Orientation

Who is AIFE?


AIFE is an Australian Institute of Higher Education (PRV14382) registered by Australia’s higher education regulator, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

Listed below are AIFE’s two courses, which are recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework and are TEQSA accredited:

Our key staff are:

AIFE’s Melbourne head office is located at: 635 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills

Governance of AIFE


  • AIFE is governed by a Board of Directors comprising individuals with experience in Australia’s higher education sector, some of whom are independent.
  • AIFE’s Board of Directors is accountable for the entire higher education operations and AIFE’s compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • An Academic Board has been established by the Board of Directors to oversee academic matters, including the quality of teaching and learning.

Student Representation in Governance


  • Students are invited to consider representing the student population as a student representative member of the Academic Board.
  • Details outlining the election process and expectations of a Student Representative of the Academic Board are set out in the Election of Student Representative Policy and Procedure.

Course Materials and Learning Resources


Courses are conducted exclusively online. Cloudcampus is AIFE’s learning management system, which is used by AIFE to provide students with course material and resources and by students to access course materials and resources, and to connect with AIFE’s academic and administrative staff. There is a User Guide in Cloudcampus to help students navigate around the learning management system. If you have any issues logging into Cloudcampus, please contact Professor Karen Swabey (karen.swabey@aife.edu.au).

Online Safety


Once granted access to Cloudcampus and a password has been set, students should protect their access details from others by:

  • not sharing login details with others;
  • changing the password on a regular basis; and
  • seeking guidance from the Administration Manager if they believe their access details may have been compromised.

Students must not pose a risk to their own safety, or those of others by downloading, uploading, or publishing harmful content. It is expected that students protect their own, and others’, privacy.

Lawful Use of Resources through Cloud Campus


  • Students must not handle any unlawful material. This includes not downloading, uploading, or publishing illegal content.
  • Students must not breach intellectual property rights by downloading, uploading or using illegally sourced software or content.

Reference | Information and Communications Technology Policy

Support Services – Academic and Personal


Academic Support

  • Many academic resources are available in Cloudcampus, which is accessible 24/7, including:
    – active links to additional resources and relevant documents; and
    – learning guides and course materials.
  • Academic staff will be available for consultation by appointment or at specified times during the teaching period for 2 hours per week.
  • There will be sessions scheduled during the teaching period on:
    – English language proficiency; and
    – Literacy and numeracy.
  • Students can also use the physical or electronic library of their university employer.

Personal Support

  • If required, AIFE can schedule personal support for students, such as counselling.
  • Students will be informed of any charges for personal counselling services before committing to the session.

Reference | Student Support Framework

Key Staff to Contact for Help


 

For enquiries and enrolments, contact:

  • Enquiries@aife.edu.au and
  • Admission@aife.edu.au

Changes to Enrolment


  • Students who wish to defer commencement of their course must submit an application prior to enrolling. The maximum deferment period is one (1) year.
  • After enrolling, students can:
    – vary their study load;
    – transfer between AIFE courses;
    – request a leave of absence;
    – withdraw from their candidature.
  • Student enrolment may be suspended or cancelled:
    – if fraudulent information had been provided to gain a place in an AIFE course;
    – for the following reasons and after AIFE’s appeals process has been exhausted:

    • academic or non-academic misconduct;
    • unsatisfactory academic progress;
    • non-payment of fees.

Reference | Enrolment Policy and Procedure

Student Code of Conduct


  • To provide an open and mutually supportive learning environment, students are expected to conduct themselves in line with the Student Code of Conduct, such as:
    – treating members of AIFE’s community with equity and respect;
    – avoiding behaviour that could be perceived as harassment, intimidation, discrimination, bullying or threatening, including through the use of social networking, websites and AIFE’s website;
    – making only truthful statements in regard to their student status, representation as a student and entitlements as a student.

Reference | Student Code of Conduct

Fees and Refunds


  • Tuition fees are set by the Board of Directors, reviewed annually by the CEO and the Board of Directors, and published on the AIFE website at https://aife.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Fees-and-Refund-Policy-and-Procedure-v1.pdf.
  • Fees may change over the duration of the course and could impact students who do not complete the course within one teaching period.
  • AIFE does not charge non-tuition fees.
  • Students, or their employer, wishing to receive a refund for withdrawing from their course must complete the relevant forms and submit them to AIFE by the date specified in the Letter of Offer and Written Agreement.
  • Refunds will be paid back to the original source of payment.

Reference | Fees and Refunds Policy and Procedure

Academic Integrity


  • Academic integrity is centred on a commitment to honesty, trust, respect and responsibility.
  • A breach of academic integrity is considered academic misconduct and is not tolerated at AIFE.
  • Potential penalties for breach of academic integrity could result in:
    – a formal written warning;
    – a zero grade for an assessment or a fail grade for the unit;
    – suspension or exclusion from AIFE.
  • Some examples of breaches of academic integrity are:
    – plagiarism or collusion in assessment tasks;
    – referring to unauthorised material in an exam setting;
    – contract cheating, which is when an assessment task has been outsourced by the student ‘…to a third party, whether that is a commercial provider, current or former student, family member or acquaintance’ (see Good Practice Note: Addressing Contract Cheating, p.2).

Reference | Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure

Progression Requirements


  • Academic performance of all students will be monitored to inform decisions regarding academic progress.
  • Students identified as requiring support during the first half of the teaching period will be informed of the academic and personal support services that are available to assist them in making satisfactory academic progress.
  • Students are considered to be “at risk” if they fail:
    – 50% or more of enrolled units in any teaching period; and/or
    – the same unit more than once; and/or
    – to make sufficient progress.
  • The following support may be provided to ”at risk” students:
    – academic skills workshops;
    – individual case management; and/or
    – peer support.
  • Students may be considered for exclusion if they are unable to meet minimum academic standards after provision of academic support by AIFE.

Reference | Academic Progression Policy and Procedure

Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment


  • AIFE adopts a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and sexual assault.
  • AIFE will support complainants, and will apply appropriate sanctions.
  • Sexual assault is a serious incident which should be reported to:
    – Police or emergency services (24 hours): 000, or
    – for staff or students not located in Australia, local emergency services.

Reference | Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure

Critical Incidents


  • A Critical Incident is a traumatic event causing extreme stress, fear or injury.
  • Examples of critical incidents include:
    – verbal or psychological aggression;
    – physical assault; and
    – natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods.
  • Students involved in an incident occurring off-campus or offshore, are to follow the incident management procedures applying at that site and report it to AIFE’s CEO.

Reference | Critical Incident and Emergency Management Policy and Procedure

Grievance Process


  • AIFE encourages resolutions of grievances at the local level where possible.
  • Grievances will be resolved promptly with impartiality, transparency and the privacy of those involved protected.
  • The process will be respectful of the views of all parties affected.
  • There will be no cost to the complainant for using the grievance process.

Reference | Student Grievance Policy and Procedure

Appeals Process


  • Students dissatisfied with the outcome of a grievance may lodge an appeal.
  • Students also have the right to appeal a decision made by AIFE under other policies and procedures.
  • Appeals must be lodged within 20 working days of a grievance outcome or decision under the relevant policies and procedures.
  • Appeals will be handled fairly, consistently, transparently and effectively and will be respectful of all parties.
  • Appellants may be accompanied by an advocate.
  • The internal appeals process must be first exhausted before requesting external mediation or arbitration.
    Students may use as an external appeals body:
    – the Resolution Institute which is an external body specialising in dispute resolution by mediation or arbitration or
    – an independent external mediator.
  • AIFE agrees to be bound by agreed recommendations arising from the external appeal process with any necessary actions implemented promptly.

Reference | Student Appeals Policy and Procedure