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Vocational Education and Training Student Guide 2012

Enrolment process

The enrolment process is a contract between yourself and CDU, indicating your commitment to complete one or more units, a course or a qualification. At the same time, CDU staff are committed to providing the best quality services, including the delivery of your units or courses, the administrative processes associated with your student experience from enrolment to graduation, and the facilities and equipment we provide to support the delivery of our programs.

You are encouraged to contact the team relevant to your course by phone, fax, email or mail if you wish to obtain extra information, or to clarify any issues or questions you may have.
To speak to someone please refer to the VET contact details

Enrolling in a vocational education and training (VET) course

You need to enrol if you want to begin studying or to continue studying in 2012. Once you have selected the course(s) in which you would like to enrol, you should complete the personal and statistical details on the 2012 VET Enrolment Form and then arrange a time with the relevant Team Leader or delegate to discuss and complete your enrolment.

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When do I need to complete my enrolment form by?

An enrolment form should be completed before the start of your course or by negotiation with the Team responsible for delivery of the course.

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Student number

Students who have studied previously at CDU (or NTU or Centralian College) already have a student number. Your student number is unique and will remain the same while you are a student at the university. New students will be issued with a student number when their enrolment is processed electronically at the university. Your student number will be printed on your Enrolment and Fees Advice – Invoice. If you have been allocated more than one student number, advise the relevant Team Customer Service Officer or regional centre immediately. Your student number should be quoted on all correspondence with the university.

For further information on completing an enrolment form go to www.cdu.edu.au/cduvet/enrol.html.

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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

What is RPL?

RPL is the process by which your existing skills, knowledge and experience gained throughout your life, regardless of how they have been acquired are recognised towards the achievement of a nationally recognised qualification or competency.
These skills may have been obtained from:

• Work experience
• Voluntary work
• While at school
• Life experience
• Sporting experience

What can I get from RPL?
RPL can result in the awarding of nationally recognised qualifications or group of competencies (that is, for part of a qualification rather than a whole qualification).

What are the benefits of RPL for you?

• You will have your skills recognised
• It saves you time in achieving a qualification as you do not have to repeat learning or undertake training for skills and knowledge you already have
• It enables you to identify gaps in your knowledge and skills and therefore any learning that needs to occur to meet the requirements of a particular job role or qualification.

Is it a difficult process?
RPL is not difficult. It is a flexible assessment process which can vary from one applicant to another - even when addressing the same qualification. Typically the process involves some kind of assessment of your existing skills and knowledge to determine the competencies you have.
The assessment is aligned with relevant types of supporting evidence, but is not necessarily dependent upon any one type of evidence; rather the complete set of evidence is viewed holistically.

Here are some examples of possible evidence:

• Practical demonstrations - in the workplace or simulated environment via video/DVD, web tools
• Work samples or photos of work, e-portfolios
• CV/resume, job descriptions
• Assessment conversations
• References and support from supervisors
• Training certificates
• Performance reviews

Would you like to find out more?
For any questions relating to Recognition of Prior Learning,
please contact the RPL Co-ordinator on 1800 085 209 or email vet.rpl.enquiries@cdu.edu.au.

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Credit transfer or recognition of previous study

CDU, as a Registered Training Organisation, recognises the Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by any other Australian Registered Training Organisation. Students are encouraged to submit any requests for credit from previous studies when enrolling to ensure that they are not enrolling in units they may not need to undertake. To apply for credit transfer from units completed at another training organisation, complete an Application for Credit Transfer (Recognition of previous Studies) Form available from any campus, centre, team or online.

Your completed Application for Credit Transfer (Recognition of Previous Studies) form, together with attached documentary evidence (certified copy of Qualification/Statement of Attainment) to support your request for credit transfer, should be submitted directly to the university either in person or by mail. Requests without documentary evidence will not be processed and will be returned to students. There are no fees attached to credit transfers.
For any questions, please refer to the VET contacts.

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I have completed my enrolment form, what happens next?

Once you have completed all sections of your enrolment form, the information will be entered into the university’s Student Management System by a Customer Service Officer in the industry team responsible for the delivery of your course. Customer Service Officers are your first point of contact if you have any queries about the status or details of your enrolment.

Once your enrolment has been processed, an Enrolment and Fees Advice – Invoice will be printed and sent to your postal address. You can receive your Advice/Invoice by email if you have activated your CDU student email account or if you have provided an alternate email address. To do this follow instructions provided under Computer Accounts. Enrolment and Fees Advices - Invoices also are generated automatically when your requests for changes to your enrolment are processed. During peak enrolment periods, you may experience delays between the period of submitting an enrolment form and receiving an Enrolment and Fees Advice - Invoice.

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I have received my Enrolment and Fees Advice - Invoice, what should I do?

The Enrolment and Fees Advice - Invoice serves several purposes. It lists your personal details, your student ID, and the course and units you have enrolled in, as well as the amount of fees that you need to pay and by when. Check this Advice/Invoice to ensure all details have been recorded accurately, and contact the Customer Service Officer relevant to your course immediately if you have any queries. The relevant Team contact details will be on the back of your Enrolment and Fees Advice – Invoice.

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How will I know when to attend classes for internal/mixed mode units?

Once you have submitted your enrolment form, consider yourself enrolled and start attending classes. You do not have to wait to receive your Advice/Invoice or any other form of written confirmation of enrolment before you attend classes. If you are an apprentice, you will receive a letter advising you of class attendance dates.

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Timetables

If your course is timetabled, the timetables for 2012 are accessible at www.cdu.edu.au/studentportal, then click on Timetables. The published timetable will be subject to change, which CDU will try to minimise. Changes will be updated automatically to the web. It is your responsibility to check this information periodically. If you have any questions or are unable to find the timetable for your class on the web, contact your VET Team.

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Computer accounts

After you enrol and receive your Enrolment and Fees Advice – Invoice, you will need to activate your student computer account. This must be done before you can use the computer labs, internet or email. You can activate your computer account using the general access computers at the Information Centre, the Library, or at the IT Kiosk. If you are not on campus, you can activate your student account from any computer that has internet access. Students should be aware that their computer username is their Student number preceded by an “s”, e.g. s123456.
Once online to activate your account, select the link student computer account under the My Computer Account heading.
Once this has been completed, you are ready to use the labs, the internet and email.

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Learnline

If you are undertaking your study via Learnline, you can access the Learnline login page (top right hand corner) from the CDU homepage. Before you log into Learnline, you should have activated your student computer account.
To log into Learnline enter your login details which are your student number preceded by an “s” (s123456) and your password.

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Can I view my enrolment details online?

Yes. Your Enrolment and Fees Advice – Invoice will include your Student ID, which is a six digit code unique to yourself. You need your Student ID to activate your computer account and to set your password (see computer accounts above). Once your account is activated go to the Student Portal and click on My Student Info link under the My CDU heading to view your enrolment details, results and personal details.

For any questions, please contact:
ITMS Service Desk or visit the IT Kiosk in Red 1
T: 08 8946 6600
E: itms-support@cdu.edu.au
W: www.cdu.edu.au/itms

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External students

If you have elected to study units in external mode, you will either:

  • be sent printed unit materials so you can complete the unit
    or
  • you will receive access to Learnline, where the unit is taught online using internet facilities

It is important to check your study requirements carefully as external units vary, for example some units are self-paced, while others have set deadlines for completion of work. Students enrolling in external units must indicate the mode as ‘E’ for each external unit on their enrolment form. This will ensure study materials are sent in a timely manner.

External Student Support provides support and assistance to CDU students who are studying units and courses in external mode. They also manage the dispatch of print-based study materials, assignment tracking, external examinations and Open Universities contact for both CDU and non CDU students.

Note: If you do not receive your study materials within a week of the unit starting, contact External Student Support immediately to check whether your materials have been sent. It is very important to advise the university of any changes to your postal address, otherwise we cannot guarantee that you will receive your study materials in a timely manner.

Students enrolling in units that are Learnline-supported or delivered fully online using Blackboard should indicate the mode as ‘M’ for each unit on their enrolment form.

If you have any concerns relating to any of these issues, contact:

External Student Support
T: 08 8946 6483
E: ess@cdu.edu.au

External Student Support
Flexible Delivery Team – TLQG
Charles Darwin University
Darwin, NT 0909

Learnline Student Support
T: 1800 559 347
E: learnlinesupport@cdu.edu.au

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Student ID cards

Where can I obtain a student ID card?
When your enrolment has been processed and confirmed, you are entitled to a Student Identification Card (Photo ID).
This can be obtained at the Information Centre located on the ground floor in Building Orange 1, Casuarina campus, at the
Cashier, Building A, Palmerston campus or at the Information Centre, Building 1 at Alice Springs campus. You will be required to show photo identification (Australian driver’s licence or passport) before your card will be issued.
External students can obtain a card by completing form GEN103 – Student Cards for External Students available from the Information Centre or from Student forms and Guides.

What is my student ID card used for?
Your student card provides access to university facilities such as the Library, after-hours computer labs, some discounts at the University Bookshop and other discounts where notified by the business concerned. You will be required to show your student card when you sit for your exams. If you are studying on campus, you may be asked for your ID card by Security if you are using the facilities after normal hours.

Head coverings and my student ID card photo
Head coverings are not permitted to be worn, except for religious reasons, in which case, facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of your face must be clearly shown. The university will take every measure possible to ensure privacy for students wearing head coverings for religious reasons.

Is there a cost for my student ID card?
Student cards are issued to students free of charge. A $15 administration fee will apply when a lost card is replaced. Stolen cards can be replaced free of charge when the application is accompanied by a police incident number.

What constitutes a change of enrolment?

A change of enrolment can include one or more of the
following actions:

• add and/or substitute a unit
• withdrawal from a unit
• withdrawal from a course
• change of course

How do I change my enrolment?
Make all changes to your enrolment in writing. The change should be submitted on the relevant form available from any Information Centre, CDU centre or team, or a copy can be obtained from Student Forms and Guides. Where it is not convenient to obtain the relevant form, you may submit your change in writing either by letter, fax or email to the relevant team. If you choose to email the team, you need to provide at least three identifiers that show you as the person sending the email request. Identifiers could include: student identification number, date of birth, and postal address. You should direct your written change to the relevant CDU centre or team.To hasten the process please state:

• your student number
• full name
• course code and name, and
• any other details about the change, such as unit code and unit name.


Ensure you provide your most current postal address, phone number and email address, so we can contact you if we have a question. Also ensure that you date all correspondence and keep a copy for your own records. An Enrolment and Fees Advice - Invoice confirming your amended enrolment will be sent to you once a change to your enrolment has been processed.
For any questions, please contact: Customer Service Officer.

How do I add and/or withdraw from a unit?
To amend your enrolment by adding and/or withdrawing a unit, complete a Change of Enrolment/Withdrawal from Course form, have it authorised by the relevant Team Leader/Delegate and submit it to the relevant Team immediately. Ensure you have ticked the box on your form to indicate that you are changing your enrolment.
For any questions, please contact: Customer Service Officer.

Note: Ensure that you submit your Change of Enrolment / Withdrawal from Course form within 14 days from the start of
the units you are withdrawing from to avoid financial penalty. Fees will apply if you choose to withdraw more than 14 days after the unit begins.
You cannot withdraw from units once you have been assessed and found to be competent or not competent in the unit.
Students cannot add units to a completed award.

Withdrawal from a course

If you want to withdraw from your course of study, you may benefit from discussing your situation with your Team Leader/ delegate or a Student Facilitator. Often an alternative solution other than withdrawal can be found. To withdraw from your course, complete a Change of Enrolment/Withdrawal from Course form and submit it to the relevant team before the final assessment. Ensure you have ticked the box on your form to indicate that you are withdrawing from your course. This form can be found at Student Forms and Guides.

All changes to your enrolment are effective from the date your written notification is received and date-stamped by CDU. It is not sufficient just to tell your lecturer that you are withdrawing from a course. NON-ATTENDANCE AT CLASSES DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY CANCEL YOUR ENROLMENT, NOR DOES IT CANCEL YOUR STUDENT DEBT.
Note: To avoid financial penalty, you should submit your Change of Enrolment/Withdrawal from a Course form (ensuring you have ticked the Withdrawal from Course box) within 14 days of the start of the course. A Customer Service Officer will notify you in writing when your request has been processed.

For any questions, please contact: Customer Service Officer.

Change of course

Students wishing to change to another course should consult the relevant Customer Service Officer. To change course you must complete:

• an Enrolment Form for the new course, and
• a Change of Enrolment / Withdrawal from Course form (with the Withdrawal from Course box ticked) to cancel your current course (unless you wish to study both courses at the same time).

Your change of course must be authorised by the Team Leader/ delegate of the new course to which you are transferring.
If you have completed any units that may be relevant to your new course, you may need to apply formally for credit for these
units towards your new course by completing a Credit Transfer form. A credit transfer is not an automatic transaction unless your previous studies were with CDU (NTU or Centralian College) and it is your responsibility to ensure that your record is correct. While you are enrolled in more than one course, you cannot seek credit transfer for units that have not been completed successfully in one course towards another course.

For any questions, please contact: Customer Service Officer.