Student Accommodation Services & Welfare

HSA is committed to providing students with relevant, consistent, appropriate and timely academic and welfare support information, advice, assistance andservices to help them to attain academic success and maintain a satisfactorylevel of wellbeing while undertaking studies at a campus of HSA, including:

·       making the transition to living and studying inAustralia away from home and in a college environment

·       becoming familiar with the college, its values,facilities, and services

·       being able to readily access the information, advice, support or service that is required.

A permanent full or part time designated StudentWelfare Officer position will be included in the staffing structure tofacilitate/manage the delivery of HSA’s student welfare services. This policy will be implemented by the following procedures.

 7.1 Pre -enrolment advice

7.1.1 A comprehensive pre-enrolment hand book will be available on the HSA website and in hard copy for education agents and intending students.

7.1.2 All potential students will be interviewed over Skype by the Student Registrar prior to a course offer being made.

7.2 Arrival in Australia

7.2.1 Free pick up from thenearest airport on arrival in Australia and transportation to accommodation will be offered by HSA and provided upon request.

7.2.2 HSA will assist students to find suitable accommodation upon request.

7.3 Accommodation, transport and the cost of living

7.3.1 Students will be assisted to find accommodation and will be provided with information on likely rental costs, lease agreements, tenants’ rights and responsibilities.

7.3.2 Students will be provided with information on:

·       standard costs of living for food, clothing and amenities

·       purchasing vehicles and driving licence requirements

·       travel and transport – train, bus, tram and taxi

7.4 Orientation

7.4.1 Students will be provided with a week long orientation program which will cover:

·       student support services available to students in thetransition to life and study in a new environment

·       legal services

·       emergency and health services

·       health cover

·       facilities and resources

·       emergency and evacuation procedures

·       personal safety

·       complaints and appeals processes

·       any student visa condition relating to course progressand/or attendance as appropriate

·       Information Technology (IT) support services.

7.4.2 A full time StudentWelfare Officer will be available to provide a range of welfare services tostudents.

7.4.3 A Guide to Student Support Services booklet will be provided tostudents on the first day of their arrival at HSA.

7.5 Academicsupport services

7.5.1 English language supportservices will be made available via free weekly literacy, language and numeracyenhancement group sessions.

7.5.2 Students will be givenfree use of the technical library and computers when not being used for classesand will have access to unlimited internet use in accordance with policy.

7.5.3 Free transport fromLaverton Station will be provided for students travelling from the MelbourneMetropolitan area to Werribee Campus for practical sessions.

7.5.4HSA will ensure that all staff members who interact directly with students areaware of its provider obligations under the ESOS framework and the potentialimplications for students arising from the exercise of these obligations.

7.6 Criticalincidents

7.6.1 HSA will have adocumented critical incident policy and procedures that cover the action to betaken in the event of a critical incident, required follow up to the incidentand records of the incident and action taken.

7.6.2 Students will be advisedof emergency and evacuation procedures during their orientation program.

7.6.3 At each trainingvenue there will be at least one trainer and/or administration staff member whohas up to date training in first aid and has the knowledge and authority tomanage an environmental emergency and critical incident.

7.7 Security and personalsafety

7.7.1 Students will beprovided with relevant and current information about security and how to reducethe risks to their personal safety in Australia generally and in the city inwhich their campus is located, including contact numbers for emergency servicesand a senior staff member.

7.8 Welfare

7.8.1 Students will beprovided with information and referral where applicable to:

·       professional counsellingservices for such matters as drug and alcohol dependence, relationship problemsetc. 

·       legal services

·       medical, dental andhospital services’

·       community services

7.9 Health insurance cover

7.9.1 HSA will arrange for arepresentative of OSHC World Care Health insurance to be available on campus atpredetermined times to advise students on health care insurance.

7.10 Career advice and workexperience

7.10.1 Advice and a guideto career and employment opportunities and work experience will be provided tostudents during the course of their studies by the Student Support Officer,Academic Co-ordinators and relevant teachers as requested

7.11 Cultural and socialexperiences.

7.11.1. A Student SocialCommittee consisting of elected student representatives, the Student WelfareOfficer and nominated staff representative/s.

7.12 Harassment and discrimination

 7.12.1 Policies andprocedures in relation to harassment and discrimination will be implementedthroughout the organisation.

7.13    Grievances, complaints and appeals

7.13.1  Policies and procedures in relation to grievances, complaints andappeals will be implemented throughout the organisation.

7.14    24 Hour contact/hotline

7.14.1  A 24 hour contact/hotline number will be notified to all students foruse in emergency situations.

7.14.2  The student welfare officer will liase with educators and attendanceclerk to identify and contact students missing for 6 consecutive days.