Standard 6 - Student Support Services

Document Currently Under Review

Current Status: Sent For Approval - with Sponsor 19 December 2022

Student Support and Orientation for International Students Guidelines

Policy Code: SS1581

Purpose
Implementation

Purpose

Standard 6 of the National Code 2018 requires the University and our partner providers to support the University's international students in adjusting to study and life in Australia, to achieving their learning goals and to achieving satisfactory progress towards meeting the learning outcomes of their programs.

The guidelines list information to be made available to students and suggested different ways it can be disseminated to students at orientation and during their period of study as a University international student.   The information provided to students and source of information is not limited by the guidelines.

Topic Source of Information for Students Comments
Academic Progress and Rules Research Services/School orientation presentation, School/school handbook, website
  • Must include information on exclusion from program and the cancellation of enrolment.
Attendance requirements including programs where non attendance is reportable. Orientation presentation, School orientation presentation, School handbook, website
  • HE and VET students cannot be reported for non-attendance.
  • English and Academic Preparation students can be reported for non-attendance.
Availability of student support in the transition to life and study in a new environment Students advised at orientation, handbooks, noticeboards, website of support staff contact details and availability times.
  • Support – academic and welfare available on campus at no additional cost to the student.
  • Welfare/academic support services should, but not be limited to, provide support in regard to personal issues, home sickness, accommodation, program progress and attendance requirements.
  • Academic support services to assist students’ program progress can include: a study skills centre, supervised study groups, tutorial support assistance and student mentors.
Change of Address Orientation presentation, Research Services/School orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, website.
  • Students will be advised of process for changing address.
  • Change address by students via Campus Solutions - Self Service to ensure timely updates.
Deferring, Suspending or Cancellation of Enrolment by student Orientation presentation, School/Research Services orientation presentation,handbook/student guide, website
Deferring, Suspending or Cancellation of Enrolment by University Orientation presentation, School/Research Services orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, website
  • Students will be advised that the University can cancel or suspend enrolment for misbehaviour which includes non-payment of fees (students have an opportunity to appeal to Student Discipline Committee) and cancel enrolment due to not meeting academic progress rules (students have an opportunity to appeal via University appeal processes).
Email communication via FedUni student email account Orientation presentation, School/Research Services orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, website.
  • Information will advise students that all official communication from the University including communication in regard to a student's academic progress will be sent to the student's University email account.
  • Information can also be sent to student's preferred email address in addition to student's university email account.
  • Communication by email may also be required to be sent by hardcopy via Australia Post.
Emergency & Health Services Orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, student diary, safety cards, website.
  • Information is to be location specific.
ESOS Framework Website
Facilities and resources Orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, website. 
  • Information should include hours teaching location is open and availability of computer labs, library, lunch room etc.
Handbook/student guide Containing information to assist student to settle in Australia which can be referred to during the student’s time enrolled as a University student.  Contains generic information that would relate to all students no matter what University program they are studying. Can be available in either hard copy or electronically.
Late arrivals Orientation
  • All students not present at orientation sessions will receive the same information as provided to students present at initial orientation sessions.
  • Record of students present at orientation and late arrivals will be kept to ensure all students receive the information.
  • Can be available electronically for late arrivals.
Legal Services Orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, student diary, website. 
  • Information to be location specific
Library rules Orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, student diary, website.
  • Students will be advised of the rules for borrowing books, including textbooks.
Monitoring program/course progress Orientation presentation, , School/Research Services orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, School/school handbook, website.
  • Students will be advised that their academic progress will be monitored and where necessary an intervention strategy will be put in place.
Safety Information Orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, student diary, safety cards, website. 
School Handbook Can be available in either hard copy or electronically.
  • Current year school handbook should be available to all students.
Staff member who is the official point of contact for student support services Orientation, handbook/student guide, notice boards, website.
  • Staff member must have access to up-to-date details of support services available to the students at teaching location.
Student agent feedback Student is provided with an opportunity to give feedback on their agent.
  • Can be completed during orientation
Student feedback -general Orientation, handbook/student guide, notice boards, website
  • Students will be given opportunity to provide feedback on all aspects of their time as a University student.
Student program & teacher feedback Via eVALUATE.
  • Students will be advised at Orientation that they will be asked to complete evaluations throughout their program.
Student’s rights and responsibilities Orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, flyer, notice board.
University Complaints & Appeals processes Orientation presentation, handbook/student guide, school handbook, student diary, website

Implementation

The Student Support and Orientation for International Students Guidelines will be implemented throughout the University via:

  1. an Announcement Notice through the University Policy - ‘Recently Approved Documents’ webpage to alert the University-wide community of the approved Guidelines;
  2. inclusion on the University Policy, Procedure and Forms website; and/or
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Approval Authority: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global and Engagement) Original Issue 28/04/2010
Policy Sponsor: Manager, International Student Services Current Version: 10/11/2020
CRICOS Provider Number 00103D Review Date: 23/11/2020
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12151 Provider Category: Australian University
RTO Code 4909 Policy Code SS1581