The Academy adheres to a strict code of ethical practice throughout all its operations and staff and students are expected to abide by this code throughout their programs. Our code of practice permeates all our administrative, training delivery and assessment procedures. Outlined below are some aspects of this code to assist you.
Selection Procedures
Students are selected on merit regardless of any discrimination factors such as race, color, cultural background, religion, gender, physical/intellectual disability, marital status, age and pregnancy. The Academy adheres to all relevant EEO legislation of which staff and students are made aware.
Students are interviewed by the Principal sometimes by telephone who makes the final decision on acceptance or non-acceptance. All applicants are informed of the Principal’s decision in writing.
Early application is recommended as classes are often booked out well before class commencement. Main requirements include:
- Good health
- Caring patient nature and an Interest in the Beauty Industry
- Language, literacy and numeracy ability to meet the requirements of the course.
School Certificate education standard is desirable, and Higher School Certificate or equivalent is desirable for Diploma courses. Students without these qualifications will be assessed on merit, and possibly be encouraged to start course with certificate 1V in Beauty Therapy WRB40105 then progress to the Diploma of Beauty Therapy WRB50105 on successful completion of the Certificate 1V.
Past experience has shown that many students who have not performed well at school or even completed formal education, very often excel at Beauty Therapy, and this is at all times being taken into account during student selection.
Our classes are small and friendly to enable us to provide caring attention in a relaxed rather than formal schoolroom atmosphere.
Because the Beauty Therapy industry demands a very high standard of health and hygiene when working with clients and other staff as required by industry legislation and regulations, students are required to possess complete gross and fine motor skills and full use of all senses. This means the physical standards for entry to the Academy’s courses are high. All prospective students therefore must demonstrate this level of health and fitness.
Access and Equity
The Academy adheres to all EEO legislation with particular emphasis on workplace harassment, victimisation, bullying, anti-discrimination, equal opportunity, racial vilification and disability discrimination.
The Academy adopts at all times policies and management practices, which maintain high professional standards in the delivery of education and training services, which safeguard the educational interest and welfare of its students.
Occupational Health and Safety is of paramount importance to those working in the beauty industry. As such the welfare of self and others is at stake, which demands complete gross and fine motor skills, full mobility and full use of all senses as a base requirement.
Literacy and Numeracy Support
Should the need arise, language literacy and numeracy, (LL&N) assessment can be arranged and the appropriate help if needed, arranged for student.
To enable our course to be as accessible to as many people as possible, we are Austudy and Absudy approved, provide for some unit of competencys to be studied by distance education, provide flexible learning procedures and flexible assessment strategies, including theory tests being taken orally.
Recognition of Prior Learning and credit transfer
Students with prior learning qualifications achieved whether through learning achieve through formal education and training (credit transfer) and learning achieved outside the formal education and training system (RPL) are invited to apply for credit transfer or RPL.
The Academy adheres to the National Principles and Operation guidelines for RPL. Application forms are available from the Academy and staff will assist with the application. The Academy recognises the AQF qualifications and statements of attainment issued by other registered training organisation, work and life experiences, and other qualifications which may need to be assessed theoretically and practically. Please note there is no reduction of fees for prior learning credits.
Student Support
In addition to an ideal trainer/student relationship to enable individual attention, a qualified work place trainer and assessor is on call for any private tuition that may be required and this is provided without charge. A wide range of welfare supports systems are also in place should students require help in this area. These support systems include pregnancy support, drug usage support, abuse support etc. All matters related to welfare support are confidential and abide by legislation on privacy.
Attendance Requirements
Students must attend all classroom lessons and work experience days to obtain Diploma. All non attendance must be supported with a medical certificate or application to the principal in writing for leave of absence.
Should a student not attend more than 5 days without medical certificates or approval from the principal in writing, (throughout the course) additional charges will apply for makeup classes.
Complaints and appeals policy
The Academy strives at all times to create a happy, constructive and caring learning atmosphere which is conducive to an effective leaning and teaching environment. If however, a student has a complaint the Academy has an effective policy for dealing with complaints and appeals in a timely and constructive manner.
The Academy’s procedures ensure that:
- Each complaint and appeal and its outcome is accurately documented.
- Each appeal is heard by an independent person or panel if appropriate.
- Each student is able to formally present his/her case.
- Each student is given a written statement of the appeal outcomes, including reasons for the decision.
- The Academy acts in a constructive manner on any complaint found to be substantiated.
- A time frame will be implemented to ensure an outcome will be delivered.
Refund Policy
Once a student has paid a deposit, or paid for the course in full therefore receiving the associated discount, it is understood that the student has seriously considered all aspects of a career in Beauty Therapy, and has made a commitment to the school to finish the course. On receipt of such moneys and commitment, The Australian Academy of Beauty and Spa Therapy has financial procedures to ensure adequate staff is employed; resources, notes, products and equipment are available for the number of students enrolled. All refund applications must be discussed with the Principal.
Should a student need to have leave of absence for sickness/accident, they are welcome to complete their training at any time within the next three years without any fee increase.
Such students will have priority placement in subsequent courses. Permission for leave must be applied for in writing to the Principal for this to be valid. Unit of competency completed and passed up to the sickness/accident period, will be eligible for the award of the Academy’s Statement of Attainment for that particular unit of competency.
In the case of illness/accident, misadventure, (appropriate documentation required) the following refund policy applies:
- If a student withdraws 4 weeks or more before course commencement, then a full refund less the $250 non-refundable registration fee will apply.
- If a student withdraws 4 weeks or less before course commencement, or after course commencement, then a refund will be paid, less the $250 non refundable registration fee, less $2000 cancellation fee less $350 for each week of semester till date of withdrawal.
- All matters related to the payment of refunds are the responsibility of the Principal.
Assessment
Our training puts emphasis on practical competency, that is, practical application of subject matter. Students performance is evaluated on ability "to do" the task to industry standards. All training combines a high practical and in salon component with theory to understand the "why" and "how" behind the practical skills.
Our classes are small, relaxed and friendly. Competency is assessed by a combination of practical learning tasks both in the classroom and in the work environment, and theory assessment at the end of each module. This reduces pressure of a large examination at end of course, and also enables us to pinpoint any areas of difficulty during the course rather than at the end.
Assessment is an integral part of the overall course. The Academy delivers training and assessment using the principles of competency based training. This means that a student's performance is assessed on the ability to perform the task(s) to industry standards. To ensure that we cater for a variety of learning styles and students needs, a range of assessment strategies are included such as:
- Short written tests and exercises
- Observation of processes
- On the job tasks
- Projects and assignments
- Log books
- Oral questioning
- Student workbooks
Students are advised times and places of assessment well in advance and special needs a student may have, are considered. Assessment criteria are detailed in all modules, in the student log book and in the student handbook. Dates of assessments are provided on the first day of class.
Most modules are assessed by a practical demonstration with the teacher, by a practical demonstration of skills in the workplace, and theoretically by completion of learning tasks and activities, short assignments or small tests. Assessments however, can be any one of the above or a combination of any of the above assessment criteria.
Note: Several modules may be assessed at the same time, or could be embedded in another module.