Pre-Enrolment Information
Pre Enrolment
Before you apply please take a moment to read through the following information. It will help your understanding of Australia, student life, and studying at CAPSTONE Institute of Australia.
CAPSTONE Institute of Australia (CAPSTONE) is a Registered Training Organisation, registered by the Australia Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) under the authority of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (NVR2011) / Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015. CAPSTONE is also registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Choose the suitable course(s)
Prior to enrolling please ensure you fully understand the details of the course you wish to enrol in and the minimum requirements for entry. You should consider the study load required, the course duration, and the employment outcomes that may be available to you once you complete the course.
If you are in any doubt regarding your suitability for a course it is important you speak to us prior to enrolling. You may make an enquiry via email to [email protected].
Further information on the Australian training system, including further details regarding qualifications and individual units of competency, may be found by visiting training.gov.au.
Course entry requirements
Age requirements: All students must be over 18 years of age.
English language proficiency requirements: All overseas students must demonstrate at least an Advanced (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) level of English prior to commencement.
Academic requirements: Please refer to our courses pages and click on the course in which you wish to enrol for more information on the specific academic requirements that may apply to that course.
Any issues or questions raised regarding course entry requirements can be directed to [email protected].
Course delivery locations
All of our courses are delivered and assessed on our campus at Level 5, 565 George St, Sydney NSW 2000. Some of our courses include a mandatory work placement that will take place off campus.
Our location is close to public transport, including train stations, bus stops and light rail. The closest train stations are Central Station and Town Hall station.
Visit our location page for further information and map.
Induction/Orientation
All enrolled students are required to attend an induction and orientation process conducted by CAPSTONE prior to commencement. During the orientation all CAPSTONE policies and procedures relevant to you will be explained.
Modes of delivery/study
All our courses are delivered full-time (20 contact hours per week) using a blended mode of delivery (two-thirds of the contact hours is conducted face-to-face and one-third is online, using a LMS platform). Additional self-directed study at home is also required to achieve the desired course outcomes.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include: knowledge assessment, project assessment and/or demonstration assessment.
All training and assessments comply with the AQF Standards and the requirements of the relevant national training package, and the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (NVR2011). These standards are maintained through continuous improvement, staff professional development, and validation activities.
Course materials and equipment
During your course you will be provided with all learning and assessment materials, including a student assessment guide, reading material and a student study guide.
You will need to provide your own pens and paper for note taking. You will also require a computing device with internet access and MS Office suite or similar for accessing electronic materials and for completing assessments and their submissions. The computing device may be a laptop, desktop PC, or tablet.
You will be responsible for the supply and support of any specialised software tools you may require as a disability aid to complete your studies, such as accessibility software (screen readers, text-to-speech, speech-to-text, high-contrast screens, etc).
Support services
CAPSTONE provides various support services to ensure your time with us is as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. Students who are experiencing any difficulties with their studies, are encouraged to seek advice and support from our academic staff.
Our student services staff will ensure that support and services are readily accessible to all students. Students wish to seek advice on welfare and/or other matters may make an appointment at Reception.
Leave
There is a scheduled holiday break between every term of the academic year. Requests for additional leave outside of these times will be approved only in limited compassionate and compelling circumstances. Please visit the academic calendar page and see the Student Handbook for further details.
Campus facilities
Our new campus has been designed to facilitate learning and friendly interactions in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
Visit our location page for more information.
Fees
For information on fees, please visit our Courses page.
Paying your tuition fees
You must pay your course fees by the due dates in your Letter of Offer and Student Agreement. Please refer to the payment methods on the Letter of Offer and Student Agreement or the fee-due reminder emails.
CAPSTONE sends you fee due reminders via email when your fees are due. Please let us know if you change your email address or mobile telephone number so we can keep your details current.
If you are experiencing difficulties paying your fees as they fall due, it is important to come and talk to us in person as soon as possible. We can arrange a payment plan for short-term financial hardship in certain limited circumstances. To access this support, you must provide evidence showing genuine short-term financial hardship caused by compassionate and compelling circumstances beyond your control.
Complaints and Appeals
If at any time you have a complaint or appeal related to our services, our staff, other students, assessment decisions, or related third parties it is important to make us aware of your concerns so that they may be resolved.
Please visit our Complaints and Appeals Policy page for more details.
A Complaints and Appeals form is available from the Reception Desk.
Obtaining a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
All students studying a nationally recognised qualification in Australia are required to obtain a USI number. The USI program is administered by the Australian Government.
As part of your enrolment you will need to generate a USI (if you don’t already have one) and provide it to us. By providing us with your USI you consent to us recording and verifying this number.
For more information about USI, and to generate one, please see www.usi.gov.au.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT)
If you’ve previously completed studies in an area related to your intended course, or you feel that your employment experience has given you adequate knowledge of a learning area, you may apply to have your knowledge and experience recognised.
It is important that you let us know at the time you apply for enrolment so that we may assess you. If your application is successful, you may have a shorter course and visa period.
Please contact us to discuss RPL and CT opportunities via [email protected].
The RPL and CT policy and procedure are detailed in our Student Handbook.
CAPSTONE obligations as the provider of training and assessment
All training and assessment will be conducted by The Ballarat Academy Pty Ltd trading as Capstone Institute of Australia, who is responsible for the quality of the training and assessment in compliance with Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 and for the issuance of Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) certification documentation.
Student Handbook
Before enrolling, please read through our Student Handbook. It contains further details about our policies and procedures, including information you should be aware of before you enrol.
Information for overseas students
ESOS Framework information
As an RTO (Registered Training Organisation), CAPSTONE is required to meet various obligations under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act/ Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015, the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) legislation and the National Code of Practice.
The Department of Education provides a factsheet for international students containing important information about their rights and responsibilities while studying in Australia. Please access the factsheet from this link https://www.education.gov.au/esos-framework/resources/international-students-factsheet.
Further information on the ESOS Act and the National Code of Practice can be found at:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00292
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L01182
Further information on the Australian Quality Framework (AQF) can be found at:
Applying for a visa
If you are an overseas student you will need to apply for a visa to study in Australia. Before applying for admission to CAPSTONE you should familiarise yourself with Australia’s visa requirements to ensure that you meet the criteria.
More information on Australia’s visa system and the process for applying can be found at http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC)
All overseas students studying in Australia on a student visa are required to hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). OSHC covers your medical expenses while you are studying within Australia.
You are free to arrange this yourself or request us to arrange this for you at the time of enrolment. Your partner and other family members travelling with you will also require coverage while in Australia.
You can find out more about the conditions of health coverage and about purchasing Overseas Student Health Cover at the website https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-move/overseas-student-health-cover-oshc.
Accommodation options
Overseas students have a number of accommodation options including staying in a private rental property (either alone or with housemates), in a home stay with a family or in a student apartment.
Private Rental
This accommodation option is very popular with students. You can rent, using a real estate agent, an apartment or a house either alone or with housemates. Living with others is ideal for meeting new people and reducing your costs. Private rentals come either furnished or unfurnished. Both will require you to buy the basic necessities but furnished will at least include the major furniture and appliances.
Homestay
Homestay offers accommodation in a private home with a host family. Students are provided with a furnished bedroom with a study space. The host provides meals, but the student must pay for their own travel, telephone calls, entertainment and personal needs.
Student Apartments
Students can find these large centres full of apartments of varying sizes in convenient locations (mostly in and around the city).
Please note that most of these accommodation options require payment of a bond (usually a four weeks’ rent). This bond will be returned to you at the end of the agreement. You may also be required to pay some weeks rent in advance.
Refer to below websites to find suitable accommodation, locations and prices:
https://www.student.com/au/sydney
https://www.realestate.com.au/
https://www.homestaynetwork.org/sydney-pricing/
Indicative cost of living in Australia
Living costs include accommodation, food, transport, utility (electricity, gas, phone, internet) bills, clothing as necessary, entertainment, and these will vary according to your lifestyle.
For more information on cost of living please see: https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/life-in-australia/living-and-education-costs.
Living in Australia
Australia is a friendly and multicultural country. Before your arrival it is important that you understand the living conditions in Australia so that you can be better prepared. Please visit the Study Australia website for more information on living in Australia.
Living in Sydney
Sydney is a very vibrant cosmopolitan city. Sydney attracts people from so many cultures and countries. Please visit the City of Sydney International Students page to find out more about living in Sydney.
Deferral, suspension and cancellation policy
Once your visa commences you may only be able to defer or suspend your studies in very limited circumstances. In general we can only grant you a period of deferral or leave on the grounds of compassionate circumstances outside of your control. This may include a serious medical condition or the death of a close family member. In all cases you will need to provide evidence to accompany your request.
In all cases there will be no reduction in your tuition fees for the period you are absent, and you may be required to take additional classes at your own expense in order to complete your qualification. You may also be required to extend your visa.
Students may also be suspended from their studies for serious and wilful misconduct. Examples of misconduct may include criminal activity, harassment or abuse of staff or other students, failure to pay tuition fees, plagiarism or any other form of cheating. Students have the right to appeal through our complaints and appeals process.
Please see our Student Handbook for full details.
Monitoring course progress policy
All overseas students enrolled at CAPSTONE must maintain satisfactory course progress in order to complete the course on time. Maintaining satisfactory course is also one of the student visa conditions. CAPSTONE implements intervention strategies for those students who are at risk in maintaining satisfactory course progress.
Please see our Student Handbook for full details.
Transfer between providers policy
Overseas students on student visas may not be able to change to a different education provider within the first six months of their principal course of study unless a release is granted (i.e. the principal course is usually the last course for which the student visa is granted). Please see our Student Handbook for full details.
For more information, please refer to the below website:
https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-studies/changing-your-course-or-provider.