Institute responsibilities
It is the institute's responsibility to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.
Pre-commencement
Privacy - student personal information
Harassment
Complaints and grievance procedures
Informal appeal process
Formal appeal process
Equity and diversity
Carers
Student support
Pre-commencement
Prior to the commencement of study, the institute will:
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Provide all requirements and conditions necessary to be deemed successful in assessment.
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Provide apprentices and trainees with specific assessment rules and processes (under legislation).
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Confirm that 15 - 17 year old students from pilot areas in the compulsory participation phase of the Education and Training Reforms for the Future government initiative are registered with the Queensland Studies Authority, and where necessary, will register students.
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Confirm that 15 - 17 year old students from pilot areas in the compulsory participation phase have a current Senior Education and Training Plan, and where necessary, will review or develop the Senior Education and Training Plan with the student.
Privacy - student personal information
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The institute will collect information at enrolment for general student administration. This information may also be used for planning, communication, research, evaluation and marketing activities. Personal information is stored securely and only authorised institute staff have access to student information.
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The institute will manage personal information according to the Commonwealth Privacy Act and its Information Privacy Principles, the Freedom of Information Act and the Queensland Government Information Standard No. 42 (IS42).
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Personal information may be disclosed to Commonwealth and State Government Agencies.
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Information regarding apprentice/trainee attendance details, progress and results may be disclosed to the employer.
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For students under the age of 18 years, personal information, attendance details, progress and results may be disclosed to the parent/guardian.
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In accordance with the Information Privacy Principles, no further access to enrolment information will be provided to any other organisation or persons without student consent, unless authorised or required by law.
Harassment
Harassment is any form of verbal or physical behaviour that is unwanted, unwelcome and unreciprocated that makes the learning environment unpleasant, humiliating or intimidating for the person who is the target of that behaviour. If a student considers that they have been harassed, they should let the person know that they object to their behaviour and do not want it repeated. In cases where the student does not not feel comfortable talking to the person, or the behaviour continues, the student should speak to their teacher, or another TAFE staff member, for example, the counsellor or Sexual Harassment Referral Officers. Students can discuss the matter with any of these people without having to make a formal complaint. All discussions are confidential and students also have the right to lodge a formal complaint of misconduct against the person harassing them.
Complaints and grievance procedures
A grievance may arise if a student believes that an incorrect decision or inappropriate behaviour has adversely affected their rights.
Examples include:
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skills recognition
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inappropriate application of a TAFE Queensland policy, such as access and equity, health and safety, fees and charges, skills recognition
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inappropriate application of Queensland government legislation, such as the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 and the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995
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being unfairly assessed
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having an enrolment unreasonably terminated
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being required to meet unreasonable requirements for a qualification that extend beyond the normal requirements
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being the subject of retaliation for exercising your rights under this policy
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being the subject of misconduct by a TAFE staff member.
The grievance process is comprised of formal and informal academic and non-academic appeals processes.
Informal appeal process
Students should first try to achieve resolution of any grievance (academic or non-academic) through an informal approach to the staff member or person responsible for the action. Alternatively, students can provide feedback to the institute through the institute feedback mechanism. If all or part of the grievance remains unresolved, students may choose to submit a formal appeal to resolve the grievance.
Formal appeal process
If unable to resolve a grievance through an informal process, students have the right to submit a written complaint to the Institute Director. The Institute Director will notify the relevant staff member (or supervisor) of the grievance and, depending on the nature of the complaint, will decide the appropriate action to resolve the grievance. The Director will respond to the student within seven days of receiving the written complaint.
If a student considers that the response to a disciplinary or misconduct decision is unsatisfactory, they have the right to appeal to the institute Misconduct Review Panel.
If a student considers that the response to an academic decision is unsatisfactory, they have the right to appeal to the institute Academic Appeals Committee.
These committees will review the circumstances of the dispute and make a decision on the matter. Should it be necessary to require a hearing, a meeting will be organised to discuss the matter.
Equity and diversity
Equity is about making sure that every Queenslander can access the training information and support they need to be an active member of the community, to get a job or to be employed throughout life.
Equity ensures fairness. It can be achieved through practices that are free from bias and discrimination, and which provide individuals with the opportunity to access, participate in, and achieve outcomes from vocational education and training.
Treating all people in the same way does not constitute equitable practices and will further entrench those factors which cause disadvantage within vocational education and training.
Diversity accounts for the many factors that influence the ability of people to participate and succeed in vocational education and training and employment. TAFE Queensland will provide training, assessment and support services, which enable students from diverse backgrounds to successfully participate in and achieve outcomes in vocational education and training.
TAFE Queensland offers a range of specialised services for people with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australian South Sea Islander peoples, youth, and people with language, literacy and numeracy difficulties.
Carers
As a carer there may be occasions when it is necessary to negotiate flexibility in studying with the institute. TAFE Queensland recognises the significant contribution made by carers, and upholds the Queensland Government Carer Recognition Policy.
Carers are defined as people of any age, who without being paid, care for another person who needs on-going support because of a long-term medical condition, a mental illness, a disability, frailty or the need for palliative care. A carer may or may not be a family member and may or may not live with the person. This does not include volunteers under the auspices of a voluntary organisation.
Student support
TAFE Queensland provides a wide range of high quality services to assist current and prospective students in achieving their goals during their time at TAFE and in the future. These services may include:
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disability support
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counselling
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job placement services
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support and
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learning support.
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