AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 2 WELCOME... 3 FRIEND SUPPORT AND WELFARE... 3 SPECIAL NEEDS... 4 ENGLISH LANGUAGE, LITERACY AND NUMERACY... 4 ACCESS AND EQUITY... 4 DISCRIMINATION... 4 FRIEND S CODE OF CONDUCT... 5 STUDY OPTIONS... 6 TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT... 6 CERTIFICATION... 7 TUITION FEES... 7 METHODS OF PAYMENT... 8 REFUND POLICY... 9 COOLING OFF PERIOD... 10 TUITION ASSURANCE SCHEME... 10 SKILLS RECOGNITION PATHWAYS... 10 COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES POLICY AND PROCEDURE... 11 APPEALS POLICY AND PROCEDURE... 11 UNIQUE STUDENT IDENTIFIER (USI)... 12
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 3 WELCOME Thank you for choosing the Australian Institute of Fitness (The Institute) as your training provider. The Institute prides itself on delivering quality training and empowering our students (Friends) to achieve their goals. This handbook provides you with information about The Institute and the policies and procedures relevant to your enrolment with us. You are required to sign the Enrolment Form to acknowledge you have read and understand the items specified in this handbook. If you disagree with, or are unable to comply with any of the provisions in this handbook, then you must notify the Institute in writing of your concerns prior to your commencement in the course. Throughout this handbook you may notice information appearing in a blue box. The information in this section is applicable to Friends who are Australian citizens or permanent humanitarian visa holders (who are resident in Australia for the duration of the VET unit of study) enrolled into the Diploma of Fitness (SIS50213), Diploma of Business (BSB50207) or Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT50307) course offered by the Institute. FRIEND SUPPORT AND WELFARE The Institute ensures that the needs of all Friends are taken into account in the structure and delivery of its programs. Each Friend has a right to: Equal access to training and assessment services Avenues for complaint, grievance and appeal A sensitive response to an expression of special need Confidentiality The Institute offers assistance to Friends to ensure they achieve a successful outcome to their training. Special assistance is offered through a number of avenues including additional tutorials, re-assessment opportunities, virtual classrooms, and the availability of additional resources if required. We can also offer assistance and referral to an external professional organisation for guidance. All communications will be kept in strict confidence. All of our staff (Players) are here to assist you in any way possible, so please contact your nearest campus for any assistance required. Further information regarding these services and our policies and procedures are located on our website, www.fitness.edu.au.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 4 SPECIAL NEEDS If you have any special needs, please let The Institute know as soon as possible. We will do our best to provide you with additional support during your journey and assist you to source external support if required. We work in cooperation with external specialist service providers to ensure successful outcomes. ENGLISH LANGUAGE, LITERACY AND NUMERACY Friends that have special needs in language, literacy and numeracy must indicate that they require advice and support by ticking the appropriate box on the enrolment form. Information regarding specialist service options may be provided for you. The Institute will work in cooperation with external specialist service providers to ensure successful outcomes. Further information or assistance regarding support services may be found by contacting the following organisations: English Language Centre Sydney Reading and Writing Hotline Centrelink or Centrelink Career Services Links to these services can be found on our website, www.fitness.edu.au. ACCESS AND EQUITY The Institute is committed to integrating access and equity principles within all services provided to Friends. We recognise the rights of Friends and provide information, advice and support that are consistent with our core business values and code of practice. Friends will have timely access to current and accurate records of their participation and progress. We acknowledge S27 of the ACT Human Rights Act 2012 in the delivery of our training. DISCRIMINATION It is against the law to discriminate against people on the grounds of sex (including sexual harassment or pregnancy), age, disability (includes past, present or possible future disability), race, colour, ethnic or ethno-religious background, descent or nationality, marital status, homosexuality, or gender identification. These are covered under the following acts. Age Discrimination Act 2004 Sex Discrimination Act 1984 Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Racial Discrimination Act 1975 If you feel you have been discriminated against, please complete an Incident Report Form. The incident will be investigated immediately and dealt with in the strictest of confidence.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 5 FRIEND S CODE OF CONDUCT The Institute provides Friends with the opportunity to study, learn and develop skills in a safe and supportive educational and social environment. Friends are required to conduct themselves in an appropriate way at all times, whilst engaging in learning and assessment with the Institute. Friends of The Institute are required to: Demonstrate respect for people, property and equipment Take responsibility for your own behaviour Share responsibilities when working as a member of a team or group Communicate effectively and in an appropriate manner to all fellow Friends and Institute Players Attend all required sessions and arrive on time Advise your Coach if you are unable to attend any scheduled sessions at the earliest possible time Dress appropriately for all sessions Complete all assessments by the due date and time Follow all instructions given by your Coach and other Institute Players Follow Work Health & Safety requirements of the Campus Not participate in any inappropriate behaviour such as: threatening or offensive language or behaviour cheating or plagiarism unlawful acts disruptive behaviour All Friends are required to notify The Institute if: There is a change in personal details, such as name, address, contact details There is a change in your ability to complete the course that you are enrolled into, such as injury or change in health status Any other appropriate information that may have a bearing on you completing the course
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 6 STUDY OPTIONS The Institute offers a variety of study options; however, not all of the options apply to all courses. ON CAMPUS (FACE-TO-FACE) Friends learn in a social environment at one of the Institute s purpose-built campuses, located across Australia. You will either study full-time or part-time, and there may also be some element of online learning. ONLINE (ECAMPUS) Friends learn on the world-renowned ecampus platform, which makes online learning achievable. Support is provided from ecoaches in virtual classrooms, faceto-face workshops, and at the end of the phone. BLENDED Friends learn through a mixture of online delivery, with regular face-to-face sessions at one of the Institute s regional satellite campuses. You will also have support through email and phone, and the opportunity to attend virtual classrooms. See our website, www.fitness.edu.au for all course and study options available with The Institute. TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT The Institute s Coaches are experienced, knowledgeable and insightful, and are there to help you gain the skills required for your chosen career. Our Coaches possess the qualifications, skills and experience equivalent to or exceeding national industry standards and requirements. Upon confirmation of enrolment you will receive information on your assessments. You must let your Coach know if you have any concerns about the nature or timing of assessment events. You must submit assessment work and attend all scheduled assessments on the specified dates and as required by your Coach. Friends that have enrolled into fitness programs will be required to undertake physical activity when undergoing assessments. Any physical limitations are required to be disclosed at the time of enrolment.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 7 CERTIFICATION The Institute is an accredited and nationally recognised provider of vocational training operating under the National VET Quality Framework and regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). As a result, we deliver nationally recognised training in which completion will result in the issuance of either a Nationally Recognised Certificate or Statement of Attainment. In addition to this, The Institute also offers Institute Certification upon successful completion of all courses, excluding First Aid. FISAF CERTIFICATION The Institute is also a member of the Federation of International Sports, Aerobics and Fitness (FISAF), and can offer FISAF Certification. TUITION FEES All tuition fees relating to VET FEE-HELP courses are listed on The Institute website, www.fitness.edu.au. For all other courses, please see your Career Guru. INCIDENTAL FEES Some services such as re-assessments, Recognition of Prior Learning applications and course transfers may attract an additional fee. Information regarding any additional fees is available by contacting your Campus. Any Incidental Fees incurred by Friends who have enrolled under the *VET FEE- HELP loan scheme will need to be payable by the Friend as these cannot be added to the VET FEE-HELP loan amount. *VET FEE-HELP information appears on the next page
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 8 METHODS OF PAYMENT The Institute offers Friends the following options for payment of courses. EXPRESS PAYMENT This option allows the Friend to pay for the course/s upfront and in full. For selected courses this option will attract a discounted rate. PAYMENT PLAN Friends may choose to make their payments via a payment plan. The Institute can make arrangements with a direct debit supplier to allow you to organise this payment plan option. VET FEE HELP The Australian Institute of Fitness is an approved provider under the Australian Government VET FEE-HELP loan scheme. Under VET FEE-HELP, Friends can obtain a loan to pay for all or part of their tuition fees when undertaking a VET accredited diploma or an advanced diploma course at an approved VET provider. Friends repay their loans through the Australian taxation system once they are working and they reach the minimum repayment threshold for compulsory repayment. To be eligible, you must be an Australian citizen or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa and residing in Australia throughout the course for which you are receiving VET FEE-HELP assistance. Further information regarding VET FEE-HELP and links to the VET FEE-HELP Information Booklet can be found on The Institute website, www.fitness.edu.au.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 9 REFUND POLICY Requests for refunds must be made in writing and submitted with relevant documentary evidence. Refunds will be given as follows: a.) Full refund, including your deposit will be given if you terminate during the cooling off period and return all materials in good condition. b.) If you terminate after the cooling off period and no later than 7 business days prior to the start date of your program(s) there will be a refund of 50% of the fees for any program(s) that your terminate. c.) If you enrol in more than one program and cancel one of the programs, any refund payable under this policy will be applied at the discounted price of the program cancelled. d.) If The Institute postpones a program you have selected, it will do its best to offer you a place in any replacement program at a time and place which is suitable to you. If such a replacement program is not available then a refund of the fees for the postponed program will be made to you. e.) If your circumstances come within Clause 11 of the Conditions of Enrolment Agreement, (i.e., if you suffer an illness or injury which is likely to prevent you from participating in your program(s) for a period of 24 months following the scheduled completion date of your enrolled program) there is a right of refund, but only for the unexpired period of your program(s) and subject to the following conditions, (i) that a medical certificate is supplied describing the illness or injury and explaining it is likely to prevent completion of your program(s) during that period, and (ii) that you authorise your legally qualified medical practitioner to supply such further information as the Institute might reasonably require. f.) The VET FEE-HELP refund conditions apply to all Friends who are entitled to VET FEE-HELP assistance, even if they choose not to access it. VET FEE-HELP REFUND CONDITIONS The following conditions regarding refunds apply to Friends who have enrolled with Australian Institute of Fitness and are eligible under the VET FEE-HELP loan scheme. In the event of the Friend withdrawing from a VET unit of study on or before the *census date for that VET unit of study: 100% of tuition fees paid for that unit will be refunded to the Friend, and The Friend who has applied for VET FEE HELP will not incur a VET FEE-HELP debt In the event of a Friend withdrawing from a VET unit of study after *census date for that VET unit of study: No refund is applicable, and Friends who have been granted VET FEE HELP will incur a VET FEE-HELP debt Special consideration can be given for the re-crediting of a VET FEE-HELP balance as per the policy listed on The Institute website, www.fitness.edu.au. *Census Date is the date identified as the nominated date no less than 20% of the way between commencement and completion dates.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 10 COOLING OFF PERIOD Friends are entitled to cancel their agreement by notice preferably in writing for up to 10 business days after signing it. So if it is signed more than 10 business days before the commencement of your program(s) start, you have the full 10 business days in which to cancel. But if it signed less than 10 business days before your program(s) start, the cooling off period is reduced by that many days, and it ceases on the first day of the program(s) commencing. TUITION ASSURANCE SCHEME The Institute will maintain a tuition assurance scheme to safeguard Friends in the event of it becoming insolvent and unable to return fees that have been paid in advance. The Tuition Assurance Scheme will source similar training to allow the effected participants under this condition to complete their studies without further financial burden. However if the Friend cannot be placed, the tuition assurance will provide a refund. SKILLS RECOGNITION PATHWAYS If you feel that you have already acquired competency for unit/s within a qualification, you may be eligible for skills recognition. Skills Recognition Pathways allow individuals entry to, or credit in, recognised courses with the Institute based on prior competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, through life experiences, or through informal or formal training. Recognition Pathways include: a.) Mutual recognition; b.) Recognition of prior learning, c.) Cross-sector qualification linkages (only applies to Certificate III in Fitness SIS30313 and Certificate IV in Fitness, SIS40210. If you wish to apply for skills recognition, you will need to complete an application form. We encourage you to apply prior to starting your program as the assessment process can take up to 30 days. In some circumstances, applications for recognition of prior learning or cross-sector qualification linkages may attract a fee. Information regarding these fees is available by contacting your Campus.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 11 COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES POLICY AND PROCEDURE The Institute encourages open communication and an environment of trust. If you believe that you have been treated unfairly or have a complaint, firstly please speak to your Coach. If a resolution cannot be reached, please discuss the difficulty with the relevant Campus Manager (Campus Skipper) or National Team Captain. If your complaint is more serious or is not able to be resolved at this stage, notification should be made in writing to the Regional CEO (Mission Commander). If for some reason you are unable to talk about the concerns, and you would like an Institute representative to follow up the matter, please submit a formal grievance or complaint form to the National Office by email or in writing to: Australian Institute of Fitness Pty Ltd, Suite 202, Level 2, 28 Clarke Street, NSW 2065. All grievances will be treated with confidentiality and will in no way be detrimental to the Friends initiating the grievance. All lodged and completed Grievance Reporting Forms will be responded to in a timely manner. If an issue is still unresolved then we recommend that you seek resolution by an external and independent authority. Further details regarding the Complaints and Grievances Policy and Procedure is available on The Institute website, www.fitness.edu.au. APPEALS POLICY AND PROCEDURE If you are found not yet competent in your assessment, you can request a review. Requests for review must be made in writing within 5 days of the receipt of result. A written statement listing the outcome of your appeal will be sent to you. Your appeal and outcome of the appeal will be recorded in writing and kept on file. For information regarding the appeals process, please refer to the Complaints and Grievances Policy and Procedure in this Student Handbook or on the website, www.fitness.edu.au
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 12 UNIQUE STUDENT IDENTIFIER (USI) From 1 January 2015 if you are undertaking nationally recognised training delivered by a registered training organisation you will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). A USI gives you access to your online USI account which is made up of ten numbers and letters. It will look something like this: 3AW88YH9U5. PRIVACY NOTICE If you do not already have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) and you want the Australian Institute of Fitness to apply to the Student Identifiers Registrar (Registrar) for a USI to on your behalf, the Institute will provide to the Registrar the following items of personal information about you: your name, including first or given name(s), middle name(s) and surname or family name as they appear in an identification document; your date of birth, as it appears, if shown, in the chosen document of identity; your city or town of birth; your country of birth; your gender; and your contact details. When the Institute applies for a USI on your behalf the Registrar will verify your identity. The Registrar will do so through the Document Verification Service (DVS) managed by the Attorney-General s Department which is built into the USI online application process if you have documents such as a Medicare card, birth certificate, driver licence, Australian passport, citizenship document, certificate of registration by descent, ImmiCard or Australian entry visa. If you do not have a document suitable for the DVS and we are authorised to do so by the Registrar we may be able to verify your identity by other means. If you do not have any of the identity documents mentioned above, and we are not authorised by the Registrar to verify your identity by other means, we cannot apply for a USI on your behalf and you should contact the Student Identifiers Registrar. In accordance with section 11 of the Student Identifiers Act 2014 Cth (SI Act), we will securely destroy personal information which we collect from you solely for the purpose of applying for a USI on your behalf as soon as practicable after the USI application has been made or the information is no longer needed for that purpose, unless we are required by or under any law to retain it. The personal information about you that we provide to the Registrar, including your identity information, is protected by the Privacy Act 1988 Cth (Privacy Act). The collection, use and disclosure of your USI are protected by the SI Act. If you ask the Australian Institute of Fitness to make an application for a student identifier on your behalf, the Institute will have to declare that it has complied with certain terms and conditions to be able to access the online student identifier portal and submit this application, including a declaration that the Institute has given you the following privacy notice.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 13 You are advised that the personal information you provide to us in connection with your application for a USI: is collected by the Registrar for the purposes of: applying for, verifying and giving a USI; resolving problems with a USI; and creating authenticated vocational education and training (VET) transcripts; may be disclosed to: Commonwealth and State/Territory government departments and agencies and statutory bodies performing functions relating to VET for: the purposes of administering and auditing Vocational Education and Training (VET), VET providers and VET programs; education related policy and research purposes; and to assist in determining eligibility for training subsidies; VET Regulators to enable them to perform their VET regulatory functions; VET Admission Bodies for the purposes of administering VET and VET programs; current and former Registered Training Organisations to enable them to deliver VET courses to the individual, meet their reporting obligations under the VET standards and government contracts and assist in determining eligibility for training subsidies; schools for the purposes of delivering VET courses to the individual and reporting on these courses; the National Centre for Vocational Education Research for the purpose of creating authenticated VET transcripts, resolving problems with USIs and for the collection, preparation and auditing of national VET statistics; researchers for education and training related research purposes; any other person or agency that may be authorised or required by law to access the information; any entity contractually engaged by the Student Identifiers Registrar to assist in the performance of his or her functions in the administration of the USI system; and will not otherwise be disclosed without your consent unless authorised or required by or under law. PRIVACY POLICIES AND COMPLAINTS You can find further information on how the Registrar collects, uses and discloses the personal information about you in the Registrar s Privacy Policy (http://www.usi. gov.au/pages/privacy-policy.aspx) or by contacting the Registrar on usi@industry. gov.au or 13 38 73. The Registrar s Privacy Policy contains information about how you may access and seek correction of the personal information held about you and how you may make a complaint about a breach of privacy by the Registrar in connection with the USI and how such complaints will be dealt with.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS PAGE: 14 You may also make a complaint to the Information Commissioner about an interference with privacy pursuant to the Privacy Act, which includes the following: misuse or interference of or unauthorised collection, use, access, modification or disclosure of USIs; and a failure by Us to destroy personal information collected by you only for the purpose of applying for a USI on your behalf. For information about how the Australian Institute of Fitness collects, uses and discloses your personal information generally, including how you can make a complaint about a breach of privacy, please refer to your Student Handbook or the Institute s privacy policy (http://fitness.edu.au/privacy-policy/).