Australian students
This FAQ provides information for Australian students. Information
for international students is here.
Is the College/Course accredited?
The College is a Registered Training Organisation,
and its programs are accredited or recognised by the appropriate
organisations:
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New South Wales Vocational Education and Training
Accreditation Board (VETAB) |
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Australian Council for Private Education and
Training (ACPET) |
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Australian Hospitality Review Panel (AHRP) |
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Australian Tourism Training Review Panel (ATTRP) |
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Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) |
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International Air Transport Association (IATA) |
Do you have any entry requirements?
Williams programs are designed so that people of
all levels of ability are able to benefit from vocational skills
training, and our philosophy is to place more value on how students
perform at each qualification level of a program than on their
UAI scores. Those who have not completed the HSC may enter Certificate
III or IV programs in any school of study, and are considered for
entry to higher levels if performance is satisfactory. Those who
have
completed HSC, as well as mature age students, may enter all vocational
programs at all levels.
Do you give credits or recognition for previous learning?
You may be able to save time and fees if you are exempt from subjects. To gain exemption, you must provide evidence that you can satisfy
the performance criteria for the subject(s) in which exemption
is sought. This could include certificates showing successful previous study, or work or life experience that can be evidenced. Because the Australian Qualifications Framework allows considerable flexibility in how qualifications are gained, you may also gain credit for subjects or competencies that are not part of our program and be able to enter directly into a higher level. Our Student Services people can give you guidance.
If you think you may be entitled to exemptions, you
should go through the subject descriptions in the College Handbook
or website and make an initial assessment of those from which you
believe you may be exempt. Then tick the appropriate "yes" box
on the enrolment application form and we will give you an Exemption
Request Form and information on how to prepare your evidence.
How do I enrol?
Your application to enrol must be made on the enrolment form in
the College Handbook or on
enrolment forms available from the College.
Do I have to decide my major when I enrol?
No. Majors in Business and Executive PA courses are delivered in your second semester. We will introduce the majors to you during your first semester so that you can make an informed decision. Majors must be decided no later than one month before your second semester begins.
Do I get a student ID card ?
All students receive a student identification card that entitles them to student concessions where available.
What non-academic support do you provide?
We like you to settle in quickly, so you will be
given a full orientation, normally on the work day before your
start
date.
Dates are here.
At Orientation, you are introduced to the structure of your program,
the College
facilities,
and your teachers and new classmates. We also walk you through
your College Diary that contains details about how the College
works and what our expectations are. You are also introduced to
the College's intranet, which carries up-to-date information on
all College activities, people and programs.
Our Student Services team will help you before,
during and after your time at Williams with all non-academic matters
related to your study. These include guidance
in job-seeking (both for part-time work while you study and full-time
work when you finish) and in selecting further study options at
Williams or other Australian institutions.
We also help country
students find accommodation and settle into a new city.
Do you practice access and equity principles?
We both practice and teach principles of fairness, access, equity
and privacy. We recognise
that, by providing a learning environment and related support
mechanisms which encourage all students to achieve their personal
best, regardless
of their background and personal circumstances, it will both
enrich their quality of life and make the College more relevant
to society as a whole. Details of College policies and legislative
requirements in this area are contained in the Code
of Practice.
Do I need a computer at home?
No. The College computer facilities are available
Monday to Friday from 8.30 until at least 5.30pm and have all the
software applications and internet resources you will need. If
you do have a computer at home, that's a bonus.
What do I wear to College?
We require you to dress appropriately to the position
in the area for which you are studying -- you will be given more
specific details at orientation. This is a policy which we have
found works well, both in developing a businesslike attitude, and
impressing future employers who visit the College. Students can
let their hair down on occasional "mufti days".
What are the hours, and how does the timetable work?
This varies depending on the level at which you
are studying, and whether it is full or part time. See here for
details.
Do you have miminum attendance and achievement
requirements?
Yes. As both the delivery and assessment of your
vocational subjects are competency based, you will have difficulty
if you
often miss class or are late. Should your attendance rate in any
subject become lower than 90% for whatever reason, or your academic
results be unsatisfactory, your Director of Studies will work over
the problems with you to establish the best way forward. If your
attendance rate in any subject is less than 80%, you may be failed
in that subject.
What happens if I have to miss classes?
You may apply for leave of absence or deferment of your studies.
Leave of absence is approval to miss up to 20% of your studies
in a subject or subjects. Deferment is approval to defer one or
more terms. Application must be to the College Director through
the Director of Studies, and must give your reasons and any supporting
evidence. The decision is the sole discretion of the College Academic
Board and will particularly take into account the abilities you
have already shown in your program, and the impact of any delays
on timetabling, delivery and assessment of subjects. Leave or deferment
must be applied for immediately you become aware you will be absent
from classes. It will not be granted if applied for after the period
of absence.
How are subjects taught?
Most of our teaching is classroom based, though
a wide range of methods are used depending on the nature of the
subject. These range from lecture and seminar sessions to role-plays,
demonstrations, group practical projects and case study work. Hospitality students
train in housekeeping, food and beverage service at hotels
that participate in our training program.
How much study is required out of class time?
Most subjects will require you to do some study,
research, assignment or project work outside class time. An average
student should allow around 6 to 8 hours per week at Certificate
level
and 8 to 12 hours per week at Diploma or Advanced Diploma levels.
The actual time needed will vary depending on your personal abilities,
language ability, work habits and subject mix.
Can I get additional help with subjects?
Yes. Teachers and the Director of Studies monitor
the progress of each student, and will spend additional time with
you
if you
are having problems in understanding the subject or managing
your study, or with language, literacy or numeracy. We run a Mentor
Program between
4 and 5pm most teaching days specifically to provide extra help
in
subjects
to
those that need it.
How are subjects assessed?
Assessment in vocational subjects is competency
based -- i.e. you need to provide your teacher with the evidence
that
you
meet
a
set of
performance criteria for each subject. These are summarised in
the subject descriptions in the College Handbook and website, and
are given to you in full when you begin each subject. They are
also
available
on the College intranet. The assessment methods vary between subjects,
but include direct teacher assessment in class, project and assignment
work, examination, and practical demonstration.
What happens if I fail or miss an assessment?
Provided you are attending and working
normally, it would be most unusual for you to fail all of the performance
criteria for a subject. Where only some of the criteria are not
met, your teacher will set you additional tasks and assessments
to satisfy those criteria. In other cases, your Director of Studies
will work with you to set a new study strategy that will depend
on the subject and the level of competence you have already shown.
What do I get at the end of my program?
WBC vocational qualifications are presented to graduands
at Graduation Ceremonies normally held
in July and December. UC Degrees are presented to graduands at
Graduation Ceremonies held in Parliament House, Canberra, in July
and December.
You will be issued with the following
documents when you complete or terminate a Williams program:
- An Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF)
Statement of Attainment, which shows the national standard
industry competencies you have achieved. All registered
vocational training organisations in Australia now issue these
documents,
ensuring that your skills are recognised by all employers
and other educational organisations nationwide. An advantage
for
you is that, because Williams specifically designs some
of its subject modules to meet the requirements across a range
of related industries, your competencies in each industry
area
will be shown.
- A Williams Business College Transcript of Results, which shows
the grade you achieved in each subject, and is an indication
to a future employer of the quality of your work.
- Your AQTF Qualification or Qualifications. The
qualification levels are Certificate III, Certificate IV,
Diploma or Advanced Diploma, and are issued only if you achieve
all
the required competencies (subjects) that industry requires
for the qualification.
What are the College's refund policies?
For all programs:
- Notice in writing is required if a student
wishes to withdraw from a program after enrolment has been
accepted by the College.
- If notice of withdrawal is received 28 days
or more prior to the program commencement
date, the registration
fee is
retained
by the
College and tuition fees paid are refunded.
- If notice of withdrawal is received less than 28 days before
the program commencement date, but no later than the commencement
date, the registration
fee
and
first term
fee (at
the
Term instalment rate for the program) is retained by (or due
to) the College and any balance of tuition fees paid are
refunded.
- If notice of withdrawal is received after the program commencement
date,
the registration
fee
and
first semester
fee (at
the
semester instalment rate for the program) is retained by (or
due to) the College and any balance of tuition fees paid are
refunded.
- If a student
wishes to
withdraw from a program after it has begun, notice
in writing must be given one calendar month or more prior to
the commencement of a new semester, or the fees for that semester
will be
retained by (or due to) the College.
- Any moneys to be refunded will be paid
to the person or company named on the Application for Enrolment
form as paying the fees.
- Should an international student fail to obtain a
student visa and provide documentary evidence to this effect,
the Registration fee is retained by the College and any tuition
fees paid are refunded.
- If the Williams program does
not begin on the agreed starting day, or stops being provided
after it starts and before it is completed, all fees paid are
refunded within two weeks of the program or subject not beginning
or stopping.
- The College reserves the right to disenrol a student for breaching
the Rules of the College, or an international student that does
not comply with visa requirements. In either case,
fees for the current semester are retained by
(or
due to)
the
College.
- Refunds, with the exception of those made under item 4 above,
are made within 4 weeks from the date that a written notice to
withdraw or a written request for refund is received by the College.
The College will provide the student with a statement that explains
how the refund has been worked out.
- Textbooks and materials paid for and supplied are only refunded
in the circumstances of item 4 above.
- The student's agreement with the College does not remove the
right to take further action under Australia's consumer protection
laws, and the College's dispute resolution processes do not inhibit
the student's right to pursue other legal remedies.
How do you resolve grievances or disputes?
The College has many support systems and networks so as to reduce
the chance of grievances before they occur, whether they be against
the College or against the student. A Code
of Practice sets out
expectations and standards, a mentor network of teachers provides
academic support, a Director of
Studies
helps you manage your program, Student Services personnel
help in other areas, an active Student Council
ensure good student/management
liaison, and a family of College Directors that
has been in the business of educational caring for over a century
manages the College hands-on. If a grievance or dispute does arise,
the Code of Practice gives procedures for resolution that are designed
to be fair, fast, include a nominee of the student if the student
wishes, and involve minimum cost if independent moderation is required.
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Provider Code: 00182M
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