Kangan Batman TAFE

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International Services

General information

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Academic Year

The academic year commences in early February and finishes in December. The year is divided into two semesters. All courses offered commence on February and some also have July entry.

Accommodation

There are a number of accommodation alternatives available, including student hostels, homestays or rental of an apartment or house.

The Institute provides a free accommodation placement service to assist students in locating suitable accommodation. The exception is some homestay placements where students will pay an AUD$88 placement fee. This fee is payable to Homestay Victoria (not the Institute) and is subject to change.

In Melbourne there are a number of hostels. The prices depend on location, facilities offered and whether meals are provided.

Living with an Australian family is called homestay. Students are provided with their own furnished bedroom with study space. The host provides meals, but the student must pay for their own travel, telephone calls, entertainment and personal needs.

For more information on temporary accommodation options, visit the Miami Motor Inn or Le Student 8.

Permanent accommodation usually takes one to two weeks to arrange, depending on the type of accommodation required. Permanent accommodation cannot be arranged prior to arriving in Australia.

Airport Pick-up

International students are met on arrival at Melbourne by our airport pick up service and taken to their temporary accommodation. Students must stay a minimum of one week at the temporary accommodation.

The cost is AUD$280 per week and includes some meals (current January 2004 and subject to change). For this service to be offered travel arrangements must be forwarded to the Institute seven days prior to arrival. This is a free service offered by the Institute, however an airport pick-up will be charged if you have requested airport pick-up and do not use the service.

Attendance

The Australian Government visa regulations requires international students to attend a minimum of 80 percent of scheduled classes. It is Institute policy to monitor attendance and enforce the regulations. Students not complying with their attendance requirements will be reported to DIMIA.

Budget

It is recommended that students budget between AUD$12,000 to AUD$15,000 per year for living expenses. Living expenses are not included in tuition fees. Arriving students should bring with them approximately AUD$1,500 to cover the cost of temporary accommodation and the setting up costs of permanent accommodation.

Costs Associated with Study

Tuition fees do not cover the cost of books, equipment, stationery, uniforms or excursions. Estimated book and equipment costs are detailed on individual course listings. Students will be required to pay the AUD$50 Student Amenities Fee. This is a yearly fee.

Counselling

The Institute employs fully qualified counsellors who provide confidential help with study or personal problems. This is a free service.

Course Prerequisites

All courses have prerequisites that must be met before application. The majority of courses require the successful completion of the Australian Year 12 or the equivalent in an overseas qualification. Applicants who do not meet the academic prerequisites but have relevant work experience may apply under mature age entry.

Any intending students who do not speak English as their first language, or for whom English was not the language of instruction at school, are required to meet a minimum IELTS level of 5.5. Some courses require a higher level of English prior to entry, details are available in individual course listings.

International students who do not provide an IELTS score may be required to sit an English language test and if necessary, complete an ELICOS program prior to commencing a formal course. Transfer into a formal course from ELICOS is at the discretion of the Institute. Transfer is based on level of English language obtained.

Credit Transfers

Students who successfully complete a diploma or advanced diploma may be eligible for up to one to two years credit in a related degree through a system of credit transfer at any university in Australia.

Discounts for a Brother and/or Sister at Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE

If you have one or more brothers or sisters enrolled in a full fee paying Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE course at the same time as you, you may be entitled to a 10% discount on your annual course fees.

If you wish to apply for the sibling discount contact the Office of International Students.

Exemptions

Subject credits may be awarded to students who can supply documentation of having successfully completed prior subjects of similar duration, content and assessment requirements. Students may be required to undertake challenge or theory tests as part of the recognising of credits process.

Grievance Procedure

Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE has a grievance procedure, which is followed if a student is concerned with either their course or other aspects of the Institute’s service delivery. A copy is available from the Office of International Students.

Health Insurance

All international students are required by the Australian Government to take out health cover. The Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provides international students with free public hospital care for non-elective treatment and 85 percent rebate of the standard doctor’s fees.

For more information on health insurance, visit OSHC Worldcare.

Institute Scholarships

Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE awards a one year tuition fee scholarship to the ‘Outstanding International Student’. This is an award to a second year student and is announced in October. Selection details are available from the Office of International Students.

Office of International Students

The staff at the Office of International Students are dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition to living and studying in Melbourne. The office is also dedicated to the ongoing support of students while they are studying at the Institute.

Orientation

International students at Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE are required to attend an orientation program, which is conducted one week prior to the beginning of the semester. The program covers all aspects of living and studying in Australia.

Sessions at orientation include:

Payment of Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are payable prior to the commencement of a semester. A late fee of AUD$50 will be payable if fees are not paid by the due date. If less than one semester of ELICOS is required, the ELICOS fee and one semester’s fee of the formal course must be paid prior to the release of the confirmation of enrolment. Repeat subjects will attract a minimum additional fee of AUD$11 per student contact hour.

Student Visa Regulations

The Institute will notify DIMIA of changes to international students status such as:

DIMIA may be required by law to cancel a student visa after receiving a report from Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE.

How to apply for your Student Visa (PDF: 36KB)

For more information, visit the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

Termination of Course

In the event that the Institute cannot provide the course, all tuition fees paid in advance will be refunded in accordance with the Refund Policy 3.1. The Institute will also assist the student in locating and transferring to a suitable course at another Institute.

Transfers

Under immigration regulations, international students are prevented from transferring from one institution to another for one year after initial arrival in Australia. Transfers are only allowed in exceptional circumstances and must be approved by Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE and DIMIA. Approved transfers will attract an immigration fee.

For more information, visit the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

Work Rights

International students can apply for a variation to their visa once they have commenced their studies, which allows them to work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full- time during semester breaks. Any work undertaken must not interfere with studies or attendance.

The Institute does not guarantee that students will secure work whilst studying in Australia. It is becoming increasingly difficult to secure part-time work, so students should secure their financial independence before coming to Australia. In 2004 the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) fee for this visa variation was AUD$55.

For more information, visit the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.