Admissions
enrolment process - admission requirements domestic and VTG funded students - conditions of enrolment -
academic honesty - recognition of prior learning - information release - VTG funding criteria - printable forms
Enrolment Process
1. As far as possible all applications and course enquiries will be dealt with in a timely fashion.
2. All correctly completed applications forms that do not require closer evaluation or additional information will be
“turned-around” within a period of 5 days. An Unique Student Identifier (USI) is to be generated as part of the
application process. Without an USI a student cannot be enrolled.
3. A Student Contract (Acceptance Agreement) will be signed before fees are handled and the student fully enrolled.
4. Where additional information or evaluation is required it will be requested and/or evaluated within a 5 day period.
5. Students will be formally enrolled and a student number allocated on the student induction day (Enrolment Process
Flowchart - Step 1).
6. A formal induction of students will occur prior to the commencement of their classes (Orientation - ACOT Web
site).
7. A diagram of the Student Enrolment Process which outlines the process and timelines to be followed will be
published and evaluated on a yearly basis (Enrolment Flow chart). Please see as per the link below:
8. In addition to the above, to qualify for subsidised training using funding provided by the Commonwealth and
Victorian Governments under the Victorian Training Guarantee applicants will need to satisfy the following eligibility
criteria:
Under the Victorian Training Guarantee students are entitled to enrol as a government subsidised student in a VET
level course in 2015 if they meet the following eligibility criteria:
They are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or hold certain classes of visa (please
enquire at ACOT for more details)
Evidence of citizenship/residency & age to be provided by applicants to Australian College of Trade
At least one of the following:
· An Australian Birth Certificate (not just an Extract of Birth)
· Current Australian Passport
· Current New Zealand Passport
· Citizenship or Naturalisation certificate
· Current green Medicare Card
· Signed declaration by a relevant referee
· Formal documentation issued by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship confirming
permanent residence
If the Applicant’s age is relevant to their eligibility and the document produced from the list above does not include a
date of birth:
· Current drivers license
· Current learner permit
· Proof of Age card
· Keypass’ card
· Current Passport (not Australian or New Zealand)
In order to be eligible for a Victorian Training Guarantee subsidised course (not including Foundation Skills list
Courses) during 2015 the applicant:
Must not have completed a vocational qualification that is equal to or higher than the qualification for which they are
applying
· Must not have commenced or be scheduled to commence in more than two Victorian Training Guarantee
funded courses in the same calendar year (excluding courses in the Foundation Skills category)
· Must not be currently enrolled in two or more Victorian Training Guarantee subsidised courses (excluding
courses in the Foundation Skills category)
· Has not started (commenced) a maximum of two Victorian Training Guarantee courses at the same level
within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) in their lifetime (this does not apply to Foundation Skills
list Courses)
· Is not currently enrolled in a school, including Government, non-Government, Independent, Catholic or home
school.
· Is not enrolled in the Commonwealth Government’s Skills for Education and Employment program.
Applicants for Victorian Training Guarantee subsidised courses should note that their enrolment in the qualification
as applied for at ACOT is being subsidised by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments under the Victorian
Training Guarantee. They need to understand that enrolling in the above qualification(s) may affect their future
training options and eligibility for further government subsidised training under the Victorian Training Guarantee.
Further admission Requirements for Domestic Students
Age
18 years or older at the commencement of the course
Other course eligibility & admission requirements
In order to be accepted into any of the courses offered at ACOT, all applicants must be able to demonstrate that they
have sufficient skills and knowledge as per the requirements below:
Language Literacy & Numeracy
· Student’s language, literacy and numeracy are expected to meet the levels described below.
Reading and writing
· The Student is expected be able to read, understand and write a range of texts within a variety of contexts.
Oral communication
· The Student is expected to be able to use and respond to spoken language, including some unfamiliar
material within a variety of contexts.
Numeracy and mathematics
· The Student is expected to be able to recognise and use some of the conventions and symbolism of formal
mathematics including measurement, graphs and simple statistics, use of maps and directions and an
introductory understanding of the use of formulae and problem solving strategies. Limited language
assistance will be provided in the form of modified teaching and assessment where required.
Conditions of Enrolment - Domestic and VTG funded Students
The College will enroll students, in accordance with the following conditions.
1. By accepting a student place, a student enters into a contract with the College for the length of the program
2. The policy of the College is to set fees for domestic fee paying students at competitive market rates below the
rates set for funding by the Victorian State Government under the Victorian Training Guarantee. Fees are not
expected to increase by more than ten percent in any one year.
3. All fees, charges and accounts are payable in advance, at times to be determined by the College, from time to
time. Unless the College determines otherwise, students will not be permitted to commence any course, or any study
period, until such fees and charges are fully paid.
Full refund
The Australian College of Trade Pty Ltd will make a full refund of course fees paid in the following
Circumstance:
The Australian College of Trade reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course prior to its scheduled
commencement date. In such circumstances:
• A full refund of course tuition fees will be made within 14 days of the date the course ceases to be offered by ACOT
Partial refund
The Australian College of Trade Pty Ltd will make a partial refund of tuition fees to students who wish to withdraw
provided written notice of withdrawal is received from a candidate at least 28 days prior to the initial course
commencement.
Maximum partial refund of the first term’s fees will be refunded less application fee of A$250. Where a student has
not paid the full course fees at date of withdrawal they will still be liable for 50% of the first term’s fees plus the
application fee.
No Fee refund
No refund will be paid where written notice of withdrawal is received from a candidate less than 28 days from course
commencement or once the course has commenced.
No refund will be paid to a student that seeks to transfer to another education provider prior to completion of six
months study of the principal course enrolled. Students will not be granted approval for a transfer until all fees for
which they are liable have been paid.
Should a student’s enrolment be cancelled because of infringement of the Australian College of Trade Pty Ltd’s
disciplinary Policy or for a breach of student visa conditions, no refund of current term fees will be paid.
Students who have not paid at the time of cancellation will still be liable to pay all outstanding fees
In accepting an enrolment with the College, a student agrees to abide by the College’s Code of Behaviour.
Students suspended from the College and/or course, will forfeit all fees.
Students must keep the College informed immediately they change their residential and postal address, and provide
their current telephone number. This assists in complying with education and other relevant regulations regarding
accurate student records.
Students who are absent from the College are still required to pay the fees due. If students are granted deferment
from the course that they are currently studying for a period of more than 28 days, they are not liable to pay the tuition
fees for the deferment period.
Important note: Students who are granted deferment for any period should be aware that the consequences of such
deferment will, in most cases, result in lengthening the time taken to complete the course
Full tuition fees are to be paid as agreed and in the event of failure to do so, ACOT reserves the right to withhold
academic results, certificates, services and materials. This condition also applies where a student submits an
application to withdraw from a course at ACOT after the official commencement of a study period as the tuition fees
for that study period are due and payable in advance.
The College may also take further action to recover the amount of tuition fees that continue to remain outstanding by
placing the matter in the hands of a debt collection agency.
Where a student is absent from classes and the absence is deemed to be due to illness, the student is required to
produce a medical certificate to the College’s Administration and Finance Manager within two working days. Failure
to do this may result in further charges being made for any additional assessment that may be required to achieve
competency in the units/modules affected by such absences. Further charges will be applied for any absences not
supported by medical certificates and which result in additional assessments being required to achieve competency.
Currently, the applicable charge is A$100 per unit/module for which additional assessment is required. Note: all the
above charges are subject to change without notice and students are strongly advised to regularly consult the
College’s web site for the most current information.
The College reserves the right to cancel, or defer, any course, and to alter timetables and class locations without
notice. If the College cancels, terminates, or defers any course, and is unable to offer a suitable alternative course,
fees will be refunded, or transferred to the new training provider.
The College reserves the right in every case, at its discretion, and for any reason, to alter, or not to offer, any course
before its scheduled commencement.
Any request by a student must be made in writing and signed and dated by the student. Verbal requests will not be
accepted.
Domestic and VTG funded Students must be over the age of 18 years at the time of enrolment.
Academic Honesty - College Policy
1. A student shall not engage in any activity that involves attempting to receive a grade by means other than honest
effort, for example:
2. A student shall not, knowingly, procure, provide, or accept, any materials that contain questions, or answers, to any
examination, or assignment, to be given at a subsequent time.
3. A student shall not complete, in part, or in total, any examination, or assignment for another person.
4. A student shall not, knowingly, allow any examination, or assignment, to be completed, in part, or in total, for
himself, or herself, by another person.
5. A student shall not plagiarise, or copy, the work of another person and submit it as his, or her, own work.
6. A student shall not employ unauthorized aids when undertaking course work.
7. A student shall not, without proper authorization, alter graded class assignments, or examinations, and then re-
submit them for re-grading.
8. A student shall not provide their assignments, in part, or in total, to any other student in current, or future classes of
the course. A student shall not procure, or accept, assignments from current, or prior, classes of the course.
9. Collaborating with other students to develop, complete, or correct, course work, is limited to activities explicitly
authorized by the instructor. Use of other students’ course work, in part, or in total, to develop, complete, or correct,
course work is unauthorized.
10. Each student is responsible for knowing and abiding by the College’s policies on academic and student conduct.
Any student found to be in breach of the above Academic Honesty standards, or Student Conduct policies will be
given a grade of “NYC” in the qualification or units of competency for which the breaches have occurred.
A student Committing acts that violate Student Conduct policies that result in course disruption are liable for
suspension, or dismissal, from the College.
Applying for Course Credit
Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning
Approving Course Credit via either Credit Transfer (CT) or Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a process that
allows the studies, skills and abilities achieved by an applicant to be recognised. This might include similar courses
or qualifications completed or partially completed at a different Registered Training Organisation; courses studied
informally, skills obtained during the applicant’s working life or from other life experiences. Obtaining Credit Transfer
or RPL approval will result in certain units of competency being removed from an applicant’s program because they
have already achieved competency in those areas.
All Registered Training Organisations must recognise the qualifications and statements of attainment issued by
other Registered Training Organisations. This means that students who have satisfactorily completed courses or
units of competency while studying at ACOT may be eligible for credit towards courses conducted by other
Registered Training Organisations. Students who have completed units from their course at other institutions will be
given recognition on presentation of a verified record of results and Award or Statement of Attainment.
ACOT is committed to providing up to date and relevant Course Credit information to all students at enrolment and
whilst enrolled. ACOT staff will provide timely support and guidance regarding enquiries or applications for Course
Credit for either Credit Transfer or RPL.
Where an applicant considers that they have already acquired the learning outcomes of one or more units of
competency in an ACOT course, they may formally apply to have the skills and knowledge recognised via:
a. Credit transfer
Credit Transfer for equivalent units of competency achieved at another Registered Training Organisation If
applicants have already achieved exactly the same unit of competence at another RTO, this will automatically be fully
recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) on production of an original Statement of
Attainment, Record of results or Qualification awarded by another RTO.
b. RPL (Recognition of prior learning)
RPL is based on the awareness that people learn in many different ways throughout their lifetime - through work
experience and life experience as well as through education and training. RPL takes into account a person’s skills
and experiences, no matter where these were learned, to enable people to get credit in a course of study.
All applicants may apply for course credit via credit transfer or recognition of prior learning either prior to or following
the commencement of their enrolment.
Procedure
Applicants seeking approval for Course Credit via Credit Transfer (CT) or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will
be provided with a copy of the Provide Course Credit-Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning policy and
procedure (AS6003) as well as a copy of AS0015 Application for Credit Transfer/RPL. The application form is
designed to assist applicants in the process of gathering evidence and demonstrating competence.
Applicants will be approved for Course Credit as follows:
Credit Transfer -Providing Credit for Previous Studies
1. Applicant submits AS0015 Application for Credit Transfer/RPL together with copies of Statements of Results
and/or attainment and completion documents from their previous academic studies relevant to the course/units for
which course credit via credit transfer is being sought. Credit transfer should only apply to units of competency that
are equivalent as per each unit’s elements and performance criteria.
2. Director of Studies or nominated trainer/assessor will assess the competencies achieved by the applicant in their
previous studies. If required, the applicant will be advised if they are required to provide additional information for the
application to proceed.
3. Once an application has been assessed a report will be provided, outlining either of the following:
a. Credit Transfer(s) approved.
Equivalent units of competency will be approved and these units will be shown as competent with the code of Credit
Transfer-CT. Student Administration will update the applicant’s data to show CT against each approved unit within
the WISENET student management system. Trainer/assessor will update the applicant’s training plan accordingly.
Course duration will be adjusted by deducting the training hours of units approved for CT.
OR
b. Credit Transfer(s) not approved.
Units of competency are not equivalent and cannot be provided with Credit Transfer. Training plan will remain the
same as prior to the application.
Recognition of Prior Learning-Providing credit for previous education and/or work/life experience
1. Applicant submits AS0015 Application for Credit Transfer/RPL together with copies of Statements of Results
and/or attainment and completion documents from their previous academic studies, Resume/CV and other evidence
relating to work/life experience and employer and workplace references. Evidence supplied must be sufficient and
relevant to the course/units of competency for which RPL is being sought. Each applicant must also submit the RPL
checklist for assessment.
2. Director of Studies or nominated trainer/assessor will assess the competencies achieved by the applicant in their
previous studies and evaluate the relevancy of their work and life experience. If required, the applicant will be
advised if they are required to provide additional information for the application to proceed. Where an applicant is
unable to provide sufficient relevant evidence the application will not proceed. The Director of Studies will advise the
applicant accordingly.
3. Assessment of RPL application includes satisfying the following criteria in addition to reviewing and
assessing the applicant’s previous academic qualifications:
a. Formal interview with the applicant discussing work and life experience relevant to the course/units of
competency for which RPL is being sought
b. Resume/CV and written references
c. Visit to the applicant’s work place to verify Resume/CV. Meet the applicant’s employer, supervisor(s),
colleagues and referees. Observe the applicant in their work place during one or more work shift
d. Assign and observe the completion of practical assessments designed to address any skill gaps required to
achieve competency
e. Conduct written and/or oral testing to address any knowledge gaps that are required in order to achieve
competency
4. Once an application has been assessed a report will be provided, outlining either of the following:
a. Recognition of Prior Learning approved.
Units of competency in which the applicant has satisfied all of the above will be approved and these units will be
shown as competent with the code of Recognition of Prior Learning-RPL. Student Administration will update the
applicant’s data to show RPL against each approved unit within the WISENET student management system.
Trainer/assessor will update the applicant’s training plan accordingly. Fees will also be rebated to reflect the
reduced training required.
OR
b. Recognition of Prior Learning not approved.
Units of competency have not been completed satisfactorily and cannot be provided with Recognition of Prior
Learning. Training plan will remain the same as prior to the application.
Application Fees
Applications for Credit Transfer will be processed without cost. The rebate for approved units is calculated as
follows: (course cost, divided by the total number of tuition hours, multiplied by the tuition hours of the approved
units).
RPL applications attract a fee of $200 per unit assessed. The rebate for approved units is calculated as follows:
(course cost, divided by the total number of tuition hours, multiplied by the tuition hours of the approved units). The
charge of $200 per unit remains for non-approved units, which is added to the course cost
· Please note: VTG funded students cannot be granted RPL approval by the Australian College of
Trade
Outcome of approval
If the applicant accepts the outcomes of the Credit Transfer/RPL assessment then a record of the outcomes is
signed by both the trainer/assessor and the student and placed on the student’s file. Student administration will
ensure that WISENET is updated to reflect the units approved for either Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior
Learning.
Appeals
Each applicant has the right to appeal ACOT’s decision if they believe the decision is unfair, unjust or if the evidence
has been misinterpreted. If the applicant does not accept the outcome of the Credit Transfer/RPL assessment they
have the right to appeal against the assessment decision and to have their assessment reviewed. Applicants must
lodge Credit Transfer/RPL appeals in writing with the Director of Studies within 10 working days of being notified of
the outcome of their Credit Transfer/RPL application.
ACOT will commence processing the appeal within 10 working days of receiving an appeal application and will
advise the applicant as quickly as practicable of the outcome. Only one appeal is allowed per Credit Transfer/RPL
application.
For an appeal regarding the outcome of an application for Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning the
Director of Studies will constitute and convene a new Credit Transfer/RPL panel.
The original Credit Transfer/RPL application form, together with any supporting materials and documents, assessor
notes, records of interviews, records of client outcomes, letters of advice, logs or agreements will be retained in a
hard file by the Director of Studies.
Release of information to third parties and privacy
The information provided to the College by students will be treated with the strictest of confidence, and will only be
released to third parties where there is a legal and/or regulatory requirement to do so. The College is obligated, in
such circumstances, to provide student information to government agencies, either under a legal requirement, or for
such purposes as the collection of statistical and survey data. Students are made aware of this in the Acceptance
Agreement which they are required to sign.
Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 & the Victorian Training
Guarantee
Students can access information relating to the standards that ACOT is measured against in terms of the quality of
education it provides to its students at
For the Victorian Training Guarantee students can access information on funding requirements at