While you are studying at Atwea College, there are terms and policies that you’ll need to be aware of.
You can find these on the left-hand side menu. Please familiarise yourself with these, and contact our friendly team on [email protected].
Please click the links here to see our latest Key Organisational Dates (particularly for VET Student Loans students). It is important that you make note of these dates as they may affect your enrolment.
2023 Key Organisational Dates For Students
2024 Key Organisational Dates For Students
Date: December 2022
In all Policies and Procedures “ATWEA” should be taken to mean “Atwea College” “Workers Educational Association – Hunter” and all its associated trading names unless otherwise specified.
To view the full policy and procedure please click here:
POL-Complaints-Policy-and-Procedure
If you would like to make a complaint, please email [email protected]
In all Policies and Procedures “Atwea” should be taken to mean “Workers Educational Association – Hunter” and all its associated trading names unless otherwise specified.
PURPOSE
To inform and clarify Atwea College’s position regarding handling of personal and sensitive information it obtains about clients through its operations as a training provider.
SCOPE
This policy applies to all staff of Atwea College, whether permanent, contract or casual, and is set out to inform all students, both current, past and potential.
PRINCIPLES
Atwea College is committed to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of all students, current and prospective and therefore adhere to all legislative requirements as well as internal mechanisms to ensure this is upheld.
POLICY
Atwea College is compliant to the requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles, and Privacy Act 1988 (Cth.) (“The Act”) and its associated amendments and instruments.
Without limiting the requirements of the Act, the following underpinning commitments are made by Atwea College. The staff of Atwea College will:
- Maintain this policy to ensure it is up-to-date with legislation
- Provide this policy free-of-charge to any person who requests it
- Not collect personal or sensitive information from students unless it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, one or more of Atwea College’s functions as a training provider
- Ensure consent is obtained from students to collect and retain personal and sensitive information
Inform students of:
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- The purpose for which Atwea College is collecting the information
- The fact that we are required to collect particular information by law or Government contract
- The entities that Atwea College usually discloses personal information to
Not disclose any personal or sensitive information to a third-party unless:
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- Consent is obtained from the student to disclose the information
- Atwea College is required by law to disclose it
- Destroy information obtained from a third-party unless it is reasonable to expect Atwea College would have received that information directly, and only use that information if students have been informed of the receipt of the information
- Protect personal or sensitive information in a secure way including against loss, unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure
- Use personal information only for the purpose for which Atwea College collected it, unless students have consented for it to be used for another purpose, or Atwea College is required by law to use it
- Provide opportunity for students to ‘opt-out’ of any direct marketing instigated by Atwea College
- Ensure the accuracy and completeness of personal information obtained from students, including that records are up-to-date and not misleading
- Provide access to students to inspect personal information and associated procedure to do so (including any applicable fee)
- Not retain personal or sensitive information beyond the period of time it is required unless Atwea College is required to by law or under Government contract and the student has consented.
National VET Data Policy Privacy Notice
This notice should be read in conjunction with Atwea College’s Confidentiality and Privacy Policy and the student declaration in our Application For Enrolment form.
Why we collect your personal information
As a registered training organisation (RTO), we collect your personal information so we can process and manage your enrolment in a vocational education and training (VET) course with us. If you do not provide your personal information, we will not be able to enrol you.
How we use your personal information
We use your personal information to enable us to deliver VET courses to you, and otherwise, as needed, to comply with our obligations as an RTO.
How we disclose your personal information
We are required by law (under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (Cth) (NVETR Act)) to disclose the personal information we collect about you to the National VET Data Collection kept by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research Ltd (NCVER). The NCVER is responsible for collecting, managing, analysing and communicating research and statistics about the Australian VET sector.
We are also authorised by law (under the NVETR Act) to disclose your personal information to the relevant state or territory training authority.
Atwea College does not disclose your personal information to overseas recipients and it is unlikely that any Australian agencies, that we do disclose your personal information to, will disclose to overseas agencies.
How the NCVER and other bodies handle your personal information
The NCVER will collect, hold, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with the law, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and the NVETR Act. Your personal information may be used and disclosed by NCVER for purposes that include populating authenticated VET transcripts; administration of VET; facilitation of statistics and research relating to education, including surveys and data linkage; and understanding the VET market.
The NCVER is authorised to disclose information to the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE), Commonwealth authorities, State and Territory authorities (other than registered training organisations) that deal with matters relating to VET and VET regulators for the purposes of those bodies, including to enable:
- administration of VET, including program administration, regulation, monitoring and evaluation
- facilitation of statistics and research relating to education, including surveys and data linkage
- understanding how the VET market operates, for policy, workforce planning and consumer information.
The NCVER may also disclose personal information to persons engaged by NCVER to conduct research on NCVER’s behalf.
The NCVER does not intend to disclose your personal information to any overseas recipients.
For more information about how the NCVER will handle your personal information please refer to the NCVER’s Privacy Policy at www.ncver.edu.au/privacy.
If you would like to seek access to or correct your information, in the first instance, please contact your RTO using the contact details listed below.
DESE is authorised by law, including the Privacy Act and the NVETR Act, to collect, use and disclose your personal information to fulfil specified functions and activities. For more information about how the DESE will handle your personal information, please refer to the DESE VET Privacy Notice at https://www.dese.gov.au/national-vet-data/vet-privacy-notice. If you cannot access this notice, we can provide you with a hardcopy on request. Further information about how state or territory authorities may handle your personal information is available within the student declaration on your Application For Enrolment form.
Surveys
You may receive a student survey which may be run by a government department or an NCVER employee, agent, third-party contractor or another authorised agency. Please note you may opt out of the survey at the time of being contacted.
Contact information
At any time, you may contact Atwea College to:
- request access to your personal information
- correct your personal information
- make a complaint about how your personal information has been handled
- ask a question about this Privacy Notice
Our contact details are:
Atwea College
PO Box 1791, Newcastle NSW 2300
Ph: (02) 4925 4200
Email: [email protected]
To access Atwea College’s Confidentiality and Privacy Policy, please click here for the Terms and Policies part of our website then read the ‘Confidentiality and Privacy Policy’ section.
To view the Fee, Withdrawal and Refund Policy please click here: RTO Fee, Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Introduction
1. Tuition assurance protects students in the event a course provided by an approved VSL provider ceases to be provided after it starts but before it is completed. Affected students are offered a replacement course with another provider and where this is not possible, the students’ FEE HELP balance for the affected part of the course will be re-credited.
2. As an approved provider under the VET Student Loans Act 2016, Workers Educational Association – Hunter ABN: 61 062 580 634 ACN: 062 580 634 must be a party to an approved tuition assurance arrangement or have an approved exemption in place.
3. It is intended that, from 1 January 2018, Workers Educational Association – Hunter will be exempted from the requirement to be a party to an approved tuition assurance arrangement. Instead, Workers Educational Association – Hunter is required to comply with interim arrangements which ensure similar tuition assurance protection is provided to students.
4. This statement sets out the interim arrangements for tuition assurance that will apply from 1 January 2018 and Workers Educational Association – Hunter’s obligations from that date.
5. If any changes occur to the proposed arrangements outlined below, a revised statement will be provided on Workers Educational Association – Hunter’s website and advised to all students that have enrolled in the intervening period.
What happens if Workers Educational Association – Hunter ceases to provide a course after it starts but before it is completed?
Information for affected students
6. Workers Educational Association – Hunter will notify affected students in writing that an approved course is no longer provided within 2 business days after Workers Educational Association – Hunter ceases to provide the course after it starts but before it is completed.
7. As soon as practicable, Workers Educational Association – Hunter will also update its website to reflect that the course is no longer being delivered and to give students information about the tuition assurance arrangements.
Replacement courses
8. The Commonwealth Department of Education and Training (the Department) (or a consultant engaged by the Department) will work with affected students to identify a replacement course and arrange for students to be placed with replacement providers.
9. Replacement courses must meet the following requirements:
- the course must lead to the same or comparable qualification as the original course;
- the mode of delivery of the replacement course must be the same as or, with the student’s consent, similar to the mode of delivery for the original course;
- the location of the replacement course must be reasonable, having regard to the costs of, and the time required for, a student’s travel; and
- the student will not incur additional fees that are unreasonable and will be able to attend the replacement course without unreasonable impacts on the student’s prior commitments.
10. Affected students will be offered a replacement course and may seek a review about whether the course offered to them meets the requirements for replacement courses.
11. A student who accepts the replacement course offered will not be required to pay the replacement provider for the replacement components of the replacement course. However, the fees payable for the remainder of the replacement course may be different from the fees payable for the original course.
12. A student who accepts the replacement course offered will also receive course credits for parts of the original course successfully completed by the student, as evidenced by:
- a copy of a statement of attainment or other Australian Qualifications Framework certification document issued by the course provider or an authorised issuing organisation in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework; or
- a copy of an authenticated VET transcript issued by the Student Identifiers registrar.
13. Each affected student will have a period of six (6) months in which to accept the replacement course offer. The Department may extend that period in circumstances that justify an extension.
14. If an affected student enrols in a course that is not a replacement course, the student may be required to pay additional tuition fees, and might not receive the course credits the student would have received if the student had enrolled in a replacement course.
Re-crediting of students’ FEE-HELP balances
15. Where there is no suitable replacement course for a student, Workers Educational Association – Hunter will re-credit the student’s FEE-HELP balance for the affected parts of the original course. The amount re-credited will be equal to the amount of VET student loan used to pay tuition fees for the student for the course, or parts of the course.
Prepaid fees
16. For tuition fees paid up-front greater than $1500, Workers Educational Association – Hunter has in place payment plans to ensure that payments are appropriately staggered, and no more than $1500 advance payment of receiving educational services is made.
17. For tuition fees paid up-front below $1500, students should be aware that there is no formal protection in place and students will be responsible to seek a refund for these fees directly from Workers Educational Association – Hunter if Workers Educational Association – Hunter fails to provide the agreed services. Workers Educational Association – Hunter has in place the ‘Fee, Withdrawal and Refund Policy’ as listed on the website under its ‘Terms and Policies’ section. If the provider is under external administration, this may require the student submitting a proof of debt with the external administrator.
Record keeping
18. It is suggested best practice for students to retain assessments, records of competencies or statements of attainment that they receive from their education provider.
In all Policies and Procedures “Atwea College” should be taken to mean “Workers Educational Association – Hunter” and all its associated trading names unless otherwise specified.
Purpose
The procedure was developed to implement a fair and transparent process for prospective students to follow when applying for a relevant course with Atwea College, which accurately measures Core Skills and ensures students that have a strong chance of success are accepted into appropriate programs.
Scope
This procedure applies to all prospective students in full qualifications at Diploma level and higher. The scope includes all campuses and facilities where training is conducted by Atwea College.
Principles
It is important that students attempting to undertake qualifications at the Diploma and Advanced Diploma level are fully prepared for that undertaking. Atwea College will assess the students ‘Academic Suitability’ to ensure the student has the best chance of success.
At all times, Atwea College and potential students are required to conduct entry procedures with honesty and integrity.
Data Collection Requirements
As a part of government requirements, Atwea College is required to collect and verify information for the purposes of, or in relation to, applications by students for VET Student Loans. As such, Atwea College is required to collect and verify the following information and documents relating to a student applying for a VET Student Loan:
- information about the student’s identity and date of birth;
- if the student is under 18, information that:
- one of the signatories to the application is a responsible parent of the student; or
- the student has received youth allowance (within the meaning of the Social Security Act 1991) on the basis that the student is independent (within the meaning of Part 2.11 of that Act);
- information and documents to establish that the student meets the requirements of section 11 of the Vet Student Loans Act 2016 (relating to citizenship and residency)
- if the student has applied for, but not been issued with, a tax file number—a certificate from the Commissioner that the student has applied for a tax file number.
Academic Suitability
To assess whether a student is academically suitable, Atwea College will require all students entering full qualifications at Diploma level and higher from 2016 to undertake one of the following tasks:
- Provision of a copy of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education that has been awarded to the prospective student by an agency or authority of a State or Territory for the student’s completion of year 12, or
- Provision of a full qualification issued at AQF Certificate IV level or above, by a body registered to award the qualification under the AQF, and the course was delivered in English, or
- Mandatory Core Skills assessment online, using the Safe Work Resources VFH LLN tool (LLN Robot). In addition, Atwea College will need to be reasonably satisfied that the test was conducted authentically and that the student is displaying competency at ACSF Exit Level 3 in both reading and numeracy.
Additional Requirements for Academic Suitability
In some courses, there may be other requirements for entry, such as undergoing interviews or auditions. These are additional requirements unique to certain courses and benchmarks must be achieved in addition to the above Core Skills assessment in order to achieve Academic Suitability.
Procedure
Students who meet ‘additional’ requirements for their particular course (if any) will be provided with an ‘Academic Suitability Form’ which will ask the student to nominate the method by which they will prove Academic Suitability.
Provision of Senior Secondary Certificate of Education
Students who choose this option will be required to attach a copy of their certificate to the form and submit with the rest of their enrolment paperwork.
Provision of AQF Certificate IV or Higher
Students who choose this option will be required to attach a copy of their certificate to the form and submit with the rest of their enrolment paperwork.
Mandatory LLN Assessment Online
Students who choose this option will be invited by email to undertake the assessment online on receipt of completed enrolment paperwork. Students must complete this assessment prior to undertaking the course. Once complete, students will be notified of their results and whether they are able to progress to commencing the course. If the student is unsuccessful, they will be removed from the program and referred to Student Support Services to consider undertaking Foundation Skills training in order to prepare for entry another time.
Results
Once completed, results of students assessment will be forwarded as soon as practicable after the assessment and to the Secretary in the form, manner and by the time requested by the Secretary.
To view the full procedure please click here:
To lodge an Appeal, please use below form:
Code of practice
This Code of Practices is drawn to the attention of all prospective students. Copies of Atwea College’s Policy and Procedures Manual are available for inspection.
Atwea College will comply with the conditions of our registration as a Registered Training Organisation under the terms of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
Atwea College is a democratic, not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee and governed by a Board of Directors, membership of which is open to all students and members.
Atwea College does not discriminate against the admission of any person who seeks to enrol in our courses, providing they meet any required eligibility criteria
Recognising that access and equity in adult education involves the removal of obstacles to learning and the active encouragement of those who may wish to benefit more from education, Atwea College undertakes the following:
5.1 Assistance will be provided on request for people with disabilities through the provision of access for wheelchairs and otherwise within our capacity to assist.
5.2 Enrolments are made on a first come, first served basis determined by the payment of the appropriate advertised fee.
5.3 Enrolment staff will assist prospective students in selecting appropriate courses on request, where possible, at the time of enrolment.
5.4 Some course fees are graded to take account of people entitled to concessions and seniors’ cardholders.
5.5 Courses are scheduled as far as possible, at times that take into account the needs of students in meeting their work, family and other commitments.
5.6 Course and program information is made available to the community by means of the widest possible distribution of brochures through libraries, newspaper and online.
6.1 Atwea College maintains high professional standards in the delivery of education and training which safeguards the interests and welfare of our students.
6.2 Atwea College strives to provide a learning environment and facilities that are conducive to the safety, comfort and needs of our students and tutors.
6.3 Courses are presented by appropriately qualified and experienced tutors.
6.4 Student feedback is welcomed, to help in maintaining and improving our standards of service. In addition to course evaluation, students are invited to talk to or write to Course Coordinators or the Training Manager about their feelings – good or bad.
7.1 Atwea College follows ethical marketing procedures and seeks to avoid ambiguity, inaccuracy and inconsistency in advertising its courses.
7.2 Only ASQA accredited courses carry the NRT logo.
8.1 Assessments – All accredited courses will be assessed by competency-based assessment. Students will be assessed as competent or not yet competent in their ability to perform all of the operations/skills as set out in the learning outcomes of the course. On successful completion of an accredited course a Statement of Attainment will be issued.
8.2 Appeals against assessments – If a student is not happy with an assessment outcome, they have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal should be directed to the Adult Community Education Manager no later than seven (7) working days after the assessment has been made. A reassessment fee comprising the tutor’s fee, plus $50 administration fee, may be charged.
8.3 Recognition of Prior Learning – RPL can be obtained for all modules in accredited courses if students can provide evidence of skills, activities and aptitudes acquired through past experience that match the competencies to be achieved through the course. A fee applies for assessing prior learning.
8.4 Accredited qualifications – issued by other Registered Training Organisations will be recognised, subject to a validity check.
9.1 In line with National Privacy Principles, confidentiality is maintained in respect of all student information and records where required.
9.2 Accredited courses and students records are maintained for thirty years. Non-accredited student records are maintained for 12 months.
10.1 Accredited certificates are issued to students who are assessed as competent and are deemed to be debt free to the organisation. Certificate numbers recorded on the appropriate register.
10.2 Certificates of Attendance for non-accredited courses are issued to those who have attended at least 80% of the course. Requests for replacement certificates will only be considered up to 12 months after the course completion date and only if the attendance requirement is met.
