Student Information
When prospective students apply to enter Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd to study, the Training Manager at AEA will assess the applicant's Application for Enrolment by taking into account the educational qualifications (either obtained in Australia or overseas), knowledge and experience of the applicant. The applicant will also be assessed to determine whether they have the required entry level competencies and English language skills (IELTS 5.5 or higher). If an applicant meets the requirements, they will be admitted to his/her course.
If an applicant cannot produce a satisfactory IELTS score, and there are doubts about the English language skills to cope in an academic environment, the applicant will be advised to enrol in an English (ELICOS) course for an appropriate duration until the student achieves an IELTS score of 5.5 or higher.
In a situation where the student can demonstrate that he or she can communicate in English, but cannot produce any formal English qualification as described above, then the student will be required to complete an IELTS test in Melbourne and achieve an IELTS score of 5.5 or higher. The participants for each program offered by the academy will be selected in a manner that reflects access and equity principles.
Satisfactory Attendance
Students are required by AEA to maintain a minimum of 80% attendance throughout the duration of their training program. Please be aware that if your attendance drops to near 80%, Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd is required to review your involvement, counsel you and, if poor attendance persists, and your attendance drops below 70%, report you to DIAC.
Should this occur, and following completion of the Appeals process, AEA will notify DIAC, which will put you in breach of your visa conditions, and you will be required to attend DIAC to discuss your attendance.
Satisfactory Progress
Students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Each semester AEA will review your progress, and as a general rule, AEA will be required to report your progress to DIAC, if you fail competencies that total more than 50% of the total number in which you are enrolled for two consecutive terms
Should this occur, and following completion of the Appeals process, AEA will notify DIAC, which will put you in breach of your visa conditions, and you will be required to attend DIAC to discuss your academic progress.
Intervention Strategies
Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd has documented intervention strategies for identifying, supporting and assisting students at risk of not meeting course progress or attendance requirements. These strategies outline procedures for contacting/counseling students at risk, strategies to assist them to achieve satisfactory course progress, and timelines of when intervention strategies are to be activated. These services are provided to the student at no additional cost.
Change of Address
Upon arriving in Australia you are required to advise Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd of your residential address and telephone number and of any subsequent changes to your residential address. This is extremely important as AEA is obliged to serve a notice at your last known address if you breach a student visa condition. It is your responsibility to ensure that you always update your address details at AEA to ensure you receive important information about your course, fees and possible breaches of your student visa.
Additional information on student visa issues is available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Internet site on www.immi.gov.au
Deferment, Suspension & Cancellation
Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd has a policy and procedure in place for deferring, suspending or cancelling a student's enrolment, whether initiated as a result of a student request or by Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd.
Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd will only grant a deferment of commencement or suspension of studies for compassionate and compelling circumstances.
Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd may initiate a suspension or cancellation of studies on the grounds of misbehaviour of a student, in accordance with AEA's Student Code of Conduct, Sexual Harassment, Workplace Bullying and Disciplinary Procedures. Students have the right to appeal any decision made by AEA in relation to suspension or cancellation of their studies.
It should also be noted that students who have been suspended for more than 28 days are required by DIAC to return to their home country, unless extenuating circumstances prevent them from so doing. Students should visit the DIAC website, contact the Help Line or visit a DIAC office for further advice.
Requests for Transfer
In line with Standard 7's intent that a student has the right of choice, it is Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd's policy to release any student requesting a transfer to another training provider prior to six months completion of their course, providing that the student has:
- Completed a Transfer Request Form
- Supplied AEA with a valid Offer Letter from another training provider
- Paid their current semester's fees in full
Complaints & Appeals Procedure
Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd has a Complaints & Appeals Procedure to provide students with a fair and equitable process for resolving any disputes or complaints they may have. The Complaints & Appeals Procedure includes a requirement that an independent mediator will be appointed at no expense to the student if the student is dissatisfied with the resolution proposed by the academy. The independent mediator will be provided through the Australian Council for Private Education & Training. Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd's Complaints & Appeals Procedure does not circumscribe a student's right to pursue other legal remedies.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd offers students recognition for skills and knowledge that they already possess. In this way, students may not need to attend all classes, but can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for some competencies. Where recognition is granted, the student may complete the course in less then the normal duration.
To apply for RPL, complete an Application for Recognition of Prior Learning Form and submit it to any Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd office. Applications should contain relevant supporting material, i.e.: Past Certificates, Results of Assessments and any industry and/or life experiences.
The application will be assessed and the applicant will be notified of the result before the intended course commences. The applicant may be required to meet with the CEO or Training Manager to discuss the application
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a health insurance you and your dependants are required to purchase as a condition of your student visa.
Under this agreement, you pay an OSHC premium for the entire length of your course with your first instalment of tuition fees. This means that you are covered from your arrival in Australia.
Please note that it is condition of your student visa that you maintain current OSHC for the duration of your visa. If you need to extend your OSHC (e.g. you fail some units and need to extend your time here), it is your responsibility to do this directly with the OSHC.
Further information can be found at www.health.gov.au
Requests for Refund
Refunds will only be considered upon receipt of a completed Refund Request Form, which may be obtained from the student's education agent (if applicable) or directly from AEA's website - www.aust-education.com.au.
All refunds will be authorised by the Chief Executive Officer, and refunds will only be considered in the following situation:
All fees and charges have been paid prior to course commencement, unless a "payment plan" has been arranged with the Chief Executive Officer.
Refunds will be refunded to the source of payment within 14 days of receipt of a written Refund Request Form, and will include a statement explaining how the refund was calculated. The following payments are not subject to refund:
- Application Fee
- Accommodation Assistance Fee
- Airport Reception Fee
| Visa refused | Full refund of tuition fees | |
| Withdrawal notified in writing and received by Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd 28 days or more prior to commencement of semester | 75% refund of tuition fees | |
| Withdrawal notified in writing and received by Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd between 0-28 days prior to commencement of semester | 25% refund of tuition fees | |
| Withdrawal notified in writing and received by Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd on the commencement date or after the semester commences | No refund of tuition fees |
This agreement does not remove a student's right to take further action under Australian Consumer Protection laws or to pursue other legal remedies. Students who believe they have been charged an incorrect fee or given an incorrect refund are entitled to dispute the decision using Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd's Complaints & Appeals Procedure.
Refunds If AEA Defaults on Providing Training
The ESOS Act requires tuition fees and application fees to be refunded in full if:
- The course does not start on the agreed starting date that is notified in the offer letter
- The course stops being provided after it starts and before it is completed
- The course is not provided fully to the student because the institute has a sanction imposed by the government regulator
Adult Learning
The Australian Education Academy Pty Ltd incorporates adult learning principles throughout the delivery of its training programs. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and to be active in the learning assessment process. Courses are designed to be interactive and involve all students in discussion and activities. Your contribution, thoughts and experiences are vital to the success of the course.
General Help for International Students
The first person to see is the Administration Manager for any student with a problem. If you have financial problems, personal problems, problems with school or anything else, the Administration Manager will be able to help you out with advice and getting you in touch with the right people.
Accommodation
The first thing to consider is deciding what type of people you want to live with and where you want to live. You can rent your own apartment, flat or house; you can share a flat or house with other people (an arrangement called “share accommodation”).
When you make a decision about where to live, you need to balance the cost of higher rents in the city areas with the lower rents and higher transport cost of living in the suburbs. There are some vacancies that you can check in the Age newspaper . Click on “property”, and then click on either “renting” or “sharing” for more information.
Another useful place is the Victorian Real Estate Agent website. This site lists real estate agents by suburb and in alphabetical order.
Part-time work
If you are holding a student visa and thinking of looking for part time work, please note that you must have work permission from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to work up to 20 hours per week.
Wageline
Wageline provides information on rates of pays and conditions of employment, award information, employee entitlements regarding annual leave, sick leave, redundancy pay, superannuation and related issues. For more information, please visit (site) or contact the office of Workplaces service- Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business .
Melbourne Branch:
8th Floor Customs House
414 Latrobe Street
Melbourne 3000
Phone: 1300 363 264
Australian Taxation Office
The Australian Taxation Office provides information on taxation and superannuation issues. For more details, please visit www.ato.gov.au or phone 132 861 for an appointment.
Applying for a Tax File Number
Tax file numbers are used by the Australian Taxation Office to identify people when they pay tax. You do not have to have a Tax File Number if you do not want one. I f you do not give your bank or employer your Tax File Number however, any income you earn (including interest on your bank account) will be taxed at a higher rate than if you had given your Tax File Number to your bank or employer.
The Administration Manager will apply online for you on the first day of commencement of your course. It can take up to 3 weeks to have the Tax File Number sent to you.
You can also apply for a Tax File Number by going to the local post office and asking for an application form. Follow the instructions on the form and you will be issued with a Tax File Number.
Remember to keep your Tax File Number in a safe place and do not disclose it to anyone other than your employer or bank. Our Administration Manager will be happy to assist in applying for Tax File Number.
Student Support Services
Support information for all students is available at www.itpaystostay.com Brochures outlining specialist support services provided are available from the Department of Employment and Training, ie: Dealing with Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Race and Religious Discrimination, coping with the stress of studying go to www.otte.vic.gov.au
