CANDIDATES HANDBOOK
Safety Wise Solutions Pty Ltd
RTO #21871
Marketing
Safety Wise is committed to ensuring that its marketing and advertising comply with AQF requirements.
It uses the NRT logo only for qualifications within scope. Our Scope of Registration can be viewed at THIS LINK
When using references or endorsements about its products and services, it ensures it has appropriate permissions.
All marketing materials are approved by an authorised member of the RTO.
The RTO identifies training and assessment services leading to AQF qualifications and/or statements of attainment separately from other training services they might provide.
The RTO identifies when a Third Party is delivering training and assessment on their behalf.
Provision of Information
Safety Wise supplies accurate, relevant and up-to-date information to prospective students and contractors prior to completing written agreements.
Safety Wise reviews all information regularly, through its version control policy, to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Prior to enrolment, Safety Wise supplies students with information about:
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Student selection processes
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Course information, including vocational outcomes
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Third-Party Arrangements for delivery of training and assessment where applicable
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Fees and charges
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Provision for forms of assistance where appropriate
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Opportunities for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer
Enrolment
The following process applies to enrolment and selection.
Step 1 – Contact Safety Wise
Phone: +61 (3) 9857 8277
Email: competency@safetywise.com
Address: PO Box 1166, Greythorn, VIC, 3104
Step 2 – Suitability Assessment
We encourage all prospective students to speak with us before enrolment. This process is valuable in discussing the program requirements (including resources to be provided by the student), reviewing the learners’ existing skills and knowledge and identifying any possible obstacles or barriers, as well as getting to know the students.
Students may be required to complete a Suitability Assessment prior to enrolling.
If a student proceeds to enrol without contacting Safety Wise, they will be asked questions about their understanding of language, literacy and numeracy. If they answer “no” to any of the questions, they are redirected to contact us so that we can discuss their suitability for entry into the relevant course.
For students whom we deem suitable, Safety Wise will then advise on the enrolment process.
Students who are not deemed suitable will be provided with reasons and advice on steps that they can take to improve their suitability for our programs.
Step 3 – Enrol
Enrolment occurs through the completion of an online Enrolment Form once you register for the training
Upon initial enrolment, students can pay their course fees in a number of ways and in line with Clause 7.3 of the Standards for RTOs
Once payment has been made, Student Learner Portals are then activated, and the enrolment period begins.
Students have a 7-day cooling-off period from the commencement of enrolment, they are able to chat with Trainers and get a more thorough understanding of their learning and assessment activities.
If prior to the 7-day cooling-off period, the student decides that the course is not suited to their own needs, they can withdraw with a full repayment of their initial fees paid.
Step 4 – Orientation
You will receive a welcome email that will show you how to access your Learner Portal, which is where you will find all of your learning resources and assessment documents.
Step 5 – Start Learning
You start your training program. Our team will assist you in your learning journey.
Access & Equity
At all levels of operation, Safety Wise is committed to the principles of access and equity. Equity is about justice and fair dealing, not necessarily about treating all people the same way. Access ensures that any disadvantaged persons or groups in our community will have the provision of training services. Safety Wise Trainers and Assessors will ensure that all course participants have sufficient resources provided to assist them in successfully completing course requirements. Some examples of this might be:
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Literacy and numeracy support
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Flexible delivery of training and/or assessment components of the course
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An accessible venue.
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Disability Support
In keeping with the principles of accessibility and equity and in accordance with their responsibilities as defined under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Safety Wise is committed to ensuring that all students are supported in achieving their goals. Where barriers exist for students in relation to access, participation and learning outcomes, Safety Wise will work with the student to ensure fair and equitable access, and outcomes are achieved.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Safety Wise is committed to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are also given sufficient support to meet their learning needs.
Disability Supplementary Information Notice
The purpose of the Disability supplement is to provide additional information to assist you with answering the disability question on the Enrolment Form.
Disability in the contexts provided below does not include short-term disabling health conditions such as a fractured leg, or influenza, or corrected physical conditions such as impaired vision managed by wearing glasses or lenses.
Hearing/deaf
Hearing impairment is used to refer to a person who has acquired mild, moderate, severe or profound hearing loss after learning to speak, communicates orally and maximises residual hearing with the assistance of amplification. A person who is deaf has a severe or profound hearing loss from, at, or near birth and mainly relies upon vision to communicate, whether through lip reading, gestures, cued speech, fingerspelling and/or sign language.
Physical
A physical disability affects the mobility or dexterity of a person and may include a total or partial loss of a part of the body. A physical disability may have existed since birth or may be the result of an accident, illness, or injury suffered later in life; for example, amputation, arthritis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, paraplegia, quadriplegia or post-polio syndrome.
Intellectual
In general, the term ‘intellectual disability is used to refer to low general intellectual functioning and difficulties in adaptive behaviour, both of which conditions were manifested before the person reached the age of 18. It may result from infection before or after birth, trauma during birth, or illness.
Learning
A general term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual, presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction, and may occur across the lifespan. Problems in self-regulatory behaviours, social perception, and social interaction may exist with learning disabilities but do not by themselves constitute a learning disability.
Mental illness
Mental illness refers to a cluster of psychological and physiological symptoms that cause a person suffering or distress and which represent a departure from a person’s usual pattern and level of functioning.
Acquired brain impairment
Acquired brain impairment is an injury to the brain that results in deterioration in cognitive, physical, emotional or independent functioning. Acquired brain impairment can occur as a result of trauma, hypoxia, infection, tumour, accidents, violence, substance abuse, degenerative neurological diseases or stroke. These impairments may be either temporary or permanent and cause partial or total disability or psychosocial maladjustment.
Vision
This covers a partial loss of sight causing difficulties in seeing, up to and including blindness. This may be present from birth or acquired as a result of disease, illness or injury.
Medical condition
A medical condition is a temporary or permanent condition that may be hereditary, genetically acquired or of unknown origin. The condition may not be obvious or readily identifiable, yet may be mildly or severely debilitating and result in fluctuating levels of wellness and sickness and/or periods of hospitalisation; for example, HIV/AIDS, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, asthma or diabetes.
Other
A disability, impairment or long-term condition which is not suitably described by one or several disability types in combination. Autism spectrum disorders are reported under this category.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN)
The induction process may include a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Conversation (if applicable) with the RTO Manager.
This is optional and an opportunity is during the Enrolment Form for students to choose to complete this.
It is recommended students do complete this if they are in any way unsure that their core skills in reading, writing, learning, oral communication and numeracy meet the required ACSF levels as outlined in the Suitability Self Assessment Checklist as this will assist Trainers to better meet the individual needs of each student.
The Enrolment Form also offers an opportunity for students to identify any other particular needs they might have. Please discuss any concerns with your trainer.
Safety Wise is committed to providing fair and equitable access to learning for all students and this will be monitored throughout the course.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) takes into account previous studies you may have completed as well as life and work experiences. If these experiences are relevant, you may be granted RPL for some of the units that make up your course. This allows for fairer access to studies by ensuring you are not required to duplicate the learning you have already achieved.
Using the RPL procedure is not necessarily an easy way to get a qualification. It is not a matter of time served, or amount of experience, but the specific and relevant learning that is assessed according to the prescribed competency standards. Students need to be committed to supporting their case by locating and providing suitable evidence and documentation.
All applicants for RPL are encouraged to discuss this with their trainer prior to commencing the formal application process.
Steps for an evidence-based RPL assessment:
Following the development of your Personal Learning Plan, Safety Wise will provide you with the resources you will need to collect evidence of your current skills and experience.
You collect evidence and return it to us or, you complete the required written responses within your assigned evidence guide and then organise a Zoom/Google meeting with your assessor to directly observe any required supporting evidence.
The assessor evaluates the evidence (either through submission in document form or via direct observation) and notifies you if there are any further pieces of evidence that are required.
The assessor negotiates a further interview time with you if applicable, during which time your further evidence will be discussed as it relates specifically to the Competency Standards for which you are seeking RPL.
At this point, if the RPL evidence being submitted cannot meet the unit criteria being assessed, your assessor may also recommend some coursework to fill any gaps in skill or knowledge in order to satisfy requirements.
Upon submission of your final portfolio of evidence with all supporting documents, the assessor then conducts the final assessment of all the evidence that you have submitted for the overall assessment of the unit and advises you of the result. This will be recorded in your Learner Portal.
When the evidence meets the Unit of Competency requirements, Safety Wise will award the unit.
When the evidence does not meet the Unit of Competency requirements, your Assessor will provide you with clear instructions and the next steps on further assessment requirements.
The length of time for this process will depend almost entirely on how much evidence you have and the time taken to collect all of the relevant evidence.
Because it is possible that you are not aware of what RPL you may be eligible for, Safety Wise conducts an evaluation of this for you as part of its Personal Learning Plan process.
Credit Transfer
if you have completed study equivalent to any units from the qualification in which you are enrolled with Safety Wise, then it might be possible to award a Credit Transfer. Your trainer will provide further advice about this.
Student Responsibilities for Assessment
Safety Wise will not be held responsible for items of assessment that are submitted in any form until we actually receive them. For this reason, all students are responsible for retaining a copy of all materials and items that are submitted.
Submitted items will be retained by Safety Wise for a period of 6 months following graduation, after which time they may be destroyed.
Original items submitted in Hard Copy are not returned; as above, students are advised to retain copies of all materials submitted.
Students approaching the end of their enrolment period and who wish to receive feedback on completed assessment items are advised to submit the assessment not less than 4 business days prior to the final enrolment date (see below).
Assessing Students Whose Enrolment Period has Concluded
Safety Wise students are able to submit assessment items up until midnight of the last date of their Enrolment Period. However, submissions that are submitted within 4 business days of the expiry date are subject to the following process:
Safety Wise students are able to submit assessment items up until midnight of the last date of their Enrolment Period. However, submissions that are reviewed following expiry will be subject to a pre-review of the portfolio’s completeness. During the pre-review, we will seek to identify any omissions or errors which by themselves would deem it not possible for the Rule of Evidence: Sufficiency to be satisfied, thus preventing a successful outcome to be awarded for that/those unit/s of competency. Where there are no such omissions, the submission is assessed and feedback is provided as per usual. Where such omissions do exist, no further assessment will occur; feedback will be provided to the candidate that the portfolio was incomplete, thus deeming the outcome Competency Not Achieved or RPL Not Granted. Further assessment, and associated feedback of a more detailed nature, will be provided only following the student signing up for a time extension.
Recognition/Direct Credit/Credit Transfer
A key principle of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations is national recognition (formerly known as mutual recognition), which means that all states, territories and registered training organisations will recognise qualifications and statements of attainment issued by other registered training organisations across Australia.
This means that valid and current Statements of Attainment and/or Certificates issued by another RTO demonstrating competency in individual units of competency relevant to Safety Wise courses will negate the need for the unit/s to be repeated with Safety Wise.
For all Qualifications/Statements of Attainment submitted by a student requesting Credit Transfer, Safety Wise will authenticate the Equivalent Qualification using one of the following methods of validation:
Through obtaining permission to access the student’s USI records
Through emailing of an Authorisation Form used to contact the RTO Training Provider who issued the original Qualification.
In the event that an application for Credit Transfer is for units that have been attained since 2015 but which do not show on a student’s USI registry, it is essential that we are able to confirm the authenticity of the certificate with the issuing RTO. Where the issuing RTO has ceased operations since the date of issue, it is up to the student to liaise with ASQA to seek confirmation of the units being completed.
Safety Wise cannot guarantee that Credit Transfers will be awarded for unit/s that are unable to be confirmed via the USI registry or with the issuing RTO.
ASQA can be contacted regarding records here: https://www.asqa.gov.au/students/student-record
Fees, Withdrawals, Refunds, Extensions, Transfers, Deferments
From the moment a student enrols, Safety Wise must put in place the resources needed to support that student through the program of study in which they have enrolled. As such, our costs and your fees are incurred regardless of the extent of student engagement. Should a student wish to withdraw after our 7-day cooling-off period, the balance of course fees is required to be paid in full. Students wishing to extend their enrolment duration beyond that in which they enrolled will be required to pay for that extension of time.
Safety Wise may be able to offer payment options- we invite you to contact us directly to discuss any financial hardship or request for delayed/alternate payment options.
For further information, call Safety Wise on +61 (3) 9857 8277.
Upfront payments
For all courses with fees exceeding $1500 – a payment of $1500 upfront will be taken with a balance payable at a later period as defined by the program in which you are enrolling.
For all courses being paid for by a third party/employer, the entire fee may be collected on enrolment.
Full payment of fees is required before issuing any qualifications or statement of attainment.
Additional Services
The fees payable are for services as stated. Where service is requested that is not a standard component of a program in which a student has enrolled, it will be subject to additional fees. This includes, but is not limited to, directly observing the student’s practical skills through Zoom or Google meetings.
Extensions
Paid extensions are available. These fees are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that an extension request will be approved.
It is not possible to extend enrolment in a program:
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That has been closed to new enrolments in the time since you commenced.
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Where more than 12 months have passed since the initial period ended. In this situation, students must re-enrol.
It may not possible to extend enrolment in a program:
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for courses that are in a Transition/Teach-Out period may be limited or non-existent. If the program you are enrolling in is in a Transition/Teach-Out period, then you are encouraged to speak with Safety Wise prior to enrolling to fully understand the implications of that.
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If it is more than 18 months since your date of enrolment and you wish to extend your course. In this situation, you are required to first have a conversation with a Trainer. Student assessment documents are only retained for 6 months following exit from the course. If you expire and then extend beyond the 6 month period, any tasks that were submitted and led to partial completion of a Unit of Competency may need to be done again.
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If you have enrolled for any of our Zoom Programs and have not completed ALL of the Virtual Classroom blocks.
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For any students extending after a period of expiry, the full balance of course fees will be payable plus the extension fee for the extension timeframe requested.
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Please contact us if you have any questions or need to speak with a Trainer.
Extension fees are available from the individual Courses/Fees section and are subject to change from time to time.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Safety Wise is committed to working within a fair and transparent framework for the charging of fees, the provision of protection for fees paid in advance and the refund of payments where appropriate.
Participants in Safety Wise training programs can ask for a refund in the event of the following:
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Services are not provided e.g. cancellation, of course, financial failure of company.
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The fair and reasonable non-attendance of a student e.g. sickness, family emergency. Such matters will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the RTO Manager, with early notice of inability to engage in the program recommended (requests must be made with all relevant documentation prior to the last day of enrolment, although this does not guarantee such a request will be granted). Where a variation of the Refund Policy is being sought on medical grounds, the date of the medical certificate is likely to be instrumental in determining the outcome along with any prior correspondence that pointed to the presence of a medical condition (eg, deferment due to illness, response to support calls, etc).
In-house and Virtual Courses
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Cancellation and/or Reschedule of a Training Course made outside of 10 working days prior to commencement date does not incur a cancellation fee however, we may charge for any out of pocket expenses that may have occurred. These expenses may include taxis, flights, accommodation and hotel charges, hire car, travel day charges etc. for Safety Wise Solutions Trainers and freight and handling of materials already sent and their return back to us, etc.
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Cancellation and/or Reschedule of a Training Course within 10 working days, we may charge $2,000 cancellation fee and any out-of-pocket expenses that may have occurred. These expenses may include taxis, flights, accommodation and hotel charges, hire car, travel day charges etc. for Safety Wise Solutions Trainers and freight and handling of materials already sent and their return back to us, etc
Public Courses
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Course must be paid in full 7 days prior to the commencement date of the scheduled course. If the seat is not paid for in full (or arrangements made with Safety Wise), the seat will be made available to another person.
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If payment is via a Purchase Order arrangement, Safety Wise must have the full PO and Accounts details 7 days prior to the commencement date of the scheduled course. If we do not have this information (or arrangements made with Safety Wise), the seat will be made available to another person. Email to
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Attendees must cancel more than 10 business days prior to the course date to receive a full refund.
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A $500 charge will be made if cancellation is within 2 to 10 business days prior to the course date.
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Cancellations made 1 day prior to commencement of course, or failure to appear, will result in forfeiture of the course fee.
Online Training and Assessments
Refunds are only available to those users who have not commenced any online delivery unless otherwise agreed to by Safety Wise.
Withdrawal/Refund Process
To withdraw, a student must fill out a Safety Wise Withdrawal Form, which is available from the RTO on request. Once signed, submit it to Safety Wise.
Safety Wise will contact the student upon receipt of the withdrawal form to advise of any outstanding issues, such as completed units or outstanding fees, and also any refunds payable within the 7-day cooling-off period.
Where are refund is payable, it will be paid within 21 days of receiving the completed Withdrawal Form.
Issuing Statements of Attainment following Withdrawal
Upon request of the Withdrawal Form and upon receipt of a Statutory Declaration, a Statement of Attainment listing all units successfully completed will be issued, provided any outstanding full course fees are paid.
Course Cancellations / Postponement
Classroom training is reliant on minimum numbers being met for the course to proceed. Whilst every endeavour will be made to conduct all advertised courses, Safety Wise reserves the right to change or cancel timetables, class locations, course offerings, trainers and other such details or circumstances beyond our control that affect enrolments. Every effort will be made to advise course participants of any changes promptly. Participants automatically receive a refund in this instance if they don’t wish to transfer to another date.
Course Duration
Course duration is calculated can be calculated by the measure of months, weeks, days or hours, depending on the course. The course information will provide this information.
Workplace health and Safety
Safety Wise is committed to establishing, maintaining and enforcing a safe system that focuses on:
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A safe work environment
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A risk management approach to safety
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Preventing injury/illness
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Complying with legislative requirements
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If, at any time during the Safety Wise training program, you identify hazards in the workplace please notify your trainer immediately. Incident Report Forms are available from the RTO on request. Trainers regularly review venues and assets to identify and mitigate risks.
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All hazards are reported and addressed through the RTO’s Risk Register and Action Plan.
Student Support Services
Safety Wise is are aware of its responsibilities under ASQA to provide adequate protection for the health, safety and welfare of students attending face-to-face training sessions. This includes adequate and appropriate support services in terms of academic mentoring and coaching services.
Safety Wise is also aware of its obligations towards students with a recognizable disability as defined under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. They will work with such students to customise their services, including making reasonable adjustments to the provision of assessment services in order to facilitate their successful participation in education, training and employment opportunities.
Counselling and Discipline
In striving to have a skilled, competent and caring workforce, unsatisfactory student performance and/or conduct will be addressed in a professional manner to ensure a fair and consistent process in line with natural justice.
Within the framework, Safety Wise is committed to ensuring that inappropriate behaviour that may impair the integrity of the learning processes or the well being of individuals is appropriately managed.
Safety Wise students have a right to:
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Be treated fairly and with respect
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Pursue their learning activities in a supportive and stimulating environment
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Learn in an environment free of discrimination and harassment
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Be assured of privacy of their personal information and records
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Lodge a complaint without fear of victimisation
Safety Wise Students have responsibilities to:
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Treat other students and staff with respect and fairness
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Follow any reasonable direction from staff
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Not engage in plagiarism, collusion or cheating in assessment activities
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Submit assessment activities by the due date or seek approval to extend the due date, and retain a copy of all assessment materials that are submitted in the event that submitted items are not received by Safety Wise
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Return company equipment and materials on time
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Observe normal safety practices
Where Safety Wise identifies that plagiarism, collusion or cheating in assessment activities may have occurred among a group of 2 or more students, either concurrently or over a period of time:
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The students so involved will be invited to resubmit anew all materials that they wish to be assessed. Students who choose to not submit anew their portfolio of assessment will have their most recent previous submissions used for the remainder of this process.
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Once all students involved have submitted anew all materials that they wish to be included in the assessment, these will be assessed by a single Assessor.
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Where one or more students have previously been awarded an outcome, that outcome will be subject to revision based on the findings of the re-assessment outlined above.
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If one or more students are dissatisfied with the outcome of the assessment, they may pursue the Complaints & Appeals Process.
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If through this re-assessment, plagiarism, collusion or cheating in assessment activities is found to have occurred, then any outcomes that have previously been awarded will be revoked and/or credentials recalled and the steps below will be followed.
Where a student breaches these guidelines or where a single incident is a serious breach of discipline, the following steps will be taken by Safety Wise staff:
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The student will be invited to participate in a Counselling interview or provided a written request to adopt a more courteous tone.
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If the student acknowledges the breach and indicates a willingness to address it, then the student will be issued a first written warning. If the student does not acknowledge the breach and/or is unwilling to address it, then the student’s enrolment will be terminated.
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If the breach persists after the first warning, then the student will be issued a final written warning.
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If these repeated attempts to manage unsatisfactory student behaviour fail then the student’s enrolment will be terminated.
Where student behaviour constitutes an attempt to threaten or otherwise coerce staff such as in relation to the integrity of assessment decisions, Safety Wise reserves the right to immediately cancel that student’s enrolment, with any refund to be calculated in line with the Withdrawal Policy or at the Manager’s discretion.
Complaints and Appeals
Safety Wise is committed to dealing with complaints and appeals in a timely and constructive way. Complaints and Appeals include, but are not restricted to, matters of concern to a student or staff member relating to training delivery and assessment including the quality of the training, student support, learning materials, discrimination and sexual harassment.
Natural Justice is concerned with ensuring procedural fairness:
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Decisions and processes should be free from bias;
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All parties have the right to be heard;
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The respondent has a right to know what s/he is accused of;
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All parties are told the decision and the reasons for the decision.
If you are wishing to make a complaint or an appeal concerning any aspect of a Safety Wise course, or a course provided by a Third Party Partner of Safety Wise, the student should refer to the following process:
Complaints
Attempt to informally resolve the issue with appropriate Safety Wise staff.
If unsuccessful, they should lodge a formal complaint in writing and using the Complaints & Appeals Form that is available on request. It should be submitted to:
The Manager
Safety Wise
PO Box 1166, Greythorn, VIC, 3104
Phone: +61 (3) 9857 8277
Or via email to: competency@safetywise.com
Safety Wise will seek to resolve all appeals and complaints within 60 days of its receipt, and where a longer period is likely to be required, Safety Wise will advise in writing the reasons for this.
No changes to an enrolment status are permitted to occur while a Complaint is being addressed. This includes graduation, extensions and deferments.
Making a complaint to ASQA
ASQA provides information about making a complaint on this page: https://www.asqa.gov.au/students/complaints
If you are not satisfied with the quality of service or training being provided by a registered training organisation (RTO), there are ways for you to make a complaint.
Anyone can lodge a complaint: students, training organisation personnel, employers, parents, industry personnel, or any other member of the community.
If you are a local/domestic student of an ASQA RTO and you intend to make a complaint, you must first follow your RTO’s internal complaints and appeals procedures.
If, after following your RTO’s internal procedures, you still believe the RTO is breaching or has breached its legal requirements, you can submit a complaint to ASQA by completing the online complaints process available from here: https://www.asqa.gov.au/students/complaints
Appeals
Students have the right to make an appeal against the academic decisions made by Safety Wise.
Appeals should be made within ten (10) working days of the original decision having been made.
An appeal against an assessment decision can be made on the following grounds:
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the student was not provided with a clear explanation of the assessment process;
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the student needs were not taken into consideration where appropriate;
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the assessment process did not meet the requirements of the training package;
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the student genuinely believes there has been an administrative error in the calculation of their assessment marks; or
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alleged bias or incompetence of the trainer.
Workplace Bullying and Harrassment
Safety Wise aims to create a working environment that is free from harassment and where all members of staff are treated with dignity, courtesy and respect. Workplace bullying and harassment can be seen as the repeated, less favourable treatment of a person by another that may be considered unreasonable and inappropriate workplace practice. This relates to actions by both staff and students. For example:
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Physical
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Verbal
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Non-verbal.
Students with complaints concerning bullying and/or harassment should refer to the steps outlined in the Complaints/Appeals Policy.
If these attempts to settle the grievance are unsuccessful then the student can refer the matter to a higher, external authority.
Where student behaviour is deemed to be offensive, either to another student or to staff, then Safety Wise reserves the right to immediately cancel that student’s enrolment, with any refund to be calculated in line with the Withdrawal Policy or at the Manager’s discretion.
Offensive behaviour includes such things as shouting, the use of aggressive language or body language, making threats and use of threatening gestures and language, and swearing. Where such behaviour persists or is considered sufficiently serious, the involvement of the Police will be considered.
Anti-Discrimination
Safety Wise is committed to providing a safe caring environment where all employees have a right to work free from discrimination, harassment and bullying. Discrimination may be defined as unfair or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups of individuals based on personal attributes, characteristics, idiosyncrasies or associations. Sexual harassment can be regarded as any form of unwelcome sexual attention that is offensive, intimidating or humiliating.
Racial harassment is defined by harassment on the basis of race, which can vary from relatively minor abuse to actual physical violence.
Students with complaints concerning Discrimination should refer to the steps outlined in the Grievance Policy.
If these attempts to settle the grievance are unsuccessful then the student can refer the matter to a higher, external authority.
Privacy Policy
As a registered training organisation, Safety Wise is obliged to maintain effective administrative and records management systems. This involves the retention of student records. All staff must be scrupulous in using student information only for the purposes for which it was gathered. The following is based on the Company Privacy Policy, which is available at https://www.safetywise.com/privacy-policy
Students must have access to their own training records at all times. Should it be deemed necessary, information about student records can only be divulged to a third party with the written consent of the student.
Students are able to access their records via Safety Wise’s Learning Portal. Once a student graduates they are able to access their records by emailing competency@safetywise.com. Student submissions are destroyed 6 months following graduation and/or expiry.
If you have concerns about personal information held by Safety Wise, you should contact:
RTO Manager
Safety Wise
PO Box 1166, Greythorn, VIC, 3104
Phone: +61 (3) 9857 8277
Or via email to: competency@safetywise.com
If you still feel that your concerns have not been resolved, your complaint can be sent directly to a higher, external authority.
Authenticating evidence
Where a student submits for assessment by recognition records of study completed previously, Safety Wise may contact the issuing organisation to authenticate these records. Similarly, where a student submits for assessment by recognition of any third party statements, Safety Wise may contact the author to authenticate those statements.
Any information provided by a student as part of their assessment within their program of study will only ever be used by Safety Wise for the purposes of that student’s program of study.
Disclosure of Information to National Centre for Vocational Education Research Ltd (NCVER) and other parties
Why we collect your personal information
As a registered training organisation (RTO), we collect your personal information so we can process and manage your enrolment in a vocational education and training (VET) course with us.
Enrolment will not proceed if personal information is not collected through the enrolment process.
How we use your personal information
We use your personal information to enable us to deliver VET courses to you, and otherwise, as needed, to comply with our obligations as an RTO.
How we disclose your personal information
We are required by law (under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (Cth) (NVETR Act)) to disclose the personal information we collect about you to the National VET Data Collection kept by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research Ltd (NCVER). The NCVER is responsible for collecting, managing, analysing and communicating research and statistics about the Australian VET sector.
We are also authorised by law (under the NVETR Act) to disclose your personal information to the relevant state or territory training authority.
How the NCVER and other bodies handle your personal information
The NCVER will collect, hold, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with the law, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and the NVETR Act. Your personal information may be used and disclosed by NCVER for purposes that include populating authenticated VET transcripts; administration of VET; facilitation of statistics and research relating to education, including surveys and data linkage; and understanding the VET market.
The NCVER is authorised to disclose information to the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE), Commonwealth authorities, State and Territory authorities (other than registered training organisations) that deal with matters relating to VET and VET regulators for the purposes of those bodies, including to enable:
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administration of VET, including program administration, regulation, monitoring and evaluation
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facilitation of statistics and research relating to education, including surveys and data linkage
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understanding how the VET market operates, for policy, workforce planning and consumer information.
The NCVER may also disclose personal information to persons engaged by NCVER to conduct research on NCVER’s behalf.
The NCVER does not intend to disclose your personal information to any overseas recipients.
For more information about how the NCVER will handle your personal information please refer to the NCVER’s Privacy Policy at https://www.ncver.edu.au/privacy
If you would like to seek access to or correct your information, in the first instance, please contact Safety Wise using the contact details listed below.
DESE is authorised by law, including the Privacy Act and the NVETR Act, to collect, use and disclose your personal information to fulfil specified functions and activities. For more information about how the DESE will handle your personal information, please refer to the DESE VET Privacy Notice at https://www.dese.gov.au/national-vet-data/vet-privacy-notice
Surveys
You may receive a student survey which may be run by a government department or an NCVER employee, agent, third-party contractor or another authorised agency. Please note you may opt-out of the survey at the time of being contacted.
Contact information
At any time, you may contact Safety Wise to:
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request access to your personal information
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correct your personal information
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make a complaint about how your personal information has been handled
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ask a question about this Privacy Notice
Safety Wise
PO Box 1166, Greythorn, VIC, 3104
Phone: +61 (3) 9857 8277
Or via email to: competency@safetywise.com
Feedback and Continuous Improvement
Safety Wise is committed to the principle of continuous improvement. This is articulated in the Continuous Improvement Plan that is available on request. This Plan aims to support and strengthen compliance with Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations in a way that reflects the growth of Safety Wise, encourages innovation and measures and monitors outcomes.
Version Control
Safety Wise will ensure that all forms and documents used in the delivery of qualifications under their scope will be accurate and up to date. As significant changes or amendments are made to documents then old versions will be recalled and new ones circulated.
At least once a year a complete review of all documents will occur.
Validation Strategy
Safety Wise has a systematic way of ensuring that assessments undertaken are fair and reasonable and consistent with industry best practices. This is articulated in the Validation Strategy that is available upon request. Forms detailing validation processes are also available on request.
Risk Management
Risk management is the systematic, positive identification of threats to resources and the development of appropriate strategies which minimize risk.
Safety Wise has a systematic way of ensuring that all risks associated with the delivery and assessment of qualifications within its scope are minimized. Their Risk Management Action Plan is available on request.
Issuing Qualifications
Safety Wise is committed to issuing qualifications and statements of attainment that are within its scope of registration.
A Statutory Declaration attesting to authenticity will be required from a student prior to awarding official certification for one or more units/qualifications.
Certificates will be issued in a timely manner and in accordance with the 30 calendar day period stipulated by Clause 3.3 of The Standards for Registered Training Organisations.
We issue soft copies of certificates only.
Under no circumstances will a certificate of graduation be issued prior to full payment of any fees due.
Computers and Other Resource Requirements
Computer Requirements
Safety Wise is aware that there are many versions of computer softwares and operating systems in use. Our assessment materials are developed using MS Word on a Windows platform. Effectively engaging with our online programs will require access to:
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a broadband internet connection
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Laptop or PC
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a video camera, either built into your device or a separate webcam
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a microphone, either built into your device or in the webcam;
and the ability to:
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open web pages
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view embedded videos and slideshows (eg, youtube, Slideshare)
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download and extract .zip folders
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open and download .pdf and .swf documents
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open, edit, save and upload documents created in .doc and .docx format
Safety Wise wishes all prospective students to make an informed decision prior to enrolling.
Other Resource Requirements
Each program may require resources that are provided by the student., however, these will be communicated with you, prior to commencement.
Office Opening Hours and Non-Contact Time
Office Hours
Safety Wise is open 9 am – 5 pm, Australian Eastern Standard Time, each business day. We are closed on Victorian Public Holidays.