The VET Student Loans program allows eligible students to repay their tuition fees for any approved diplomas or advanced diplomas (see Is a VET Student Loan available for my course?).

You can either:

• repay all your tuition fees (up to the loan cap limit) when your income reaches the repayment threshold
• pay some of your tuition fees upfront and repay the balance when your income reaches the repayment threshold.

Your loan is repaid through the Australian tax system when you reach the minimum income threshold for repayment. The minimum income threshold for repayment is set by the Commonwealth each year and is published on Study Assist (Loan Repayment) and in the VET Student Loans information booklet. There is a loan fee of 20% for full fee-paying students. There is no loan fee for eligible students in some NSW Government subsidised (Smart and Skilled) training places.

You must be aware that your loan remains a personal debt until it is repaid, and it may reduce your take-home (after tax) wage and your borrowing capacity. You may wish to seek independent financial advice before applying.

To be eligible, you must either:

• be an Australian citizen, or
• hold an eligible permanent humanitarian visa and usually reside in Australia, or
• be a New Zealand citizen on Special Category Visa (SCV subclass 444) who meets the long term residency requirements.*

* Holders of other permanent visas and temporary visas are NOT eligible for a VET Student Loan

You must also:

• have a tax file number (TFN) or be applying for one. The personal details of your TFN with the ATO, must match the personal details you have provided to Global Institute, for example your name and date of birth (see Commonwealth TFN Student Fact Sheet)
• have a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• intend to undertake your course primarily in Australia
• meet the academic suitability requirements of the Information VET Student Loans Eligibility (Information for VET Student Loans students – Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government)
• not have exceeded your lifetime Commonwealth student loan limit, which is set each year by the Commonwealth
• have read the VET Student Loans information booklet.
• have given any requested documentation to Global Institute and submitted the electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) online by the first census day no less than two business days after enrolling (see How do I apply)
• comply with ongoing Commonwealth engagement and progression requests to log on to complete their online student engagement form to confirm that you are a genuine student, continuing to study and the progress in your course.  You will get these requests two or three times a year, depending on how long your course is. If you do not complete the form and survey within the required time, you may be ineligible to continue accessing VET Student Loans to pay for the remainder of your course tuition fees.

Lifetime Loan Limit

The lifetime loan limit is the total amount you can incur in your lifetime under any Commonwealth HELP student loan scheme – whether it is Higher Education FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP or a VET Student Loan. It is indexed each year, in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For 2022, the HELP loan limit is $109,206 for most students. Students can view their loan obligations by logging into myHELPbalance on the Study Assist website.

What is a Unique Student Identifier (USI)?

The Commonwealth requires all students studying in a nationally recognised training course to have a USI. If you already have one, please ensure you use this same USI whenever you enrol for any training. If you don’t have a USI, go to https://www.usi.gov.au/ to register before you apply to enrol, or you can apply as part of your enrolment.

New Zealand Citizens

The residency requirements for New Zealand citizens on a Special Category Visa are:

1. You first began living in Australia at least 10 years before applying for a loan, and at that time, were a child under 18 years of age and did not have a spouse or de-facto partner; and
2. You have been in Australia for at least eight of the 10 years immediately prior to applying and at least 18 months of the last two years.

You will need to provide evidence of your eligibility to Global Institute before requesting a VET Student Loan.

List the four course

• Diploma of Leadership and Management
• Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management
• Diploma of Hospitality Management
• Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management

Check the website Your Career to see if VET Student Loan is available for your course.

A VET Student Loan is an agreement between you and the Commonwealth Government.

To apply for a VET Student loan:

• you must meet all the loan eligibility requirements
• if you are accepted into a course, Global Institute will advise the Commonwealth that you wish to apply for a loan
• the Commonwealth will email you a passkey to access the electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) online
• you will need to provide your valid Tax File Number (TFN), so have it handy when you log on to the online form. If you don’t have a TFN, you can apply at most Australia Post outlets. A valid Tax File Number means that the details you provide to Global Institute must match those held with the Australian Tax Office. If you provide an invalid Tax File Number, you will not be able to access a VET Student Loan for your tuition fees. Check your details are correct by logging into your MyGov account prior to applying for a loan.
• your loan application (eCAF) is separate to your enrolment with Global Institute. The Commonwealth Government requires that there is a two day cooling off period between your enrolment and applying for a loan.
• the census day is the last day you can apply for a loan for the fees for that period, so make sure you complete your application promptly.

As with any loan you take, you must understand the terms and conditions before you make a commitment. You must read the VET Student Loan information available on Study Assist, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website for students and consider seeking independent financial advice.

During your study, you may be contacted again by the Commonwealth to confirm your engagement and progression in your course and confirm that you wish to continue to use your VET Student Loan to pay your tuition fees for the course. It is important that you advise Global Institute if any of your personal or contact details change during your study. Further information regarding the VET Student Loan engagement and progression process is available on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website. If you do not complete the engagement and progression process, you will not be able to continue access to a VET Student Loan for your tuition fees.

All students wishing to apply for a Commonwealth VET Student Loan must be assessed for academic suitability to undertake a high level VET qualification. This is aimed at ensuring you have the skills and knowledge to succeed in your course.

To be assessed as academically suitable, you must either:

• provide a copy of your senior secondary certificate of education (that has been awarded by an Australian authority or agency), or
• provide evidence of attainment of an Australian Qualification Framework qualification at Certificate IV or above. You may provide a transcript from your previous provider (or a transcript from the national USI register for qualifications attained from 2015) or evidence of an approved Australian Government assessed overseas qualification.
• undertake an approved literacy and numeracy assessment and be competent at Exit Level 3 (working at level 4) or above. Global Institute will assist you through the process to undertake this assessment if required. There is no cost to you.

As a component of the Pre-Training Review process, GLOBAL INSTITUTE  ensures students are not required to repeat any unit or module in which they have already been assessed as competent unless a regulatory requirement or license condition (including industry licensing schemes) requires this.

Credit transfer is a process that provides students with credit outcomes for components of a qualification based on identified equivalence in content and learning outcomes from previous studies.

Where a student provides suitable evidence, they have successfully completed a unit or module at any RTO, GLOBAL INSTITUTE provides credit for that unit or module. In some cases, licensing or regulatory requirements may prevent a unit or module from being awarded through a credit process.

GLOBAL INSTITUTE is not obliged however to issue a qualification or statement of attainment that is achieved wholly through recognition of units and/or modules completed at another RTO or RTOs.

Note that providing credit for previous studies is not a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL is a form of assessment of the competence of a person while providing credit is recognising the equivalence of studies previously undertaken and completed successfully.

GLOBAL INSTITUTE recognises verified testamurs from other Registered Training Organisations and USI transcripts issued by the USI Registrar. This applies to all cases, including students seeking credit transfer for previous study and personnel documentation.

Before providing credit on the basis of a Qualification Certificate, Statement of Attainment, Record of Results or USI Transcript, GLOBAL INSTITUTE authenticates the information in the document.

Document Verification Procedure

When verifying documentation, GLOBAL INSTITUTE personnel are required to implement the following procedures:

Identity Documents

1. Sight the original Identification document.
2. Take a copy of the original Identification document.
3. Verify the copy of the Identification document by writing the following statement on the copy:

 

“I confirm that I have sighted the original ID and this is a true and accurate copy”

With inclusion of the Representative’s Name, Representative’s Signature and Date.

Testamur Documentation

1. Receive a copy of the testamur documentation being used;
2. Confirm the authenticity of the document by contacting and confirming authenticity with the relevant issuing registered training organisation;
3. Verify the copy of the testamur document by writing the following statement on the copy:

 

“I confirm that I have authenticated this document with the issuing organisation”

With inclusion of the Representative’s Name, Representative’s Signature and Date.

USI Transcripts

Authentication to be conducted by a representative that has USI Organisation Portal access.

1. Ensure the student has given GLOBAL INSTITUTE permission to see their transcript online.
2. Access the student’s USI transcript (via the USI Organisation Portal) and print off a copy of transcript.
3. Verify the copy of the USI Transcript by writing the following statement on the copy:

 

“I confirm that I have authenticated this USI Transcript via the USI Organisation Portal”

With inclusion of the Representative’s Name, Representative’s Signature and Date.

Student Request for Credit Transfer

If a student wishes to apply for Credit Transfer, it is mandatory that they complete the Credit Transfer RPL Application Form and include appropriate evidence to support the Credit Transfer application.

All Credit Transfer applications must be supported by the appropriate evidence. This may be in the form of Nationally Recognised Qualification or Statement of Attainment indicating exactly the same code and title as those included in the student application, or other documents of equivalence.

Global Institute’s personnel processing credit transfer results must:

1. Ensure the unit codes on the previous testamur documentation / USI transcript are highlighted as the unit codes being sought for credit transfer;
2. Where the documentation includes results, ensure that satisfactory result outcomes are listed; and
3. Where unit of competency are deemed ‘equivalent,’ attach the relevant screen printout from the National Register (training.gov,au) or mapping page from the official training package / curriculum list where equivalency has been noted.

Where appropriate evidence is provided with the Credit Transfer application GLOBAL INSTITUTE must grant the Credit Transfer. Where Credit Transfer is granted, the student will be advised within five working days of completion of the assessment and the training program adjusted accordingly.

Where Credit Transfer is not granted, the student will be notified in writing of the outcome within five working days of completion of the assessment. The written communication to the student includes a reason for refusal, and information on how to lodge a complaint or appeal if desired.

In all cases, a copy of the credit transfer application and verified copies of the relevant documentation evidence is retained in the student’s file.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) means an assessment process that assesses the competency/s of an individual that may have been acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning to determine the extent to which that individual meets the requirements specified in the training package or VET accredited courses.

• Formal learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of instruction and is linked to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, a certificate, diploma or university degree);
• Non-formal learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of instruction, but does not lead to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, in-house professional development programs conducted by a business); and
• Informal learning refers to learning that results through experience of work-related, social, family, hobby or leisure activities (for example the acquisition of interpersonal skills developed through several years as a sales representative).

RPL assesses this prior learning against the requirements of a qualification, in respect of both entry requirements and outcomes to be achieved. RPL encourages an individual to continue upgrading their skills and knowledge through structured education and training towards formal qualifications and improved employment outcomes. RPL keeps the system of qualifications open to recognition of the value of learning achieved outside the formal system, as part of everyday living in a continuum of learning throughout one’s life.

In order to recognise prior learning, it is necessary to:

• Compare the informal or non-formal learning the individual has achieved against the learning outcomes or performance criteria of the course or qualification for which the student is using as a basis for seeking entry or the award of credit; and
• Determine appropriate evidence to support the claim of prior learning.

The processes used to assess RPL applications may take several (not mutually exclusive) forms, for example:

• Participation in exactly the same or modified versions of the assessment the student would be required to complete as part of the full course;
• Assessment based on a portfolio of evidence;
• Direct observation of demonstration of skill or competence;
• Reflective papers, journals or portfolios that relate past learning to the learning or competency outcomes of the current course or qualification;
• Provision of examples of the student’s work drawn from the workplace, social, community or other setting in which the student applies their learning, skill or competence;
• Testimonials of learning, skill or competence; and
• Combinations of any of the above.

GLOBAL INSTITUTE ensures that trainers and assessors remain current in their professional development and in their knowledge and understanding of issues related to recognition.

RPL Process

As a component of the Pre-Training Review process, GLOBAL INSTITUTE implements a robust RPL process to ensure that:

• The uptake of RPL is encouraged and RPL processes are reviewed to streamline the RPL application process;
• Where possible, the student is able to complete the qualification in less time;
• RPL information is provided to students prior to enrolment and prior to commencement of formal training delivery in a course program;
• RPL processes offered provide adequate information, support and opportunities for students to engage in the RPL process;
• RPL decisions are made prior to the commencement of the course, subject or unit for which the RPL is being claimed; and
• RPL assessment processes and procedures meet the same delivery and quality assurance requirements as all other assessment arrangements.

RPL Requirements

To achieve RPL, students must:

• Apply for RPL;
• Provide appropriate RPL evidence (including documents, demonstrations and interviews as may be relevant); and
• Have this evidence assessed as meeting all of the requirements of the entire Unit of Competency.

Where students have gaps, or require additional mentoring and support, RPL is not applicable. In these cases learning is occurring, and a ‘Competent’ result is achieved on completion of assessment.

RPL Applications

It is mandatory that students wishing to achieve RPL with GLOBAL INSTITUTE complete a Credit Transfer RPL Application Form and provide this form with their evidence submission for assessment. This application form ensures:

• The Application for RPL is recorded effectively;
• The start date for each Unit of Competency is correctly identified; and
• The appropriate declarations of authenticity of prior work are recorded.

Start Dates

The official start date for a Unit of Competency through RPL is determined (by NCVER) as the date that the student submitted their evidence portfolio for assessment. This is the start date that all GLOBAL INSTITUTE   personnel are to record on the student’s training and assessment plan (actual start date section for each unit).

This date is critical for compliance in cases where financial subsidies are being received for the student’s course.

The RPL result date is the final date that the student provided all evidence required and was deemed to have achieved the unit ‘RPL-Granted’ result.

Financial Regulatory Implications

All GLOBAL INSTITUTE’s personnel must ensure they are aware of RPL implications with regard to financial regulatory impacts in their region and projects. RPL in some jurisdictions is:

• Fully subsidised;
• Partially subsidised; or
• Not subsidised.

Depending on the region, when students are applying for RPL, it is critical that GLOBAL INSTITUTE personnel understand any financial implications that may apply and discuss correct fees and charges with the student concerned.

Fees for courses eligible for VET Student Loans are charged by Units of Study. Your course will have at least three Units of Study and your payments will be spread across the duration of your course. Each Unit of Study has a census day, set at no less than 20% into the Unit of Study.

You will be sent an VET Student Loan Fee Notice 14 days before each census day, indicating your fees and census days. Your debt is incurred on the day after the census day. After a census day has passed, Global Institute will also send you a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) for that Unit of Study. The CAN will provide you with information about your debt, including the loan fee if applicable. If you believe your CAN is incorrect, you should contact your college immediately.

For some courses, there may be a gap between the course fee and the loan cap that the Commonwealth will allow for your course. You will be advised of this when you enquire, and also about other payment options that may be available. You must apply for a loan and pay any gap fee prior to the census date in order to finalise your payment for that Unit of Study.

You repay your loan through the tax system when your income is above the minimum repayment threshold. Repayment thresholds are adjusted each year to reflect changes in average weekly earnings. The minimum repayment income threshold for 2023-2024 is $51,550.

A VET Student Loan is a personal debt obligation that can affect your credit rating and have wage and tax repayment implications. From 1 July 2017, all existing and future debtors from any Commonwealth student loan program who move overseas must make compulsory HELP repayments. If you are living overseas and earning an income that exceeds the minimum repayment threshold, you will be required to make compulsory repayments towards your debt. Please refer to the ATO website for more information.

For more information regarding Commonwealth loan repayment thresholds, please visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

For a summary of the important information you need to know, read or download as below link and information:

• Course Fees Agreement
• Deferring course form
• APP Privacy Policy for RTO
• Fees charges and refunds
• Student Advice and Selection Policy
• Access & Equity Policy

If you are considering applying for a VET Student Loan, you should familiarise yourself with your obligations by reading the VET Student Loan information booklet.

Further information is available at:

• Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
• Study Assist website
• VET Student Loans Information booklet

If you choose to withdraw or defer, you may be entitled to a refund of any up-front payment you’ve made, or re-credit of your loan balance if you have taken a Commonwealth Student Loan.

• Tuition fees and refunds – information for students
• You must withdraw or defer in writing by completing the VET Student Loans Withdrawal & Deferral Application form.

The loan amount you incur will depend on the timing of your withdrawal or deferral. There are no penalties if you withdraw or defer on or before the census day. However, once a census day has passed, the loan amount for the Unit of Study is incurred.

If Global Instiute ceases to provide a course in which you are enrolled, Global Institutewill ensure that you are offered enrolment in a similar course of study. Alternatively, you will be provided a refund of any upfront payments or re-credit to your loan balance for any units of study . pls check information

Information regarding Tuition-Protection-Service

When you enrol at Global Institute, the collection, storage, use and disclosure of any personal information you provide are as below:

APP Privacy Policy for RTOs