CDEV3000 / 6000 Practice of Work
Work directly with a partner organisation on a co-designed project in interdisciplinary teams. Apply now for Summer Term and Term 1 2027.
With CDEV3000 Practice of Work / CDEV6000 Partnered Work Project you can interact directly with an organisation and gain practical project-based experience, taking your professional skills to the next level, all while earning 6 units of credit towards your undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
This course has been designed to enable students to integrate theory with the practice of work. Students will learn about professional practice and develop their personal capabilities for lifelong learning and work. The course centres on engaging with external partners (e.g. industry, community, government) by working on real-world projects, under the guidance of academic and workplace supervisors. Academic supervisors aim to maximise the learning from these activities with specialised support.
Students work in interdisciplinary teams in collaboration with their project partner and an academic project supervisor who assists in maximising learning and the quality of the project deliverables.
Summer Term and Term 1 2027
Summer Term and Term 1 2027 projects will be administered in person (face-to-face) where:
- Students will be required to attend mandatory workshops and teamwork time hosted by a UNSW academic team each week during the term.
- During the allocated class time, students will also be required to periodically meet with representatives from the partner organisation to discuss, collaborate, and iterate their ideas and concepts.
| Term | Partners | Attendance | Project dates | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Term 2027 | 4 weeks intensive delivery - lectures, tutorials and partner meetings. | 11 January to 4 February 2027 | UNSW CBD and Kensington campuses
| |
| Term 1 2027 | 10 weeks delivery - lectures, tutorials and partner meetings. | 15 February to 23 April 2027 | UNSW CBD, Kensington and Parramatta campuses |
Applications for Summer Term and Term 1 2027 close at 11:59pm on Sunday 11 October 2026.
Summer Term 2027 - partners and projects
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Project title
On-demand training modules and marketing for AELA's education program
Background
AELA is a small not-for-profit organisation with limited resources. AELA currently runs a number of professional development courses and workshops, all of which are hosted with 'live' classes, including guest speakers who join the live classes.
The challenge is to extend our impact by developing a series of pre-recorded training courses that people can access and engage with 'on demand'. The aim is to increase the number of people who join AELA training opportunities, and to increase the reach for AELA.
Project aim
The project aim is to build a system of platforms and methodologies for AELA to create 'on demand' courses. The expected deliverables might include:
- An assessment of appropriate online platforms for hosting the on-demand courses
- A recommendation about the best platform for AELA's on-demand courses
- The identification of target markets for AELA's various courses, (iv) the development of specific marketing strategies for the identified target markets
- If time permits, the collaborative development of at least one on-demand course.
Expected outcomes
- Tailored marketing strategies and assets for selected target audience groups
- A new online platform or AELA's on-demand training courses
- Possibly one training course piloted
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW Kensington and UNSW CBD campus
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Project title
AI for Everyone: Building a More Inclusive Digital Future*
*This is an Engineering Professional Practice approved project
Background
Australia is investing significantly in digital inclusion through initiatives that improve connectivity, digital literacy, and access to technology. Despite this progress, challenges remain around algorithmic bias, unequal access to digital opportunities, and ensuring technology is designed with diverse communities in mind. For more than a century, IBM has championed technologies and practices that promote inclusion, equal opportunity, and respect for the individual. This project explores how Artificial Intelligence can be designed and applied to reduce bias, increase accessibility, and create more inclusive, transparent, and trustworthy digital experiences for everyone, aligned with IBM's long-standing commitment to responsible innovation.
Project aim
- Design AI solutions that promote inclusion, accessibility, and fairness.
- Reduce bias and improve trust through responsible and transparent AI.
- Demonstrate how AI can create more equitable and inclusive digital experiences for all.
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW Kensington and UNSW CBD campus
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Project title
Rugby World Cup Legacy Program Impact Modelling*
*This is an Engineering Professional Practice approved project
Background
NSW Rugby Union’s focus is to grow participation, strengthen community rugby, deliver high‑quality competitions and pathways, and build a sustainable, unified rugby system across NSW.
With the Rugby World Cup being held in Australia from October 2027, NSW Rugby Union is investing in building the capacity and capability throughout the Rugby network whilst removing barriers to participation for a sustainable future. Innovative program development across play, infrastructure, workforce, and connecting with diverse communities will create opportunities, improve experiences, change perceptions and capture interest brought by the Rugby World Cup across 5 pillars:- Pillar 1: Facilities and Equipment
- Pillar 2: Priority Regions & Pathways
- Pillar 3: Programs & Workforce
- Pillar 4: Inclusion
- Pillar 5: Rugby World Cup Activation
Project aim
To build a framework model to measure the impacts of the Rugby World Cup Legacy Program.
Expected outcomes
A framework to measure the economic and social impacts of the delivery of the Rugby World Cup Legacy program
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW Kensington and UNSW CBD campus
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Project title
Supporting Sydney Children’s Hospital Network's organisational readiness for the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR)
Background
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN) is preparing to implement the SDPR, a statewide NSW Health initiative that will transform how patient information is accessed and managed across the health system.
Project aim
The project has two potential stages. Stage 1 focuses on analysing current state workflow assessments completed across clinical and operational departments to identify workflow variations, opportunities for standardisation, and department-specific requirements that may need to be considered as part of SDPR implementation. Stage 2 focuses on translating these findings into practical change management solutions, including the development of resources, communications and adoption strategies to support staff transitioning from current ways of working to future SDPR-enabled workflows.
Expected outcomes
Details to be confirmed
Eligibility
Students enrolled in a degree listed in the eligible degrees list (PDF) are eligible to apply for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network project.
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW Kensington and UNSW CBD campus
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Project title
Accor Outdoor Corporate Hospitality Boxes – Reimagining the Guest Experience
Background
Accor Stadium (located at Sydney Olympic Park) offers open-air corporate hospitality options called Zone Boxes, available in 8, 12, or 16-seat configurations. These outdoor boxes provide prime field views from the Eastern Grandstand, cushioned seating with cup holders, gourmet food, and a dedicated bar fridge stocked with premium beverages.
How might VNSW elevate and re-invent the experience for guests who purchase corporate hospitality boxes, creating a more premium, memorable and valuable experience before, during and after an event?
Project aim
Students could explore:
- What does “great” look like? What are the benchmarks for a world-class corporate hospitality experience, both locally and internationally?
- How do we better understand the needs and expectations of different corporate hospitality customers?
- How could we create a differentiated experience that makes guests feel valued?
- How could we take customers on a “change journey” throughout the experience — building anticipation before the event, creating memorable moments during the event and maintaining engagement afterwards?
- What additional experiences could be layered into the hospitality journey, such as technology, entertainment, networking, food and beverage, personalisation or exclusive access?
- What opportunities exist to increase repeat visitation, customer loyalty and future hospitality sales?
- How could the experience be designed to work across different types of events and audiences?
Expected outcomes
Student groups consider the following outcomes:
- Benchmarking of world-class corporate hospitality experiences, including local and international examples, identifying key trends, best practices and opportunities relevant to Venues NSW.
- Customer insights, segmentation, and end-to-end journey mapping:
- Identify the needs, expectations and motivations of your chosen corporate hospitality audience and customer group
- Map the customer experience before, during and after an event and identify key opportunities to improve engagement and satisfaction
- Recommendations for a differentiated hospitality experience, including opportunities across food and beverage, entertainment, technology, personalisation, networking and exclusive access.
- Strategies to increase customer loyalty, repeat visitation and future hospitality sales, including opportunities to strengthen relationships with existing customers and encourage conversion.
- Prioritised recommendations and an implementation roadmap, identifying quick wins, medium-term opportunities and longer-term initiatives based on impact and feasibility.
- Success measures and KPIs that could be used to assess the effectiveness of future hospitality initiatives, including customer satisfaction, engagement, repeat visitation and sales conversion.
A final presentation summarising the above items in a clear and compelling slide deck format.
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW Kensington and UNSW CBD campus
Term 1 2027 - partners and projects
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Project title
Making Super Matter: Reimagining Financial Security for Young Australians
Background
Aware Super is one of Australia's largest industry superannuation funds, operating on a profit-for-members basis. Young Australians (aged 18-35 years) face a very different financial reality to previous generations. Housing affordability challenges, rapid technological change, and uncertain career paths are reshaping how they think about money and long-term financial security. In response, a growing number of young Australians are choosing to take greater control of their financial future. Rather than waiting for professional advice, they are educating themselves, investing directly, using AI-powered tools, and making their own decisions about saving, investing and retirement. At the same time, many young Australians see traditional superannuation as something for their future selves rather than a tool to help them achieve their financial goals today.
Project aim
In this project you will explore how a super fund can remain relevant in this new environment. You will analyse the needs of young Australians and identify opportunities, services, digital experiences and engagement strategies that will enable Aware Super to play a meaningful role in helping young people build long-term wealth.
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW Kensington or UNSW CBD campus
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Project title
Unlocking Prospect Reservoir
Background
Blacktown City Council is one of the largest and fastest growing local government areas in NSW, with more than 460,000 residents and a population expected to exceed 600,000 over the coming decades.
Western Sydney has limited access to natural water-based recreation. Prospect Reservoir is a significant but largely untapped public space with the potential to provide new opportunities for walking, cycling, picnicking and water-based recreation. For more than a decade, Council has advocated for greater public access to Prospect Reservoir. The challenge is to explore how this potential can be unlocked while protecting its drinking water role, environmental and heritage values and public safety. This project gives students an opportunity to reimagine Prospect Reservoir and develop bold, creative ideas for the future of water-based recreation in Western Sydney.
Project aim
Explore bold, practical and innovative ideas to unlock the potential of Prospect Reservoir as a major public recreation and open space destination for Western Sydney. We want students to challenge conventional thinking and develop ideas for how people could safely connect with the water, landscape and surrounding open space.
Expected outcomes
The EOI is open to all UNSW students and we welcome fresh thinking, creativity and innovative approaches. There is no single right answer - we want students to challenge conventional thinking and explore what could be possible for Prospect Reservoir and how it is communicated.
The project has the potential to become an evidence base and advocacy tool to help Council and State and Federal Government and community partners build a stronger case for change and, ultimately, unlock Prospect Reservoir for the community.
We are looking for ideas that:
- Reimagine how the community could experience and connect with Prospect Reservoir.
- Respond to Western Sydney’s growing need for accessible water-based recreation and quality open space.
- Balance recreation opportunities with water security, public safety, environmental and heritage values.
- Explore staged, pilot or temporary activations that could demonstrate what is possible.
- Showcase how design, innovation and collaboration could turn a long-standing vision into a realistic future opportunity.
Think big, challenge traditional assumptions and show us what Prospect Reservoir could become for Western Sydney.
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW CBD campus
-
Project title
CBA Technology Partnership Project*
*This is an Engineering Professional Practice approved project
Background
Technology at CBA is one of the bank’s largest and most strategically critical capabilities, underpinning digital banking, payments, data, cyber security and core platforms. It enables customer facing channels such as CommBank App and NetBank, supports business and institutional banking platforms, and maintains the resilience and security of enterprise systems. Technology teams partner closely with business units to deliver customer outcomes, regulatory obligations and strategic transformation initiatives.
The function is typically structured around domain aligned and platform aligned teams, often operating in agile squads with product, engineering, risk and design capability embedded. Core capability areas include Engineering, Data and AI, Cyber Security, Cloud and Infrastructure, Platforms, and Enterprise Services.
Technology governance is anchored in strong delivery disciplines, architecture standards, risk management and change frameworks to ensure reliability at scale in a highly regulated environment.
Strategically, CBA Technology continues to focus on cloud modernisation, automation, AI enablement, cyber resilience and simplification of legacy platforms. There is a strong emphasis on engineering excellence, DevOps practices, secure by design principles and continuous improvement. Technology is positioned not just as an enabler but as a competitive differentiator, helping CBA deliver faster innovation cycles, improved customer experiences and operational efficiency across the bank.
Project aim
The aim of this project is to enhance fraud detection in banking by leveraging real time monitoring, AI and machine learning to better identify suspicious transactions while minimising false positives that impact customer experience.
It also seeks to align the proposed approach with global best practice by researching current fraud monitoring trends and recommending suitable detection methods based on data and industry developments.
Finally, the project will deliver a proof of concept that demonstrates how the proposed solution can detect and respond to fraudulent activity, with all findings presented in a concise slide deck.
Expected outcomes
- A clear understanding of current global best practice in fraud detection and transaction monitoring.
- A well supported recommendation outlining the most suitable fraud detection methods for implementation.
- A working proof of concept that demonstrates how suspicious transactions can be identified and acted upon in real time.
- A concise slide deck that communicates the research, proposed solution, proof of concept and anticipated impact.
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW CBD campus
-
Project title
Rugby World Cup Legacy Program Impact Modelling*
*This is an Engineering Professional Practice approved project
Background
NSW Rugby Union’s focus is to grow participation, strengthen community rugby, deliver high‑quality competitions and pathways, and build a sustainable, unified rugby system across NSW.
With the Rugby World Cup being held in Australia from October 2027, NSW Rugby Union is investing in building the capacity and capability throughout the Rugby network whilst removing barriers to participation for a sustainable future. Innovative program development across play, infrastructure, workforce, and connecting with diverse communities will create opportunities, improve experiences, change perceptions and capture interest brought by the Rugby World Cup across 5 pillars:
- Pillar 1: Facilities and Equipment
- Pillar 2: Priority Regions & Pathways
- Pillar 3: Programs & Workforce
- Pillar 4: Inclusion
- Pillar 5: Rugby World Cup Activation
Project aim
To build a framework model to measure the impacts of the Rugby World Cup Legacy Program.
Expected outcomes
A framework to measure the economic and social impacts of the delivery of the Rugby World Cup Legacy program.
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW Kensington campus
-
Project title
How can Powerhouse Made engage Western Sydney creatives in a meaningful way?
Background
Powerhouse is the largest museum group in Australia. It sits at the intersection of the arts, design, science and technology and plays a critical role in engaging communities with contemporary ideas and issues. It is custodian to more than half a million objects of national and international significance and is considered one of the finest and most diverse collections in Australia. Powerhouse Made is the creative studio for exclusive products and limited editions developed by the Powerhouse. In collaboration with leading artists, designers and makers, Powerhouse Made commissions works inspired by the Museum’s collection, exhibitions and programs, while supporting emerging creatives and industry engagement through dedicated initiatives. Spanning design objects, furniture, fashion, homewares and publishing, Powerhouse Made and Store champions sustainable production, local industry and creative excellence - positioning the Museum as a cultural retail destination and a catalyst for Australian design. For this Interdisciplinary Impact Partner Project, hear from the Powerhouse Made team around retail strategy, product development, collaborating with manufacturers, to bringing products to market, and balancing creative vision with commercial and client requirements.
Project aim
For students to explore and develop ideas around engaging Western Sydney Creatives for Powerhouse Made:
- What does a Powerhouse Made collaboration enable the artist to achieve that they couldn't do themselves?
- How does Powerhouse Made benefit from engaging with local creatives?
- Hear from students on what creatives and products they would suggest Powerhouse Made collaborate with and why.
Expected outcomes
To work with the Powerhouse to further expand on/articulate the aims of the project.
Ideas, strategies and recommendations on creatives to engage for Powerhouse Made.
Research on retail strategy, product development, collaborating with manufacturers, to bringing products to market, and balancing creative vision with commercial and client requirements.
Recommendations for how the museum can further develop working with creatives and best practice around commercialising creative work.
All objectives condensed into a slide deck format.
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW Parramatta campus
-
Project title
Supporting Sydney Children’s Hospital Network's organisational readiness for the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR)
Background
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN) is preparing to implement the SDPR, a statewide NSW Health initiative that will transform how patient information is accessed and managed across the health system.
Project aim
The project has two potential stages. Stage 1 focuses on analysing current state workflow assessments completed across clinical and operational departments to identify workflow variations, opportunities for standardisation, and department-specific requirements that may need to be considered as part of SDPR implementation. Stage 2 focuses on translating these findings into practical change management solutions, including the development of resources, communications and adoption strategies to support staff transitioning from current ways of working to future SDPR-enabled workflows.
Expected outcomes
Details to be confirmed
Eligibility
Students enrolled in a degree listed in the eligible degrees list (PDF) are eligible to apply for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network project.
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW Kensington and UNSW CBD campus
-
Project title
Innovation for Energy Networks*
*This is an Engineering Professional Practice approved project
Background
Transgrid is exploring ways to make better use of customer-owned energy resources, such as batteries, electric vehicle chargers, and flexible energy use in data centres. Smarter use of these growing resources could improve network efficiency and help lower electricity costs.
Project aim
Identify and develop new ways for customers using emerging energy technologies to help support the electricity network.
Expected outcomes
Desktop research: uncover new technologies, cases, national and international trends, international cooperations and research, regulatory barriers, technical barriers.
Transgrid actions: describe what TG would need to do to help progress the solution, pitch business cases to Transgrid subject matter experts (SMEs).
Partner details
Campus location: UNSW Kensington or UNSW CBD campus
Experiential Learning
This course involves work learning experiences where students work directly in or with an industry or community organisation to gain real-world experience in preparation for a future career.
Please note that CDEV3000/6000 is not self-enrolled. Students will go through a screening and video interview process. Once successful, students will be enrolled by the Experiential Learning team.
Application process
- Submit your application: Complete your application via InPlace. You can apply for up to two projects.
- Confirm eligibility: Submit your eligibility confirmation by 11:59pm on Sunday 11 October 2026.
- Recruitment process: Applicants who meet the screening criteria will be invited to attend an Assessment Centre conducted by the Experiential Learning team.
- Course enrolment: This is not a self-enrolled course. Successful students will receive an offer via email and will be enrolled in the course by Experiential Learning.
Important dates
| Applications open | Monday 14 September |
| Applications close | 11.59pm, Sunday 11 October |
| Invitation to Assessment Centre | Friday 16 October |
| Assessment Centre | There will be several Assessment Centre options available:
|
| Application outcomes and offers issued | Tuesday 3 November |
| Acceptance of offer | Thursday 5 November |
| Experiential Learning team will start enrolling students | Thursday 12 November |
Eligibility
CDEV3000 Practice of Work - undergraduate
| Credits | General education | Free elective | Final Year Synthesis | WIL | ENG IT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 UOC
| All faculties
| Some degrees | Bachelor of Commerce | Some degrees | Some Engineering degrees. For approved projects only and applied to specific degrees. |
CDEV6000 Partnered Work Project - postgraduate
| Credits | General education | Free elective | Final Year Synthesis | WIL | ENG IT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 UOC | Not available | Some degrees | Not available | Some degrees | Some Engineering degrees. For approved projects only and applied to specific degrees. |
Important:
Please be advised that Experiential Learning does not have visibility over individual students’ study progressions. As such, we are unable to confirm your eligibility to enrol in the course. It is the student’s responsibility to consult with their faculty or academic advisor to confirm eligibility and ensure alignment with their study progression and graduation requirements.
Check your eligibility:
- Self-check with myPlan
- Enquire with The Nucleus: Student Hub
No space in your program?
Submit a Course Substitution Request
Applications for Summer Term and Term 1 2027 close at 11:59pm on Sunday 11 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
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You can apply for up to two projects and indicate your preferences accordingly.
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You will be notified of the project for which you are invited to an Assessment Centre. Final placement allocation will be determined based on your performance during the Assessment Centre. Please note that participation in the Assessment Centre does not guarantee placement.
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No. Students can only participate in a single course code (CDEV3000 / CDEV6000) once.
Students share their experience
As an international student it is difficult to secure internships. CDEV3000 allowed me to gain practical work experience with industry partners that align with my career aspirations....and helped me develop valuable employability skills.
Some of the employability skills I have gained in this course are problem solving, team work, visual design and presentation skills. CDEV6000 offers practical experience like no other course does and teachers important job skills.