RPL\Credit Transfer - International Students
Uncontrolled copy if printed
Purpose
To provide a mechanism to manage Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer for international students
at TAFE Queensland Gold Coast.
Scope
This policy applies to all staff and students involved with RPL and Credit Transfer for international students.
Policy
TAFE Queensland Gold Coast will:
1
prior to accepting a student or an intending student for enrolment, provide current information for acceptance into
a course, including the minimum level of English language proficiency, educational qualifications or work
experience required and if RPL or Credit Transfer is applicable.
2
provide course credit to the student where he/she is able to demonstrate appropriate and sufficient evidence
relevant to the qualification being studied.
3
where course credit is granted and leads to shortening the student’s course, TAFE Queensland Gold Coast shall:
a. if course credit is granted before the student visa is granted, indicate the net course duration (as reduced by
course credit) in the confirmation of enrolment issued to the student for that course, or
b. if the course credit is granted after the student visa is granted, report the change of course duration via
PRISMS under section 9 of the ESOS Act; and
c) provide the student with a personalised timetable for the period the course credit is effective.
maintain accurate course credit records within the student’s file.
4
The student shall:
1
be made aware of the course credit policy available at TAFE Queensland Gold Coast; and
2
action any course credit opportunities promptly to ensure compliance with the student’s visa requirements.
Definitions
Course credit
Exemption from enrolment in a particular part of the course as a result of previous study,
experience or recognition of a competency currently held. Includes academic credit and
recognition of prior learning (TNC, 2007, p. 26).
PRISMS
The Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS) is the
system used to process information given to the Secretary of Department of Education by
registered providers.
RPL
Recognition of Prior Learning
Documentation and references
FM-003 International Student Record File (Industry Division)
FM-011 Corporate Induction Checklist
FS-065 Facts for Staff National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and
Training to Overseas Students (The National Code) 2007
FS-064 Facts for Students National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and
Training to Overseas Students (The National Code) 2007
Education Services for Overseas Students Act No. 164 of 2000, and up to amendment No. 70 of 1 July 2007
Education Services for Overseas Students Regulations 2001, and up to Statutory Rules No. 96 of 1 July 2007
Education (Overseas Students) Act 1996, and up to Reprint 3 of 9 November 2007
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Education (Overseas Students) Regulations 1998, and up to Reprint 3A of 1 August 2008
Migration Act No. 62 of 1958, and up to Amendment No. 85 of 22 September 2008
Migration Regulations, 1994, and up to Statutory Rules No. 26 of 1 March 2006, Schedule 8 Visa Conditions, Visa
Condition 8202
The National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas
Students (The National Code) 2007
Compliance reference
Anti-Discrimination Act 1991
AS ISO 10002—2006 Customer satisfaction – Guidelines for complaints handling in organisations
Disability Standards for Education 2005
Education Services for Overseas Students Act No. 164 of 2000, and up to Amendment Act No 70 of 1 July 2007
Education for Overseas Students Regulations 2001, and up to Statutory Rules No. 96 of 1 July 2007
Education (Overseas Students) Act 1996, and up to Reprint 3, 9 November 2007
Education (Overseas Students) Regulations 1998, and up to Reprint 3A of 1 August 2008
General Retention and Disposal Schedule for Administrative Records
Migration Act No. 62 of 1958, up to Amendment No, 85 of 22 September 2008
Migration Regulations 1994, and up to Statutory Rules No. 268 of 1 March 2006
Privacy Act 1988
The National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to International
students (The National Code) 2007.
Compliance requirements
EDUCATION SERVICES FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS ACT NO. 164 OF 2000, AND UP TO AMENDMENT ACT NO 70,
COMPILATION 1 JULY 2007
PART 5 THE ESOS ASSURANCE FUND
Division 5—Calls on the Fund
Section 77A Fund Manager may ask provider of new course about academic credit or recognition of prior learning
(1) This section applies for the purposes of enabling the Fund Manager to work out:
(a) whether subsection 77(1A) applies to reduce the amount payable out of the Fund because:
(i) since undertaking a course (the old course) to which a call made on the Fund relates, the student concerned has been
enrolled in another course (the new course); and
(ii) the work required of the student in undertaking the new course is reduced on account of the student’s work in undertaking
the old course; and
(b) the amount of any reduction of a payment out of the Fund under subsection 77(1A).
(2) The Fund Manager may request a registered provider whom the Fund Manager believes has enrolled the student in the new
course to inform the Fund Manager within a specified reasonable period:
(a) whether the provider has enrolled the student; and (ESOS Act, 2000, p. 47).
EDUCATION SERVICES FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS REGULATIONS 2001, AND UP TO STATUTORY RULES NO 96
COMPILATION 1 JULY 2007
PART 3 OBLIGATIONS ON REGISTERED PROVIDERS
(5) For paragraph (3) (c), a credit transfer agreement must:
(a) be in writing; and
(b) be made between the provider (original provider) for the course (original course) and another provider (alternative provider)
who provides a suitable alternative course to the original course; and
(c) be made before the agreed starting day of the original course; and
(d) provide that the alternative provider will accept an application by an accepted student of the original provider to transfer to the
alternative course if the original provider is unable to provide the original course or the part of the original course; and
(e) provide that, if the accepted student of the original provider completes the part of the original course, the part and the grade
awarded for it by the original provider will be recognised by the alternative provider as if:
(i) the part of the course were provided to the student by the alternative provider; and
(ii) the grade were awarded by the alternative provider; and
(f) provide that no additional amount is payable to the alternative provider for the part of the course for which course money has
been paid to the original provider (ESOS Regulations, 2001, p. 24).
(3A) A provider satisfies this subregulation if:
(a) before the provider advertises that it will accept payment in arrears for an existing course provided by the provider, the provider
gives to the Secretary a statutory declaration to the effect that it will:
(i) notify intending overseas students that any tuition fees payable for a student to undertake a part of a course provided by the
provider are payable after the student has completed the part of the course; and
(ii) enter into tuition payment in arrears agreements with students; and
(iii) have a current credit transfer agreement in place prior to the commencement of the course; and
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(b) the provider acts in accordance with tuition payment in arrears agreements with students. (ESOS Regulations, 2001, pp. 24-25).
THE NATIONAL CODE OF PRACTICE FOR REGISTRATION AUTHORITIES AND PROVIDERS OF EDUCATION AND
TRAINING TO OVERSEAS STUDENTS (THE NATIONAL CODE) 2007
Standard 2 – Student engagement before enrolment
Outcome of Standard 2
Registered providers recruit students in an ethical and responsible manner and provide information that enables students
to make informed decisions about studying with the registered provider in Australia. Registered providers ensure
students’ qualifications, experience and English language proficiency are appropriate for the course for which enrolment
is sought.
2.1 Prior to accepting a student, or an intending student, for enrolment in a course, the registered provider must provide, in print or
through referral to an electronic copy, current and accurate information regarding the following:
a. the requirements for acceptance into a course, including the minimum level of English language proficiency, educational
qualifications or work experience required and whether course credit may be applicable (TNC, 2007, p. 12).
Course credit may be granted to students able to demonstrate appropriate prior learning or experience. In the interests of ensuring
students are fully informed, registered providers are to give students a copy of the course credit for their records. Where course
credit is granted, the duration in which the student is expected to complete the course must reflect any consequent reduction in the
period of study (Standard 12) (TNC, 2007, p. 19).
Standard 12 – Course credit
Outcome of Standard 12
Registered providers appropriately recognise course credit within the ESOS framework.
12.1 Where the registered provider grants course credit, the registered provider must:
a. have documented procedures for the granting and recording of course credit, and
b. provide a record of the course credit to the student, which must be signed or otherwise accepted by the student, and place
it on the student’s file.
2.2 If the registered provider grants the student course credit which leads to a shortening of the student’s course, the registered
provider must:
a. if the course credit is granted before the student visa grant, indicate the actual net course duration (as reduced by course
credit) in the confirmation of enrolment issued for that student for that course, or
b. if the course credit is granted after the student visa grant, report the change of course duration via PRISMS under section
9 of the ESOS Act (TNC, 2007, p. 23).
NEW REGISTERED PROVIDER APPLICATION, OFFICE OF NON-STATE EDUCATION (ONSE)
A registered provider must have a written policy in relation to overseas students who have previously completed another relevant
course in Australia or who have been enrolled in such a course but have not completed it.
The policy must state that the provider will only enrol a student who has completed another relevant course (a course provided by a
registered provider and listed on the CRICOS) if the provider is satisfied that:(a)
the student had demonstrated a commitment to studies in that previous course; and
(b)
had a good attendance record for that course; and
(c)
had paid all the fees required for that course.
The policy must also include that, for a student who has not completed a previous course, enrolment will only be considered if the
student can produce a letter of release from the previous registered provider attesting to the three matters stated above.
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