WIL: Mentor and site information
Mentor Teachers are central to preparing future educators. By modelling effective practice and supporting pre-service teachers during placements, they help build professional confidence and capability. In return, Mentor Teachers gain fresh perspectives, strengthen professional connections, and contribute to the future of the teaching profession.
Roles and responsibilities
Successful professional placements rely on strong partnerships. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities support effective communication and a positive experience for CDU, Mentor Teachers, and Site Coordinators.
CDU
Charles Darwin University works in partnership with education sites to ensure professional experience placements are well-planned, supportive, and aligned with accreditation and professional standards.
CDU responsibilities include:
- Partnering with schools and early childhood settings to coordinate placements aligned with program requirements
- Providing clear information to pre-service teachers about placement objectives, expectations, and assessment requirements
- Preparing pre-service teachers through pre-placement orientation and guidance
- Appointing a Professional Experience Supervisor to monitor and support placement progress
- Maintaining regular communication with pre-service teachers, mentor teachers, and site coordinators
- Ensuring pre-service teachers meet all legal and institutional requirements (e.g. clearances and vaccinations)
- Managing placement and conduct concerns in accordance with the Education Placement Concerns Procedures, in collaboration with placement sites
Site Coordinator
The Site Coordinator plays a key role in coordinating professional experience placements at the site and acting as the main point of contact between CDU, Mentor Teachers, and pre-service teachers. This role is typically undertaken by a School Principal, Early Childhood Centre Director, or an experienced delegated staff member.
The Site Coordinator will:
- Liaise with the CDU WIL Placement Office to negotiate and confirm placement opportunities for pre-service teachers
- Liaise with CDU Professional Experience Supervisors, Mentor Teachers and pre-service teachers to ensure clear and timely communication
- Coordinate site-based orientation/induction, including departmental and site policies, procedures, and curriculum expectations
- Allocate pre-service teachers to appropriate Mentor Teachers (including subject-aligned mentors for Secondary pre-service teachers)
- Oversee supervision arrangements and ensure pre-service teachers receive appropriate feedback and support
- Provide advice and assistance to pre-service teachers and Mentor Teachers as required
- Notify the CDU Professional Experience Supervisor promptly of concerns related to pre-service teacher competence or professional conduct and follow the Education Placement Concerns Procedures
- Ensure Professional Experience Assessment Reports are completed by Mentor Teachers in line with unit requirements
Mentor Teacher
Mentor Teachers play a vital role in supporting the professional growth of pre-service teachers during placement. By modelling effective practice, providing guidance and feedback, and creating a supportive learning environment, Mentor Teachers help prepare pre-service teachers for entry into the profession.
Mentor Teachers are responsible for:
Supervision and Mentorship
- Supporting pre-service teachers to meet placement requirements through guided planning and teaching
- Observing practice and providing constructive, timely feedback
- Engaging pre-service teachers in reflective discussions to support ongoing professional growth
- Supporting progress toward the AITSL Graduate Teacher Standards
Professional Learning and Orientation/Induction
- Introducing pre-service teachers to the site, staff, routines, and expectations
- Supporting understanding and implementation of relevant curriculum and learning frameworks
- Engaging pre-service teachers in professional conversations aligned to the AITSL pre-service teacher assessment themes:
- Planning for Teaching and Learning
- Teaching Effectively
- Creating and Maintaining Supportive Learning Environments
- Assessing and Providing Feedback
- Professional and Ethical Conduct
Collaboration and Support
- Engaging in collaborative and, where appropriate, co-teaching practices
- Providing time, guidance, and access to resources to support pre-service teacher development
- Sharing professional insights into effective practice and site culture
Feedback and Assessment
- Providing regular oral and written feedback aligned with the AITSL pre-service teacher assessment themes
- Use professional judgement based on direct observation, collected evidence, and the placement context
- Focus assessment on the pre-service teacher’s demonstrated knowledge, practice, and engagement against the Graduate APSTs
- Completing interim and final Professional Experience Reports in line with unit requirements and guidelines
Professional Liaison
- Working with CDU Professional Experience Supervisors
- Raising and documenting concerns in accordance with education placement concern procedures
CDU contacts
Visit the placement contacts page for more information
Site induction
A thorough induction meeting led by the Centre Director, Principal, Professional Learning Leader, Site Coordinator or Mentor Teacher helps ensure the pre-service teacher feels welcomed, supported, and ready for their placement.
A suggested Induction Checklist is available to help guide this process.
Mentor resources
The following resources are provided to support Mentor Teachers in their role:
Professional experience mentor guide
This guide offers a structured approach and practical strategies to support pre-service teachers. Using the guide helps create a positive learning experience that fosters growth, confidence, and professional development.
Goals and expectations
A template for mentors and pre-service teachers to collaboratively establish goals and expectations for the placement.
Conference plan
A template for mentors and pre-service teachers to collaboratively establish goals and expectations for the placement.
Professional learning
Additional resources to enhance mentoring skills and align practices with national professional standards.
Mentor payments
The rate payable per pre-service teacher per day varies by state/territory, sector, and department processes and may be determined by the relevant Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. Additional variations may apply based on location-based allowances and administrative requirements.
Payment options may vary depending on location, with specific arrangements determined by state/territory regulations, sector agreements, and department processes.
Payment claims must be submitted within six months of the placement dates. Claims received after this period may not be processed.
Please email payment requests to InSchool placements.
Invoicing details
Faculty of Arts and Society – InSchool
Charles Darwin University
Ellengowan Drive, Brinkin NT 0909
ABN 54 093 513 649
Ph (08) 8946 6602
Payment option 1 - School to invoice CDU
The preferred method for mentor payment is via tax invoice. To ensure timely processing, your invoice must include the following details:
- The words "Tax Invoice"
- Your ABN
- Invoice date
- Invoice number
- Student's full name and Student ID
- Placement start and end dates
- GST amount, if your school is registered for GST
- Your school's bank account details
If there have been no transactions between your school and CDU within the past two years, please complete and return the Supplier Request Form.
Please ensure the form is signed before submitting. Once completed, email the form to: inschool@cdu.edu.au
Payment option 2 - Payment direct to mentor teacher
If you are claiming a direct mentor payment, please download and complete all required forms specific to your state or territory.
For shared mentoring arrangements, each mentor must submit the Mentor Contract Payment Form individually. A completed Tax File Number (TFN) Declaration must accompany this form.
Please note: Payments made via this method typically take a minimum of 6–8 weeks to process.
Payment options for NT
Payment option 1 - School to invoice CDU. Please refer to the invoicing information above.
Payment option 2 - Payment direct to mentor teacher. Please download and complete all items on the forms:
Placements before 01 May 2025
Tax Declaration Form (to be completed every 6 months) (PDF, 416.36 KB) (PDF, 416.36 KB)
Superannuation Standard Choice Form (to be completed once only) (PDF, 258.09 KB) (PDF, 258.09 KB)
Placements after 01 May 2025
Tax Declaration Form (to be completed every 6 months) (PDF, 416.36 KB) (PDF, 416.36 KB)
Superannuation Standard Choice Form (to be completed once only) (PDF, 258.09 KB) (PDF, 258.09 KB)
For shared mentoring arrangements, each mentor must submit the Mentor Contract Payment Form individually. A completed Tax File Number (TFN) Declaration must accompany this form.
Payment options for QLD
Payment option 1 - School to invoice CDU. Please refer to the invoicing information above.
Payment option 2 - Payment direct to mentor teacher. Please download and complete all items on the forms:
Tax File Declaration Form (to be completed every 6 months) (PDF, 416.36 KB) (PDF, 416.36 KB)
Superannuation Standard Choice Form (to be completed once only) (PDF, 258.09 KB) (PDF, 258.09 KB)
For shared mentoring arrangements, each mentor must submit the Mentor Teacher Payment Claim individually. TFN declaration must accompany this form.
Payment options for SA
The Department for Education of South Australia (EDSA) Schools must invoice CDU.
Claims for payment must be lodged through the EDSA Practicum Claims Module that allows school/preschool staff to make direct claims to Shared Services after the supervised day(s) have been completed. The school will then need to invoice CDU, and a Commercial in Confidence form must be submitted.
The Commercial-in-Confidence form only needs to be supplied once. Payments to mentors will be made via the EDSA Payroll System.
Please note: payments made using this method are processed within 30 days. The rate payable per preservice teacher per day is consistent with the standard rate outlined in the EDSA enterprise bargaining agreement.
- Claim process flow chart (PDF, 444.3 KB) (PDF, 444.3 KB)
- New DECD invoicing system information (PDF, 361.74 KB) (PDF, 361.74 KB)
- Leader confirmation of placement form (PDF, 292.22 KB) (PDF, 292.22 KB)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 240.87 KB) (PDF, 240.87 KB)
South Australian Independent schools can make a claim using Payment Option 1 or 2.
Payment option 1 - School to invoice CDU. Please refer to the invoicing information above.
Payment option 2 - Payment direct to mentor teacher. Please download and complete all items on the forms:
For shared mentoring arrangements, each mentor must submit the Mentor Contract Payment Form individually. A completed Tax File Number (TFN) Declaration must accompany this form.
Payment options for Victoria
Payment option 1 - School to invoice CDU. Please refer to the invoicing information above.
Payment option 2 - Payment direct to mentor teacher. Please download and complete all items on the forms:
Tax Declaration form (to be completed every 6 months) (PDF, 416.36 KB) (PDF, 416.36 KB)
Superannuation Standard Choice Form (to be completed once only) (PDF, 258.09 KB) (PDF, 258.09 KB)
For shared mentoring arrangements, each mentor must submit the Mentor Contract Payment Form individually. A completed Tax File Number (TFN) Declaration must accompany this form.
Payment options for NSW and ACT
Payment option 1 - School to invoice CDU. Please refer to the invoicing information above.
Payment option 2 - Payment direct to mentor teacher. Please download and complete all items on the forms:
Tax Declaration Form (to be completed every 6 months) (PDF, 416.36 KB) (PDF, 416.36 KB)
Superannuation Standard Choice Form (to be completed once only) (PDF, 258.09 KB) (PDF, 258.09 KB)
For shared mentoring arrangements, each mentor must submit the Mentor Contract Payment Form individually. A completed Tax File Number (TFN) Declaration must accompany this form.
Payment options for TAS and WA
Payment option 1 - School to invoice CDU. Please refer to the invoicing information above.
Payment option 2 - Payment direct to mentor teacher. Please download and complete all items on the forms:
Tax Declaration Form (to be completed every 6 months) (PDF, 416.36 KB) (PDF, 416.36 KB)
Superannuation Standard Choice Form (to be completed once only) (PDF, 258.09 KB) (PDF, 258.09 KB)
For shared mentoring arrangements, each mentor must submit the Mentor Contract Payment Form individually. A completed Tax File Number (TFN) Declaration must accompany this form.