Resources
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AIAT
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Level 9 East, 50 Grenfell Street Adelaide, SA 5000 Australia,
info@aiat.edu.au
Ph: +61 8 6118 7888

Student Support

Life can sometimes get a bit bumpy and you might like to talk to someone who can possibly help you to deal with your issues. It might be that family and friends are causing you to feel stressed and anxious. Your studies might seem all too hard and you cannot work out what to do. Other things such as financial strain, accommodation issues and relationship problems might be upsetting you.

At AIAT we might not be able to fix your problems but we will listen to you and if we cannot help you directly, we will point you in the right direction to get the help you need.

The best place to start is the Health and Wellbeing information or if you prefer, the Student Support Office or your Course Director.

If you have a grievance or wish to make a complaint about your educational experience at AIAT please refer to Complaints and Appeals for more information.

Health and Wellbeing

AIAT is committed to the health and wellbeing of our students. Our aim is to support you to reach your full potential and this means we need to help you to take care of your physical and mental health and your social and emotional wellbeing.

AIAT provides a safe and respectful learning environment along with free and confidential student support services and information to aid you in receiving assistance from appropriate sources external to AIAT.

Below is some important information about:

Emergency Procedures on Campus

In the case of emergency, please stay calm and follow the instructions of Wardens and other emergency personnel.

If you discover a fire, raise the alarm immediately by operating the nearest fire alarm or informing a member of staff.

When evacuating the building:

  • Do not use the lift.
  • Leave immediately by the NEAREST safe route.
  • Move quickly but do not panic or run.
  • Evacuate the building promptly and in an orderly manner using the central fire stairway and report at the correct assembly area.
  • Do not carry water bottles or heavy bags, loose sheets of paper, drinks such as coffee/tea when evacuating the building; you will need your hands to be free to hold handrails as you go down the stairs.
  • Stand well clear of the building, as in a real emergency, there could be flying glass or smoke coming out. Also, the Fire Service must be able to get clear access to the building.
  • Stay at the assembly area until the “all clear” is given.
Critical Incident Response Procedure

You will find a comprehensive response procedure here

Student Counselling Services

AIAT has an on-campus Student Welfare Officer, Renata Wilson, dedicated to supporting the physical and emotional wellbeing of our students. Renata is available for confidential advice and/or counselling to assist with any concerns you may have during your time with us.

To access this support, please feel free to reach out directly to Renata at rwilson@aiat.edu.au. Our commitment to your welfare means that you can easily seek guidance and support right here on campus, without the need for external counselling services.

While we now focus on providing in-house support through our Student Welfare Officer, AIAT staff remain equipped to refer students to external professional services (e.g., emergency services, health services, legal advice, etc) when necessary. We are here to ensure you have all the support you need throughout your educational journey with us.

As a qualified Counsellor and Life Coach, here are some of the things we can help you with:
Stress, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, Low Self Esteem, Relationship/Friendship Issues, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Grief and Loss, Confidence Issues, Time Management, Study Tips and Planning, Procrastination, Appeal Letters, Mindful Meditation, Goal Setting and Interview Practice.

As everybody’s needs are different, your session will be tailored to your specific needs in a comfortable, compassionate, non-judgemental and confidential environment.

First Aid & Medical Assistance

If it is an emergency contact 000 immediately

Contact reception or the Campus Manager for all medical assistance.

External Support Services

The Student Services Office can provide information on a range of external support services related to health and wellbeing, mental health support services, sexual harassment and sexual assault agencies and emergency contacts.

These include:

  • 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service) provides support services (available 24/7) for people who have experienced sexual assault, including sexual harassment, and domestic or family violence and abuse.
  • Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service (based in Adelaide): 1800 817 421
  • Shine SA Sexual Health and Relationship wellbeing: 1300 883 793
  • Beyond Blue provides mental wellbeing support services (available 24/7). Phone 1300 224 636
  • Headspace (National Youth Mental Health Foundation) for 12 – 25 year olds headspace.org.au
  • Black Dog Institute Information about research in the mental health space blackdoginstitute.org.au
  • The eSafety Commissioner provides important information about how to stay safe online. esafety.gov.au
  • Reachout.com provides digital self-help resources for young people
  • Women’s Safety Services SA – for emergency and ongoing support related to domestic violence. Phone their Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098
  • Mensline Australia –telephone and online counselling service (24/7) 1300 78 99 78
  • Mental Health Triage Service – 13 14 65
  • Lifeline – available 24/7 if you are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe. Call 13 11 14 for Crisis Support
  • Suicide Call Back Service available 24/7 for phone and online counselling 1300 659 467
  • Legal Services Commission offers free legal advice through a telephone service from Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.30pm .
    Legal Help Line: 1300 366 424.
  • SA.gov.au/your-rights/tenancy-rights for Renting and Housing advice
  • Fair Work Ombudsman South Australia – for workplace issues, employment rights and conditions. Phone 13 13 94.
  • SafeWork SA for advice on health and safety in the workplace. Phone 1300 365 255

Accessibility Services

AIAT recognises it operates in a diverse local, national and global community, and values the diversity of its student population. The Institute is committed to providing access to and creating a learning environment which values the rich diversity of its students.

The Student Access and Equity Policy informs students and staff of the AIAT policies and procedures that outline how AIAT ensures student access and equity are supported in learning and teaching, student services and engagement.

If you have a disability or ongoing health condition, which may impact on your ability to study or complete assessments, AIAT provides additional support to ensure you have an equal opportunity to complete your studies. Please make the Admissions Officer aware of your circumstances at the time of your enrolment, or as soon as possible thereafter. This ensures AIAT can work with you to provide practical, individualised support that will assist you to succeed with your studies.

Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustment can be made to your learning environment if you have a disability or ongoing health condition that will impact on your academic studies.

A request for reasonable adjustment provisions can be made at any time while you are enrolled as a student at AIAT, or during your initial application. Reasonable adjustment provisions may include, but aren’t limited to:

  • The use of adaptive/assistive technology or equipment for use by individuals with a disability, injury, illness or ongoing health condition to undertake study/assessment in a fair and equitable manner. For example, AIAT may arrange special seating or computer access during a formal examination.
  • Alternative methods of assessment. For example, verbal assessment in place of written assessments.
  • Individualised examination conditions. This may include seating arrangements, providing an additional 10 minutes per hour in your exams, toilet/rest/exercise breaks during exams, and allowing drinks or bite-sized food during exams.
  • Providing accessible learning formats. For example, large print reading materials or coloured exam papers.
  • Provision of a scribe.

To request a reasonable adjustment, please contact

  • Prospective students: Admissions Officer
  • Current students: the Student Services Office (email)
Special Consideration

You may apply for special consideration if your ability to complete an assignment or sit an exam will be adversely impacted by unexpected circumstances outside your control.

The table below provides examples of circumstances which may be eligible for special consideration. Approval is not limited to the examples below, provided acceptable supporting documentation is provided.

Medical Circumstances

Example:

  • An unexpected illness
  • A re-occurrence of a chronic illness
  • An accident-causing injury

Please note that a disability or illness for which an approved Support Plan exists will not be accepted unless the disability has been compounded by an unexpected change or an additional condition

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documents may take the form of:

  • Medical certificate

Compassionate Circumstances

Compassionate Circumstances, Hardship or trauma including:

  • A death or serious illness/injury of a close family member
  • A severe disruption to domestic arrangements
  • Being a victim of crime

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documents may take the form of:

  • A certificate or letter from a relevant health care professional who is qualified to assess and support the application
  • A police report where relevant
  • A death or funeral notice

Other Unexpected or Exceptional Circumstances

Example

  • Religious observance
  • ATSI cultural practices
  • Community service, for example, jury duty, an unforeseen call to the Australian Defence Force or state emergency services
  • A summons to appear in court
  • A vehicle accident that occurred on the day of the examination or deadline for submission of the final assessment
  • Employment related circumstances such as a move interstate at short notice
  • Outage of the AIAT’s LMS

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documents may take the form of:

  • A letter from a religious leader or formal documentation demonstrating religious affiliation
  • In the case of ATSI cultural practices, a document from an independent person, e.g., death certificate (if culturally appropriate) or letter from a senior community Elder
  • A certified call to Australian Defence Force service
  • A description of the emergency attended for state emergency services, including the date
  • A court summons
  • A copy of a police accident report
  • A letter confirming changed employment circumstances
  • A copy of the email confirming the IT Manager was aware of the LMS outage

An application for special consideration should made in advance of an assessment wherever possible, but normally within five working days after the assessment date.

Special consideration options may include, but is not limited to:

  • An additional assessment task being scheduled or
  • The deadline for assessment task being extended.

To submit an application for special consideration, please contact the Subject Coordinator via email and include all supporting documentation with the request.

Accessibility Policies & Procedures

We have developed the following policies and procedures to support access and equity for students.

Key related policies and procedures

Academic Support

Students commencing or returning to higher education study will find themselves with opportunities to develop new academic skills, such as writing essays and reports, working in teams, giving oral presentations, and preparing for exams. Academic and study support is available to all AIAT students, face-to-face and online. You can make an appointment with the Senior Study Skills Advisor and arrange to meet your lecturers during their regular consultation times.

Transition to Study

An orientation program will be completed by students and ongoing support will be available throughout their studies. Many subjects within the courses have academic skills and strategies integrated in the content with the Senior Study Skills Advisor working with Subject Coordinators to ensure students have the skills they need to successfully complete class work and assessments.

The orientation program is designed to prepare students for study and to familiarise them with necessary academic skills and AIAT processes for the course.

Academic Consultation Times

Lecturers, Subject Coordinators, Course Directors and the Director, Learning and Teaching are available for consultation with you at regular times during the study period either in person, by video conferencing, email or telephone. The Student Services Office will notify all students at the beginning of each study period when Academic Staff will be available for face-to-face consultations. Arrangements for other times can be made directly with the staff member. Academic Staff are flexible in their arrangements but please keep in mind that they do have other commitments and might not be available at short notice.

The Senior Study Skills Advisor is responsible for providing individual or group academic English language assistance.

The Librarian is responsible for providing guidance on literature searches, referencing and ensuring the Library software is used effectively.

Academic Progression Support

Throughout the study period, lecturers will monitor student progress with a view to helping them pass the subjects. They monitor student attendance, note when students fail to submit assignments and when they could improve assessment results. Lecturers check if students are taking self-assessment activities and they will ask individual students how they are going.

The Student Services Office will contact students if they are concerned about progress and recommend academic and personal support services.

Students may also realise that they need extra support and are encouraged to contact your lecturer, Subject Coordinator, the Student Services Office, Senior Study Skills Officer or the Counsellor. Learning support needs may arise due to a range of matters including but not limited to:

  • English language;
  • understanding the requirements of the course;
  • study techniques;
  • group work;
  • time management and organisation skills;
  • IT skills; and
  • orientation to Australian culture.

The Student Support and Welfare Policy and Procedure outline the provision of counselling, advice and support regarding academic performance and student welfare.

The Academic Progression Policy and Procedure specifies processes for early identification of the need for additional student support, determination that a student has failed to make satisfactory progress, implementation of intervention strategies, and decisions relating to student expulsion and enrolment.

Academic Skills Workshops

Workshops will regularly held on topics such as:

  • academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism;
  • report writing;
  • learning strategies and styles;
  • general study skills in critical reading;
  • oral presentations;
  • APA referencing;
  • assessment tips;
  • library information sessions (including electronic databases);
  • time and stress management.

Workshops are offered at a common time each week.

English Language Support

Students who have English as an additional language sometimes require ongoing tuition in English to be successful in their studies. Even though students pass the required English language entry tests they may be unfamiliar with academic language and this holds them back in their studies. AIAT is aware of this and offers assistance through the Senior Study Skills Officer.

Academic Integrity Support

Academic integrity is an essential quality for higher education and is a fundamental part of learning and teaching. AIAT is committed to promoting academic integrity and ethical behaviour.

At AIAT, students belong to a community that values academic integrity. The Students Rights and Responsibilities lays the foundations for the development of a culture of academic integrity.

Where can I get support with academic integrity?

Knowing how to reference your work and using the correct citation style is one of the most important things you can do to uphold your academic integrity.

Your lecturers will provide you with information about academic integrity and the required referencing and citation styles (see AIAT Referencing Guide). The Senior Study Skills Officer and Librarian offer personalised help with citing and referencing, and can answer your questions about how to uphold academic integrity.

Library & Learning Resources

The library provides a range of research tools and services, including electronic databases such as ProQuest and Harvard Business Review, and both electronic and hardcopies of prescribed texts. Hardcopy books can only be used in the library. Electronic databases are available at all times

The library provides quiet study spaces, computers, internet access, photocopying and printing.

A librarian will be available to assist during specified hours.

The library is open the same hours as the campus.

International Student Support

The staff at AIAT understand that as international students living away from home you require specialised support and services. The Student Services Office will assist you with your enquiries and for further information about the support AIAT provides international students (support@aiat.edu.au).

It is very important that you arrange your travel so that you can attend the Orientation session which will be held in the week prior to the commencement of classes. 

The Australian Government provides a very useful fact sheet for potential and existing international students that includes information about living and studying in Australia, your consumer rights and responsibilities as an international student and key things you should know before you come to Australia and during your study. You should take some time to read this document so that you are well informed of your rights and responsibilities as international students. 

If you have a query please email the Student Services Office at support@aiat.edu.au. 

ICT Support

Access to a Computer & AIAT Network

Students and staff will be provided with secure, high speed internet connection at AIAT and access to the learning management system (StudyHub). Students will access their records through the student portal, and staff though the staff portal respectively. Training on the use of information and communication technology (ICT) facilities and equipment at AIAT will be provided to all students on Orientation Day. Further assistance can be obtained from the IT Help Desk at ithelpdesk@aiat.edu.au. AIAT provides a suite of computers for students to use on campus. Students are welcome to bring their own device. The Acceptable Use of ICT Policy and Procedure outline the rules for the use of AIAT computer hardware and software.

General Use Guidelines

  • Students and staff must take all reasonable steps to protect their account from unauthorised use.
  • Passwords and access to ICT systems and resources must not be shared.
  • Students and staff must comply with the terms of use that apply to particular software or services.
  • When students bring their own device, they must comply with the BYOD Procedure
  • All computing devices, including BYOD, must be configured to comply with the best-practice guidelines when connecting to the AIAT network. Specifically;
  • Passcode or password should be configured on device with automatic screen lock after a period of inactivity.
  • Security software such as antivirus and personal firewall should be installed.
  • Operating system and applications should be kept up to date.
  • Only digitally signed software from trusted sources should be used.
  • Encryption and “remote wipe” features should be enabled for mobile devices when available.
  • Student and staff are strongly encouraged to either log off or leave screensavers locked when leaving their devices unattended to reduce risk of unauthorised use of their account.
  • Students will be held responsible for emails from their account.

Password Protection

  • Do not type in your password if someone is standing behind you.
  • If you suspect someone has discovered your password, you should contact the IT Help Desk at ithelpdesk@aiat.edu.au immediately.

Reporting Security Incidents

All students and staff must:

  • Report any actual or suspected security weakness, breach or threat involving AIAT ICT systems and resources to the IT Support Officer as soon as possible.
  • Report lost loss or theft of AIAT devices (computers, tablets, mobile phones) to their manager or the IT Support Officer;
  • Report a loss or theft of an external storage device which contains AIAT data to their manager or the IT Support Officer;
  • Respond to potential incidents or events, including un-authorised system usage, as directed by the IT Support Officer;
  • Immediately report any suspected breach of the Acceptable Use of ICT Policy or Procedure, to their manager or the IT Support Officer; and
  • Immediately report the loss of passwords or if their account has been breached to their manager or the IT Support Officer.

Please be aware that the ICT services are provided for academic purposes of research, teaching and learning; and to support the administration of AIAT. Where there is an allegation of non-compliance and the IT Support Officer considers it necessary to act immediately to prevent AIAT learning and teaching, research and/or administrative functions from being disrupted, the IT Support Officer may:

  • Remove or disable an authorised users’ access to AIAT ICT systems and resources and/or
  • Restrict or remove an authorised users’ access to AIAT ICT systems and resources pending further investigation, disciplinary and/or judicial action.
ICT Policies & Procedures

Academic Policies and Procedures

Governance Policies and Procedures

Management Policies and Procedures

This glossary provides a general definition of terms commonly used in our policies and procedures at AIAT and is intended as a guide only.
Glossary of Terms