Fees & Charges
Tuition Fee
Tuition Fees are charged by NCAT in addition to government funding.
You will be provided with a Detailed Statement of Fees prior to enrolment detailing all the fees and charges due upon enrolment.
Materials and Ammenities
Due prior to course commendment.
Tuition Fees
Due at the end of Term 1, unless a payment plan requested and commenced during Term 1.
Government Subsidised Place (Skills First Funding)
Students may be eligible for state government funding. Check your eligibility on the Victorian Skills Gateway website.
Fee Concession
Students who hold a Healthcare Card, Pension Card, Veteran’s Gold Card or are a dependent of a card holder, are of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander descent or Asylum Seekers are eligible for a concession on their government subsidised tuition fees.
NCAT Materials Fee
The materials fee covers the cost of the basic materials (paint, paper, film etc.) required to undertake the assessments.
NCAT Amenities Fee
The amenities fee is a contribution towards the costs of cleaning and maintenance incurred by NCAT.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) acknowledges the full range of an individual’s skills and knowledge including competencies gained through formal study, work experience, employment and other life experiences.
The college will recognise a student’s existing competence against the course learning outcomes or competencies. If a student believes they have achieved some or all of the learning outcomes or competencies, they can apply for RPL. Please. note there is a non-refundable application fee for RPL assessment.
National Recognition
NCAT recognises nationally recognised Statements of Attainment and Qualifications issued by other Registered Training Organisations. This is done at no cost and will not require any further assessment.
Credit Transfer
Credit transfer is the formal recognition of previously completed units of competency of qualifications.
Units must have the same code and title or have been deemed equivalent on training.gov.au to attract credit transfer.
Entry Process
Skills First Eligibility
Students must meet the Skills First eligibility requirements.
- Be an Australian citizen or
- A New Zealand citizen or
- An Australian permanent resident
Students must be academically suited for entry to the course.
and must:
- Participate in a Pre-Training Review interview
- Complete a LLN assessment
- Music applicants will also be required to complete an audition
LLN Testing, Tool & Report
Prior to enrolment, prospective students will complete an online language, literacy and numberacy test, which must be completed with honesty and integrity.
The reports (results from the test) will be emailed to you as soon as practicable after the assessment.
COURSE ENROLMENT PROCESSES
Access & Equity
NCAT is an equal opportunity education provider. The College values diversity and cultural differences, has a long-standing commitment to Social Justice and encourages the active participation students and the community in all aspects of the College. It provides a positive and supportive environment where differences in social or cultural backgrounds are celebrated and there is an expectation that all students can become successful and confident members of society.
As a Senior College and Registered Training Organisation we will ensure that Access and Equity principles for all people are implemented through the fair allocation of resources and the right to equal opportunity without discrimination. It will abide by all relevant legislation with regard to Equal Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination.
WITHDRAWAL PROCESS & PROCEDURES
If you are considering withdrawing from your course or any part of your course, we suggest you talk to the course coordinator first.
How to Withdraw from your Course or Individual Units of Study
Should you wish to withdraw from the course or part of the course you will need to officially request to be withdrawn by sending an email to ncat@edumail.vic.gov.au with the Withdrawal Form advising your intention to be withdrawn from the entire course or part of the course. If you are only withdrawing from part of the course you need to list the units of study.
You will receive a confirmation email of your withdrawal, including the date and time of the withdrawal, the unit of study, part of a course or whole course. If you do not receive an acknowledgment email, please ring and advise the main office.
After Term 1, there will be no refund of Materials fees. A pro-rata adjustment of Tuition and Ammenities fees will ve calculated for any refunds payable by NCAT.
COMPLAINTS & APPEALS POLICY AND PROCEDURE
Complaints & Appeals Policy
Northern College of Arts and Technology (NCAT) is committed to:
- Providing an environment where complaints or appeals are responded to promptly, with minimum distress and maximum protection to all parties with no charge for internal nor external stages.
- Mutually acceptable resolution being reached through negotiation, conciliation and/or mediation.
- To ethical and responsible management, and a visible, accessible and fair complaints or appeals handling process with a view to achieving mutually acceptable and fair outcomes.
- Viewing client complaints and appeals as providing an opportunity to review and improve its policies and practices and gain insight into levels of client satisfaction. Complaints and appeals will be viewed as opportunities for improvement.
- Adopting an ethical and professional approach to handling complaints and appeals.
- Respect for privacy and confidentiality wherever possible within the constraints of the need to fully investigate the complaint or appeal.
- Allowing parties who have used the procedures to access records relevant to their case but otherwise keeping record confidential.
- Providing information to students in a non-threatening way by providing the form on the NCAT website.
- Providing the opportunity to appeal or seek a review without discrimination.
Complaints & Appeals Procedure
Definitions:
- A complaint can be made about an academic matter (product) or a non-academic matter (service) provided by NCAT.
- Academic matters relate to student progress, assessment results, curriculum and qualification awards.
- Non-academic matters include matters relating to enrolment and personal information held by the provider.
- A complaint can be made about any third parties delivering services for NCAT.
- An appeal can be made against an assessment decision
- Complaints and appeals are handled through the same procedure.
Students are encouraged to informally discuss a complaint or appeal directly with their teacher/trainer or VET Coordinator before the following formal process is undertaken:
- A complaint or appeal must be submitted in writing on the NCAT Complaints and Appeals Form to the RTO Manager.
- Within 10 working days of lodgement NCAT will act on and begin investigating each complaint or appeal.
- A complaint about a third party RTO for example, First Aid training from another RTO must be discussed with the teacher of the course and the RTO Manager.
- No complaint or appeal will be pre-judged.
- Each complainant/appellant will have an opportunity to formally present their case and be represented by a third party.
- Each party can be accompanied or assisted by a third party, at the party’s cost.
- Within 2 weeks of the complaint/appeal being made each complainant/appellant will be given written notice of the decision and the reasons and advice about how to have the decision reviewed.
- This decision can be appealed to the Assistant Principal and the Principal who will consult with an internal committee for the appropriate expertise knowledge if need be.
- If after exhausting the RTO’s process an appellant is still not satisfied with the outcome they can put their appeal in writing to the Director, North-Western Victoria Region of DET, Locked bag 2001, Coburg. VIC. 3058
- If after arbitration the student is still not satisfied they can also contact the VRQA or use the complaints page on the VRQA website.
- Each party can be accompanied or assisted by a third party, at the party’s cost.
- Each complaint or appeal and its outcome will be recorded in writing, discussed at the appropriate meetings (if required) and filed in an individual student’s file.
- Each party to the appeal will be given written notice of the review.
- Students can access documents relating to this on request.
- All complaints and appeals will be noted in the Continuous Improvement Register and any actions recorded and the entry closed in the Register at the resolution of the complaint and appeal.
This procedure applies to internal and external VET students. For external VET students, the student’s home school may be involved in the resolution if necessary.
Resolution
Where appropriate, NCAT may seek to resolve a complaint by:
- an apology or expression of regret
- a change of decision
- a change of policy, procedure or practice
- offering the opportunity for student counselling or other support
- offering a re- assessment
- other actions consistent with school values that are intended to support the student, parent and school relationship, engagement, and participation in the school community.
In some circumstances, NCAT may also ask you to attend a meeting with an independent third party, or participate in a mediation with an accredited mediator to assist in the resolution of the dispute.
Personal Information
Information Management Procedure
NCAT has Privacy policies and procedures for managing students’ personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles, Department of education and Training. You can request to access your personal information. We can provide for students to have incorrect personal information corrected. We have checking procedures between Data Entry and Qualification Coordinator staff to minimise incorrect data upload. Information about the use and disclosure of personal information the college collects stated on application and enrolment documentation. This includes information that may be disclosed to the State and Commonwealth Governments.
Privacy
NCAT as an RTO complies with both the Federal and relevant State Privacy Acts, and adheres to the following principles referred to in those Acts:
- Collection of Data: NCAT will not collect personal information about an individual unless the information is necessary and it will be fair, lawful and not intrusive.
- Use and Disclosure: NCAT will only use or disclose information for the purpose for which it was collected or for a secondary purpose which the provider of the information would reasonably expect. The NCAT may use or disclose personal information in circumstances related to public interest, such as law enforcement and public or individual safety. Information will only be disclosed to an unrelated third party if permission is sought and received in writing from the individual concerned first.
- Data: NCAT will take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information collected it uses or discloses, is accurate, complete and up-to-date. It will take reasonable steps to protect the personal information it holds from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.