PURPOSE

This policy and procedure is to ensure that Australian Institute of English Pty Ltd complies with the legislative requirement to recognise Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and statements of attainment issued by any other registered training organisations (RTO). It also ensures that academic rigor is appropriately maintained within the process for granting credit transfer towards a qualification.

SCOPE

This policy applies to:

• participants seeking credit transfer for units of competency within a training package qualification
• assessors engaged for VET courses
• administration staff
• participants the RTO identifies as eligible to receive a credit transfer

POLICY

Australian Institute of English Pty Ltd is committed to ensuring an individual’s prior learning is appropriately recognised. Information on, and the opportunity for, RPL is publicised and promoted via the:

• Australian Institute of English Pty Ltd handbooks prior to enrolment
• Australian Institute of English Pty Ltd website

PROCEDURES

Applying for credit transfer

• Participants may apply for credit transfers by:
• completing the relevant credit transfer application section on the participants’ enrolment form;

• Accompanied by certified documentary evidence including a certified copy of either the relevant qualification and accompanying records of results, or a certified copy of the statement of attainment.
• In cases where the academic records, statements of attainment, transcripts, and/or qualifications are in a language other than English, verified translations into English must accompany these documents.
• Credit transfer will only be granted for whole units of competency. In cases where a partial opportunity for credit transfer is identified, participants will be encouraged to seek recognition under the VET RPL process.
• Credit transfer will not be granted for an entire qualification.
• Participants are encouraged to apply for credit transfer prior to course commencement, however, the participants may apply for a credit transfer throughout a course.
• Where the participants did not apply for a credit transfer and the RTO identifies that the participant is eligible for a credit transfer, upon notifying the participants, the RTO may;
  • Issue the participant with credit transfer; or
  • The participant may choose to undertake the unit of competency;
• Where the course credit is granted before the student visa grant, AIOE will confirm the net course duration (as reduced by course credit) at enrolment
• If the course credit is granted after the student visa grant, AIOE will report the change of course duration via PRISMs under section 19 of the ESOS Act.

Assessment of applications for credit transfer

• An assessor with underpinning knowledge of the qualification and the related training package in which the credit transfer is being sought, in conjunction with quality assurance/compliance is responsible for determining whether credit transfer can be granted or refused.
• The nominated assessor and/or quality assurance is responsible for:
  • assessing the documentation for authenticity and currency. In many cases the assessment will be guided by mapping information published in the relevant training package
  • wherever possible, assessment of credit transfer will be completed within ten business days.
  • The outcome of the assessment of credit transfer will be entered into the student management system (aXcelerate) and
  • notify the participant of the outcome. In cases where credit transfer has not been granted, an explanation for the decision, together with information relating to the participant’s right to appeal the decision must be communicated.

Credit transfer may not be granted in cases where the course content underpinning the qualification has been superseded by more relevant material. Participants will be advised to seek recognition under the VET RPL process.

Appealing the decision

• In cases where a participant disagrees with an outcome for credit transfer, s/he is encouraged, in the first instance, to try to resolve the matter informally with the relevant assessor and/or quality assurance /compliance.

Where the outcome remains unresolved following informal discussions, the participant may appeal the decision on the basis of one or both of the following grounds:

• that a procedural irregularity has occurred or was in breach of procedural fairness
• that the application was not considered on its academic merits and the decision does not give appropriate recognition to the previously undertaken course.

When appealing a credit transfer decision, the appeal must:

• be submitted in writing
• state the grounds on which the appeal is being made

Contain:

• an outline of why the participant considers the original decision to be inappropriate
• copies of any relevant documentation to be lodged with quality assurance / compliance no later than five business days from notification of the outcome. Late appeal applications will not be considered.

The quality assurance / compliance manager will consider the appeal by:

• reviewing the initial decision and the participant’s written submission
• consulting with members of the relevant Assessor
• and will, if deemed necessary/appropriate, discuss the matter directly with the participant.

The participant will be informed in writing of the outcome within ten business days of its lodgment as identified by the date of receipt. The notification will contain the reason(s) for the outcome, and advise the participant that s/he has the right of appeal against decision using Australian Institute of English Pty Ltd’s Complaints and Appeals process if s/he is dissatisfied with the outcome.

If the internal process results in a decision that supports the participant, the quality assurance /compliance is responsible to immediately implementing the decision, and/or any corrective and preventative action that may be required. There is no external appeal process for the purpose of Credit Transfer applications.