modules/programs. Any virtual work experience modules can be claimed, however pre-approved experiences are more likely to be accepted. Currently approved experiences include:
Virtual Internships where there is a physical supervisor, i.e. through NEXSTEP or Pagoda Projects, should be claimed under Category 1, Type A or B. | Evidence upload of completion certificate.
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