Student Handbook

Welcome to Swiss Institute Australia

Message from the Director/CEO

Welcome to Swiss Institute Australia. We are pleased to have you join our community of learners committed to developing practical vocational skills and professional qualifications recognised throughout Australia. Swiss Institute Australia is a registered training organisation dedicated to delivering quality training and assessment services that prepare our students for successful careers in Business Services and Tourism, Travel and Hospitality sectors. Our training programs are designed with input from industry experts and employers to ensure you acquire the current skills demanded in today’s workplace. This Student Handbook outlines your rights, responsibilities, the training programs available, assessment practices, and the support services provided to help you succeed.

RTO Registration Details

Our Vision and Mission

Vision: To be a leading provider of vocational education and training that empowers individuals to achieve their career goals and contribute to industry excellence.

Mission: 

RTO Obligations

As a Registered Training Organisation, Swiss Institute Australia is bound by the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (Cth) and the ASQA Outcome Standards 2025. We are committed to delivering quality training and assessment according to approved training packages and unit standards, conducting fair and valid assessments, issuing qualifications that accurately reflect student achievement, protecting students from false or misleading claims, maintaining accurate student records, providing reasonable adjustments for accessibility, establishing transparent complaints processes, and continuously improving training delivery.

Qualifications Offered

Swiss Institute Australia delivers seven nationally recognised qualifications across two training packages: Business Services and Tourism, Travel and Hospitality. All qualifications are accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and recognised throughout Australia.

Qualifications Summary

⚠ Notice — BSB (Business) Qualifications: Trainer Appointment Pending

A qualified trainer/assessor for the BSB50120, BSB50420 and BSB60120 Business qualifications has not yet been appointed. Enrolments into these three qualifications are on hold until a suitably qualified trainer is confirmed. Please contact Swiss Institute Australia before applying for a BSB qualification to confirm current availability. The SIT (Hospitality) qualifications are not affected by this notice.

Delivery Modes: Swiss Institute Australia delivers qualifications using classroom-based (face-to-face), workplace-based, online/distance, and blended delivery modes tailored to individual learning needs and circumstances.

Enrolment, Fees and Student Support

To be eligible to enrol, you must be at least 18 years old and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen. You must also meet qualification-specific entry requirements, complete a Pre-Training Review and Language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment, and provide proof of identity.

Fees and Refunds

Tuition fees vary by qualification. Flexible payment options include full payment, monthly instalments, pay-as-you-go, and employer sponsorship. Yellow highlighted placeholders \[INSERT AMOUNT\] indicate where specific fees should be completed. Refunds: You have a 14-day cooling-off period for full refund. Withdrawals after this are calculated prorata. Deferrals hold fees as credit. No refunds apply for disciplinary dismissal.

Support Services

Swiss Institute Australia provides: Academic support (feedback, guidance, study groups, mentoring); Language, Literacy and Numeracy support (free tutoring, modified materials, extended time); Wellbeing support (counselling, career guidance, financial hardship assistance); Disability support (reasonable adjustments, specialist equipment, disability liaison officer); and referrals to external services (mental health, emergency support, employment assistance).

Training Delivery and Assessment

Training Delivery

Your personalised Training Plan outlines course structure, units of competency, delivery mode, schedule, assessment deadlines, and completion date. You must attend scheduled sessions, complete assessments, demonstrate competency in each unit, maintain conduct standards, and engage actively. Course progress is monitored and support provided if you fall behind.

Assessment

Assessment Principles: Fair, flexible, valid and reliable. Assessment Methods: Written tests, practical demonstrations, portfolio work, projects, interviews, workplace assessment, case studies. Rules of Evidence: Valid (directly measures competency), Sufficient (comprehensive), Authentic (your own work), Current (less than 3 years old).

Reasonable Adjustments: Extended time, separate space, assistive technology, alternative formats available for students with disabilities or accessibility needs.

Re-Assessment Policy: Maximum 3 assessment attempts per unit. Minimum 5 business days between attempts. Third attempt by different assessor. No fee for genuine learning purposes. Plagiarism and Academic Integrity: All work must be your own. Copying, plagiarism, cheating result in mark of 0, retake, and disciplinary process.

Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL recognises knowledge and skills gained outside formal vocational education. You may be eligible if you have workplace experience, informal learning, prior qualifications, volunteer work or overseas qualifications. 7-Step RPL Process: (1) Inquiry, (2) Submit portfolio, (3) Initial assessment, (4) Formal RPL assessment, (5) RPL decision, (6) Enrolment with exemptions, (7) Complete remaining units. RPL assessment fee: YELLOW \[INSERT AMOUNT\]

Credit Transfer

Credit Transfer recognises completion of AQF qualifications from other RTOs. Applicable to complete qualifications at same/lower level or individual units. Submit certified copies of original qualification, complete Credit Transfer Request Form, units are mapped and matched, and approved transfers are documented in your Training Plan. No fee applies.

Complaints, Appeals and Governance

Complaints and Appeals Process

Informal Resolution (3 business days): Speak with your trainer or Course Coordinator. Formal Complaint (20 business days): Submit Formal Complaint Form to Complaints Officer (info@swiss.edu.au). Complaint is acknowledged within 2 business days, investigated, and written decision provided within 20 days. Internal Appeal (20 business days): Appeal to Appeal Officer within 10 business days of complaint decision. External Appeal: Contact ASQA (1300 701 801) or National Training Complaints Hotline 13 38 73. Confidentiality: No retaliation. You may have support person present.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Your Rights: Quality training, fair assessment, clear information, access to records, reasonable adjustments, support services, complaints process, privacy, safe environment, official qualifications. Your Responsibilities: Attend training, participate actively, submit own work, follow Code of Conduct, respect others, follow WHS requirements, pay fees on time, maintain current contact details, respect privacy of others, use resources responsibly.

Code of Conduct

Expected: Treat all with courtesy and respect, arrive on time, maintain cleanliness, be honest, accept diversity, take responsibility. Prohibited: Violence, harassment, bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, illegal substances, theft/damage, fraud, disruption. Consequences: Minor breach = verbal warning; Moderate = written warning + meeting; Serious = suspension; Very serious = immediate exclusion. Disciplinary Process: Notification, meeting (with support person), decision, communication, appeal rights through complaints process.

Work Health and Safety, Privacy and Certification

Work Health and Safety (WHS)

Swiss Institute Australia provides safe training facilities and equipment. RTO Responsibilities: Provide safe premises, train staff in WHS, maintain records, conduct risk assessments, implement emergency procedures. Your Responsibilities: Follow all WHS instructions, use equipment safely, wear PPE when required, don’t operate unless trained/authorised, report hazards immediately, don’t bring hazardous materials without permission. Emergency Procedures: Evacuation assembly point is the front courtyard. Medical emergencies: Call 000. First aid staff on site. Mental health support available through Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.

Privacy and Records Management

Privacy: Personal information collected (contact, identity, education, health, financial, USI) is handled according to Privacy Act 1988 and Australian Privacy Principles. Information used for: Enrolment, training delivery, quality assurance, legal compliance, communication. Storage: Secure in locked filing or encrypted digital systems. Retention: 30 years minimum after completion for AVETMISS reporting and verification. Your Rights: Access records, request corrections, lodge privacy complaints, opt-out of marketing. AVETMISS: Your data reported to Victorian Government via Unique Student Identifier for government planning and public reporting.

Issuing Qualifications

Upon completing all units of competency, Swiss Institute Australia issues an official AQF Qualification Certificate or Statement of Attainment within 30 calendar days. Certificate signed by Authorised Signatory (Director), includes RTO code 41517, course code, title, AQF level, date of issue. Replacement certificates (Yellow \[INSERT AMOUNT\] fee) issued within 10 business days. Verify qualifications online at training.gov.au. Transcript of Results available free for first copy; additional copies incur small fee.

Deferral, Suspension and Cancellation

Deferral: Temporary pause on your studies (up to 1 year) for personal, work, health or academic reasons. Fees held as credit for new intake. No additional fees. Suspension: Formal pause from breach of Code of Conduct. Disciplinary process applies. Fees continue to accrue. Cancellation: Permanent end of enrolment (student-initiated, non-commencement, failure to progress, RTO-initiated for serious breach, non-payment). Refunds calculated based on services delivered.

Key Contacts and Resources

Swiss Institute Australia

Main Reception: Phone (03) 4309 4084 \| Email: info@swiss.edu.au \| Office: Level 1, 416-420 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 \| Training: Level 14, 333 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 \| Web: www.swiss.edu.au

External Services

• ASQA: 1300 701 801 \| www.asqa.gov.au
• National Training Complaints Hotline: 13 38 73
• training.gov.au \| myskills.gov.au \| Fair Work Ombudsman: 13 13 94
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 \| Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 \| 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
• Centrelink: 13 12 52 \| www.humanservices.gov.au

STUDENT HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

I acknowledge that I have received, read and understood the Swiss Institute Australia Student Handbook (Version 1.0, Document Code SIA-HBK-STU-v1.0). I understand my rights, responsibilities, conduct expectations, fees and refunds, assessment requirements, support services, and complaint procedures.

I confirm that: (1) I have read and understood the Student Handbook in full; (2) I agree to comply with the Code of Conduct and all policies; (3) I understand fees and payment plans; (4) I understand assessment requirements and re-assessment policy; (5) I am aware of my rights and responsibilities; (6) I understand the complaints process; (7) I have had opportunity to ask questions.

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