Handbook

Flexilink Handbook

Section 1 - What is Flexilink

Section 2 - Frequently Asked Questions

Section 3 - Course Information

Section 4 - Recognition of Prior Learning

Section 5 - Enrolment

Section 6 - Support Services

Section 7 - Campuses

Section 8 - Student Rights and Responsibilities

Section 1 - What is Flexilink

TAFE NSW – New England Institute offers courses delivered flexibly using a variety of delivery methods including audio and video materials, online and paper- based course work, tutorial telephone support, study groups and electronically linked classrooms. This alternative way of studying is called Flexilink.

Who can study with Flexilink?

Flexilink courses are open to everyone, including temporary residents, providing they meet any entry requirements for their chosen course of study.

What are the benefits of studying by flexible delivery?

One of the benefits of studying with Flexilink is the flexibility it offers you.

In many courses:

You have the option of studying online for all or part of the course
You choose the place and time to study
You may continue studying with Flexilink even if you move overseas or interstate.

In some courses, there may be flexibility in the course commencement and completion times.

When you study with Flexilink, you progress at your own pace - it’s self-paced learning. In most cases, this means you can move through the learning materials for your modules at a pace that suits you. You may be able to finish your modules, and therefore your course, more quickly than if you were attending classes at a TAFE campus. On the other hand, you can complete your studies at a slower pace if you choose, as long as you finish within the course and module time limits. The Course Coordinator has sequenced the modules, and estimated the length of time it will take to finish the course studying in a more flexible manner. This is reflected in the pattern of study described in the Course Information section of this handbook.

If your course requires you to attend workshops, these will be at set times. In some cases, if you miss the scheduled workshop, you may have to wait until the following semester or year for a similar workshop to be scheduled again.

Therefore, Flexilink is especially suited to you if you:

Are self-motivated
Like to work at your own pace
Work irregular hours
Don’t have transport
Have responsibilities at home
Have a disability or medical condition that makes attending classes difficult
Want to study a TAFE module or course that is not offered at the campus near you
Are unable to attend classes because of where you live
Find classroom learning unappealing.
Prefer to study online.

What expenses are involved with Flexilink study?

Flexilink courses attract the same enrolment fees as any other TAFE course studied on campus.

You are required to pay the TAFE NSW fee for all courses. This annual charge covers only the administration costs for your course and is payable on enrolment. It cannot be transferred to other people. You need to pay the fee each year you re-enrol in your Flexilink course.

How much you need to pay each year depends on the course you are studying. The charge is tied to a course not to individual modules. Therefore, you pay the same amount regardless of how many modules you are enrolled in.

TAFE Fees 2009
Qualification Level	Annual Fee ($)	One Semester or Less
Advanced Diploma	$1456	$728
Diploma	$1214	$607
Certificate IV	$912	$456
Certificate III	$670	$335
Certificate II	$428	$214
Certificate I	$428	$214
Statements / Short Courses	$428	$214
Apprentices and Trainees	$404	$202

Other Groups
Government Benefit Recipients	$50	$50
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students	$0	$0
Students with a Disability (one course per year)	$0	$0
Special Access Courses	$0	$0

Other course and enrolment-related charges may apply.

Please note: Fees for Commercial courses, International students and temporary visa holders may differ.

When do I pay?

You pay when you enrol.

If your course runs for more than one semester you may have the option to pay your TAFE NSW Fee in two equal instalments, except if you pay the Concession fee. The first payment is made when you enrol. The second payment of the fee is required by 31 May 2008.

What if I am on a benefit?

If you currently receive a Commonwealth benefit or allowance you may be eligible to pay a concession fee of $50, rather than the full TAFE NSW fee.

People who receive any of the following benefits will be eligible for the concession fee

Age Pension, Austudy, Carer Payment, Dependent Child of Eligible Beneficiary, Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment, Family Tax Benefit Part A (maximum rate), Farm Help Income Support, Mature Age Allowance, Newstart Allowance, Parenting Payment (Single), Partner or Spouse of Pension/Allowance Recipient, Sickness Allowance, Special Benefit, Veterans Affairs Payments, Widow Pension (including Widow B Pension), Wife Pension, Youth Allowance.

Are you one of the following people?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are exempt from paying the TAFE NSW fee.
Disability Support Pension students with a disability receive a full fee exemption for one TAFE NSW course per year and are eligible for the $50 concession charge for subsequent enrolments in that year.
Apprentices eligible for a Commonwealth rebate pay a capped fee for $480 per year for their apprenticeship course.
Apprentices not eligible for a Commonwealth rebate (including those in year 3) pay a capped fee of $394.00 per year for their apprenticeship course.
New Entrant Trainees pay a maximum fee of $394.00 for Traineeship courses.
Existing Worker Trainees are covered by other funding arrangements, so the TAFE NSW fee does not apply.
School-based Trainees are covered by another funding arrangement, so the TAFE NSW fee does not apply.

When you send in your enrolment form, you must either

Pay the TAFE NSW fee, or
If you are eligible, apply for an exemption from the TAFE NSW fee.

Payments can be made by cheque, money order or electronic credit card. Cash payments are not accepted.

Apart from the TAFE NSW fee, other expenses may include:

The cost of textbooks that are compulsory or that you think will help you with your studies
The cost of materials and equipment necessary for your course
Accommodation and travel expenses when attending any tutorials, field trips and practical workshops
Expenses related to specialist training you may need to undertake
Telephone costs for teleconferences, cost of a call from your phone to the TAFE number (Tamworth)
Travel costs to attend video conference links
Internet service provider.

See your specific Flexilink Course Information for further information.

Section 2 - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access library resources?

Students will need a TAFECard before borrowing resources from a TAFE library. TAFECard is a student identification card containing your photo, name and student number. To obtain a TAFECard, take a copy of your enrolment form to any TAFE campus and have your photo taken and the card produced for you.

Are there computers available for students to use?

Most campuses have computers for student use, with Internet access and a range of software used in courses. If you need to use a computer at your campus, please telephone the library and book a time.

How much will it cost me to study via Flexilink (TAFE NSW fee)?

You are required to pay the TAFE NSW fee for all courses. The annual charge covers only the administration costs for your course and is payable on enrolment. For every semester you re-enrol in your Flexilink course, you will need to pay the TAFE NSW fee.

How much you need to pay each year/semester depends on the course you are studying. The charge is tied to a course—not individual modules. Therefore, you pay the same amount regardless of how many modules you are enrolled in.

Can I obtain a refund of the TAFE NSW fee if I choose to discontinue my studies?

Refunds of the TAFE NSW fee are given only in exceptional circumstances. Changes to personal or work circumstances that prevent you from continuing studies are not grounds for seeking a refund. All applications for a refund must be put in writing and are assessed for eligibility by a Flexilink Coordinator.

What courses can I do through Flexilink?

To find out what courses are available through Flexilink:

Email neiflexilink@tafensw.edu.au for a course list, or
Visit our website http://www.newengland.tafensw.edu.au/external_studies/ or
Phone Flexilink on 1800 448 176

Section 3 - Course Information

Flexilink courses are the same as those offered at any other TAFE NSW campuses. The only difference is that the courses are offered by ways other than your attending regular classes at a TAFE Campus. However, in some courses, students are required to attend tutorials, workshops or practical sessions. Before you apply to enrol, it is therefore essential that you check your Course Information Brochure or talk to a teacher to see if compulsory attendance is required as part of your course.

Course Information is available from:

Flexilink on 1800 448 176 or
email neiflexilink@tafensw.edu.au
The Flexilink website www.newengland.tafensw.edu.au/external_studies

Course Information explains:

The entry requirements for the course
The proposed length of the course (in hours)
How the course is delivered (eg online or paper based)
How the course is structured (eg whether there are field trips, practical sessions or tutorials)
Any additional costs that may be associated with the course (eg special equipment or textbooks)
Whether you will need access to special equipment to do the course (eg a computer)

Will I choose the right course?

It is very important that you choose the course that is right for you. For this reason, you should find out as much as possible about the course you select. You should always consider why you want to do the course and what knowledge and skills you want to acquire. Contact Flexilink and ask to speak with the Course Coordinator for the course you are interested in.

Can I gain recognition for previous studies, work and life experience?

When you apply to enrol with Flexilink (or at another TAFE NSW campus), you can also apply for recognition of the relevant skills and knowledge you have gained from your previous studies, work and life experiences.

If your application for recognition of your skills and knowledge is successful, you do not have to study all the modules in your course. When you are not required to do a module, you are said to have gained advanced standing in that module. You may receive advanced standing for up to 100 per cent of your course for studies you have completed outside of TAFE.

To gain recognition, you will need to show that you can meet the module’s learning outcomes. Contact your Course Coordinator to receive an application form and copies of the learning outcomes of the module(s) for which you are seeking recognition. (See Section 4 for details)

How much time will my course take?

As your study with Flexilink is self-paced, in order to reach your goals you will need to commit time to your study. It is a good idea to establish a regular study pattern.

The time you need to spend on your studies depends on the number of modules you are studying.

We suggest you:

Check the time allowed to complete your course
Check the number of modules in your course
Decide how many modules you need to complete each year so that you complete your course within the maximum time allowed
Then allocate study time each week for each module.

Keep in mind that you will need to spend more time on some modules than on others.

There can be times when you feel isolated, however, your teacher is there to assist you and is able to give you feedback as well as the contact necessary to cut back on that sense of isolation. In most courses Flexilink teachers arrange set times for students to discuss any issues regarding their course work. Please also get in touch with your teacher if you fall behind, as he or she may be able to help and advise you.

Are completion times flexible?

In most courses, it is possible to take either a shorter time or a little longer than is allowed by other TAFE campuses in NSW to finish a module or course. However, you must finish your modules or courses within the course time limit.

Remember, that if you work too slowly:

You may not gain educationally from your study
You may lose interest in your work
Your course may be out of date before you finish

You should also note that, each time you enrol or re-enrol, you have to pay the TAFE NSW fee. So if you do not finish your modules in the first year, you will need to re-enrol and pay the current fee.

Are there module time limits?

The time limits listed below are maximum times allowed to complete subjects/modules. You may choose to complete your modules in less time and therefore your course, in much less time. Discuss your options with the Course Coordinator once you have enrolled.

Subjects/modules	Maximum time for completion
Subjects 54 nominal hrs or less	1 year from enrolment
Subjects 55 nominal hrs or more	2 years from enrolment

What types of learning materials are used?

Learning materials provided will depend on your course of study. Examples of learning materials used include paper based, video cassettes and CD ROMS. In many courses you may be required to buy textbooks. Some Flexilink courses are studied online, whereby learning materials are delivered electronically.

The learning materials you receive will teach you as well as guide you through your modules. They are divided into manageable segments and contain any assessments you have to complete and return to your teacher or coordinator.

You will gain the most out of your learning materials if you have the ability, time and commitment to:

Undertake the necessary reading

Make selective and concise notes

Understand written questions

Write clear answers.

Do I need to attend workshops?

For some Flexilink courses you will be required to attend tutorials, field trips or practical workshops.

Usually these sessions are held at a Campus within the New England Institute.

Your Course Information will tell you more about any sessions you must attend.

In some courses, teleconferences and video conference tutorials may be offered. In these tutorials, you link up with your teacher and other students to hear and speak to each other as though you were in the same classroom. If you use your home telephone, the cost of the call from your location to Tamworth goes on your telephone account.

You may also be able to contact your teacher and fellow students via email. If you use the Internet or email from home, you will need to have your own service provider.

What assessments are required?

For most modules, you will have to do assessments and send them in to your teacher/coordinator to be marked.

Your module learning materials will contain any assessments you have to do. Although in most courses there will be no set due dates for assessments, you will need to work at a steady pace so that you can put time, thought and research into your assessments and still finish your course within the time allowed. If your materials have a suggested timetable of study, you should look closely at this and see how this fits in with your study plans.

After you have submitted an assessment, your teacher will comment on your work and return it to you. You should expect feedback on your work within three weeks

Do I have to do exams and tests?

Some modules involve exams and tests. These are usually held at fixed times at local TAFE NSW campuses. In some cases, you can arrange for supervision at another location.

You will need to apply to sit for some examinations by completing the request to sit an examination at another centre form, and returning it to Flexilink by the time specified.

In some modules you may have to sit for an externally set examination. These examinations are scheduled twice a year—usually June and November—and must be completed on the advertised date.

Section 4 - Recognition of Prior Learning

What is recognition?

When you enrol in a TAFE NSW course, the skills and experience you have gained from school, formal and informal training, employment, work experience, along with other qualifications, can be assessed for credit against the TAFE NSW qualification. TAFE NSW identifies four types of recognition:

Types	Explanation
TAFE NSW Credit Transfer	Recognition of learning previously undertaken in TAFE NSW where the same or equivalent module has been successfully completed in previous studies.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)	Recognition of an individual’s current skills and knowledge gained through previous training, work and/or life experience
Pre-arranged RPL	Recognition as a result of arrangements between TAFE NSW and other educational providers.
Mutual Recognition	Recognition of a qualification or partial qualification issued in Australia by another Registered Training Organisation.

In addition to this TAFE NSW offers two other recognition services.

Recognition of Equivalence for students who are not enrolled in TAFE NSW. As a result of the assessment process, TAFE NSW provides a document for industry and other training providers of the equivalence of the applicant's experience to TAFE NSW modules and courses. The document is not a TAFE NSW testamur or transcript. Subsequent to the granting of Recognition of Equivalence, successful applicants will be granted advanced standing according to the Recognition of Equivalence document when they enrol in a TAFE NSW course. Fees are charged for this service.

Commercial Recognition services, which is usually in response to a request from an individual or a business who require a customised service. Commercial fees are charged for this service.

Why should I apply?

There are a number of benefits:

Less time studying
No need to study the same thing twice
Recognition may help you meet the entry requirements for higher level qualifications
Qualifications gained through recognition have the same value as those gained through course work at TAFE NSW
Up to 100% of recognition of your qualification may be granted.

Before applying what do I need to consider?

The time and/or costs involved in collating and presenting your evidence
The impact recognition may have on your benefits from Centrelink; your obligations as a holder of a temporary visa or as an international student, and on graded awards if you wish to be eligible for a TAFE NSW State Prize or use the TAFE qualification to articulate into university.

What is the process?

You should first discuss your recognition options with your teacher or head teacher. It is recommended that you do this within the first three weeks of class.
Decide if you will apply for recognition. You should attend class between lodging your application and notification of the outcome.
Complete the appropriate form (see below) and submit it along with the required evidence to your classroom teacher.
Your application will be assessed by a TAFE assessor, who will decide if the application is to be granted or rejected. You may be asked to provide more information.
You will be notified of the outcome in writing usually within three weeks of receipt of the application. Where several different modules are involved notification may take longer.

How do I apply and what evidence do I need to provide?

Type	How To Apply	Types of Evidence
TAFE NSW Credit Transfer	Complete the form Enrolment Adjustment – Recognition – TAFE NSW Credit Transfer *	No evidence required
RPL	Look at the module learning outcomes and if you think that you can provide sufficient evidence that is current, authentic and relevant then complete the form Enrolment Adjustment – Recognition – Recognition of Prior Learning	Gather evidence from a variety of sources including: diary/journal entries, certificates, academic transcripts, portfolios, letters of evidence, records of workplace activities, examples of your work, resumes and references, job descriptions. This is not an exclusive list.
Pre-arranged RPL	Complete the form Enrolment Adjustment – Recognition – Pre Arranged RPL/Mutual Recognition	Certified copy of previous study.
Mutual Recognition	Complete the form Enrolment Adjustment – Recognition – Pre Arranged RPL/Mutual Recognition	Certified copy of previous study.

* all forms are available from your campus office.

What happens if I don’t agree with the outcome?

You have the right to request a review and the details concerning this will be in your letter of notification. The outcome of the Review of Results is the final decision relating to the particular application for recognition.

What if I gained my qualifications and/or experience overseas?

If you have overseas qualifications in the same or related field of study you may gain credit for up to 100% of the modules in your TAFE NSW qualification. For more information contact your head teacher.

Where can I access further information?

Talk to TAFE NSW New England Institute staff such as teachers, head teachers, counsellors, and Client Services Officers.
HSC/TAFE Credit Transfer site www.det.nsw.edu.au/hsctafe
TAFE NSW Intranet website http://www.tafensw.edu.au/students/applying/previous.htm

Section 5 - Enrolment

How do I enrol in a Flexilink course?

To study a course through Flexilink, you must contact Flexilink to register your interest.

Flexilink courses are affected by the general application closing dates noted for certain TAFE courses. However, the enrolment period for Flexilink courses is different to other TAFE NSW courses. Places in all Flexilink courses remain subject to availability.

Some TAFE NSW (including Flexilink) courses require an application as they are regarded as “high demand” courses. This means that there are more students wanting to enrol than there are places available so applicants need to address selection criteria when applying for the course of choice. The information you provide in an application is based on your relevant skills, experience and interests in addition to your career plan.

All applications are to be submitted to Flexilink on a TAFE NSW Course Application form, available from any TAFE campus or Flexilink. Course application form may be downloaded from the Flexilink website at www.newengland.tafensw.edu.au/external_studies

If you are enrolling into a course for which you do not need to complete a Course Application form, after registering your interest you will be sent an enrolment pack in which you should correctly complete:

Enrolment form
Payment Advice and Enrolment Checklist or Exemption Application form

All forms are to be sent to the Flexilink as soon as possible in the reply paid envelope that has been provided for your convenience. All Flexilink enrolments are received by mail and processed at Flexilink.

Can I apply for a refund of the TAFE fee?

The TAFE fee is not a tuition fee, but a partial recovery of costs associated with the enrolment process, and administrative support. Refunds of the annual TAFE fee are given only in exceptional circumstances. Changes to personal or work circumstances that prevent you from continuing studies are not grounds for seeking a refund.

If you wish to apply for a refund, you must put your case in writing. Refund application forms are available from Flexilink, or from the administration section of any TAFE Campus.

Am I eligible for Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy?

Financial assistance is provided by Centrelink for students studying full and part-time. Full-time students must be formally enrolled in an approved course and studying at least 75 per cent of a normal full-time workload. There are a number of different allowances including Youth Allowance, Austudy, Pensioner Education Supplement and Abstudy. Studying through Flexilink means that you may be eligible for assistance but it will depend on your personal circumstances and study program. Please contact your local Centrelink Office or 132 490 for Austudy, 132 317 for Abstudy for more information and eligibility details.

Section 6 - Support Services

What support and advice is available for Flexilink students?

Studying by flexible delivery can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, particularly because you manage the pace of your own learning. However, students studying in this way do face challenges. Flexilink teachers are available to help you find solutions to any difficulties you may have so that you continue to enjoy your studies. You can get advice from your teacher by email, phone or fax if you need help with any aspect of your studies. Regular support will be available for you to contact your teacher/coordinator for assistance. Your Course Coordinator will advise you of the day and times after your enrolment has been processed.

Flexilink students can contact Flexilink at any time for administrative support.

Are there library services available?

The New England Institute libraries home page provides access to a wide range of online material at http://www.newengland.tafensw.edu.au/libraries

The home page itself is only the tip of the iceberg, with an amazing number of resources hidden behind the links you see.

First, look under About Us to find contact details for your nearest campus library, together with important information about your membership and borrowing.

Then spend some time exploring the page. While most of these headings are self explanatory we’ve highlighted some areas of particular interest. Looking down the left side of the screen, in the order in which they appear, are:

Services

If you are having difficulty finding information on a particular topic, we recommend the Ask-a-Librarian service, which is located here. Click on the link for this online reference service and email your query. Library staff will try to reply to your request within three working days.

For the latest update on what is happening in New England Institute’s libraries, check out our newsletter, Shelf Life, found at the Newsletter link.

An online general study skills tutorial has been developed by the South Western Sydney Institute. The ISTS (Information Skills for TAFE Students) tutorial can be found under the Training link and is of particular relevance to students who are enrolled in Flexilink courses. The tutorial leads you step-by-step from your search for information to the final presentation of your assignments. This site is highly recommended to new students, or those returning to study after some time away.

Resources

The TAFE library Catalogue is now online and can easily be accessed from our homepage.

The links in Databases provide access to the online databases:

Safari Tech Books Online is a collection of electronic books about IT and programming. Instead of checking a book out of the library you can now read a selection online.

SearchBank is an online general interest database integrating a variety of sources including newspapers, reference books, journals and magazines. Many of the articles are in full text. To limit your search to these articles, remember to tick the box marked ‘articles with text’.

The Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre provides access to leading Australian and New Zealand magazines, newspapers, newswires and reference books in the largest collection of regional full text material available to students. This link includes a second research database, MasterFILE Premier, which includes primary source documents and images. Again, you may limit your search to full text articles only.

TAFE Studylinks is a directory compiled by TAFE library staff. It lists a sample of sites relevant to TAFE faculties, as well as sites of general interest such as careers and current affairs. Included here are links to websites, libraries, museums and industry groups.

Australian Standards, due to license restrictions, are currently only available at TAFE campuses.

Australian Acts and Regulations is an Australian Legal Information Institute site, which contains Commonwealth and State legislation and a range of case law.

Medscape is a medical database, which provides health care information in a variety of formats. Here you will find articles from journals, treatment updates and even some samples of medical humour!

You may register your own user name and password here as long as you have an email address.

For help using any of these databases click on the Guides link, listed at the bottom of the Resources section.

The link Search Engines provides direct access to selected search engines. Google is our preferred choice of search engine, laying claim to being one of the largest and fastest search engines available. Vivisimo would probably be our second choice and while not strictly a search engine (it is a clustering engine) returns results with a high degree of relevancy. Also included here is information about less well known search engines, and an Internet tutorial.

Our New Items lists are updated throughout the year by New England Institute libraries and may include the most recent music CDs as well as course material. Check in here occasionally to see what’s new at your library. You can also see a list of our new items in the TAFECat catalogue.

The home page is constantly being revised and updated. Watch for changes throughout the year and if you have any suggestions let us know.

Student eServices

Student eServices enable students to view their personal and enrolment details, subject results and employer details over the Internet. Students can also change their contact details online.

Access to student eServices occurs after the data entry of student personal details on the TAFE NSW corporate student records system. Students register through the TAFE NSW website.

Aboriginal Services

For assistance of any kind, make contact with your Community Liaison/Student Support Officer. A support officer is assigned to every campus.

Disability Services

The aim of the TAFE NSW Disabilities Services is to provide access, support and equal opportunities for people with disabilities, while studying at TAFE NSW.

If you have a disability, please include details with your enrolment form.

Support Services include:

Pre-entry counselling - Modified exam conditions
Tutorial assistance - Interpreters
Special courses - Modified courses
Adaptive technology - Physical access

If you need assistance contact the Disabilities Unit at Tamworth Campus on 02 6768 2214, fax 02 6768 2315 or contact:

Counselling Services

There are TAFE Counsellors available at most campuses. Counsellors can help you choose courses, modules and careers. They can also help you with problems that affect your academic performance. Counsellors can also refer you to other services and people. All conversations you have with a counsellor are confidential. Contact numbers for New England Institute of TAFE Counsellors follow:

Or visit the website at: http://www.newengland.tafensw.edu.au/counselling

Is tutorial assistance available?

You can get help with English and mathematics at all campuses. Teachers can work with you at your own pace so that you can improve your English and mathematics.

If you need subject specific help or help with studying flexibly, please contact your teacher or course coordinator.

How can I use TAFE NSW Services?

As a Flexilink student, you are a TAFE NSW student. You can use the services and facilities available to other TAFE students. For example, you can:

Borrow books, etc. from the libraries at TAFE NSW campuses
Join a student association at your local TAFE NSW campus by mail or in person
Consult a counsellor at any TAFE campus in New South Wales

Note, however, that Flexilink students are not entitled to travel concession cards.

Section 7 - Campuses

The following are all TAFE NSW New England Institute campuses:

Campus
Armidale Campus Beardy Street Armidale NSW 2350 Phone: 02 6773 7700	Boggabilla Campus South Street Boggabilla NSW 2409 Phone: 07 4671 9900
Coonabarabran Campus Robertson Street Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Phone: 02 6842 0700	Glen Innes Campus Grey Street Glen Innes NSW 2370 Phone: 02 6739 0500
Gunnedah Campus Hunter Street Gunnedah NSW 2380 Phone: 02 6742 9600	Inverell Campus Cnr Wood & Evans Streets Inverell NSW 2360 Phone: 02 6721 9000
Moree Campus Frome Street Moree NSW 2400 Phone: 02 6752 0300	Narrabri Campus Barwon Street Narrabri NSW 2390 Phone: 02 6792 8800
Quirindi Campus Henry Street Quirindi NSW 2343 Phone: 02 6746 4100	Tamworth Campus Janison Street Tamworth NSW 2340 Phone: 02 6768 2200
Tenterfield Campus Cnr High & East Streets Tenterfield NSW 2372 Phone: 02 6736 0000

Section 8 - Student Rights and Responsibilities

Like other TAFE NSW students, those enrolled with Flexilink have certain rights and responsibilities and must abide by NSW TAFE Regulations.

What are students’ rights?

By signing the enrolment form, you are entitled to:
Be treated fairly and with respect;
Learn in an environment free of discrimination and harassment;
Pursue your educational goals in a supportive and stimulating environment;
Have access to counselling;
Privacy, concerning departmental records or documents that contain personal information; and
Have ready assessment procedures and progressive results.

Do you have a suggestion or complaint? Don’t hesitate to contact Flexilink or your course co-ordinator, or fill in attached form and post it to the Flexilink office.

What are my responsibilities as a student?

As a Flexilink student, you have a responsibility to:

Treat other people with respect and fairness;
Follow any reasonable direction from staff;
Not engage in plagiarism, collusion or cheating in any assessment event or examination;
Submit assessment events by the due date, or seek approval to extend the due date;
Complete all assessment tasks and examinations honestly, without any form of cheating,
Return or renew library materials on time.

When on any TAFE campus premises students have the additional responsibility to:

Follow any safety practices required
Follow directions from TAFE staff
Not damage property
Not enter a campus under the influence of drugs or in possession of weapons or drugs
Turn mobile phones off in class

Disciplinary action may be taken against any student who breaches TAFE NSW regulations.

All enrolling students should note:

TAFE NSW will use its best endeavours to ensure that you, subject to your satisfactory progress, complete your course in the manner and at the pace you wish.

In rare instances, changed circumstances may mean that this isn’t possible. In these cases TAFE NSW reserves the right to:

Run or withdraw a course
Hold a course other than that advertised
Alter the dates for the whole or any part of the course.

If any of these course changes become necessary, you will be advised in advance where possible, and of the alternative arrangements that will be made available for you.

Privacy

When you enrol at TAFE NSW the personal information you provide is protected under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act, 1998. This act imposes obligations on public sector agencies such as TAFE NSW regarding their collection, storage, use and disclosure of your personal information. We are obliged to tell you the purpose of collecting personal information and where it is held. We must also provide for your ongoing rights to access this information about yourself and make corrections if necessary. We are also obliged to protect your personal and private information and not disclose it without your knowledge and approval. Information we ask you to provide will only be that which is necessary for the purposes of your course enrolment, learning and study records.

The New South Wales Freedom of Information Act

The New South Wales Freedom of Information Act gives a person the legal right to:

Obtain access to information held as paper/computer records by State Government agencies (subject to specified exemptions, which prevent for example the disclosure of personal affairs of another person)
Request amendment to personal records that are incomplete, incorrect, out of date or misleading
Appeal against a decision not to grant access to information or to amend personal records.

The role of the FOI Act in the provision of information is to complement or supplement existing arrangements, not to restrict them.

Any request for information under the Freedom of Information Act must be referred to the FOI Coordinator, Corporate Services, 601 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065.