Student Handbook

All courses offered by the College are competency-based courses. Students are required to submit a portfolio of completed tasks and activities for assessment against all the tasks in the elements and performance knowledge within each unit in the course or qualification they are studying.

The use of written assessments is an applicable methodology for the real estate sector, considering it relies heavily on written communication, contracts, forms, and administrative/paperwork-related tasks.

ARETC uses summative assessment, meaning we assess your knowledge and skill at the end of each unit of competency. Assessments generally consist of the following assessment methods:

• Multiple choice questions

• Short answer questions

• Case studies

• Workplace project

Practical assessments (you will be asked to provide a video of yourself undertaking some real estate specific tasks such as presenting a listing presentation to a client).

Students are expected to research each task, using either learner resource supplied and by gathering information from their own resources. All activities and assessment tasks must be attempted before submitting for marking and must be successfully completed for competency to be achieved.

Students submit completed assessment tasks electronically by uploading them through the Student Portal.

Students will be assessed as either ‘Competent’ or ‘Not Yet Competent’. All students are given the opportunity to re-submit assessments if, at first, they do not meet the competency standards required. Students will be asked to resubmit only those areas that are assessed as Not Yet Competent.

Students are given as many opportunities to resubmit an assessment task as needed to gain competency in any given unit. Students are not required to make a payment of a re-submission fee should a student be asked by their assessor to resubmit an assessment task.

Students who are studying at the same time may collaborate with each other to discuss thoughts and ideas in preparation for completing their assignments. Each student must submit their own work. Assessment must be done for each individual student to be able to determine whether they have the required skill and knowledge to complete all required tasks.

Those students not submitting their own work will be investigated for plagiarism (see Plagiarism Policy).

Students are required to agree to the terms of submission outlined in the student portal, prior to submission. Submission of an assignment also denotes to ARETC that the terms of submission have been agreed to.

Several strategies have been put into place to ensure that ARETC is continually monitoring the work of all enrolled students.

Assessment activities undertaken by ARETC follow consistent processes as outlined below:

• Assessment procedures are fully explained to students. Information is included within each course/qualification on the Student Portal and in each assessment.

• The assessment requirements of each unit of competency are outlined within each unit in a course or qualification.

• All evidence-gathering methods comply with the principles of assessment, in that they are fair, valid, reliable, and flexible.

• When assessing, ARETC Assessors complete a feedback section contained within the student’s online submission. A result is then recorded on the student’s feedback profile and within a computerised student administration system. Students have access to feedback and results during the course enrolment period.

• No assessment result is released to a third party without written, verifiable authority from the record owner. All student records remain confidential.

• Post-assessment advice is available to students where required.

• A fair and impartial appeals process is available. If a student does not agree with the assessment they may follow the appeals process outlined in the complaints and appeals policy.

• Assessment moderation and evaluation are ongoing and form part of ARETC’s approach to effective continuous improvement activities.

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Macdonald Education t/a The Australian Real Estate Training College (RETC) will ensure a student with a disability that affects their ability to study will have the same learning opportunities and will be able to perform and complete assessments as those students without a disability.

Any adjustment made will not compromise the integrity of the assessment and all Rules of Evidence and Principles of Assessment will be met.

Examples of reasonable adjustment are:

• Oral assessments (presentation, telephone interviews, face-to-face assessments)

• Use of a scribe for assessment

• Graphics or practical examples to illustrate questions in an assessment.

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The internet, including artificial intelligence sites such as ChatGP, is to be used for research purposes only.

All assessment responses must be answered in student’s own words. Copying and pasting from the internet into assignments is not acceptable and will be considered as plagiarism. ARETC has a zero tolerance of assessment plagiarism. See Plagiarism chapter.

Assessment that are submitted where it is obvious that answer have been copied and pasted from an internet source will not be marked and returned to the student.

Assessments must be submitted using English spelling and grammar, must include words used in the real estate industry and reflect current industry practices.

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In the event that a student is not satisfied with an assessment decision or process, they are able to appeal the result.

All assessment appeals will be processed and acted upon (if appropriate) in a timely manner following procedure applies:

1. appeal is made in writing and emailed to training@realestatetraining.com.au

2. Office Manager will review the appeal for initial assessment

3. if the matter is unresolved, discuss the matter with the Chief Executive Officer

4. if the matter is still unresolved, both parties will agree on the nomination of an independent assessor to examine the matter

5. should the matter remain unresolved at this stage, the student has the option to take the matter to ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority).

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Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. This can include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) programs.

All assessments submitted must be the student’s own work. It is not permitted for students to be able to copy and paste answers to assessment questions from the internet, including the use of AI programs. The only exception is where the assessment question requires the answer to be copied from a piece of legislation.

Students are required to agree to the terms of submission outlined on each assignment, prior to submission. Submission of an assignment also denotes to ARETC that the terms of submission have been agreed to.

A student submitting work that is not their own (including through the use of AI programs) will be considered to have committed an act of fraud and, at minimum, their enrolment will be terminated without credit for subjects completed and without a refund of fees.

Several strategies have been put into place to ensure that ARETC is continually monitoring the work of all enrolled students.

Please refer to ‘Assessment processes’ above for information about the process that must be undertaken for students working collaboratively.

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Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is an assessment process that assesses the current skill and knowledge against the learning outcomes of the unit of competency the student is applying for. The skill and knowledge can be acquired through formal, informal and non-informal learning. Students are able to apply for up to 100% of a course or qualification via RPL. ARETC may request an additional assessment to be completed to further support a student’s RPL application to meet the requirements for a particular unit of competency.

ARETC will only issue full RPL for any unit of competency. No partial RPL will be granted.

Fees to be paid by the student to complete their study will be determined on the result of the RPL application.

All applications for Recognition of Prior Learning or Credit Transfer are to be submitted using the Recognition of Prior Learning Application available via ARETC website.

Students will submit all sufficient documentary evidence to support their application. Any applications received with no documentation included will be returned to the student.

Students applying for Credit Transfer or RPL and using previously completed NRT or tertiary qualification/course are required to submit copies of testamurs, records of results or a Statement of Attainment with their application. Permission will be sought from the student to contact the issuing provider to verify the results shown.

RPL applications and submitted evidence will be forwarded to RPL Assessor for assessment. Results will be advised within ten (10) working days of receipt of the application.

If the Assessor determines the evidence submitted does not meet the assessment requirements for the unit of competency being applied for, the student will be required to study the unit. For those units that require further supporting evidence, the Assessor can decide whether the student is eligible to answer assessment questions and submit for marking. If additional assessment questions are deemed not yet competent the student will have to study the unit.

Results from the RPL application will be emailed to the student and will include the cost of completing the outstanding units in the qualification/course. Student’s approval is sought prior to an invoice being issued for fees due. If a student hasn’t agreed to complete the outstanding units and the requirements for the qualification/course change the student will need to submit a new application for RPL to meet the new requirements.

Qualification or Statement of Attainment will be issued upon completion of qualification/course.

Students may appeal the RPL decision by following the Complaints and Appeal policy.

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ARETC recognises qualifications or Statement of Attainment issued by other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) for nationally recognised training. Prior to providing a result of Credit Transfer, the student will be asked to sign an verification authority in order for ARETC to ask the issuing RTO to verify the result documentation as a true and correct copy of their original document.

Once verification of the results has been confirmed, the student can be provided with a Credit Transfer from the relevant competencies.

In cases where the qualification or Statement of Attainment is older than five years (particularly in units that have undergone substantial legislative change), ARETC may require the student to either apply for RPL or attempt these units to ensure currency of student knowledge.

The ARETC reserves the right to reject claims for credit transfer where the competencies claimed are greater than five years old.

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As a student of ARETC you should know about the various Acts that may impact your studies.

National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 - Establishes the regulatory requirements for registration of an Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and Privacy Act 1998 - Legislation protecting the handling of personal information about individuals.

Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 - Legislation to render unlawful types of discrimination and promotes equality of opportunity between all persons.

Student Identifiers Act 2014 - No Registered Training Organisation (RTO) can issue a qualification or Statement of Attainment to a student without a USI being provided to them.

Copyright Act 1968 - Regulates copyright in Australia.

VET Quality Framework - The aim of the vocational education and training (VET) Quality Framework is to achieve greater national consistency for Registered Training Organisations (RTO) in registration and enforcement of standards.

The VET Framework comprises the following:

• Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015

• Fit and Proper Person Requirements

• Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements

• Data Provisions Requirements

• Australian Qualifications Framework

Further information on the VET Quality Framework can be found on Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) website.

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Students can request access their records at any point throughout their enrolment. This enables the student to check their course progress, the outcomes of any unit completed, and any records relating to complaints and appeals. Student records are confidential, no information will be provided prior to the student confirming information of enrolment data.

In addition, as an RTO, ARETC is required to retain all student records for a period of thirty (30) years. Students are able to request access to their records over that period.

It is important to recognise that the archiving of student records occurs. A two-week period is required to access records that have been archived.

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The Australian Real Estate Training College (ARETC) is committed to equal opportunity and positive action in vocational education, training, and employment. ARETC provides an environment that embraces equity, fairness, and respect for social and cultural diversity.

All teaching methods, assessment and review processes, teaching materials, and support services demonstrate a commitment to an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and vilification. All staff is aware that access and equity is their responsibility.

Further details can be found in the ARETC Code of Practice.

Failure by a person or persons to comply with the equality policy outlined in the Code of Practice will warrant disciplinary action against the relevant party/parties.

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Use of administration strategies that align with the Federal Privacy Act.

As an RTO, ARETC is bound to protect students’ individual and personal information. All student administration processes ensure that we do not provide personal information on students and their assessments to unauthorised parties. All employees of ARETC are aware of the Federal Privacy Legislation and how it affects the dissemination of information, and follow the policies and procedures on the use of the student administration system and the protection of students’ privacy.

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The Australian Real Estate Training College will support the needs of individual students where English is not their first language or there may be a deficiency in their literacy or numeracy skills.

Students requiring language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) support are asked to denote this on their enrolment form or to contact ARETC.

Specific support needs, if possible, will be identified at enrolment. Specific action will be identified for each individual student who has had support needs identified. An LLN assessment may be recommended to assist in determining the support required.

Where only a low level of support is required, the Chief Executive Officer may arrange for the student to receive extra-curricula assistance from a Trainer, Assessor or other staff member. If a higher level of support is needed the student will be referred to an LLN specialist. This may attract a fee for the student.

Assessments can be adjusted where allowed in order to assist in the successful completion of the units of competency for those students who require support in LLN.

Where a student’s language, literacy, or numeracy deficiencies will clearly inhibit the achievement of learning outcomes and the applicant refuses to support, enrolment may be declined.

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In some cases, College staff will be dealing with children and, as such, staff are required to undertake a Working with Children Check (WWCC).

On rare occasions, ARETC staff may deal with students who are under the age of 18. It is a prerequisite for all staff, including Trainers and Assessors are required to undertake a Working with Children Check (WWCC).

Staff members who may be involved with children must have a current Working with Children Check and be verified to be engaged in any role relating to children.

Any staff member who has not or will not undertake a Working with Children Check will not be permitted to work in a position with ARETC where they may be required to work with children.

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Students of ARETC are responsible for:

• understanding enrolment conditions for courses or qualification prior to enrolment

• providing accurate enrolment information

• advising of any changes to any personal information previously provided to ARETC

• checking eligibility for a licence or registration certificate prior to enrolling in course or qualification with ARETC. ARETC is not responsible if a student enrols in a course or qualification and is not eligible to apply for licence or registration certificate.

• complying with all ARETC policies and procedures

• not engaging in harassment or discriminatory behaviour

• paying any fees or charges owing to ARETC

• not to plagiarise any material for assessment

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The Australian Real Estate Training College (ARETC) will ensure the issue of qualification testamurs, record of results and statement of attainment will comply with its scope of registration, the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy and the requirements of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 (RTO Standards).

ARETC will only issue qualifications testamurs, record of results or statement of attainment to individuals who have successfully completed all the requirements of a qualification or course.

Qualification testamurs, record of results or statement of attainment will not be issued to any student who does not provide ARETC with a USI number unless an exemption has been applied to the student.

Certificate documentation will be issued within the RTO Standards specified timeframe.

Replacement testamurs, record of results or statement of attainment will be provided by ARETC when a request by the student has been made in writing. ARETC will contact the student to ensure the identity of the student and confirm the request made is accurate. There is no cost to a request to reissue result documentation.

ARETC will revoke any certificate documentation that has been proven to have been obtained through actions of fraud. This action will be recorded on the student’s file. Any records showing on USI database will also be revoked.

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The student survey collects information about study experience from enrolment to completion of the training. The information is used to determine overall satisfaction of training, training resources, Assessor skills.

Employer Satisfaction

Employers are also asked to complete a survey to determine the work-readiness of students at the completion of training.

Both surveys provide the opportunity for improvement in all areas and to identify any future training needs.

Macdonald Education Pty Ltd T/A The Australian Real Estate Training College (ARETC) will investigate all complaints and appeals raised by students, assessors or staff.

All complaints and/or appeals will be dealt with in a timely and effective manner and will remain confidential at all times.

ARETC will ensure that each complaint or appeal and its outcome will be recorded appropriately ensuring confidentiality is maintained.

Formal complaints and/or appeals should be made in writing and emailed to training@realestatetraining.com.au. Complaints or appeals will not be considered formal if made verbally.

Complainants and appellant will be given the opportunity to formally present their case, if appropriate.

If a meeting is necessary during the investigation of the complaint or appeal the complainant or appellant can bring a support person, such as a translator or family member with them to the meeting. If a support person is being brought to the meeting ARETC should be advised prior to meeting commencement.

The complainant or appellant can, at any time, decide to withdraw their complaint or appeal. Investigations at this time would cease. This would be recorded on the complainant or appellant’s file.

The person making a complaint or appeal will be kept informed at every stage of the investigation and will be informed in writing of the outcome.

If a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of a complaint, they then may appeal the decision. The review of the appeal would be conducted by an independent person.

If still no resolution can be found the appellant can take the matter to an independent arbiter or ASQA for further investigation.

A review of the reasons why a complaint or appeal was made would be conducted to implement appropriate action to mitigate the chances of a reoccurrence of the incident.

Complaint meaning is something that is unsatisfactory or unacceptable.

An appeal meaning is an application for reconsideration of a decision.

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Students can contact ARETC for learning support at any time by using any of the below methods.

• email - studentsupport@realestatetraining.com.au

• telephone - 02 9987 2322

• online chat

Student confidentiality is maintained at all times.

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Australian Real Estate Training College, as an education provider, cannot guarantee the granting of a licence or registration to students upon successful course completion. Students are responsible for ensuring they meet the eligibility requirements as set out by the relevant state or territory licensing regulator.

ARETC does not have any involvement in guaranteeing employment following successful course completion.

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Australian Real Estate Training College, as an education provider, cannot guarantee the granting of a licence or registration to students upon successful course completion. Students are responsible for ensuring they meet the eligibility requirements as set out by the relevant state or territory licensing regulator.

ARETC does not have any involvement in guaranteeing employment following successful course completion.

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Centrelink has payment and products available to people studying or training. Payments and products are liable in many instances to asset tests and may also be determined based on the number of hours undertaken for study.

Individual opportunities need to be discussed with your local Centrelink office.

ARETC is approved for Centrelink student-related payments, as follows:

• Registered Training Organisation: NSW Real Estate Training College

• Reference No: 2P849

For information on the following allowances, contact Services Australia

• Youth allowance

• Austudy payment

• JobSeeker payment

Youth Allowance and AUSTUDY Payments

Youth Allowance is available to eligible full-time students aged 16-24, full-time students aged 25 or over who were getting Youth Allowance before they turned 25 and are still doing the same course, and young people up to 21 who are combining part-time job search and part-time study.

Austudy payment is available to eligible full-time students aged 25 years and over.

Youth Allowance and Austudy payments are subject to income and assets tests.

Claim forms and information about Youth Allowance or Austudy payments (including rates of payment) are available from Centrelink.

ABSTUDY provides financial assistance for Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders who undertake approved full-time or part-time study. ABSTUDY enquiries line is 1800 132 317.

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