Studying in Australia is preferred by worlwide students because most of them find the Australian teaching style to be quite different to what they are used to. Australia is the favourite destination to study abroad because in Australian education system, focus is on practical learning that encourages creative, independent thought and debate. Trainers aim to provide you with a thorough understanding of a topic rather than just teaching you the right words to remember for exams. You are expected to develop your own thoughts and share them with your fellow students during classes, and this class participation is an assessable part of your course.
Theory and Practicals
Classes at Gen Institute will be a mixture of Theory and Practicals. You will discuss the information provided in your theory class with other students and your teacher during the practicals. It is important, then, that you attend all of your theory in order to understand and contribute to your practical classes. This is the advantage you get while you Study in Australia.
Assessment
Depending on your course, you will be continually assessed throughout the term, rather than in just the last few weeks. The advantage of this method is that your entire result does not rely on one single piece of assessment. If you don’t perform too well in an assessment, you will have the opportunity to learn and assessed through other pieces of assessment.
The system of assessment is different between education providers, but generally the following will apply.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is when you take someone else’s work and submit it for assessment as your own. This can include copying blocks of text from reference books into your own assignment and neglecting to ‘reference’ or ‘credit’ the original source.
Plagiarism is a very serious offence in Australia and there are harsh penalties for the practice that may include an automatic fail of your unit. This may put your student visa in jeopardy.
If you wish to use someone else’s work, you must reference it and explain how it relates to and supports your own work and the argument you are trying to make.
Consumer Protection
Australia is committed to provide quality education and training to International students; however, you may still encounter problems with your course or institution. The Australian Government has enacted a number of laws to ensure you are protected at these times, and it is important for you to understand your rights.
The laws protecting international students are grouped together under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) legislative framework. Under this framework, all Australian institutions that accept international students on a student visa are legally required to provide quality courses and meet the national standards for student services and institution facilities.
Some of the main requirements include the following.
Consumer protection ESOS Legislation
The ESOS legislation provides consumer protection if a student or institution defaults on the course the student is enrolled in. This protection includes either a refund of course money to the student, or if a refund is not possible, placement of into an alternative course through a Tuition Assurance Scheme, for example.
Course Information
Institutions must ensure that the marketing materials (such as brochures and handbooks) they provide to international students are accurate and not misleading for the students who want to study in Australia.
Before offering a Confirmation of Enrolment, the institution must provide course-related information and pre-enrolment information, such as:
- The course content and duration
- The qualification it leads to
- Teaching and assessment methods
- English language requirements
- previous work experience or educational qualifications required for admittance
- Requirements for course completion
- Course-related fees
- The facilities and learning resources related to the delivery of the course
- Student support services (see below)
Student Support Services
Institutions must support international students in adjusting to study in Australia, achieving their learning goals and achieving the learning outcomes of their course. This includes providing information on arrival on:
- Orientation
- Academic progress
- Accommodation
Grievances
If you have any concerns about your course or institution you should first try to discuss them with your Institution. The Student support Officer at Gen Institute can advise you on the best way to handle your concerns.
The ESOS framework, however, also provides the opportunity for independent, prompt and inexpensive resolution processes for both parties. These procedures must also ensure that you may be represented by a nominee of your choice.
More information
You can find more information on your rights under this framework at www.studyinaustralia.gov.au.
