18. Further information for higher education students

This section is dedicated to rules and policies that apply only to Higher Education students, to help you understand your specific responsibilities.

Along with these rules and policies you will also need refer to the other Student Rules and Policies pages to understand your full responsibilities as a TAFE Queensland student, and to access administrative processes and useful forms.

Applications for Admission

What You Need to Know

Admission Applications:

You can apply for a Higher Education course through:

(a)    The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC);
(b)    Clicking the Apply Now button from the relevant Course Page on the TAFE Queensland website;
(c)     By Completing the Higher Education Direct Entry Application Form and lodging it in person; or
(d)    By telephone by calling 1300 308 233.

QTAC Applications:

If you apply via QTAC your application will be assessed by QTAC and the Tertiary Placement and Performance Unit, unless you are determined to be a ‘Young Person’ in which case you will be referred to TAFE Queensland to apply.

QTAC will offer you a place within your course on behalf of TAFE Queensland. Offers are sent out in a number of rounds throughout the year. Current key information and dates are available from QTAC Key Dates.

Special Admission Entries:

If you are unable to meet the entrance requirements and/or course-specific admissions requirements you may be eligible through Special Admission Entry on the basis of skills, competence, or learning.

If you are seeking entry into a course of the basis of special admission you will need to speak to the Course Coordinator of your program prior to applying and they will provide you with details on the supporting documentation you will need to supply, which may include:

(a)    A Portfolio of evidence that demonstrates a reasonable likelihood of success in the course; and/or
(b)    An Interview; and/or
(c)     Supporting evidence of disadvantage, such as a Higher Education Medical Impact Statement Form, statutory declaration, references, or work history.

Notified Disability or Impairment:

Persons with a disability are required to share with us the nature of a disability, impairment or long-term medical condition that may affect their learning. Where there are physical, intellectual, cultural, religious or other factors that impact your ability to meet the inherent requirements of your course, TAFE Queensland will if possible seek to make appropriate reasonable adjustments to assist you to meet those requirements.

Unsuccessful Admission Applications:

If you are unsuccessful in your application you will be notified by either TAFE Queensland (for direct applicants) or the QTAC Application Services Portal on the QTAC Webpage.

Offers

What You Need to Know

Offer Response Process:

If your application is successful you must respond to your offer by the due date as specified in the Letter of Offer or as communicated in QTAC Application Services. Responses are one of the following:

(a)    Accept the Offer;
(b)    Decline the Offer; or
(c)     Defer the Offer.

Accepted Offers:

If you accept your offer to study with TAFE Queensland you will be provided with information on how to enrol. If you are a domestic student you will only be able to apply for advanced standing once you have accepted your offer.

Deferred Offers:

If you are a domestic student you are able request a deferral for a maximum of one year. This will allow you to commence your study at a later date without requiring re-approval or re-application.

You can defer your offer from TAFE Queensland if you:

(a) Have not accepted your offer and want to start study at a later date; or
(b) Have already accepted your offer but have not yet enrolled in any Units of study.

If you wish to return to study earlier than your original deferred date you will need to do so in writing to TAFE Queensland.

Declined/Lapsed Offers:

Standard lapse dates are between 4 to 7 days. If you wish to be considered for entry into your course after your offer has lapsed or if you have declined your offer, you will need to apply for Re-Admission as outlined below.

Change of Offer:

If you have received your offer and would like to request a change of course you will need to make your request in writing to TAFE Queensland. Change of offer requests are treated as new applications and you will be re-assessed against the entry requirements of the alternative course.

Refusal and Revocation of TAFE Queensland Offers:

TAFE Queensland reserves the right to refuse admission or withdraw any offer to any applicant/student, where we reasonably believe:

(a)    You failed to disclose relevant admissions information;
(b)    You or your presence poses a risk to TAFE Queensland students and/or staff or the wider TAFE Queensland community;
(c)     You would be unable to meet the course or Unit of Study requirements;
(d)    You are found to have provided incomplete or inaccurate information about your application;
(e)    You have a dormant enrolment status, that is, you are not on approved leave of absence, deferral, or an academic exclusion;
(f)     You would be lawfully prevented from entering TAFE Queensland premise for all or part of the course or Unit/s of Study; and
(g)    You have concealed important and relevant information related to the admissions application, that, if made known at the time of application, would have resulted in your application being unsuccessful.

If TAFE Queensland is considering to refuse admission or withdraw an offer, you will be given the opportunity to provide written reasons why you should be permitted to attend TAFE Queensland.

Where you are refused entry or if your offer is revoked under the conditions outlined above, you will not be eligible to apply for admission into the same higher education course for a period of two years. Any resultant enrolment will be forfeited.

Re-Admissions

What You Need to Know

Requests for Re-Admission:

You will need to apply for Re-Admission if you want to return to study after:

(a)    The deferred offer period;
(b)    Your offer has lapsed or been declined;
(c)     A period of inactive enrolment; or
(d)    Exclusion/suspension from study.

Requests for re-admission into a course will generally not be permitted when:

(a)    You are unlikely to complete the course within the maximum period for completing the course;
(b)    You cannot reasonably be expected to complete the course before TAFE Queensland stops delivering it;
(c)     You have been excluded on disciplinary or academic grounds and the exclusion period is still current; or
(d)    You are unable to demonstrate current knowledge or comply with current course and/or professional registration and entry requirements.

You will need to apply for re-admission prior to the start of study date as published in the Higher Education Academic Calendar available on the TAFE Queensland website. The Higher Education Re-Admission Fact Sheet - Student will assist you in completing the Higher Education Re-Admission Application Form.

Unsuccessful Re-Admission Applications:

If you are unsuccessful in your application for re-admission you will be notified in writing of the decision outcome. If your course is still available you will need to commence an application as a new applicant.

Further Information:

For further information, please visit the How to Apply section of the TAFE Queensland website.

Useful Forms

Higher Education Direct Entry Application Form

Higher Education Medical Impact Statement Form

Higher Education Re-Admission Application Form

Higher Education Re-Admission Fact Sheet - Student

Enrolments

What You Need to Know

Study Loads:

The standard study loads are:

(a)    A standard Unit of Study is 10 credit points;
(b)    The standard annual full-time study load is generally 80 credit points; and
(c)     The standard annual part time load is generally 40 credit points.

If you are enrolled in 30 credit points or more in a semester you are considered to have a full-time enrolment status for that semester. The maximum study load for a semester is 40 credit points.

If you are enrolled in less than 30 credits points you will generally be considered to have a part-time study load. The standard part-time study load for a semester is 20 credit points.

Enrolment Eligibility:

You are typically required to enrol and commence study in at least one Unit of Study each semester.

To be eligible to enrol you:

(a)    Must have accepted an offer of admission to a course and have completed any course specific enrolment requirements;
(b)    Submitted any outstanding admissions documentation;
(c)     Must have paid any fees and charges that are required to be paid as a condition of enrolment and have no outstanding fee balance;
(d)    Must fulfil the conditions prescribed for HELP-Loan students if admitted into a HELP-Loan approved course;
(e)    Have an approved re-admission application (where relevant); and
(f)     Must not be currently excluded, expelled or suspended from TAFE Queensland.

If you believe that you have completed your enrolment requirements but have yet to receive official confirmation of enrolment you will need to contact your faculty administration to verify your enrolment status.

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria you are not permitted to enrol into Unit/s of Study.

You are not permitted to attend classes, access teaching materials, or engage in the teaching activities in a Unit of Study unless you are enrolled in that Unit of Study or are awaiting an outcome of an enrolment application.

Enrolment into Unit/s of study are subject to the following criteria:

(a)    Quota restrictions;
(b)    Student study load restrictions;
(c)     Unit of study eligibility requirements (e.g. regulatory and/or professional accreditation requirements);
(d)    Completion of prerequisites;
(e)    Timing of enrolment application submissions; and
(f)     Maximum course completion time limits.

If you do not meet the published enrolment eligibility requirements for a unit of study you must obtain written approval from the Course Coordinator prior to your enrolment.

Adding Units of Study:

Requests to add units of study are made using the Higher Education Student Change of Enrolment Form in the following situations:

(a)    As a standard enrolment within the published enrolment dates;
(b)    As an additional study load in order to complete a course or because a Unit of Study is unavailable in the relevant semester; and
(c)     As a personal choice where you are seeking to complete a Unit of Study that will not contribute to the credit points required for completion of your current course or will result in you completing more credit points than is required to achieve your reward.

You are typically not permitted to enrol in extra Units of Study that do not contribute to the completion requirements for your course, or will result in you completing more credit points than is required to achieve your reward. To enrol into units, you will need to be enrolled as a full fee-paying student and will be in-eligible for a HELP-Loan. If you have over enrolled and remain enrolled into the extra units after the Census Date of your current enrolment you will be financially liable for your Unit/s of Study.

Withdrawals

What You Need to Know

Withdrawing Units of Study:

The TAFE Queensland Academic Calendar contains important dates relating to your enrolment that can impact the consequences for withdrawing from a Unit of Study.

When you withdraw prior to the Start of Study you do not need to submit an application. You can request to be withdrawn without financial or academic penalty by contacting the relevant Administration Officer.

If you wish to withdraw after the Start of Study you will need to submit a withdrawal application, incorporating:

(a)    You can withdraw after the Start of Study but before the census date for your unit of study without academic or financial penalty;
(b)    If you withdraw after the census date but before the academic penalty date you will be financially liable for your enrolment; and
(c)     If you withdraw after the census date and the academic penalty date you will be financially liable for your enrolment and will incur an academic penalty on your official academic record.

Academic Progression

What You Need to Know

Academic Standing Requirements:

You are expected to:

(a)    Maintain a satisfactory Academic Standing in in your course;
(b)    Complete your course within the expected duration of your course; and
(c)     Seek support and assistance with your learning as required.

To maintain a satisfactory Academic Standing within your course you will need to:

(a)    Maintain a pass overall Grade Point Average;
(b)    Meet required attendance levels at mandatory practicum/clinical sessions;
(c)     Receive no more than one fail grade for the same unit of study; and
(d)    Complete your course requirements within the maximum course completion time.

Your Academic Standing is determined at the end of each semester/delivery period.

Failure to Maintain Your Academic Standing:

If you fail to maintain a satisfactory Academic Standing you will receive a letter advising you that you have been put on Academic Probation. Under Academic Probation you will be required to attend an Academic Intervention Meeting with your Course Coordinator before you can re-enrol and the number of Units of Study you can enrol into may be restricted.

Academic Probation lasts for one semester. At the end of this time your Academic Standing will be re-evaluated. You will be in breach of your Academic Probation if:

(a)    You receive an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of less than 3.0 in a semester/study period;
(b)    Fail to attend mandatory practicum session or are repeatedly absent, late to arrive, or early to depart from clinical practicums in a semester; or
(c)     Receive a fail grade in a Unit of Study that you have previously failed.

You may be recommended for Academic Exclusion if:

(a)    Previously had at least one period of academic probation in your current course of study and have not subsequently regained and/or maintained a status of satisfactory academic standing within an appropriate timeframe;
(b)    Have been awarded a GPA of less than three in two consecutive semesters;
(c)     Have failed a Unit of Study more than twice;
(d)    Have failed to meet any special requirement/s imposed by TAFE Queensland as a condition of admission/return to study or continuation in a course of study; or
(e)    For Clinical Practice, repeatedly failed to attend mandatory practicum sessions or repeated absences, late arrivals and early departures from clinical practicums sessions in more than one semester of study.

Course Completion Time Limits:

Unless otherwise mandated by Government Policy, the maximum time limits for course completion are:

(a)    Undergraduate certificate, equivalent to half a year of full-time study – 2 years;
(b)    Associate degree, equivalent to two years of full-time study – 5 years;
(c)     Bachelor degree, equivalent to three years of full-time study – 8 years;
(d)    Post graduate certificates, equivalent to 0.5 year of full-time study – 2 years;
(e)    Post graduate diplomas, equivalent to one year of full-time study – 3 years; and
(f)     Masters (Coursework), equivalent to two years of full-time study – 5 years.

These time limits include:

(a)    Periods of exclusion;
(b)    Periods of approved leave of absence;
(c)     Other approved periods of interruption;
(d)    Non-approved periods of leave; and
(e)    Work experience/placements that are part of the course requirements.

If you transition to a new version of an award the course completion time limit will be counted from the first day of the initial course. If you transition to a new award, the course completion time limit will be counted from the first day of your new course.

If you are going to exceed your maximum course completion time limit you will need to apply for an extension prior to enrolling into a Unit of Study. To do this you will need to complete the Higher Education Request to Extend Course Duration Form and submit it to your Course Coordinator prior to the start of semester. You will need to provide evidence of:

(a) Compassionate and/or compelling circumstances; and/or
(b) That there has been an approved suspension of studies.

Leave of Absences

What You Need to Know

Eligibility:

Under certain circumstances you may need to suspend your study for a specific period of time and then resume your studies at a future date. An approved leave of absence guarantees you a returning place in your course for which leave has been granted. Access to TAFE Queensland services will be suspended for the duration of your leave.

A leave of absence will be considered when:

(a)    A minimum of one semester has been requested;
(b)    The Course rules permit a leave of absence;
(c)     You have commenced study in your course and enrolled in at least one Unit of Study;
(d)    You have no outstanding fees or fines payable to TAFE Queensland;
(e)    You are likely to complete the course within the maximum period for completing the course;
(f)     The course will still be offered at TAFE Queensland on your return and you will be reasonably able to complete the course within any established teach-out periods;
(g)    The period of absence does not exceed the maximum leave period for the course; and
(h)    The application has been correctly completed and relevant supporting documentation has been submitted in the application.

Leave of Absence Duration:

Maximum leave periods consider the cumulative duration of all Leave of Absences taken within a Course of Study and are as follows:

(a)    One semester where the Course duration full time is 1 year;
(b)    Two semesters where the Course duration full time is 2 years; or
(c)     Three Semesters where the Course duration full-time is 3 years.

Application:

You can apply for a Leave of Absence by completing the Higher Education Leave of Absence Application Form and submitting any supporting documentation such as the Higher Education Medical Impact Statement Form to an Administration Officer. Applications should be made as soon as practical for the requested leave period.

If you submit a Leave of Absence application and are subsequently withdrawn from enrolled Unit/s of Study after the Start of Study:

(a)    But before your Census Date there will be no financial or academic penalties;
(b)    And after the Census Date but before the Academic Penalty Date you will be financially liable for any enrolled units but will not receive any academic penalties; or
(c)     And after the Academic Penalty Date you will be financially liable for your unit/s of study and will receive an academic penalty against the result for each Unit of study.

The final date to withdraw from a unit of study as a consequence of taking a Leave of Absence without Academic Penalty is:

(a) Friday of Week 10 for a standard semester; and
(b) Friday of the week that equates to 70% of delivered teaching for a non-standard semester.

You may request a tuition fee refund and/or academic penalty review on the grounds of compassionate and/or compelling circumstances via the Higher Education Leave of Absence Application Form, at the time of your application.

Once you have submitted your application you should continue to attend and participate in your learning activities (where practical to do so) until you receive written communication of the application outcome.

If you are unsuccessful in your application you will need to consider withdrawing from your course. If you withdraw from your course and subsequently choose to return to study you will need to apply for re-admission into your course.

Absences without Leave:

If you fail to enrol into your unit/s of study for a semester and have no approved leave of absence or exclusion you will be contacted by an Administration Officer. Failure to return to study will result in your enrolment being cancelled and you will be withdrawn from your course.

Return from Leave of Absences:

If you wish to return early from an approved leave of absence you must complete the Higher Education Early Return to Study Application Form and submit it to an Administration Officer.

Once your leave of absence has concluded you will need to re-enrol by the relevant due date for your Unit/s of Study otherwise you will be deemed Absent without Leave and will be withdrawn from your course.

You will need to meet with your relevant Course Coordinator to:

(a)    Confirm that you meet the prerequisite and inherent requirements of your course;
(b)    Ensure you have a current study plan for successful completion of your course;
(c)     Demonstrate that your meet the most recent entry requirements for your Course of Study; and
(d)    Demonstrate compliance with current requirements for an accredited course.

If you would like to change to a different course of study after you Leave of Absence you will need to apply for the new course and meet the course entry requirements as a new student.

Useful Forms

Higher Education Student Change of Enrolment Form

Higher Education Enrolment Fact Sheet – Student

Higher Education Request to Extend Course Duration Form

Higher Education Leave of Absence Application Form

Higher Education Medical Impact Statement Form

Higher Education Leave of Absence Student Fact Sheet

Higher Education Early Return to Study Application Form

Higher Education Disability Fact Sheet

Higher Education Infectious Disease Status Dental Student Form

Higher Education Infectious Disease Status Student Fact Sheet

Assessment

What You Need to Know

Conduct of Assessment:

TAFE Queensland will conduct assessment following the assessment instructions, and under the conditions of assessment outlined in the assessment documentation provided to you.

You are expected to comply with all directions for the conduct of assessment, and where required use the Higher Education Assessment Submission Form to accompany the assessment items.

Requesting Additional Feedback:

If you are not satisfied with the adequacy of the feedback about your work and require further information, you may seek informal further feedback by making a written request to the relevant Course Coordinator, within 5 working days of receipt of your assessment feedback. Your request must outline:

(a)    What feedback you received and why it is considered inadequate;
(b)    The steps that you have taken to obtain additional feedback; and/or
(c)     Any exceptional circumstances that have prevented you from accessing all currently available feedback.

If you remain dissatisfied with the adequacy of the feedback about your work you may request a meeting with the Dean Higher Education to discuss your requirements.

Return of Assessment:

Assessments submitted electronically will be marked and returned electronically.

Examinations, final assessment tasks, and assessments that are not submitted electronically, are not returned to students and remain the property of TAFE Queensland for result verification purposes. You may request temporary access to your own written examination scripts, written answers to examination questions, or other forms of written/recorded assessment. You are responsible for retaining a copy of all work submitted for assessment.

Inability to Locate an Assessment Item:

In cases where there are reasonable grounds for you to believe that the assessment item was submitted correctly but the marker is unable to locate the item and no copy is available you will be informed in writing of the problem and the remedial action required. You may appeal the decision within 20 working days of notification of the decision outcome. To request the necessary form please contact your student administration.

Examinations

What You Need to Know

Examination Timetables and Locations:

Examination timetables are published as follows:

(a)    Final Examinations: Timetables will be published at least 3 weeks prior to the commencement of the final examination period;
(b)    Supplementary/deferred examinations: Timetables will be published at least one week prior to commencement of supplementary/deferred examination period; and
(c)     Mid-semester examination: Times are published in the approved Unit Study Guide before the start of semester.

You are responsible for identifying the dates, times, and venues of the examinations you are to attend. You must also notify your Faculty Administration Officer of any clashes by the published dates and any reasonable adjustment requirements.

Your examination will be located at the campus at which you attend classes for the Unit of Study being examined, or at an approved examination centre. If you are completing your study online you will undertake your examinations online.

During Examinations:

For all examinations you must comply with all directions given by the Invigilator, and their decision is final.

If you are attending any on-campus examination you will be assigned a seat number. Seat numbers are posted at the examination venue on the day of the examination.

If you have an enquiry during an exam you will be provided with a Higher Education Examination Question Form to complete. If your question refers to an examination mistake, the Invigilator will make an announcement to all students, otherwise you will receive you answer on the completed Higher Education Examination Question Form.

Entering and Exiting Examinations:

If you arrive within the first 30 minutes of your examination you will be granted entry but will not be allowed any additional time. If you arrive later than 30 minutes after the start of your examination you will not be granted entry and must report to the Dean Higher Education so you can be advised of your options.

You may leave your examination early after the first 30 minutes of the examination has passed and your presence has been recorded on the roll. If you leave the examination room without remaining under supervision you will not be allowed to re-enter the examination room. While exiting the examination you must adhere to all instructions provided by the Invigilator.

You will not be permitted to leave and examination during the last 10 minutes of an examination or if your examination is 1-hour duration or less.

At the conclusion of your examination you must maintain examination conditions until all materials have been collected and you have been given permission to leave the examination room.

Illness during Examinations:

If you are feeling unwell prior to your examination you should not sit your examination, and apply to defer your examination. Where possible it is recommended that you obtain a medical certificate before the commencement of the examination session.

If you become ill during an examination, you may temporarily leave the examination under supervision and be allowed to continue. You will not be allowed any additional time to complete the examination and you may be requested to move to an alternative location to prevent disruption to other students. If you are requested to move the time required for you to move locations will be added to your allocated examination time.

If you cannot continue with the examination and wish to leave the examination venue you will be provided with a Higher Education Exam Student Ill Form which you will need to complete. Subject to the extent of the examination attempted you may submit an application for special consideration. In exceptional circumstances, you may be able to submit an application for a Deferred Examination.

Modified Assessment:

You may be able to apply for a modified arrangement if you feel your capacity to demonstrate your true level of competence in an examination was, is, or will be significantly impaired as a result of medical compassionate and/or compelling circumstances.

Modified Assessment may take the form of an alternative venue or alternative form of assessment, instead of an exam.

To apply you will need to complete the HHigher Education Modified Assessment Application Form and submit it with an approved request for reasonable adjustment at least four weeks before the commencement of the relevant examination period.

Marking and Grading

What You Need to Know

Marking and Feedback:

In-semester assessment marking will be completed within 15 working days of the final assessment submission date unless the assessment task has been subject to special consideration or extension. The marking period of final assessments is outlined in the Higher Education Academic Calendar.

Marking Penalties:

Your assessment task will identify if any marking penalties have been imposed for an assessment task through the assessment Task instructions or Unit Study Guide. These may include:

(a)    Unless an extension, deferral or special consideration has been granted, or otherwise specified, assessment tasks submitted after the due date will receive a late-submission penalty of 10% of the available marks in that task applied for each day (24 hour period), or part thereof, the assessment task is overdue up to a maximum of 7 working days. After this time, or if the assessment is not submitted/attended the assessment will be awarded a mark of zero for the assessment task and you will not receive feedback;
(b)    Assessment tasks with word limit restrictions attract a marking penalty of 10% of the available marks if they exceed the maximum word count by 10% or more and the portion of assessment tasks in-excess of 10% of the maximum word limit will not be reviewed nor provided with feedback; and
(c)     Unapproved absence from mandatory clinical/practice-based assessment attract a marking penalty of 30% of the available marks in that task.

Grade Penalties:

If you are enrolled and choose to withdraw from a Unit of Study after the Census Date and after the last day to withdraw without academic penalty, you will be deemed to have failed the Unit of Study. You may be eligible for an exemption from academic penalty if you are withdrawing due to exceptional circumstances.

Special Consideration:

If you are prevented by serious, unavoidable or unforeseen severe disruption from performing an assessment task in accordance with your usual demonstrated performance level you may be able to apply for special consideration. If there is a substantiated case of academic misconduct against you which has resulted in you receiving a lower mark then special consideration is not permitted.

You will need to submit the Higher Education Special Consideration Request Form within 3 working days of attending/submitting/attempting your assessment and be able to demonstrate that you attempted/submitted/attended the assessment task but your circumstance:

(a)    Could not have been reasonably anticipated, avoided or guarded against;
(b)    Was beyond your control;
(c)     Caused substantial disruption to your capacity for effective study and/or to complete the required work;
(d)    Substantially interfered with the otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of an assessment requirement; and
(e)    Was of at least 3 consecutive days duration within a study period.

The Dean Higher Education will determine the appropriate nature of the special consideration. You will not be able to appeal a decision. However, if you are unsatisfied with the result of your application you may lodge a complaint.

If it is determined that you are seeking to gain an unfair advantage in your assessment by submitting an application for special consideration that is not genuine you will be subject to disciplinary action.

Remark of Assessment and Review of Grade:

If you believe that an individual assessment task has been unfairly graded or inappropriately assessed or that your Final Grade awarded for a Unit of Study has been unfairly or inappropriately determined you can request a review of your grade/mark. A re-mark can only be conducted once on a piece of assessment.

To request a remark of an assessment you will need to complete the Higher Education Request for Re-Mark of Assessment Form and submit it and any supporting evidence such as the Higher Education Medical Impact Statement Form within five working days of the release of the mark.

To request a review of your Final Grade for a Unit of Study you will need to complete the Higher Education Request for Review of Grade Form and submit it with any supporting evidence such as the Higher Education Medical Impact Statement Form within ten working days of the release of the final grade.

Where it is determined that grounds exist for a re-mark of an assessment a blind remark of the assessment will occur. In all cases a re-mark will replace the original mark on an assessment in the calculation of the final grade which could result in a higher or lower mark and/or grade.

In all cases of a review of a final grade, the review will not result in the lowering of a final grade.

Effect of Withheld Grades on Conferral:

If you are eligible for conferral and your results are suspended awaiting a final determination, you may not be able to attend a conferring ceremony until after the end of the following teaching period.

If you have an outstanding debt with TAFE Queensland your final grade in any Unit of Study will not be officially communicated to you nor will you be permitted to graduate until your debt is resolved.

Grade Point Average:

Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is a numerical index which represents the average value of final grades earned in Units of Study and is calculated each semester and as an overall GPA for Course of Study.

Multiple attempts in the same Unit of Study and within the same Course of Study taken at different times are included in any GPA calculation each time the Unit of Study is attempted.

Extensions and Deferrals

What You Need to Know

Assessment Variations:

Where you are not able to complete an assessment task by or at the required time you may be able to apply for a variation to your assessment. A variation to an assessment task depends on the length of time which you are affected by illness or other compassionate and/or compelling circumstances and the point of time when the impact on you became evident. There are two principle variations that TAFE Queensland provides for assessment items:

(a) Extensions to assessment due dates; and
(b) Deferral of certain types of assessment tasks.

Extension to Assessment Due Dates:

Extensions to due dates are applied to assessment tasks that are not invigilated or supervised. These tasks occur outside of a scheduled timetable either individually or in a group and can include but are not limited to:

(a)    Literature reviews;
(b)    Essays;
(c)     Project plans;
(d)    Case Studies and Clinical reviews; and
(e)    Patient Treatment plans and evaluations.

Deferred Assessment:

A deferral of an assessment task applies to an assessment task that was scheduled to occur on a specific date and time within a scheduled timetable. This can include:

(a)    Exams, tests or quizzes;
(b)    Presentations or performances;
(c)     Clinical practice/demonstrations; and
(d)    Guided discussions.

If you request a deferred assessment, but then attend the original scheduled assessment (in person or online), you will have your application declined.

Applications:

To be eligible for a deferred assessment you must be able to demonstrate the existence of an illness or other compassionate and/or compelling circumstances.

The key elements of compassionate and/or compelling circumstances are that:

(a)    It was beyond your control;
(b)    It impacted your ability to complete assessment tasks by or at the required time, or impacted your ability during the assessment task; and
(c)     It is documented by appropriate evidence.

To apply you will need to complete the Higher Education Extension-Deferral of Assessment Application Form and submit it along with any supporting documentation.

Your supporting documentation must directly relate to the illness or other compassionate and/or compelling circumstance that is resulting in your application for a variation to your assessment. The Higher Education Extension-Deferral of Assessment Guide will aid in determining the supporting evidence requirements for various circumstances and scenarios. If your circumstances are related to an illness or medical condition your will need to provide the Higher Education Medical Impact Statement Form as supporting documentation.

Applications must be made:

(a) Extensions to Assessment Due Dates – at least two working days prior to the due date of the assignment; and
(b) Deferred assessment – at least two working days prior to the assessment task.

Applications for extensions and deferrals that occur after these times may be considered by the Dean Higher Education on a case by case basis in exceptional circumstances. These applications must be made within 5 working days after the assessment due date.

Previously Deferred Assessment

Deferment of a previously deferred assessment task is generally not permitted. If you are prevented from attending a previously deferred assessment task you may submit a Higher Education Deferral of a Deferred Assessment Application Form to the Dean of Higher Education within three working days of the date of the original deferred assessment to have this restriction reconsidered.

Supplementary Assessment

What You Need to Know

Forms of Supplementary Assessment:

Where you have marginally failed a previous examination or assessment you may be offered a new piece of assessment to provide you with an additional opportunity to demonstrate that you have achieved the academic standard required for a Pass level in your Unit of Study. A supplementary assessment may include examinations or assignments.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for consideration of a supplementary assessment you must:

(a)    Have been studying a Unit of Study that permits supplementary assessment;
(b)    Be currently enrolled in your final semester/year of study;
(c)     Have failed overall in a Unit of Study but gained a final mark of at least 5% of the minimum pass mark in the relevant Unit of Study;
(d)    Have not exhausted the available number of supplementary assessment attempts;
(e)    Have not failed more than 2 Units of Study in the same period; and
(f)     Have submitted all major assessment tasks as specified in the Unit Study Guide and have made a reasonable attempt to address the assessment criteria; or
(g)    Have the potential to achieve a passing grade and any required minimum mark (specified in the Unit Study Guide) by completing a single, supplementary assessment task.

Requesting a Supplementary Assessment:

If you are eligible you will receive a written notification to offer you an opportunity to complete a supplementary assessment, using the Supplementary Assessment Application Form. You will need to respond within 5 working days. If you decide not to undertake the supplementary assessment you will receive your original final mark and related grade for your Unit of Study.

If you believe that you are eligible for a supplementary assessment but you have not received an offer you may make an application in writing to your Faculty Administration Officer. Your request must be made within 5 working days of receiving your final grade.

Supplementary Assessment Timing and Deferral:

Supplementary assessment will normally be undertaken before the close of study date for your Unit of Study. If the supplementary assessment task is an examination it will take place during the relevant deferred examination period. In some instances, you may be offered a supplementary assessment at the start of the next teaching period.

You may apply for supplementary assessment deferral only in exceptional compassionate and/or compelling circumstances. You will need to be able to provide supporting documentation such as the Higher Education Medical Impact Statement Form.

Marking and Results:

Your supplementary assessment task is marked on a pass/fail basis only. If you achieve a pass mark on your supplementary assessment you will receive the minimum required mark required to achieve a pass grade for your Unit of Study.