Your study progress - ECA College of Heath Sciences - CHS

Your study progress

You need to maintain satisfactory academic progress while you are studying with CHS until completion of your course. CHS has various support mechanisms available for students who are unable to achieve satisfactory academic progress or are struggling with studies. Students who are identified as meeting the definitions of academic caution or at-risk must adhere to the intervention strategy specified for them by the Academic Review Committee.

International students studying on a student visa will be given a written notice of the College’s intention to report the student for unsatisfactory course progression to the Department of Home Affairs. Students who have received such a notice from CHS’s academic committee can avail the College’s Student Grievance and Appeals Policy to appeal within Twenty (20) working days. For further information, please refer to the Student Grievance and Appeals policy.

If the international student identified as making unsatisfactory course progression chooses not to appeal or if the appeal is unsuccessful, the College will report the student to the Department of Home Affairs and the student’s enrolment will be discontinued.

Enrolment of students who make unsatisfactory course progression will be discontinued and students will be barred from studying at the College for a period of Two (2) years.

Course Progress Status

Status Definition
Satisfactory A student who passes majority of units attempted
Academic Caution A student who had a status of Satisfactory but failed 50% or more of enrolled units in a study period based on a full-time load. The student must take part in an intervention strategy
At Risk A student who had a status of Academic caution and failed 50% or more of enrolled units in a study period based on a full-time study load, and/or failed the same unit twice
Unsatisfactory A student who had a status of at risk and failed 50% or more of enrolled units in a study period based on a full-time load, and/or failed the same unit thrice, and/or is unable to complete their course within the terms of their COE and have not participated in the College’s Intervention strategy, and/or the student fails all units in their first study period under a full-time load

For further details, please refer to the CHS Course Progress policy.

  • Complaints & Appeals

    CHS is committed to providing students with a fair, equitable, and transparent learning environment that ensures student access to appeal processes that provide for natural justice, procedural fairness, transparency and accountability, and fair academic decision making. Students therefore are assured the right to request a review of or appeal a decision, in accordance with this policy and the relevant related polices to which this policy refers.

    The College will ensure that any appeal applications will be considered promptly, with courtesy, with complete regard to confidentiality, and without fear (implied or explicit) of prejudicial treatment or disadvantage by an impartial Committee or other decision maker who was not party to the original decision under appeal.

    Students will be responsible for stating the grounds for their appeal and for providing copies of all relevant evidence in support of their appeal. Students are expected to act responsibly and not lodge appeals for vexatious reasons. For further information please refer to the CHS Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy & Procedures

    Grounds for Appeals

    Appeal is an application to reconsider a decision made by the College. Academic Appeals related to student’s academic performance, including award of grades, assessments, course progress and compliance with the academic rules and course requirements. The grounds for the submission of a complaint or grievance include, but are not limited to:

    • the existence of new relevant material of a significant nature, being relevant material that was not reasonably available to the student or eligible person prior to the original decision being made and which is inherently different from material that was available;
    • there was a misapplication of procedure resulting in real disadvantage to the student or eligible person that was the subject of the decision;
    • the decision was manifestly wrong or excessive; or
    • there was a bias or a conflict of interest on the part of the original decision maker or makers.

     

    Type of Appeals and Supporting Documents Required

    • Academic Appeals
      Reason (s) Documents Required Onshore Documents Required Offshore
      Assessment Task (Quiz, Test, etc) Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal
      Final Grade Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal
      Recognition of Prior Learning RPL Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal RPL Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal
      Special Consideration Special Consideration Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal Special Consideration Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal
      Student Misconduct Student Misconduct Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal Student Misconduct Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal
    • Non-Academic Appeals
      Reason (s) Documents Required Onshore Documents Required Offshore
      Exclusion, Suspension or Probation Cancellation Notice evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal Cancellation Notice evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal
      Student Misconduct Student Misconduct Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal Student Misconduct Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal
      Refund Refund Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal Refund Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal
      Withdrawal Withdrawal Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal Withdrawal Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal
      Leave of Absence Leave of Absence Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal Leave of Absence Outcome evidence + Detailed explanation of reason(s) for appeal
    • Appeals Submission Process
      Step Assessments and Final Grades Other Academic Matters
      1 Student submits online appeal form Student appeals directly to relevant staff member.
      2 Application and supporting documents received by Student Services Staff member investigates appeal and makes a decision within 10 working days of receipt of appeal
      3 Acknowledgement message sent to student Staff member communicates decision to student
      4 Application sent to Director of Studies If student satisfied with result, the appeal process is complete
      5 Director of Studies investigates appeal Students not satisfied with result may appeal to the Academic Registrar
      6 Director of Studies resolves appeal within 10 working days Academic Registrar investigates appeal, makes a decision and communicates result to student within 20 working days of receipt of appeal
      7 Academic Registrar informs student of result of appeal within 10 working days If student satisfied with result, the appeal process is complete
      8 If student satisfied with result, the appeal process is complete
      9 Students not satisfied with result appeal to Academic Registrar for matter to be referred to CHS Academic Appeals Committee Students not satisfied with result appeal to Academic Registrar for matter to be referred to CHS Academic Appeals Committee
      10 Dean convenes CHS Academic Appeals Committee within 10 working days of receipt of appeal
      11 CHS Academic Appeals Committee investigates the appeal and makes a decision
      12 The Academic Registrar informs student of result of appeal within 10 working days
      13 If student satisfied with result, the appeal process is complete
      14 Students not satisfied with result appeal to external remediation body.
      15 External remediation body investigates the appeal, makes a decision and communicates it to College and student
      16 If appeal upheld, College acts on recommendations within 30 working days
    • Submitting an Appeal

      Student Academic Appeals
      Student Non-Academic Appeals

  • Complaints & Grievances

    The College will ensure that any concerns and complaints by students will be considered without prejudice and solely on its merits and the evidence provided. It will be treated confidentially, and all records will be kept strictly confidential. The College will also ensure that the matters will be dealt with as quickly as possible and within the timeframes indicated within the relevant policy at no cost.

    Grounds for Complaints or Grievances

    Complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction made in relation to an action, decision or omission within the responsibility and control of the College, a College staff member or a student, where a response or resolution process is expected wherever possible.

    Grievance is a complaint or concern raised against some aspect of the College including, but not limited to, actions, processes or facilities which are considered unfair, disadvantageous, wrong or inadequate. This includes complaints which are not able to be resolved through informal process or mediation, and matters relating to allegations of misconduct where disciplinary action against a student or staff member may be an outcome of the investigation.

    The grounds for the submission of a complaint or grievance include, but are not limited to:

    • You were affected by a decision that was made without sufficient consideration of facts, evidence or circumstances;
    • You were affected by a failure to adhere to appropriate or relevant published University policies and procedures;
    • A penalty, where applied to you, was unduly harsh or inappropriate;
    • You were affected by improper, irregular or negligent conduct by another student or staff member; and
    • You were affected by unfair treatment, prejudice or bias.
    • Type of Complaints or Grievances

      The College does not consider general feedback and comments from students about administration, academic programs and services as a grievance. Grievance can be academic or non-academic. Student concerns with respect to the application of a specific academic policy will be deal with as appeals. Any other academic concerns and all non-academic concerns will be dealt with as ‘grievances’.

      • Academic Decisions – grievances about decisions, which involve the exercise of academic judgement, or about exclusion for unsatisfactory academic progress
      • Administrative Decisions, Services or Facilities – grievances about decisions on administrative matters, the quality of administrative service or the provision of facilities. This includes any grievance that a student may have about their dealings with the University, the University’s education agents or any related party the University has an arrangement with to deliver a program or related services
      • Bullying and Discrimination – grievances about bullying or discrimination acts against age, gender, disability, race, religious belief or sexual orientation. For sexual harassment, please refer to Critical Incident procedure
    • Grievance Process

      A student with a grievance as defined above should raise their concern(s), together with any evidence, directly and confidentially with the staff member who has made the decision or taken the action on behalf of the College. The staff member will review the matter confidentially and respond directly in writing to the student concerned no later than ten working days after the receipt of the grievance.

      If the student is satisfied that their grievance has been resolved, they must confirm their agreement directly in writing with the staff member within ten working days of receipt of the resolution from the staff member. If the student is not satisfied that their grievance has been resolved, they may appeal the grievance in writing to the Dean, who (in the case of non-academic grievances) may refer the matter to the Registrar for resolution.

      Stage 1 – Informal Internal Grievance or Appeal

      It is preferable that any grievance or appeal be resolved informally. The College encourages the student to take their grievance or appeal directly to the staff member who is responsible for the matter or issue with a view to arriving at a mutually agreeable resolution. Students may contact the staff member in person via email to the staff member’s College email address or by phone and request telephone transfer to the staff member.

      Stage 2 – Formal Internal Grievance

      If the student is not satisfied with the result of the informal process the student can escalate the matter to a formal process by writing to the Registrar within ten (10) working days. The written submission should clearly state:

      • The background to the grievance or appeal
      • The exact grievance or nature of the appeal
      • Steps taken to address the grievance or appeal including dates
      • A brief description of how the matter can be resolved from the point of view of the student

      After investigation, the Registrar may choose to follow the below approach:

      • Designate any staff member, who has not had prior involvement in the case, to assist with the investigation;
      • Form a working party to investigate and report on the matter;
      • Consult with relevant academic and administrative staff as well as students of the College on matters pertaining to the case; and/or
      • Request the student to meet with them in person or via teleconference to discuss the case.

      The Registrar will respond directly in writing to the concerned student, no later than twenty working days after receipt of the grievance.

      Stage 3 – External Grievances

      If the student’s grievance or appeal remains unresolved following consideration by the CHS Appeals Committee, the student may request a review through an external independent mediator or body.

      Domestic students can request mediation though the Resolution Institute. The costs of mediation will be shared jointly by the student and by the College of Health Sciences, though the cost to student is limited to $200. However, should the mediation’s decision be in student’s favour the College shall refund student’s share of mediation costs.

      Email: Resolution Institute Call: 1800 651 650.
      For further information, please visit:The Resolution Institute

      Overseas students on a student visa can request a free and independent external review of their complaint through the Overseas Students Ombudsman. In most cases the external body will consider whether the College has followed its policies and procedures and not make a decision on the matter. Students may contact the Overseas Students Ombudsman by email or by phone for further information and guidance.

      Email:Overseas Students OmbudsmanCall:1300 362 072 (within Australia) and +61 2 6276 0111 (from overseas) or visit their website at: Overseas Students Ombudsman

      Grievance Submission Process

      For submitting a Grievance online, please click on the appropriate links below:

      Non-Academic Grievances
      Academic Grievances