Orientation

Can I purchase hard copy learning materials?

If you prefer to learn by reading a hard copy of your course materials, optional printed materials may be available for your course. If you are unsure, please contact us. Order Printed Materials.

Are there any computer requirements?

For most courses, all you need is a computer with an Internet connection and some basic programs that you’re probably already familiar with, such as Microsoft Word. There are no special software requirements and everything you need to complete the course is provided online via your Learning Management System (LMS).

Please note that we recommend the Chrome browser to access your course. If you do not have chrome, please go to https://www.google.com.au/chrome/ to download. Please ensure that your Chrome is the most up-to-date version.

Which unit do I start first?

When you are enrolled into a course with multiple units, you have the flexibility to choose the order in which you complete them. You can also work through your units concurrently if you wish.

How will my course be assessed?

Assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, including short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.

What are the referencing requirements?

References are required for essays, projects or reports. References are not required for short-answer questions. Reference lists are created to allow readers to locate original sources themselves. Each citation in a reference list includes various pieces of information including the:

1. Name of the author(s)
2. Year published
3. Title
4. City published
5. Publisher
6. Pages used

Please use the following Harvard Reference style in your assignments.

• Last name, First Initial. (Year published). Title. City: Publisher, Page(s).

How long will my course take?

On each course page, we state an approximate number of study hours to complete the course. However, we offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application.

Do I need time off work to study?

No! As a student of Australian Online Courses you can study when and where it suits you and at your own pace.

Grading and Assessment

The following table shows you how to achieve a satisfactory result against the criteria for each type of assessment task.

Assessment Method	Satisfactory Result	Non-Satisfactory Result
You will receive an overall result of Competent or Not Yet Competent for the unit. The assessment process is made up of a number of assessment methods. You are required to achieve a satisfactory result in each of these to be deemed competent overall. Your assessment may include the following assessment types.
Questions	All questions answered correctly	Incorrect answers for one or more questions
	Answers address the question in full; referring to appropriate sources from your workbook and/or workplace	Answers do not address the question in full. Does not refer to appropriate or correct sources.
Written Activity	The assessor will mark the activity against the detailed guidelines/instructions	Does not follow guidelines/instructions
	Attachments if requested are attached	Requested supplementary items are not attached
	All requirements of the written activity are addressed/covered.	Response does not address the requirements in full; is missing a response for one or more areas.
	Responses must refer to appropriate sources from your workbook and/or workplace	One or more of the requirements are answered incorrectly. Does not refer to or utilise appropriate or correct sources of information
Case Study	All comprehension questions answered correctly; demonstrating an application of knowledge of the topic case study.	Lack of demonstrated comprehension of the underpinning knowledge (remove) required to complete the case study questions correctly.  One or more questions are answered incorrectly.
	Answers address the question in full; referring to appropriate sources from your workbook and/or workplace	Answers do not address the question in full; do not refer to appropriate sources.

Why can’t I view PDF files on my Apple Mac or iPad?

Occasionally students are unable to view PDF files on Apple Mac and iPads. This is a common problem with Apple products and there are several steps you can take to fix this problem.

1. Update your version of Adobe Reader.
2. Configure your computer/device to open Adobe Reader.
3. Right click on the file and save to a location on your computer. Navigate to the location where you saved the file to open the PDF.

If you are still unable to open the PDF file after following these instructions, you may need to contact your technical support provider to solve this issue.

What if I need technical support?

Occasionally due to routine maintenance, our Learning Management System (LMS) may not be available. However, we aim to keep interruptions to a minimum. If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please contact us. 

Will I receive a Certificate upon completion of my course?

Yes! You will receive a Certificate and Statement of Results upon successful completion of your assessment. Please ensure that you register to graduate once you have completed your final assessment/unit.

What should I do if I don’t understand assignment requirements?

If you get stuck with an assignment or have a question relating to the learning materials, your tutors are available to provide guidance and feedback. You can contact them via our website, or via email: tutor@australianonlinecourses.com.au

Can I get some extra help with my assignments before I hand them in?

An easy way to make sure that you are on the right track with your assignment is to submit your assignment task for review. A tutor will review your individual assignment task and provide generalised feedback on your work. Submit your work for review. 

How strict are the word counts for assignments?

The suggested word count is a basic guide only and as such can be exceeded. The general guidelines is to keep it at 10% difference – so either 10% under or 10% over is acceptable, unless otherwise stated. Any quotes, references and your bibliography/reference list are not included in your word count.

How long is my enrolment?

We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).

How much time do I need to study each week?

Because we offer unlimited elearning access, you are able to complete your course at your own pace.

Can I take a break from my studies?

Yes! Please contact us if you need to take a break from your studies.

What if I don’t pass an assignment?

In order to successfully complete the course, you will need to complete all of of the assignments. We use a competency-based assessment; if you do not receive a ‘Competent/Pass’ grade you will be asked to resubmit your assignment. You are able to submit your work for marking three (3) times only. If you do not pass your assignment on the third attempt, you will need to re-enrol into the unit (charges apply).

What is plagiarism?

Australian Online Courses is committed to providing quality learning and educational outcomes for our students. Quality education includes evidence of students developing their research and writing skills and submitting their own work.

Academic dishonesty/plagiarism includes:

• Direct coping and or paraphrasing another person’s work
• Submitting another person’s assignment as your own work
• Copying and pasting work from the Internet.

Work that is submitted with words copied and pasted from the Internet will be marked as Not Yet Competent.

Are there any due dates for assignments?

No. You can submit your assignments when you are ready.