VET FEE-HELP POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Transcription

1 VET FEE-HELP POLICY AND PROCEDURES STUDENT SELECTION AND ADMISSION POLICY AND PROCEDURES Date Approved: 1/04/ Scheduled Review Date: 1/12/ Policy Category: Policy Owner: Administration RTO Manager 1. Purpose 1.1 This policy and procedure ensures that student application and selection processes at Training and Education Programs Australia (TEPA) are fair, equitable and transparent and that all students and applicants can be advised and treated in a fair and equitable manner. 2. Scope 2.1 This policy applies to all students and applicants at Training and Education Programs Australia that are, or would be, entitled to VET FEE-HELP assistance under clause 43 of Schedule 1A of the Act. 3. Definitions 3.1 Census date: the last day a student may withdraw from a VET course of study in which they are enrolled without incurring liability for tuition fees 3.2 Applicant: Refers to all customers of Training and Education Programs Australia seeking to enrol in or enquire about a VET unit of study that meets the course requirements under the Act who are, or might be, entitled to VET FEE-HELP assistance. 3.3 Students: Refers to all persons enrolled in a unit of study who are, or might be entitled to VET FEE-HELP assistance under clause 43 of Schedule 1A of the Act 3.4 The Act: Refers to the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) 3.5 VET course of study: a qualification that has been approved by the Department of Education as eligible for VET FEE-HELP Assistance VFH Student Selection and Admission Policy & Issue date April Review date December Version no 2.0 Authorised By: General Manager Document control management Uncontrolled when printed Page 1 of 6

2 3.6 VET FEE-HELP: refers to an income contingent loan scheme for the Vocational Education and Training sector (VET) that is a part of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP); to assist eligible students undertaking a VET course of study 3.7 VET unit of study: a published unit of study that forms part of a VET course of study. 4. Statement of Policy 4.1 Training and Education Programs Australia ensures that it provides an open, fair and transparent selection and admission procedure for all students or applicants seeking to enrol at Training and Education Programs Australia. 4.2 Students or applicants seeking to enrol in a VET unit of study with Training and Education Programs Australia, regardless of their background, circumstances or eligibility for funding will be assessed for admission through the same published entry requirements and through the same processes. 4.3 The above paragraph does not prevent Training and Education Programs Australia from taking into account any educational disadvantages that a particular student or potential student has experienced before making a decision regarding student selection. 4.4 Training and Education Programs Australia will ensure that prior to enrolment all applicants have access to information regarding the course, training, assessment, services and VET FEE-HELP provided by Training and Education Programs Australia to enable them to make an informed decision about the suitability of the course and the facilities in meeting their individual needs. This information will be included in the Course information brochure and made available on the website. 4.5 Training and Education Programs Australia will recognise and remove systemic barriers to learner access and participation and ensure admission procedures promote inclusion and are free from unlawful discrimination. 5. Selection 5.1 Wherever possible, Training and Education Programs Australia will attempt to accommodate admission for all eligible applicants. 5.2 To gain entry into a course at Training and Education Programs Australia, all students and applicants must satisfy eligibility criteria and meet specific course requirements. 5.3 Selection will be in accordance with stated/advertised course entry requirements, including any pre-requisites where applicable. Course entry and any pre-requisite VFH Student Selection and Admission Policy & Issue date April Review date December Version no 2.0 Authorised By: General Manager Document control management Uncontrolled when printed Page 2 of 6

3 requirements will be made available in the Course information brochure and prior to enrolment to ensure flexibility and unbiased consideration of all applicants. 5.4 Course requirements or pre-requisites are determined by the RTO Manager and Training Manager, and approved by the General Manager. 5.5 In instances where it is identified that there are limited places available for admission or enrolment, Training and Education Programs Australia will implement a merit based selection process. 5.6 Selection processes are applied fairly and openly, and recognize that there are a number of ways to arrive at a competent outcome. 5.7 Applications will be sought from eligible students and the selection process will be based on one or more (but not limited to) the following methods as applicable to the program of study: formal academic qualifications Aptitude or specific knowledge tests Interviews Portfolios Work experience or skills acquired through work experience Referees reports Informal learning 5.8 Where demand exceeds the number of places available in a course, applicants who meet minimum entry criteria will be ranked on merit and offered a place in order of rank. 5.9 Selection criteria and principles to be utilised, when applicable, will be communicated at time of enquiry or via the website or Course information brochure Training and Education Programs Australia ensures that suitably qualified staff and/or agents assess the educational background of students or applicants seeking to enrol where applicable Training and Education Programs Australia will not apply any income tests when assessing applications for our courses or programs. 6. Student eligibility requirements 6.1 Successful meeting of the relevant course pre-requisites and entry requirements does not mean that the applicant is automatically eligible for VET FEE-HELP assistance VFH Student Selection and Admission Policy & Issue date April Review date December Version no 2.0 Authorised By: General Manager Document control management Uncontrolled when printed Page 3 of 6

4 6.2 To be eligible for VET FEE-HELP, a student or applicant must: meet the citizenship or residency requirements; and be a full fee-paying student or a subsidised student in an eligible state or territory as referred to in the VET Guidelines; and have a FEE-HELP balance greater than zero and has not exceeded the FEE- HELP limit; and be enrolled in a unit that meets the course requirements; and be enrolled in the unit/s on or before the census date and remain enrolled at the end of the census date; meet the tax file number (TFN) requirements and have completed, signed and given to an appropriate officer of Training and Education Programs Australia a Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form on or before the census date. 6.3 Training and Education Programs Australia is responsible for determining if a student is eligible for VET FEE-HELP. It is also Training and Education Programs Australia s responsibility to collect information from students to assess student eligibility. 6.4 Training and Education Programs Australia must comply with privacy requirements when handling personal information and has a dedicated Privacy Policy in this regard. 6.5 When a student has been incorrectly assessed as eligible for VET FEE-HELP, Training and Education Programs Australia may have to repay the Commonwealth any VET FEE-HELP amount provided for the student. 6.6 Students or applicants are advised to refer to the Australian Government Study Assist Web site at and the current year VET FEE-HELP information booklet for more information about Australian Government assistance and student eligibility. 7. Procedure for admission into a VET FEE-HELP eligible course 7.1 Applications for admission into a VET FEE-HELP eligible course or unit of study at Training and Education Programs Australia must be submitted using the appropriate forms. 7.2 The student or applicant will be sent a Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form to complete along with the current year s VET FEE-HELP information booklet 7.3 No VET FEE-HELP enrolment will take place until a formal assessment and approval of the application has taken place VFH Student Selection and Admission Policy & Issue date April Review date December Version no 2.0 Authorised By: General Manager Document control management Uncontrolled when printed Page 4 of 6

5 7.4 For Training and Education Programs Australia to determine eligibility for VET FEE- HELP assistance the applicant must provide Training and Education Programs Australia with: A completed Course Application Form either a Tax File Number or a Certificate of Application for a Tax File Number certified copies of citizenship evidence such as a birth certificate; or Australian passport a completed Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form available from Training and Education Programs Australia. 7.5 Applications for admission into a VET FEE-HELP Course of Study must be sent or returned to Training and Education Programs Australia, 425 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn East, VIC 3123, where it will be directed to the RTO Manager to facilitate equitable and fair assessment of the applicant s eligibility and grant approval to the applicant s admission. 7.6 The RTO Manager will offer the applicant any Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) opportunities and in conjunction with the Training Manager, will assess each application against qualification entry requirements and arrange for an interview if required. 7.7 Applicants will be selected on merit taking into account entry requirements and any applicable pre-requisites. 7.8 The RTO Manager will inform the applicant of the outcome of their application in writing. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed of their rights to appeal. 7.9 The RTO Manager will send successful applicants an Advice of Enrolment letter (plus enrolment form), inviting the applicant to enrol. Note: Applicants must not be enrolled into a VET FEE-HELP enabled course until a confirmation of enrolment letter has been sent from the RTO Manager and the applicant has accepted the offer of enrolment The RTO Manager will maintain a register of VET FEE-HELP applications sent to students or applicants 7.11 The RTO Manager checks the applicant has enrolled within the nominated timeframe and received information about VET FEE-HELP assistance, census dates for the VET Units of Study that make up their course Where students or applicants are dissatisfied with the process or outcomes of the student selection and admission process they are entitled to lodge a grievance with Training and Education Programs Australia. Training and Education Programs VFH Student Selection and Admission Policy & Issue date April Review date December Version no 2.0 Authorised By: General Manager Document control management Uncontrolled when printed Page 5 of 6

6 Australia s approach to grievances is outlined in the Grievance Policy and. 8. Publication 8.1 This VET FEE-HELP Student Selection and Admission Policy and Procedure will be made available to students enrolled or applicants intending to enrol with Training and Education Programs Australia through publication on the website and in written form through the VET FEE-HELP application, enrolment and/or course induction process for all potential and enrolled VET students. 9. Related policies and procedures 9.1 Fair Treatment, Equal Benefits and Opportunity Policy and 9.2 Grievance Policy and 9.3 Privacy Policy and 9.4 Statement of VET Tuition Assurance 9.5 Student Review and Re-Crediting 9.6 VET Fee Payment Policy 9.7 VET Tuition Fee Refund Policy VFH Student Selection and Admission Policy & Issue date April Review date December Version no 2.0 Authorised By: General Manager Document control management Uncontrolled when printed Page 6 of 6