Assessment | Resources for International Students

Welcome to your Understanding Australian Workplace Cultures Assessment

Which statement best describes culture?

Culture is constantly changing at a societal level and at an individual level.

Culture is constantly changing at a societal level but stays constant at an individual level.

Culture is constantly changing at an individual level but stays constant at a societal level.

Culture does not change at an individual or societal level.

According to Edgar Schein’s model, which level of an organisation’s culture include visible elements such as images and brands, office arrangement and staff dress?

Assumptions

Values

Artifacts

According to Geert Hofstede’s theory, which dimension of culture measures the extent to which members of the group are integrated and responsible for each other?

Power Distance

Individualism versus Collectivism

Masculinity versus Femininity

Uncertainty Avoidance

Which of the following statements best describes Australian society?

It is very uniform and easily represented by a single Australian identity

It is quite diverse with a significant portion of Australians born overseas

Which of the following best describes Australian culture in terms of power distance?

There is an acceptance of power distance with a strict adherence to hierarchies

There is a rejection of power distance with hierarchies used merely for convenience

Students preparing to enter a WIL activity in Australia should expect to interact with

__________.

Only people from their own culture

Only people who were born in Australia

People from many cultures and backgrounds

Naziha has begun her placement in an Australian workplace. She has some questions for her supervisor about the role. Select the best advice you could you give her.

Wait for your supervisor to ask if you have any questions.

Ask your supervisor as many questions as possible so they know you are inquisitive.

Check three sources before asking your supervisor so they don’t feel you are wasting their time.

Ask your supervisor, but say you are asking on behalf of somebody else.

You WIL experience can help you to become a __________ citizen who is aware of the world, has a sense of their role in it and respects and values diversity.

Local

Regional

National

Global

Fair treatment is protected by the Fair Work Ombudsman for ___________.

Paid WIL activities only

Unpaid WIL activities only

Both paid and unpaid WIL activities

Hyun-Joo is participating in an unpaid WIL activity. He also has a part-time job at a local café to help support him. Regulatory frameworks are in place to ensure he is treated fairly _________.

Only during his unpaid WIL activity

Only during his paid part-time job

Both during his unpaid WIL activity and his part-time job

Neither during his unpaid WIL activity nor his part-time job

Australian workplace laws protect the rights of which workers?

Anybody working in Australia regardless of their visa type

Australian citizens and permanent visa holders only

Only workers who are employed by a government agency

Only workers with employment contracts stating their rights

Raharjo is offered an unpaid internship that is not approved by his university as a requirement of his course. What should he do?

He should decline the internship because it is does not meet the legal criteria for a vocational placement

He should accept the internship because any experience is worthwhile

He should accept the internship only if nothing better comes along

Under which type of employment would you work on an hourly basis with no regular or set hours and be paid only for the hours you work?

Full-time

Part-time

Casual

Volunteer

After her WIL activity, Qing would like to find a job in the same industry where she will work an average of 38 hours a week, be paid for the full week and receive entitlements such as paid annual leave. What type of employment is she seeking?

Full-time

Part-time

Casual

Volunteer

During his WIL activity, Uzi notices an air conditioner unit is leaking water onto the floor where it could cause an injury. What should he do?

Report the situation to his supervisor immediately

Nothing since it is not his responsibility

File an official report with the Fair Work Ombudsman

Wait until his last day to mention it to avoid any negative consequences

If you are asked to perform a task at work that you feel is unsafe, what should you do?

Perform the task without mentioning your concern

State your concern, then perform the task

State your concern and refuse to perform the task

Perform the task, then report your supervisor to the Fair Work Ombudsman

What should be at the centre of your WIL experience?

Impressing your supervisor

Earning money

Learning

Getting credit

While communication and management styles vary across Australian workplaces, most supervisors expect employees to ____________.

Ask for help and discuss challenges

Speak only when spoken to

Call them sir or madam

Wait for them to leave the office before finishing for the day

On Chichi’s first day at her WIL activity, her supervisor tells Chichi that she has an ‘open door policy.’ What does this mean?

Employees can arrive and leave at whatever times they wish

Employees can approach the supervisor for discussion whenever they have a question or issue

Employees must remain at their desks whenever the office door is open

The front door should remain open at all times for proper ventilation

The use of slang in Australian workplaces is _____________.

Always unacceptable

Fairly common, especially during social exchanges

Most common in formal workplaces such as government bodies

Only acceptable for managers and supervisors

Domas is at a work celebration where alcohol is being served. He does not wish to drink alcohol. What should Domas do when a co-worker asks if he would like a glass of wine?

Politely decline

Accept the offer and just pretend to drink the wine

Accept the offer and drink the wine

Excuse himself and avoid future gatherings where alcohol is served

Work-related social events are ___________.

Generally a waste of time

Frowned upon by management and should be avoided

A good way to get to know your colleagues

Mandatory and should be attended from start to finish

Viện is experiencing high levels of stress while juggling WIL with his studies and multiple other commitments. He is experiencing headaches and having trouble sleeping. What should he do?

Ignore the symptoms until they go away

Stop attending classes to focus on his WIL activity

Quit his WIL activity to focus on his studies

Seek out support and practice self-care

What should you do if you are unable to attend your WIL activity due to an illness?

Skip the activity and explain why when you return

Advise your WIL supervisor via phone and email

Advise your WIL supervisor in person so they can see you are ill

Arrange for another student to take your place for the day

What should you do if you think you are being bullied or exploited during your WIL activity?

Have a confidential discussion with your WIL mentor or university coordinator

Leave and find another WIL activity

Quietly tolerate it and hope it stops

Try to find a way to get back at the person who is bullying or exploiting you