Policies & Procedures - Student Info - Permaculture College Australia

Refund Policy

The following refund policy will apply if an accepted place is cancelled before the course commences or if a student withdraws enrolment during the course.

The Enrolment Application Fee, where levied, is non-refundable and will be deducted from any refunds specified below;-

· If a student cancels a confirmed enrolment because of exceptional and compassionate reasons such as the death or severe illness of a member of their immediate family, a full refund of fees paid will be made.

· If a student withdraws before the starting date of the course, 90% of the semester’s prepaid tuition fees will be refunded.

· If a student withdraws within the first eight weeks of the course, 50% of the semester’s prepaid tuition fees will be refunded.

· No refund of monies paid will be made if a student withdraws after the eighth week of the course.

· A student will be liable for any outstanding unpaid course fees due at the time of withdrawl in accordance with the above terms.

In cases where the venue defaults and is unable to provide a course after formal acceptance and payment by the student, 100% of the semester’s prepaid tuition fees will be refunded.

Assessment

Permaculture College Australia is committed to ensuring reliable, flexible, fair and valid assessments that meet the regulations of relevant training packages and accredited courses.

Reliability: All assessments are applied consistently and there is a standard interpretation of evidence used in these assessments.

Flexibility: Assessments will be available at PCA campus and in the workplace, or a combination of both. Assessments can be made through Recognition of Prior Learning applications. PCA ensures all assessments allow for flexibility regarding how, where and when competencies are assessed.

Fairness: Assessments will not, under any circumstance, disadvantage any student.

Validity: Assessments will always meet the specified requirements of the Unit of Competency. Sufficient relevant evidence will always be collected in making assessments.

Evidence gathering methods commonly used in Erda Institute Incorporate assessments include, but are not limited to:

Evaluation of the finished product
Demonstrations
Questioning
Role-plays
Oral presentations
Audio/visual presentations
Projects/assignments
Written tests
Skills portfolios
Case studies
Workplace performance
Portfolio/log book

Appeals and Complaints Procedures

Complaints may be about:

PCA trainers and support staff, especially regarding assessments, contact, delivery techniques and general. Administration issues during training.
Other students, people and organisations
The behaviour of and/or matters relating to other students

Appeals can be made:

Against decisions made by the RTO

The Complaints Process

In the first instance, students are encouraged to raise their complaint with the person(s) concerned, should they feel comfortable in doing so. Stakeholders are encouraged to seek a satisfactory resolution in a spirit of goodwill. However, should they be unable or unwilling to make this contact, or if their complaint cannot be solved satisfactorily, then it is recommended a formal written complaint be lodged, by completing the Complaints Form and submitting it to the relevant person/authority.
All parties to client complaint will be informed of the specific allegations made and be given the opportunity to respond, including the opportunity to formally present their case. A strict code of confidentiality will be applied during all stages of the process, with information being provided to people only on a “need to know” basis. All stakeholders will be provided with timely information of scheduled meeting times so that no one will be disadvantaged. Each appeal will be heard by an independent person or panel.
PCA will respond to complaints within seven working days, wherever possible. If the complaint is unusually complex and/or involves allegations of misconduct, a resolution should be reached within fifteen working days, wherever possible, of the correct lodgement of the Complaint Form. If a resolution is not possible within this time frame, the complainant will be informed of the situation.
If the complaint is not resolved, the student can then appeal directly to an independent person. The final written decision will be confirmed in writing to all parties.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Arrangements and Mutual Recognition

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) ensures previous learning and developed skills are recognised, and valued, regardless of how, when or where they have been acquired.
RPL is available on application in all VTE courses offered by Erda Institute Incorporated.
There are two main forms of Recognition of Prior Learning.

• Non-identical training

A student is recognised as having attained the skills and knowledge required in a Unit of Competency through other training, with an educational institution and/or industry organisation.

• Work experience and/or life experiences

A student is recognised as having attained the skills and knowledge required in a Unit of Competency, through work experience (informal training) and relevant life experiences.

The Process of Applying for Recognition of Prior Learning

Application:

Students complete the Student Application Form for RPL available from the Venue \ Trainer.

Providing Evidence:

Students must show clearly they are currently competent in the relevant Element(s) within the Unit. They can use assessment criteria to help determine their eligibility. Evidence could include:

Transcripts of formal qualifications
Formal statements of attainment
Job descriptions of previous and current positions
Supporting letters from professionals and skilled tradespeople

The completed Application Form & Report are to be returned to the Trainer. Students must keep a copy of this form.

Assessment:

The RPL judgement is made by qualified APT assessors at PCA.

Review:

All applicants have the right to appeal in writing for re-assessment if they believe the initial decision was incorrect. This review will be made by an independent person.

Mutual Recognition

As part of our Mutual Recognition policy, PCAs Registered Training Organisation (RTO) recognises fully and automatically the assessment decisions, Statements of Attainment and Qualifications issued by other RTO's in any State or Territory of Australia, on production of the official original Certificate or Statement of Attainment. Equally, a Statement of Attainment or Qualification issued by PCA’s RTO will be recognised by all other RTO's in any State or Territory of Australia

Access and equity

PCA supports the national equity strategy by pursuing equity principles in all our programs. Therefore all students have equal access to all programs irrespective of their gender, culture, location, socio-economic status or physiological disability. They all have equal access to achieve meaningful outcomes in the VTE programs.
The only restrictions could be where a program has a strictly limited number of positions . In such cases, all efforts will be made to develop alternative study programs for the student.

Student Behaviour

        Students have a responsibility to behave appropriately including showing respect towards other APT students, staff and clients. Harassment of any nature will not be tolerated.
        Students are expected to attend and participate in training sessions as required by the program coordinator. Valid reasons with relevant documentation should be provided for non-attendance.
        APT Deliverers will expect that the use and handling of tools, machinery and equipment will be carried out in a safe and proper manner according to OHS guidelines.
        Mobile phones are to be switched off during training sessions unless by prior agreement.
Students unable to meet the above requirements will be referred to the program coordinator for counselling.

Continued disregard for these guidelines may result in referral to the RTO, APT and/or PIL management for further action. Any behaviour in breech of the law will be referred to the relevant authority or police.