ICQA’s Deferment, Suspension and Cancellation Policy1) Deferment of Commencement of Study Requested by Student
a) ICQA will only grant a deferment of commencement of studies for compassionate and compelling circumstances. These include but are not limited to:
i) illness, where a medical certificate states that the student was unable to attend classes
ii) bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (where possible a death certificate should be provided)
iii) major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel that has impacted on studies
iv) a traumatic experience which has impacted on the student (these cases should be where possible supported by police or psychologists’ reports)b) The final decision for assessing and granting a deferment of commencement of studies lies with the Director of Studies and/or Managing Director.
2) Suspension of Study Requested by Student
a) Once the student has commenced the course, ICQA will only grant a suspension of study for compassionate and compelling circumstances. These include but are not limited to;
i) illness, where a medical certificate states that the student was unable to attend classes
ii) bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (where possible a death certificate should be provided)
iii) major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel that has impacted on studies
iv) a traumatic experience which has impacted on the student (these cases should be where possible supported by police or psychologists’ reports)b) The period of suspension will not be included in attendance calculations.
c) The final decision for assessing and granting a suspension of studies lies with the Director of Studies and/or Managing Director.
3) Assessing Requests for Deferment or Suspension of Studies
a) Applications will be assessed on merit by the Director of Studies and/or Managing Director.
b) All applications for deferment or suspension will be considered within 10 working days.
4) Exclusion from class ( 1 – 28 days)
a) ICQA may exclude a student from class studies on the grounds of misbehaviour by the student. Exclusion will occur as the result of any behaviour identified as resulting in exclusion in ICQA’s Behaviour Policy/Code of Conduct in ICQA’s Orientation Booklet.
b) Excluded students must abide by the conditions of their exclusion from studies which will depend on the welfare and accommodation arrangements in place for each student and which will be determined by the Director of Studies.
c) Where the student is provided with homework or other studies for the period of the exclusion, the student must continue to meet the academic requirements of the course.
d) Exclusions from class will not be recorded on PRISMS.
e) Periods of ‘exclusion from class’ will not be included in attendance calculations as per ICQA’s Course Progress and Attendance Policy
5) School initiated suspension of studies (28 days +)
a) ICQA may initiate a suspension of studies for a student on the grounds of misbehaviour by the student. Suspension will occur as the result of any behaviour identified as resulting in suspension in ICQA’s Behaviour Policy/Code of Conduct.
b) Suspended students must abide by the conditions of their suspension from studies which will depend on the welfare and accommodation arrangements in place for each student and which will be determined by the Director of Studies.
c) Students who have been suspended for more than 28 days are required to return to their home country by DIAC unless special circumstances exist (e.g. the student is medically unfit to travel).
d) If special circumstances exist, the student must abide by the conditions of his or her suspension which will depend on the welfare and accommodation arrangements in place for each student and which will be determined by the Director of Studies.
e) Suspensions will be recorded on PRISMS.
f) The period of suspension will not be included in attendance calculations.
6) Cancellation of enrolmenta) ICQA will cancel the enrolment of a student under the following conditions;
i) Failure to pay course fees
ii) Failure to maintain approved welfare and accommodation arrangements (visa condition 8532)
iii) Any behaviour identified as resulting in cancellation in ICQA’s Behaviour Policy/Code of Conduct (found on the last page of this policy and in the Orientation Booklet).b) ICQA is required to report failure to maintain satisfactory course progress and failure to maintain satisfactory attendance to DIAC which will result in automatic cancellation.
7) Complaints and Appeals
a) Student requested deferment and suspension are not subject to ICQA’s Complaints and Appeals Policy.
b) Exclusion from class is subject to ICQA’s Complaints and Appeals Policy.
c) School initiated suspension, where the suspension is to be recorded in PRISMS, and cancellation are subject to ICQA’s Complaints and Appeals Policy.
d) For the duration of the appeals process, the student is required to maintain your enrolment and attendance at all classes as normal. The Director of Studies will determine if participation in studies will be in class or under a supervised arrangement outside of classes.
e) If students access ICQA’s complaints and appeals process regarding a school initiated suspension, where the suspension is recorded in PRISMS, or cancellation, the suspension or cancellation will not be reported in PRISMS until the complaints and appeals process is finalised, unless extenuating circumstances relating to the welfare of the student apply.f) Extenuating circumstances include;
i) the student refuses to maintain approved welfare and accommodation arrangements (for students under 18 years of age)
ii) the student is missing
iii) the student has medical concerns or severe depression or psychological issues which lead the school to fear for the student’s wellbeing
iv) the student has engaged or threatened to engage in behaviour that is reasonably believed to endanger the student or others
v) is at risk of committing a criminal offence, or
vi) the student is the subject of investigation relating to criminal mattersg) The use of extenuating circumstances by ICQA to suspend or cancel a student’s enrolment prior to the completion of any complaints and appeals process will be supported by appropriate evidence.
h) The final decision for evaluating extenuating circumstances lies with the Director of Studies.
8) Student Advice
a) Deferment, suspension and cancellation of enrolment can have an effect on a student’s visa as a result of changes to enrolment status. Students will be informed to contact the Department of Immigration for advice.
9) Definitions
a) Day – any day including weekends and public holidays in or out of term time
ICQA’s Behavior Policy/Code of Conduct
All students are expected to abide by Australian law, and respect the well-being of all students and staff at ICQA. Students are also expected to behave in an appropriate manner at all times. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in immediate expulsion and forfeiture of fees.
Examples of inappropriate behaviour are but not limited to:
· Discrimination, harassment, abuse, verbal & physical assault;
· Intimidating and/or threatening behavior;
· Making racist or sexist comments;
· Behaving in a disruptive manner such as swearing, yelling or using offensive language;
· Endangering the safety of yourself and/or others;
· Selling, using, distributing and/or being in possession (under the influence) of drugs or alcohol whilst attending classes;
· Directly or indirectly engaging in activity which could by association cause ICQA public embarrassment or other damage;
· Willful damage to or theft of ICQA property;
· Accessing, storing, processing or transmitting any information deemed to be threatening, obscene, pornographic or harassing in nature;
· Failure to abide by any teachers, staff or management’s reasonable request and/or direction; and
· Unauthorized use of ICQA’s intellectual property including College name, logo, training manuals/materials, trademarks, designs, confidential information and copyright material.
Breaches of Conduct:
Where behaviour is unacceptable, disciplinary action may be taken. This action may consist of but not limited to;
· Excluding and/or refusing entry to a classroom if the behavior is disruptive or dangerous;
· Suspension or studies by the Director of Studies;
· Expulsion from ICQA by the Director of Studies; and
· In cases of criminal behavior, the police will be notified.
