12. Academic progression

What You Need to Know

You are expected to meet all of the academic progression requirements for your education and training with TAFE Queensland.

This means you are required to:

• Meet all of your attendance obligations for each unit;
• Submit and undertake all assessment on time; and
• Complete all the requirements for the unit within the prescribed study period.

What You Need to Know

Informal Intervention

If you are having difficulties in managing satisfactory academic progression, you should be proactive and discuss the matter with your teachers.

• Discussing issues with your teacher, or a counsellor/AccessAbility support officer; and
• Negotiating any required changes to your enrolment (for example undertaking a reduced study load).

TAFE Queensland will also monitor your academic progression. If you are identified as being at risk of unsuccessful academic progression, TAFE Queensland will discuss with you your options to improve your performance. You will be identified as being at risk in cases of:

• Failure to submit assessment tasks;
• Unsuccessful completion of assessment tasks;
• Failure to participate in required course activities, including online learning; 
• Non-attendance;
• For apprentices and trainees, not completing the Training Record Book and/or Training Plan; and
• For work integrated learning, failure to participate in vocational placement, professional practice, or work based projects.

Formal Intervention

If you continue to demonstrate unsuccessful academic progression, TAFE Queensland will introduce more formal intervention strategies, including:

• A formal meeting between TAFE Queensland, you, and other relevant stakeholders to discuss formal intervention strategies to be put in place; and
• An Academic Progression Plan, detailing how academic progression will be managed through these formal intervention strategies

Note that under legislation and funding agreements, TAFE Queensland will also be obligated to report academic progression issues to your parents/guardians (if you are under 18 years of age), your school (if you are enrolled in secondary school), your employer (if you are an apprentice or trainee), and other relevant government agencies (e.g. the commonwealth Department of Home Affairs – Immigration for international students, the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training for User Choice students).

What You Need to Know

If you cannot reasonably complete your study within the expected duration (as specified in your Training Plan for Apprenticeships and Traineeships, and your Confirmation of Enrolment for international students), TAFE Queensland may grant an extension of study based on compassionate or compelling circumstances.

Any request for an extension to the close of study date for a unit must be made in writing to the regional General Manager at least 48 hours prior to the close of study date. An original signed doctor's certificate (or other documentary evidence) must be provided to support the request.

What You Need to Know

If you have a continued pattern of failing to achieve satisfactory academic progression and/or the agreed actions in your Academic Progression Plan, you will be subject to disciplinary action and penalties, including:

• Continuing your enrolment with a subsequent Student Intervention Plan put in place, along with further monitoring arrangements; and
• Cancelling your enrolment

What You Need to Know

International Students

International students who do not achieve satisfactory academic progression may be reported to the Department of Home Affairs – Immigration for unsatisfactory course progress.

International students will also be considered as failing to progress and will have their enrolment cancelled and be reported to the Department of Home Affairs - Immigration in cases where the student is not going to complete within the original course duration, and:

• Fails to respond to at least two attempts to arrange a formal meeting;
• Fails to attend a scheduled formal meeting and does not provide evidence to support the absence; or
• Fails to sign the Academic Progression Plan provided to them.

This reporting may impact the status of your student visa.

All TAFE Queensland students have a responsibility to meet the requirements for academic progression and completion for their program of study. 

For students studying aviation courses, academic progression can be characterised by maintaining satisfactory progress in the following areas:

• Timely submission of Class 1 medical;
• Prompt application for an Aviation Security Identification Card;
• Consistent ground school attendance;
• Timely and successful completion of CASA theory exams;
• Regular participation in flight school with associated increase in skill level.

As a TAFE Queensland aviation student, you can expect to be provided timely and constructive feedback throughout your studies regarding your academic progress.

Aviation courses require students to successfully pass theory and practical competencies to meet industry standards. Failure to successfully progress through your aviation studies in a satisfactory manner may result in the cancellation of your enrolment, or the requirement to privately fund additional flight hours not covered in your course fees or by VET Student Loan. The additional flight hours may cost up to $1200 per hour, depending on aircraft type.

Cancellation of your enrolment by TAFE Queensland for failure to progress in a satisfactory manner does not entitle you to a refund of fees incurred prior to the cancellation date.