student handbook...
Welcome
Our vision is to provide Australians and our Asian Neighbours with the opportunity to have safer and healthier workplaces and communities
We will ensure that all participants at the Australasian College of Health & Safety receive the highest quality training, We intend to offer students flexible learning opportunities in as many subjects as possible.
The Australasian College of Health & Safety ensures all relevant Commonwealth and State legislative and regulatory requirements are followed.
Our qualified staff are very experienced in the subject they will deliver and assess. They wish for you to succeed in the learning you undertake and welcome you to discuss any aspect of the course or college with them.
This handbook will tell you what you need to know about the College, and what or how we operate in a learning relationship with you.
On behalf of the staff and of the College I welcome you and I trust that your time with us will be an enjoyable, profitable and a highly professional experience. I look forward to meeting with you and I welcome you to the Australasian College of Health & Safety.
Norm Osmand, Director
Legislation
The College acknowledges and advises students that it complies with all relevant legislation including:
- Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000 *
- Vocational Education, Training and Employment Regulation 2000 *
- Privacy Act 1998 (Commonwealth) **
- Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 *
- Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 *
- Racial Discrimination Act 1975 *
- Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth) **
- Queensland Disability Services Act 1992 *
- Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 *
- Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 *
* To view this Legislation please go to www.legislation.qld.gov.au
** To view this Legislation please go to www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/comlaw.nsf/
previewlinks?OpenView&Count=9999&RestrictToCategory=LEGISLATION
Staffing
The policy of the college is to use trainers/assessors who have demonstrated high level of knowledge and skill in theory and practical application, and possess a demonstrated high level of instructional and assessment ability.
The college will comply with the ‘Human Resource Standard for the Vocational Education and Training System in Queensland’ and when applicable the ‘Minimum Human Resource Guidelines to Teach First Aid in Queensland’
All trainers will hold Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training as well as qualifications for the subject to be delivered at least equal to, preferably higher, than the level being taught.
Qualifications of trainers are subject to verification by the issuing body.
Our staff have knowledge of our access and equity policy and are committed to applying the policy in a fair and equitable manner.
Enrolment Policy
The College will endeavour to enrol all students who apply to the College and who meet the enrolment criteria. To ensure optimum study conditions, the College sets a quota of students for each course, having due consideration to the venue and type of course, and this quota will be adhered to.
Enrolment procedure:
Training Provider’ software will be used for storage of all records associated with a scheduled course.
Upon receipt of a students enrolment form the information on the form will be entered into ‘Training Provider’ and the enrolment form filed in a ‘course file’. You will receive confirmation of your enrolment and the conduct of the course.
Other Qualifications
The College will recognise AQF Qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by other RTO’s in accordance with the AQF Mutual Recognition Policy. Students wishing to gain credits for courses are required to provide the Director of Studies with certified copies of Qualifications or Statements of Attainment. Credit will only be viewed once you have enrolled.
Access & Equity Policy
Purpose:
In the past there were often barriers that prevented certain individuals within the community having access to education and training. Access and Equity implies that everyone has the opportunity to successfully gain skills, knowledge and experience through education and training.
Australasian College of Health & Safety continually reviews it commitment to access and equity by ensuring that training and education:
- Is accessible to everyone
- Is inclusive
- Is meeting student needs
- Is meeting industry and community needs
- Supports students with different and diverse needs
- Celebrates diversity
The College’s Access & Equity Policy is disseminated to all staff and students. Access and equity for the vocational education and training system in Queensland is based on the application of the following principles:
- Equity for all people through the fair and appropriate allocation of resources and involvement in vocational education and training
- Equality of outcome with Queensland’s vocational education and training for all people, without discrimination
- Access for all people to appropriate quality vocational education and training programs and services
- Increased opportunity for people to participate in vocational education and training and in relevant decision making processes within the vocational education and training system
Policy:
Australasian College of Health & Safety will meet the needs of individuals through the integration of access and equity guidelines. The College will ensure that equity principles for all people are implemented through the fair allocation of resources. The College will increase opportunities for people to participate in the vocational education and training system.
All students will be recruited in an ethical and responsible manner and consistent with the requirements of the curriculum or National Training Package. Appropriately qualified staff will assess the extent to which the applicant is likely to achieve the stated competency standards and outcomes of the course, based on their qualifications and experience.
Literacy & Numeracy Policy
Australasian College of Health & Safety will endeavour to enhance effective participation by all adults in vocational education and training, in the workplace and the community, through increasing access to quality English language, literacy and numeracy programs and services.
The College will provide opportunities to identify different language, literacy and numeracy needs. People with language, literacy and numeracy difficulties will be given assistance to access organisations that can provide appropriate programs.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Purpose:
The purpose of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for the Australasian College of Health & Safety is to ensure that an individual’s prior learning achieved through formal and informal training, work experience or other life experiences is appropriately recognised.
Objectives of RPL:
- To increase access to RPL by individuals
- To ensure that RPL is an integral component of the assessment of an individual's eligibility for an award.
- To ensure that procedures for RPL incorporate a range of valid and reliable techniques designed to accurately assess competencies held.
- To promote 'non-traditional' (other than classrooms/workshop based) learning processes as valid pathways to competency achievement and recognised training outcomes.
Any student who considers they are able to satisfy, prior to enrolment or after having commenced the course, the requirements of a particular Unit of Competency and consider they have grounds to substantiate their competency then that student may be granted exemption from, or credit towards, a Unit of Competency on substantiation of their claim.
The College ensures that reliability and validity across applications for an RPL is maintained through its benchmarking procedures.
The student has the right of appeal under the College’s Complaints and Appeals Policy.
Fees & Charges
The College strives to keep fees at an affordable level. Cost of course and the fee structures will be reviewed at the end of each year, or as otherwise deemed necessary, and adjusted in line with competitors pricing and the Consumer Price Index. The full cost of each course is as stated in the current Australasian College of Health & Safety Course Schedule or course brochure/flyer.
Students must make full payment, or provide a purchase order, prior to the commencement of all courses.
Methods of payment:
- Cash
- Cheque, bank cheque or money order
- Internet Banking
All payments are to be paid direct to the College.
Receipts showing student name and/or name of payer, amount paid (written, and in numerals), date of payment, and administrative staff’s signature will be issued for all cash payments.
Payment by other methods, and cash payments, will be recorded in the companies accounting software package.
Cancellation & Refund
- Should a cancellation of enrolment be advised more than 10 working days prior to the course, the student will be automatically enrolled into a future equivalent course, or may request a full refund.
- Should a cancellation of enrolment be advised within 3–10 working days prior to the course, no refund is applicable. The full fee will be credited towards other Australasian College of Health & Safety training and must be used within 12 months by the enrolled student, or nominated and approved substitute, or it will be forfeited.
- Should a cancellation of enrolment be advised less than 3 working days prior to the course no refund is applicable. Should the student wish to have the fees paid credited to another course offered by the College, a non-transferable fee of 20% of the full course fee is charged to cover incurred administration costs. The remaining 80% will be credited towards other Australasian College of Health & Safety training and must be used within 12 months or it will be forfeited.
- When a non-attendance occurs (i.e. the course has started and no notice was given) NO REFUND or transfer is applicable and the entire cost of the course will be due and payable in full.
- Enrolment is accepted on the basis that the College will not be held liable for costs incurred due to course cancellation or rescheduling. The College will use all endeavours to give as early advice as possible of any course changes.
- Cancellation policies for specific course may apply to override this general policy.
- Any course subject to a Proposal has service cancellation and postponement conditions.
- Course dates and fees are subject to change without prior notice.
- Students who have a complaint with the application of this policy may take action in accordance with the Complaints and Appeals Procedure.
Assessment & Issuance of Qualifications Policy
The College issues a Statement of Attainment to students that have met all requirements for the course they have undertaken. Courses that are Nationally Recognised are consistent with the Australian National Training Authority’s (ANTA) prescribed policy and with the Training and Employment Act 2000.
In order to achieve a statement of attainment students are required to have completed all the necessary assessment and evaluation procedures as prescribed by the College for any particular Unit of Competency. By so doing, students can be assured that they comply with the requirements of the course and the assessment and evaluation competencies as prescribed.
The College will issue a statement within 10 to 14 days from the date of completion.
Assessment for a statement of attainment will at all times be by demonstration of competency in any given area of study or within a Unit of Competency. Grades will not be given. Students will be assessed as EITHER:
- “C” = Competent
- “NYC” = Not Yet Competent
- “I” = Incomplete
The Complaints and Appeals policies makes it possible for any student to appeal a decision on any assessment provided by the College and he/she can be assured of a fair and equitable hearing on the matter.
A Complaints and Appeals Form must be completed and submitted before the formal process of reviewing the assessment can commence.
Assessment & Evaluation Strategies:
The College will employ a variety of assessment instruments to assess your competency. These include, but they are not limited to:
- Observation strategies
- Role plays
- Scenarios
- Seminars
- Individual Activities
- Written Tests
- Presentations
- Discussion techniques
- Individual Projects
- Group Projects
- Assignments
- Actual Practice
- Demonstrations
- Skill tests
- Micro Teaching
- Q & A Testing
- Brochure Construction
- Multiple Choice
- Examinations
- Poster presentation
- Planning Skills
- Video Skills
- Case Studies
- Program Construction
- Workshop Demonstrations
- Video Skills
- Computer Skills
- Oral Presentations
- Photographic Displays
Moderation:
In circumstances where a particular course, or courses, is conducted at a number of different venues by more than one trainer, then the assessments for that course will be subjected to moderation by a panel of trainers who would normally present that course.
Moderation will involve each trainer providing a selection of assessments from one or more courses for peer review and evaluation. Where the moderation identifies a variation from best practice assessment by any trainer then the college will initiate corrective action.
- Moderation will occur annually.
- Assessment records will be kept in accordance with the policy ‘Assessment Records’.
- Students may also access their records in accordance with the same policy.
Statement of Attainment
Students who partially complete a course, or undertake professional training may be eligible for a statement of attainment. This statement of attainment may be able to be used as a credit towards other courses.
Complaints and Appeal Policies
The College has a fair and equitable process for resolving disputes, complaints and appeals. Should a satisfactory resolution not be reached internally then the College staff will advise students of the appropriate legal body where they might seek further assistance and advice.
Further, the College will honour all guarantees outlined in the Code of Practice. We understand that should we not meet the obligations of this Code or the supporting regulatory requirements, we may have our registration as a training provider withdrawn.
Concerns and Complaints:
Any student who feels they have a genuine complaint or concern about any aspect of the College, its structures, staff, courses or Units of Competency has the right to have their concerns heard fairly and impartially.
Student Procedure:
In the first instance all complaints, or concerns should be discussed with the lecturers or personnel most closely associated with the complaint.
Should the complaint still remain unresolved one week from the discussion with the person(s) as above then the student is urged to discuss the matter in a non-threatening environment with the College Director. Should resolution still not be effected, then an appropriate outside professional will be consulted.
If the complaint is in relation to assessment then students are referred to the procedures applicable for such matters under the Appeals Policy below.
Note: The decision provided does not limit the student’s rights to exercise their legal options or to contact the relevant Government Department for advice. A list of appropriate referral agencies and Government Departments can be obtained from reception.
Assessment Appeals Policy
Policy Statement:
Students who do not agree with the results of their assessment or practicum evaluations have the right of appeal.
Procedure:
Before lodging any appeal, the student should approach the tutor/lecturer to discuss their concerns. That staff member, if requested to do so, must then review the decision clearly identifying the candidate’s reason for the appeal, and clarifying why particular decisions were made regarding the assessment and how they were arrived at.
Should there still be substantive areas in dispute, the lecturer should guide the candidate in completing the Complaints and Appeals Form.
The Complaints and Appeals Form (available from Reception) must be completed and lodged no later than two weeks from the date the assessment was originally received by the student. All evidence from both sides of the dispute must then be included and an independent assessor will be consulted. The College Director will be notified.
The independent assessor’s decision will be forwarded to a panel of professionals from inside and from outside the College. Their decision is final.
NB. This decision does not limit the complainant’s rights to exercise their legal options or to contact the relevant Government Department for advice. A list of these can be obtained from the office.
Disciplinary Action
When an event occurs that college staff believe warrants the student being disciplined the process will be as for a complaint, except that in the first instant the student and staff member will seek a meeting with the College Director. If the matter is not resolved the staff member will initiate the next step of the complaint procedure.
Management
The College will utilise operating procedures which address the requirements of the Australian Quality Management Standard ISO 9001:2000.
- The components of the Quality management system include:
- The Companies Quality Policy Statement
- Responsibility statements for the Companies employees
- Defined Measurement and Evaluation Process to measure performance
- An outline of Review and Improvement Process
- The ‘Training Provider’ records management system
Advertising
Australasian College of Health & Safety will follow the Training Recognition Council’s Advertising Policy for the Vocational Education and Training System in Queensland.
Australasian College of Health & Safety
- Advertisements are clear, accurate and not misleading
- The organisation only advertises recognised training for those qualifications/courses it is registered to deliver
- Nationally recognised qualifications are identified separately to others
- The names/titles of qualifications and or accredited courses are advertised accurately
- The Nationally Recognised Training Logo is used only with nationally recognised qualifications/courses which the registered training organisation is registered to deliver.
The following terminology will be the only terminology to be used to acknowledge national/state recognition:
- Nationally Recognised Training
- Training Recognition Council Recognised Training
- Registered by the Training Recognition Council to issue the following qualifications.
At no time will the words “Government Accredited” or “Government Registered ” be used in advertising.
Students At Risk
The College recognises that some students may require additional help for their studies and practice. Such students can expect additional professional and academic assistance from staff.
Student Feedback
You, the student, can assist our college in the process of continuous improvement. We ask you to give positive or negative feedback to our staff about any aspect of your relationship with us. We would appreciate you doing this in writing.
You are important to our future and we hope we are an important part of your future.
Good Luck
index...
- Legislation
- Staffing
- Enrolment Policies
- Other Qualifications
- Access & Equity Policy
- Literacy & Numeracy Policy
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Fees & Charges
- Cancellation & Refund
- Assessment & Assurance of Qualifications
- Statement of Attainment
- Complaints and Appeals
- Assessment Appeals Policy
- Disciplinary Action
- Management
- Advertising
- Students at Risk
- Student Feedback
