Code of Conduct

The acceptance of your offer letter and subsequent enrolment signifies your acceptance of the following policies of the Gold Coast Learning Centre Code of Conduct.
Gold Coast Learning Centre (GCLC) respects the rights of all students and expects students to follow the college’s Code of Conduct.

GCLC staff will take reasonable steps to rectify all problems and issues that students face.

Unacceptable behaviour

GCLC views unacceptable behaviour as a serious breach of the Code of Conduct.

The following behaviour is regarded as especially negative. Please note that unacceptable behaviour includes, but is not limited, to the following:

1. Stealing anything from the school or from another student
2. Making sexist or racist comments
3. Assaulting anyone at the school
4. Deliberately disobeying a teacher or staff member
5. Being rude and interrupting your class
6. Deliberately damaging equipment that belongs to the school
7. Falsifying any documents issued by the college such as attendance and academic progress letters and/or other documents
8. Failure to pay tuition on time and according to agreed payment plans
9. Failure to maintain an attendance rate of at least 80% at all times (ELICOS)
10. Failure to maintain a course progress rate of at least 50% for every term (please see course progress policy)

Should you commit any of the above or other breaches of the Code of Conduct, you could face suspension from class and, in serious cases, immediate dismissal and cancellation of your course without refund.
In addition, if you break Australian law, such as through acts of theft or assault, you may be asked to leave the college immediately.

Drug and alcohol policy

GCLC views illegal drug and alcohol use on campus as a serious breach of the Code of Conduct.

GCLC has a strict policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol.

You may face dismissal should you be found in possession of drugs or alcohol at college.

Please note that if you are under 18, it is illegal to drink and smoke in Australia. It is also illegal for these substances to be given to anyone under the age of 18.

Bullying policy

GCLC views bullying as a serious breach of the Code of Conduct.

Bullying is the wilful desire to hurt another person or put them under stress and its features include repeated, hurtful behaviour.

It is most important that you report any instances of bullying or this kind of behaviour as soon as possible to any member of staff.

GCLC will investigate all reports of bullying and will take reasonable steps to follow up on any reported case.

In the first instance, the offending student will be counselled and a follow up will be organized to ensure that there is no repeat offence.

Should a second case be reported, another counselling meeting will be organized, however if further cases are reported, the offending student will be suspended from class for up to 10 days.

Academic misconduct

GCLC views academic misconduct as a serious breach of the Code of Conduct.
Academic misconduct will not be tolerated and includes, but is not limited, to the following:

1. Plagiarism: copying more than 10% of anyone else’s work and passing it off as your own
2. Cheating in exams and/or tests
3. Submission of work that is clearly not the work of the student
4. Submission of work that has been significantly edited by someone else
5. Submission of work that has been created by several students, when the work is not meant to be a group assignment
6. Any other behavior that is deemed by the managers to be academic misconduct

Computer usage

Students may use the computers and Wi-Fi throughout the college during opening hours.
Teachers and trainers may be contacted through their school email addresses for the submission of work and to assist in communication.
GCLC students must follow our computer rules:

1. Please do not smoke, drink or eat in the computer area and in classrooms
2. Please do not change the settings on the computers
3. Please tell the student services team if you are having difficulty operating any computer or piece of equipment
4. USBs are available for purchase at reception
5. No rude or offensive sites are allowed to be accessed at school
6. All printing must be paid for at reception
7. Please do not ask your teacher to print documents or assignments for you – this is your responsibility

Payments

Students paying on a payment plan will incur an additional $150 payment plan fee for the first initial course and $50.00 per additional course. Accepting a payment plan means you agree to the terms and due dates.

1. Changes of payment plans will incur an additional fee of $50.
2. Payments made later than the agreed dates will incur an additional $20 per business day late fee. If you are having difficulty with payments, you must contact your agent or GCLC well before your payment is due.
3. Changes of Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will incur an additional cost of $70 per CoE.
4. Reissues of certificates issued from Gold Coast Learning Centre incur an additional cost of $50 per certificate.
5. Please note: GCLC has the right to cancel your CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) based on failure to make payments on time.
6. Late submission (VET students) of assessment fees apply, at $20 / day. See policy.

LATE PAYMENT FEES – PLEASE NOTE

All payments are required to be paid on time.
All late/overdue payments are subject to an additional charge of 5% per week and are payable in addition to the principal balance.

Please see the table below for reference:

Where full payment is not received by the due dates, one or all of the following may occur:

1. The student will be blocked from entering their classes
2. The student’s debt will be referred to an Australian debt collection agency (any associated costs will be borne by the student)
3. The student’s official results and award will be withheld
4. The student’s enrolment; will be cancelled

Department of Home Affairs will be informed of the enrolment cancellation, which may result in the student’s visa being cancelled and the student will not be permitted to re-enrol at Gold Coast Learning Centre.