Completion within the Expected Duration of Study

Completion within the Expected Duration of Study 

Policy

GCLC adheres to Standard 9 of the National Code 2007. GCLC will monitor the workload of students to ensure they complete the course within the duration specified in their CoE and do not exceed the allowable portion of online or distance learning. GCLC will only enable students to extend the expected duration of study for the course through the issuing of a new CoE in limited circumstances.

This policy applies to all international students on a student visa enrolled with GCLC and all GCLC staff.

Responsibility

The Manager is responsible for the administration of this policy.

Procedure

1. GCLC will monitor the workload of international students on a student visa, to ensure they complete the course within the expected duration, as registered on CRICOS and as specified on their CoE. Relevant GCLC staff and teachers will monitor the international students’ workload in accordance with GCLC requirements
2. International students will be eligible to undertake distance or online components only where the number of units does not exceed more than 25% of the total course load and students enrol in at least one unit on campus in any given study period (term).
3. GCLC will only extend the duration of the student’s study where it is evident that the student will not complete the course within the expected duration, as specified on the student’s CoE, as a result of compassionate or compelling circumstances that are generally those beyond the control of the student and which have an impact upon the student’s course progress or wellbeing. These could include, but are not limited to:
   1. serious illness or injury, where a medical certificate states that the student was unable to attend classes;
   2. bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (where possible a death certificate should be provided);
   3. major political upheaval or natural disaster in their home country requiring emergency travel and where this has impacted on the student’s studies; or
   4. a traumatic experience which could include:
      1. involvement in, or witnessing of a serious accident; or
      2. witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime, where this has impacted on the student (these cases should be supported by police or psychologists’ reports)
   5. where the registered provider was unable to offer a pre-requisite unit; or
   6. inability to begin studying on the course commencement date due to delay in receiving a student visa.
   7. An Intervention plan is implemented for a student at risk of not meeting satisfactory course progress.
   8. An approved deferment or suspension of study has been granted in accordance with the International Student Deferral, Suspension or Cancellation of Enrolment Policy and Procedure.
4. Except in the circumstances outlined in 3, the expected duration of study specified in the student’s CoE must not exceed the CRICOS registered course duration.
5. The Manager will use their professional judgement to assess each case on its individual merits with respect to compassionate and compelling circumstances.
6. Documentary evidence must be provided to support these claims and copies of these documents must be placed and kept in the student’s file.