Copy of International Student Handbook
- Andrew Read (Unlicensed)
Refund Policy
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC Insurance)
All international students studying in Australia must have Health Insurance Cover whilst they reside in Australia as part of their visa requirements. The cost of Health insurance in Australia will vary according to provider and the level of cover.
Once accepted into your course and provided with your Confirmation of Enrolment, you can speak with our staff members who will be able to provide you with the details of insurance companies that we regularly deal with who will help organise cover. If organised through our Strategix, the fees for this insurance cover can be added to your course fees, alternatively, you could investigate options yourself. A useful website that may help you is www.oshcaustralia.com.au. If you organise the insurance cover yourself then you will be responsible for the payments and you will be required to provide us with a certificate demonstrating cover prior to commencement of your studies.
OSHC insurance is designed to cover you for up to 100% of the fees for most medical services in Australian Hospitals and for an ambulance. Students may wish to take out additional insurance coverage for dental services, Chinese medicines or alternative therapies.
Visa Requirements
As an international student studying in Australia you must satisfy the requirements of your student visa.
This includes but is not limited to:
Maintaining your overseas health insurance cover
Payment of all course fees as they become due and maintaining your financial viability
Maintaining satisfactory course progress
Informing Strategix of any change of address or contact details whilst you are studying with the college
Maintaining attendance in line with Strategix’ Student Attendance Policy
Not working more than 40 hours per fortnight whilst study is in session and full time during semester breaks.
Should Strategix become aware of a breaches in visa requirements, we are required to notify the Department of Home Affairs of the breach. This may/can lead to the cancellation of your visa.
English Language Proficiency
You must have sufficient English language proficiency, educational qualifications or work experience to enrol in the course with Strategix. The full details surrounding English Language Proficiency are outlined in Strategix’ English Language Proficiency Policy and Procedure.
Learner Support Services
Strategix Trainers and Support Officers provide students with real time assistance for any learner support needs. Students are required to disclose all needs that may impact their learning and participating prior to commencement of training.
Our staff are always happy to help you whenever possible. If you are facing problems of any kind, please do not hesitate to contact a support officer or your Trainer. We encourage you to take advantage of the support facilities available before any problems become an issue. These services are designed to help resolve issues which may stand in the way of you successfully completing your course, these services include free access to our trained and experienced Counselling advisors.
Student Support Services can be reached on (07) 3207 9950 and include:
Counselling, which is confidential and appropriate, carried out by a qualified, trained professional
Academic support
Emergency and health related support
An orientation program and induction program to help you acclimatise to your new location
Career and further education pathway advice and support
Internal systems and technical support
Administration support
Cultural support and education including language and communication
Employment seeking advice and support.
As well as Strategix support services being available to you, in Brisbane there is a dedicated non-Government support agency for international students based in South Bank. The Brisbane Student Hub is a free, welcoming support service for international students offering independent advice on healthcare, employment, budget management, legal services and more as well as linking students to events and activities. Check out more details on their website.
The Training and Assessment Process
At Strategix we ensure the training and assessment of all students is fair and non-discriminatory. We ensure the Principles of Assessment (including: fairness, flexibility, validity and reliability) and the Rules of Evidence (including; validity, sufficiency, currency and authenticity) are part of our assessment system and followed at all times.
There are four main steps in the process:
Enrolment, Induction and Orientation
Develop Training Plan
Training and Assessment Activities
Completion and Qualification
Enrolment, Induction and Orientation
A representative from Strategix or an education agent can assist you with your enrolment. You will be provided with information about Strategix and your training options. In order to commence the enrolment process you must complete an enrolment form and return it to Strategix.
The first step in your assessment journey with Strategix happens during your enrolment. These enrolment form provides Strategix with the necessary details to determine:
Suitability for the course of study
Your personal details, including contact information
Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning that may be awarded
Required learner support services.
After you have submitted your enrolment application:
Strategix makes a decision to accept you into the course
You will receive a Letter of Offer and Acceptance Agreement
You will need to complete/return the Letter of Offer and Acceptance agreement, pay any due fees and include any additional documents
Strategix will provide you with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
You can then apply for your Student Visa (use the provide the CoE as evidence of your spot in the course)
You need to provide Strategix with a copy of your Student Visa
You then show up for your Induction and Orientation day with Strategix.
See the International Student Enrolment Procedure for more details.
Develop Training Plan
A training plan is a formal document which outlines how, when and where training and assessment will occur. It can be used as a guide to monitor your progress towards achievement of the qualification. Once developed, the training plan is signed off by your trainer/assessor, your supervisor/employer (if applicable), and yourself.
Training plans are reviewed on a regular basis throughout the course of study to ensure effectiveness and validity of the subject selection and monitor the progress of your qualification. The reviews are generally completed every 2 – 4 months dependant on the funding source, contract requirements, client requirements and student progress.
Training and Assessment Activities
Training (Delivery)
The most important part of your time spent with us is your participation in training and education, without it, you will not be prepared for or able to, undertake your assessments. Prior to and in preparation for assessment, Strategix will provide you with all required learning materials and training.
As a learner you will have a Training Plan (AKA course schedule) which outlines how, when and where training and assessment will occur during your course. Your Training Plan includes the minimum learning you require to be ready to participate in your assessment/s. During your course, the training you will participate in may include:
Scheduled contact hours:
Face to face classes,
Course-related information sessions,
Supervised study sessions,
Mandatory and supervised work-based training (Vocational Placement),
Assessment sessions
Online tutorials (domestic students).
Self-paced study.
You must prepare yourself for your assessment by attending any education facilities (if applicable) and accessing the learner guides, resources and equipment.
Where applicable, Strategix ensures all resources, items, locations and facilities are available to you and/or are ready for your use during the assessment period. Please Note: If Vocational Placement is part of your course, it is your responsibility to organise your own placement host. Prior to assessment, your trainer will inform you of assessment requirements and expectations and provide you with your assessment materials.
We will ensure that an effective learning environment is maintained at all times. The environment will be characterised by:
An effective training-learning relationship and rapport between workplace trainer/assessors and students
Teamwork, communication, feedback and cooperation between all involved
Openness, honesty, trust, respect and supportiveness
Sufficient time (to practice and understand the content of the course)
Quality training and assessment materials
Appropriate facilities, equipment and resources
Flexibility in training and assessment methods to meet your needs
Ensuring all trainers have the requisite training and technical skills, experience and attitudes
Consultation with industry regularly to ensure that:
Our training and assessment continues to meet industry needs and standards
Materials and strategies are aligned with industry through consultation with companies, industry associations and government
Our trainers’ experience is current through participation in industry release programs.
Assessment
In line with competency-based training methodology, assessment will be progressive, with an emphasis on demonstrating competence and practical application of skills and knowledge.
How you will be assessed and what the assessor will be looking for will be made clear to you at the beginning of each subject. Assessment due dates are communicated by the trainer/facilitator where required. You must ensure you keep copies of all assessment tasks; you may be required to resubmit at a future date.
When it comes time to complete your assessments, you must demonstrate competence through successfully meeting the requirements of each assessment to an acceptable level. You may encounter a range of assessment methods from the following table:
Method | Instructions/Guide |
These are knowledge-based questions which are to be completed on the assessment tool provided. You may either, provide brief or detailed responses, answer with multiple choice or by filling in a form.
For Short Answer Questions: You may use the learning materials or other information sources (open book), to help you formulate your responses/answer Follow any specific instructions given in the questions Make sure you attempt all questions before submitting the assessment If all questions are not completed satisfactorily, you will receive another attempt. | |
Case Studies | Case studies are knowledge- and/or skills-based questions. This assessment method requires you to analyse a case study and answer a series of questions and/or complete workplace forms.
For Case Study Questions: You may use the learning materials or other information sources (open book), to help you formulate your responses/answer Make sure you attempt all questions before submitting the assessment Once submitted, you will not be able to edit your responses If all questions are not completed satisfactorily, you will receive another attempt. |
Skills Observations | Skills observations are practical tasks that the assessor must observe you performing in a simulated or actual workplace. A simulated workplace is an environment that reflects real workplace conditions. An actual workplace is a location where the student is currently working in or a location that currently operates in the relevant industry.
For Skills Observations: Read all instructions and requirements of the skills observation before you begin. This will include any tasks you will be required to complete, any resources and equipment you must have access to, as well as any time constraints Your assessor will observe your performance of the required skills If all skills or tasks are not performed satisfactorily, you will be given another attempt. |
Projects | Projects are knowledge and/or skills-based tasks or questions. You will be required to research and analyse information to complete the tasks/questions and/or complete workplace forms. The instructions outlining what you need to do, are written at the start of the assessment.
For a Project: You may use the learning materials or other information sources (open book), to help you with the project (make sure you reference all sources) Make sure you read all instructions and requirements of the project before you begin You may need access to specific software as outlined in the assessment task and a computer or laptop Once submitted, you will not be able to edit your responses If all questions and/or tasks are not completed satisfactorily, you will receive another attempt. |
Role Plays | Role plays are practical tasks based on a scenario that the assessor must observe you performing. Role plays are performed in a simulated workplace environment that meet assessment conditions.
For Role Plays: Make sure you read all instructions and requirements of the role play before you begin. This will include any tasks you will be required to complete, any resources and equipment you must have access to, as well as any time constraints You will be assigned a role to perform, and others may be needed to perform other roles Your assessor will observe your performance of the required skills If all skills or tasks are not performed satisfactorily, you will be given a second attempt. |
Work skills Verification | The Work Skills Verification Form gathers information from your supervisor, mentor or another suitable person, to verify that you can apply the workplace skills and knowledge required to complete the subject.
For Work Skills Verification: Make sure you read all the tasks and instructions before you begin You must give the form to your supervisor/mentor to complete You must arrange a time with you supervisor/mentor to ensure that they can observe you performing the task in the workplace Once submitted, you will not be able to edit your responses If the form is not completed satisfactorily, you will receive another attempt.
The Work Skills Verification Form must be completed by a person who has suitable knowledge of the subject being performed. |
Vocational Placement | Vocational Placement (VP) is the mandated workplace placement. It includes specific work tasks/activities that must be completed in an actual workplace (not in a simulated environment). Employed students may complete the Vocational Placement assessment activities within their workplace as part of their usual tasks and role.
For your VP: Make sure you read all the tasks and instructions before you begin You must complete all the tasks as outlined in the project and task log. Ensure you use all the information provided. You must have access to any required equipment and documents to complete the tasks You may use any information source to help you work out your responses Each response must meet specific VP requirements to be deemed satisfactory.
For more all information surrounding VP please refer to the Vocational Placement Student Guide. For information regarding the rights of a Vocational Placement student access the Fair Work website. |
Recognition of Prior Learning | In order to apply for RPL, you need to: Notify us of you desire to apply for RPL during enrolment Read through the RPL Information Sheet and complete the skills test – this will help you identify if you are able to provide sufficient evidence and/or if you feel you can meet the RPL conditions before you are taken through the RPL assessment process Provide payment for RPL – After which you will receive the RPL Kit Obtain and submit all supporting evidence along with your RPL Kit to Strategix and wait for it to be assessed. The assessment process will be completed in line with the “Marking Assessments” section of this guide. |
Credit Transfers | In order to apply for CT, you need to: Notify us of you desire to apply for CT during enrolment Provide us with a copy of your Qualification, Statement of Attainment or USI Transcript Strategix will verify the authenticity of the evidence provided. Refer to the Credit Transfer Policy and Procedure for more information. |
When formulating your responses and/or participating in your assessment activities, you need to be sure that you respond in a way that matches the level of the course you are undertaking. For example, if you are undertaking a Diploma level qualification, your responses to questions would require more detail and be held to a higher standard than responses to questions in a Certificate III qualification. Your learning and assessment material will drive your responses and if you do not quite meet response requirements, the assessor will provide feedback and allow you to attempt the question again.
Many elements of your training and assessment with Strategix will be through the use of electronic means (enrolment form, learning materials and assessment materials/methods inclusive), therefore it is important for students to have sound computer skills. In the campus and at schools, students will have access to devices in order to complete their assessment. When studying online, students must have a suitable device to complete their course.
Marking Assessments
Before an assessor will mark your assessment/s you must have, where applicable:
Completed all assessment parts
Provided all required evidence (attachments, templates, vocational placement record books, etc.)
Securely attached any paper attachments to the assessment tool and labelled with at least your name and the subject code and name
Recorded all responses (including verbal responses recorded by assessor where applicable)
For observations, recorded assessment conditions
Signed all areas requiring signatures (yours or your mentor/supervisor)
Correctly recorded any dates.
When marking your assessments, the assessor will follow a marking guide which contains a range of model answers and set requirements for student responses to questions. This ensures your assessment is marked fairly and consistently.
Assessment may take up to 14 days to be marked.
Assessment Outcome
You can only gain competence (or pass) a subject once all assessment parts for that subject are marked as satisfactory. You can see your course progress through the assessment platform (electronic) or through your Record Book (paper based).
If you withdraw, or your enrolment is cancelled, you cannot be awarded a final outcome for any subject which has outstanding assessment parts or failed attempts.
Working with Children Check and Police Check
Some courses require students to perform a Working with Children Check (Blue Card in Qld) or a National Police Check in order to complete the Vocational Placement component of the course requirements.
Please note that by signing the Blue Card Application form you are consenting to the screening process. It is an offense for a ‘disqualified person’ to sign a blue card application form or renewal form.
In order to assist the student, applications may be submitted on the student’s behalf, all results and outcomes of the checks will remain confidential.
Completion and Qualification
Once you have been deemed competent in all relevant competencies and your Training Record Book or Assessment Book has been signed off, you have completed the qualification. You will receive your certificate from Strategix within 30 days of completion and finalisation of payment.