Avondale Policies

International Students Policy [S.16]



Where International students are enrolled at Avondale, the following additional special regulations apply prior to, during and following their period of enrolment.

 

ESOS Framework  

The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and associated legislation is the legal framework governing the responsibility of education institutions towards overseas students. Avondale College applies this framework in the development of its policies and procedures related to international students.
This framework comprises:

  • ESOS Act 2000 (as amended in 2007)
  • ESOS Regulations 2001
  • The National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (National Code 2007)
  • ESOS (Registration Charges) Act 1997 
  • ESOS Assurance Fund Act

For more information about the ESOS framework, please visit: http://aei.dest.gov.au/aei/esos/default.htm

Student visas  

International students planning to study in Australia need a passport and an Australian student visa. Visa conditions vary from country to country - see the DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) website: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm for details.  Applicants from many countries must provide evidence of English language competence. The IELTS test is the preferred English language assessment test for student visa applications. Avondale College's Enquiry and Enrolment Centre can assist with information and guidance on visa matters.

Academic load  

International students must have an enrolment load which will allow them to complete their course within the duration specified in the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) issued with their visa. This is monitored by the Avondale College International Students Officer.  Student visa holders in undergraduate courses are normally expected to be enrolled in a full-time study load (24 credit points) per semester or equivalent teaching period. Enrolment in less than this load may be approved by the Academic Registrar if:

  • there are compassionate or compelling reasons for reducing the load;
  • the reduced load is part of Avondale College s intervention strategy;
  • the student has studied, or plans to study, extra units in another teaching period because of unit offerings;
  • the student has only a few units left to complete and these do not constitute a full-time load;
  • pre-requisite units are not available in that teaching period.

Avondale College expects students to enrol in the Christian Studies units prescribed for their course. This requirement may be waived where a student has already completed similar units at another Seventh-day Adventist higher education institution.

Study by Distance Education  
In line with visa regulations, students at Avondale College who are student visa holders must not be enrolled exclusively in distance education units in any one semester or year-long teaching period, and may not complete more than 25% of their course by distance education. This is monitored by the Avondale College International Students Officer.

Academic performance  

International students must meet course progress requirements as outlined in the Avondale College "Progression Policy and Rules [A.30]".  Avondale College is required to inform DIAC if a student visa holder is in breach of course progress requirements.

Attendance at classes  

International students at Avondale College must maintain satisfactory attendance as outlined in the Attendance Policy.  Avondale College is required to inform the Secretary of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), through the Provider and International Students Management System (PRISMS), if an overseas student's attendance at classes is unsatisfactory.  Visa cancellation may result. Student visa holders must inform the Academic Office of any change in their ability to attend classes.

Overseas health insurance cover   

All student visa holders are required to have Australian Overseas Student Health Cover. Evidence of current cover must be produced before the beginning of each teaching period as a condition for continuing enrolment at Avondale College.

Change of course or course duration  

Avondale College is required to inform DIAC, through PRISMS, of any change of course or course duration by an international student. Students wishing to change the course in which they are enrolled at Avondale College must submit a 'Change of Course' form to the Academic Office.  Student visa conditions require the written approval of Avondale College to change from one course to another. If a student visa holder finishes a course prior to the scheduled completion date, he/she must either enrol with another institution within 28 days, or obtain a different visa, or leave Australia.

If it is determined that a student visa holder is not going to complete the course within the expected duration as identified on the CoE issued with the student visa, depending on the circumstances Avondale College will:

  • encourage the student to 'catch up' by taking extra units if allowed under the Student Workload overload rules;
  • take steps to issue a new CoE for the student; or 
  • if the student has deliberately enrolled in a reduced load, despite the Academic Registrar s advice to the contrary:
    - cancel the student s enrolment when the student refuses to enrol in an appropriate load; or
    - document the student's behaviour and, if the student requests an extension of duration of study, refuse to extend the CoE.

International students may apply in writing to the Academic Registrar for deferment or suspension of their studies if they have good reason for doing so (compassionate or compelling circumstances). A record of the application and determined outcome will be kept in the student's file.

Avondale College will only extend the duration of an international student's study program where it is clear that the student will not complete the course within the expected duration, as specified on the CoE issued with the student visa, as a result of:

  • compassionate or compelling circumstances (for example, illness where a medical certificate states that the student is unable to attend classes in line with the 'Attendance Policy [A.21]', or Avondale College was unable to offer a pre-requisite unit);
  • Avondale College implementing its intervention strategy for the student because he/she is at risk of not meeting satisfactory course progress in line with the 'Progression Policy and Rules [A.30]'; or
  • an approved deferment or suspension of study having been granted.

Where an international student's course duration is shortened due to granted advanced standing or credit transfer, Avondale College will:

  • if the advanced standing or credit transfer is granted before the student visa grant, indicate the actual net course duration in the CoE issued for that student for that course; or
  • if the advanced standing of credit transfer is granted after the student visa grant, report the change of course duration to DIAC via PRISMS.

Transfer between registered providers  

International students may transfer to another registered provider, provided they have completed at least six months of the course in which they are enrolled at Avondale College. A letter of release will be granted at no cost to the student.

International students may request, in writing, to transfer from Avondale College to another registered provider before they have completed six months of the course in which they are enrolled. Requests for transfer in these circumstances will be assessed by the Academic Registrar, and will be granted within 10 working days of the request being submitted, where:

  • the student has a valid enrolment offer from the receiving provider; and
  • the student, if under 18, has provided written evidence that the student's parent/legal guardian supports the transfer, and, where appropriate, written confirmation that the new provider will accept responsibility for approving a student's accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements; and
  • the course the student wishes to transfer to better meets his/her study capability and long term goals; or the student provides evidence that his/her reasonable expectations about the current course are not being met.

Students who are granted permission to transfer to another provider before completing six months in their course at Avondale College will be provided with a letter of release at no cost. The letter will advise the student of the need to contact DIAC to seek advice on whether a new student visa is required.

A request for transfer to another provider will not be granted where it is considered the transfer may be detrimental to the student because:

  • the transfer may jeopardise the student's progression through a package of courses; or
  • the student only recently commenced study in the course and the full range of support services are yet to be provided; or
  • the student is trying to avoid being reported to DIAC for failure to meet the provider's attendance or academic progress requirements.

Where a request for transfer is not granted the Academic Registrar will provide the student with a letter outlining the reason/s for the request being refused and providing information about his/her right to appeal the decision by using the Avondale College Student Grievance and Appeals Policy.

Avondale College will not knowingly enrol a student wishing to transfer from another registered provider prior to the student completing six months of his/her course at the other provider, except where:

  • either the other provider or the course in which the student is enrolled cease to be registered; or
  • the other provider has provided a written letter of release; or
  • the other provider has had a sanction imposed on its registration by the government the prevents the student continuing in his/her course; or
  • any government sponsor of the student considers the change to be in the student's best interest and has provided written support for the change.

Avondale College will maintain records of all requests from students for a letter of release.  The assessment of, and decision regarding, a request will be kept in the student's file.

Change of address  

Student visa holders must change their contact details in Student Connect within seven days of any change in their address or telephone number. If an international student fails to satisfy course requirements relating to attendance or satisfactory academic performance, the Academic Office is required to notify the student of this.  If the student's address is not up to date and the student does not receive this notice, automatic visa cancellation could occur without the student's knowledge. Such cancellation may not be revoked if it has occurred because the student failed to keep Avondale College informed of his/her address and other contact details.

Renewal of student visas  

Student visas should be renewed at least four weeks before the current visa expires. Failure to renew before the current visa expires may result in deportation.

Living Costs  
Information about living costs in Australia can be found at:

http://www.avondale.edu.au/future_students::International_Students/

 

Details



Description:

Approved By:
Academic Board

Approval Date:
30 March 2010

Upload Authorised By:
VP (A&R)

Replaces:
v4, 1 Oct 2009

Review In:
March 2011

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