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Student Obligations
OVERSEAS STUDENT HEALTH COVER
Student Obligations
As an international student studying in Australia on a student visa, you are required to comply with specific government conditions and college policies. Melbourne Metro College is committed to supporting you in maintaining your visa compliance. Below is an outline of your primary obligations.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is health insurance that covers the cost of visits to the doctor, some hospital treatments, ambulance cover, and some pharmaceuticals. International students must maintain valid OSHC for the entire duration of their student visa. Your OSHC must be paid and arranged before a student visa can be issued.
MMC can organise your OSHC on your behalf. Please contact Student Services for assistance. You can find out more about OSHC via the Australian Government Department of Health or Study Melbourne.
Full Time Study
Australian law requires international students to undertake a full-time study load. A full-time study load is normally defined as a minimum of 20 scheduled course contact hours per week for at least 40 weeks each calendar year or continuous 12-month period.
Attendance
International students studying VET courses are expected to attend all classes to facilitate effective learning. MMC monitors student attendance in accordance with its Attendance Policy and requires students to maintain an 80% attendance rate for scheduled classes. While poor attendance will immediately trigger support and intervention strategies, Melbourne Metro College reports VET students to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) regarding visa breaches solely on the basis of unsatisfactory academic course progress
ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Academic Progress
If students do not meet academic progress requirements, they may be reported to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), which may result in the cancellation of their student visa.
Unsatisfactory progress is defined as not successfully completing or demonstrating competency in at least 50% of the course requirements within a study period. For Melbourne Metro College courses, one study period is 13 weeks (one term).
A study period consists of 10 weeks of scheduled study followed by a 3-week scheduled term break.
Failing 50% or more of the units in one study period will trigger:
- A review of your academic progress.
- The implementation of an intervention strategy.
A failed unit is one where the final result is assessed as “Not Yet Competent (NYC).”
To help maintain satisfactory academic progress, students should:
- Attend all scheduled theory and practical classes.
- Participate actively in classroom learning activities.
- Study the theory and practise the skills taught throughout the course.
- Attend all scheduled assessment activities.
- Speak with your Trainer or Student Administration Officer if you experience any academic difficulties.
In addition to these minimum requirements, Melbourne Metro College may implement counselling procedures and additional intervention strategies whenever trainers believe a student is at risk of not meeting course requirements.
If a student is identified as not making satisfactory academic progress for two consecutive study periods, Melbourne Metro College will notify the student in writing of its intention to report them to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Other Student Responsibilities
Updating Contact Details
Under your student visa conditions, you are required to notify Melbourne Metro College of your Australian residential address within seven (7) days of arriving in Australia.
You must also notify the College within seven (7) days if any of the following details change during your enrolment:
- Residential address
- Personal email
- Emergency contact details
Failure to keep your contact details up to date is a breach of your student visa conditions.
Work Hour Restrictions
International students must comply with the work limitations attached to their student visa.
You may work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. During scheduled course breaks and holidays, you may work unlimited hours where permitted under your visa conditions.
Your primary purpose in Australia is to study. Work commitments cannot be used as an excuse for poor attendance or unsatisfactory academic progress.
Financial Obligations
By accepting your offer and enrolling at Melbourne Metro College, you agree to pay all tuition and non-tuition fees by the due dates specified in your Letter of Offer and Written Agreement.
Failure to pay fees on time may result in:
- Late payment penalties.
- Suspension of IT or campus access.
- Cancellation of your enrolment.
Please note that cancellation of enrolment may have implications for your student visa.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
All students studying a nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in Australia must have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).
You are required to create and provide your USI to Melbourne Metro College upon enrolment.
The College cannot issue your Qualification or Statement of Attainment until a valid USI has been recorded.
Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity
Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at all times when interacting with College staff, trainers and fellow students.
Students must also maintain academic integrity throughout their studies.
The following are strictly prohibited:
- Plagiarism
- Cheating
- Collusion
- Unauthorised use of artificial intelligence (AI) in assessments
Breaches of the Student Code of Conduct or Academic Integrity Policy may result in disciplinary action in accordance with Melbourne Metro College policies.