Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus COVID-19 Policy and Procedure

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the college Plans, Prepares, and Responds properly to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This policy should be read in conjunction with the Course Progress Policy and other relevant policies. It supersedes and overrides those policies and procedures to the extent that they conflict.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all the current students and staff of the college. Educational providers have to work together with the government and community, have an important role in slowing the spread of diseases, and protecting vulnerable students, staff, and faculty to help ensure a safe and healthy learning environment.

3. Definitions

Unsatisfactory Course Progress: Where the student has failed or is deemed Not Competent (NC) in 50% or more of the units attempted in any study period (National Code, 10.4)

Units of Competency: means the specification of industry knowledge and skill and the application of that knowledge and skill to the standard of performance expected in the workplace.

Course: means a course of education or training as defined in the ESOS Act.

Study Period: A discrete period of study within a course, namely term, semester, trimester, short course of similar or lesser duration, or as otherwise defined by the college excluding the holidays as long as that period does not exceed 24 weeks. ACAB uses “Term” to define a study period. The term duration, usually a contact period of ten (10) weeks, is considered a study period.

4. Legislative Context

National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (Cth)

The ESOS Act 2000

Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Regulations 2001

The National Code 2018

5. Policy

5.1This policy and interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the government’s directives in relation there to. In order to prepare to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among their students and staff, the college consider the safest way to do so is to deliver courses online only, and cease face-to-face classes and other avoidable activities, until the health authorities determine that “social distancing” or isolation measures are no longer necessary. Staff and students will also be encouraged at every opportunity on everyday practices (e.g., encouraging hand hygiene, monitoring absenteeism, communicating routinely) that include strategies for before, during, and after a possible outbreak of COVID-19.Once learning of a COVID-19 case in someone who has been on the campus, senior staff of the college will immediately reach out to local public health officials. These officials will help administrators determine a course of action for the infected person.

5.2The National Code 2018 lays out the guidelines for the monitoring students’ course progress under Standard 10. Under Standard 11.2 of the National Code 2018, a provider who implements the DET-DHA Course Progress Policy and Procedures for its CRICOS registered courses is not required for ESOS purposes to monitor attendance for those courses. However, ACAB monitors student attendance for internal purposes, including course progress, assessment eligibility and requirements. Henceforth, and for the duration of the Coronavirus pandemic ‘social distancing’ orders, the college will monitor student participation in online classes and other online activities, as well as telephone, email, texting, and video conferencing contact related to their courses, but attendance in face-to-face classes will not be required for the duration of the “social distancing” government orders.

5.3 The college has adopted a proactive approach in monitoring students’ course progress and notifying and counselling students who are at risk of failing to meet the accepted course progress requirements. Students who persist in failing to meet course progress requirements – even after attempts by the college to notify and counsel them through the intervention strategy – shall continue to be reported to DET and DHA in accordance with the ESOS Act 2001.

5.4 This policy and associated procedures will be made available to the students through student orientation, emails, college website, and student handbook/manual.

5.5 The college reasons that course progress is closely linked to student’s active participation in online learning and assessment activities, and timely completion of major assessments. At the beginning of each term and/or unit of competency, trainers/assessors will provide information on assessment requirements, conditions, assessment due dates and other relevant competency requirements.

5.6 An Unsatisfactory Course Progress will be noted when a student has failed, or is deemed Not Competent (NC), in 50% or more of the units attempted in a study period.

5.7 In the first instance, the student will be informed of the course progress issue by the trainer/assessor through assessment feedback at the end of each academic term (or a study period). Depending on the assessment outcomes, trainer/assessors may allow the student to resubmit the work or suggest a reassessment or a re-sit.

5.8 As an early detection process, trainers and assessors will be required to report to the Academic Manager any student who has been absent for two consecutive weeks in any academic term (or study period) and are likely to be at risk of not meeting the unit requirements.

5.9 At the end of each term or a study period, printed results from the student management system will be provided to the Academic Manager for course progress review. Any student with a NC result in 50% or more units on competency will be deemed “At Risk”. Trainer/assessors will be required to report the same to the Academic Manager.

5.10 Students with “At Risk” status may not be allowed to undertake new units of competency until the course progress matter is resolved or addressed through appropriate procedures.

5.11 Students deemed “At Risk” will be notified in writing and asked to make an appointment with their faculty/Academic Manager to discuss their progress.

6. Responsibility

Trainers and assessors are responsible for providing assessment feedback and an early detection of academic performance issues, and a possible “At Risk” notifications to the Academic Manager.

The Academic Manager is responsible for maintaining records on course progress in the student database.

The Academic Manager is responsible for notifying students of their failure or risk of failure to meet satisfactory course progress during the online only learning periods and issuing Final Warning letters.

The Academic Manager is responsible for reporting Students to the Secretary of DET through PRISMS.

The Academic Manager is responsible for effective implementation and management of this policy as well as provision of information on ways to resolve complaints of breaches of this policy.

The CEO has overall responsibility for the implementation and review of this policy.

Any complaints or breaches in relation to this policy should be reported to the Chief Executive Officer in person or by email to info@acab.edu.au

Students’ rights

ACAB respects students’ rights as consumers of this course. We guarantee to provide high quality training and assessment services to our students in this qualification. As consumers, students have rights to complain, receive refunds, and ask for replacement course.

For details of students’ rights and obligations on this and other ACAB courses, please read our Student Handbook,