From Monday, 11 May 2020, TAFE SA will revitalise the learning experience for students by implementing blended training delivery.
Students will continue their learning via digitally enabled methods while also attending a TAFE SA campus for the practical and assessment components of their course.
Where course content can be effectively delivered digitally, this will continue. Where this isn’t possible, on campus options will be implemented.
This ensures students and lecturers remain safe while the delivery of quality education and training continues.
Students can learn from the comfort of their own homes or, if they don’t have access to a computer or the internet at home, Student Access Hubs are available at some TAFE SA campuses, which will be following social distancing and cleaning practices based on the latest health advice.
Our focus will always be on the safety of students and staff.
The blended delivery model will be implemented in a phased approach.
From 11 May 2020
VET in Schools training will recommence on site at schools where effective digital delivery cannot be achieved.
From 18 May 2020
Priority courses, including those unable to successfully transition to digitally enabled delivery, will recommence practical training on campuses where effective digital delivery cannot be achieved.
From 1 June 2020
The majority of courses will resume on-site access for only the practical components of training that can’t be effectively delivered digitally. Students will attend campuses for elements of courses that have specific facility, equipment or software requirements that can only be accessed at a TAFE SA campus.
TAFE SA welcomes all feedback, so please don't hesitate to let us know your thoughts. Students are also reminded to check their TAFE SA email regularly to ensure they're kept informed. We are always here to provide help and support – simply call 1800 882 661 or email.
As many of our students transition to digitally enabled learning, a range of support systems are available to ensure you are able to get started as quickly as possible.
TAFE SA's learning platform, Learn, includes a Student Orientation which will be invaluable for students new to online study.
Once you've completed the orientation, select "My Courses" to access your units.
Can't find what you need below? Phone 1800 882 661 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday or check out our ICT Support FAQs.
You will need a computer, tablet or smart phone with an up-to-date internet browser. Chrome is the recommended browser. Instructions for installing Chrome are available for Windows and Macs.
A basic knowledge is required so you can use the internet, send emails, chat with your lecturers online, access course content and use common software.
As a general rule, you will need access to Microsoft Office or equivalent, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player. You can download Microsoft Office from Office 0365 on the TAFE SA portal. Some courses may require more specific software, but you will be advised by your lecturer if that’s the case.
When you log into your TAFE SA Learn account, you will have access to IT-related information. Look for the ‘Student Orientation and Support’ section and choose ‘Get Connected” for information on email, One Drive and other systems you can use. If you need help, you can log an ICT help query, call the TAFE SA Infoline on 1800 882 661, or check ICT Support on the website.
When you study online with TAFE SA you’re never alone. You will work with lecturers, course coordinators, fellow students and industry employers. Your lecturers will guide you through the process. TAFE SA provides a range of learning support services, including Studiosity which is available to all TAFE SA students free of charge.
TAFE SA has set up Student Access Hubs at some campuses. These hubs are for students who don’t have a computer or internet access at home. The hubs are open weekdays from 8am to 5pm. Please take your own headphones and remember your student ID card. TAFE SA also has self-service laptops available to borrow at some campuses.
TAFE SA’s libraries are closed on campus but their services are still available online.
COVID-19 is a notifiable illness, meaning that medical practitioners and diagnostic laboratories are required to notify SA Health of cases. In the event of a student or staff member coming into close contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19, they will be contacted by SA Health authorities and must isolate for 14 days from the date of last contact with the confirmed case.
Your course information will include details of assessment events that you need to complete, as well as provide instructions on how you can upload them for your assessor. If you are asked to send video or audio evidence for an assessment, you can upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox, then add the URL to your course website so your assessor knows where to look.
The process for requesting an extension hasn’t changed. Get in touch with your lecturer or course coordinator via email if you need to discuss a late assignment.
TAFE SA will create these and send them to you once they’re available.
You will continue to get your student payment if you remain enrolled in your course and you plan on returning to study.
You can talk to your lecturer about study options to consider or you can pause your enrolment until Semester 2, 2020. If you want to pause your study, you will need to complete the Pause in Study form which is on the Withdrawals and Refunds page on the website.
Please refer to the Withdrawals and Refunds information on the TAFE SA website.
In most cases, you will need to resume your apprenticeship or traineeship with a new employer or your previous employer. Apprentices and trainees can contact private employers, Group Training Providers or their Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider for assistance in resuming your apprenticeship or traineeship.
The change to online or remote delivery will not affect your student loan. Your loan will remain in line with your registration.
If you are studying the same unit of competency (UOC) there are no extra fees involved. If you’re studying a different UOC, you will need to pay an additional fee. Payment plans are available. More information can be found on our website under payment options.
Information about fees is available on the TAFE SA website and you can contact us on 1800 882 661 to discuss your options.
General information about COVID-19 and student loans has been provided by the Department of Education Skills and Employment and can be found here. Please contact us to discuss your individual situation on 1800 882 661 or via email.
What this means for you is that you won’t be returning to your course for Term 2. As soon as it is safe to resume face-to-face learning, your course will continue. You will receive regular updates as we work through this process so that you are informed every step of the way. You will be receiving further information from the program area before the new term starts.
TAFE SA’s current refund policy still applies. More information is available on our website under Withdrawals and Refunds or call 1800 882 661.
If you need additional information or would like to discuss your current situation with the International Student Support Consultant (Julie Ladic) or a TAFE SA counsellor, please contact the TAFE SA Customer Support Contact Team on 1800 882 661 to arrange a phone appointment or email info@tafesa.edu.au.
Have you heard that the South Australian Government is offering international students a $500 payment? It’s a one-off cash payment to help you through the COVID-19 pandemic. You will need to apply for the payment, though. You'll find details and the application link here and on the Study Adelaide website.
You will find more information about TAFE SA’s COVID-19 response on our website. For further information about COVID-19, you can contact the Australian Government Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 or visit the SA Health Website.
With the changes to our delivery you will still be expected to maintain your enrolment, your satisfactory course progress, and your attendance through participation in online chats, lessons and other lecturer required activities. Your lecturer will be verifying your participation and attendance through the Learn platform. The difference will be that this won’t occur face to face on your campus, but from your home. As long as you continue to actively participate and submit your assessments you will not be in breach of your student visa.
You must maintain some enrolment if you are in Australia on a student visa. If some of your topics cannot be delivered online, current Commonwealth Government advice is that you may study online until face-to-face teaching can resume. So long as you maintain some enrolment your COE and your student visa will not be affected.
At this stage, most course durations will remain unaffected. However, there will be some courses that have practical requirements (including vocational placements) that cannot be done online. These practicals will need to be rescheduled to a time when the restrictions are lifted. Therefore, this may be beyond the expected course finish date indicated on your Confirmation of Enrolment. Your lecturer will keep you informed should this affect you.
The current advice from the Department of Home Affairs is that students, studying online, will still be eligible if they remain in Australia. If you leave Australia and maintain enrolment through online study, it is likely this component will not contribute to the Australian study requirement for the PSW visa. Standard eligibility requirements for the PSW visa are outlined on the Department of Home Affairs website.
We know that many international students rely on funds from home or a part-time job to support them financially.
No. TAFE SA is not offering a reduction or discount of fees for the change of delivery mode from face to face to online delivery.
TAFE SA is not offering a reduction of fees where practical classes have been suspended. The full semester fees apply even though practical classes may be suspended until further notice. If your placement is delayed into another semester, it is likely you will not be charged for the repeat enrolment of that unit.
TAFE SA is not offering financial support for any extra expenses that relate to an extension of the study duration due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please apply for the on-off grant available from the SA Government by registering on the Study Adelaide website.
If you are sick with Coronavirus, or another illness, please call your local doctor or health centre to get assistance. If able, ask for a Medical Certificate and email this to your lecturer. Typically, an international student cannot get a refund for any missed classes or non-attendance. At this stage, all refund requests will be consistent with the International Student: Tuition Fee Refund Policy, that is available on the TAFE SA website, and within your Letter of Offer.
The Department of Home Affairs until May 1, has relaxed the 40 hour a fortnight work limit for student visa holders in certain industries, namely supermarkets, aged care and nursing. There are strict limitations on the roles within these industries.
All TAFE SA students should have received an email communication from the Executive Director, Educational Operations, Norman Baker to confirm whether their course will be taught online or rescheduled to a later date. No international courses are being rescheduled.
International students have two choices to make in this situation:
Any of the above decisions may affect your visa and you will need to contact the Department of Home Affairs. Please email tafesa.international@tafesa.edu.au to arrange a phone call to discuss your options.
As you’re aware we’re not running face-to-face classes until it is safe to do so. TAFE SA has set up Student Access Hubs at Adelaide, Regency and Tonsley campuses and these are just for students who cannot access the internet or computer at home. The hubs are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm.
You are not alone, it is likely that other TAFE SA international students, like you, were not expecting to study online, and are nervous about the changes to their learning. The course lecturers will guide you through the process and hold many sessions to orientate you and make you feel comfortable with learning online.
We suggest you virtually attend the TAFE SA Preparation for Online Study: Online at TAFE SA available through the Learn platform (see the International Student Newsletter for details, or log into Learn to see the available times).
Yes, you can. Please get in touch with Julie Ladic, TAFE SA’s International Student Support Consultant for more information at Tafesa.International@tafesa.com.edu.au
For classes/courses which have already commenced, a refund may be available depending on your circumstances. Options to defer your enrolment to a future term and have your fees carried over may be negotiated with your Program Area or International Unit.
If you are considering returning to your home country, please check with your home country’s travel restrictions as well as with a local travel agent in Adelaide to ensure that you can get a flight home and return home safely.
International students can commence or continue their studies in their home country, online, during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, once restrictions are lifted, an international student will need to apply for a student visa to continue their course at a TAFE SA campus. TAFE SA cannot guarantee that an international student will get a student visa as that is a decision by the Department of Home Affairs. If you already have a valid student visa, and your return home requires an extension of your COE, please make sure you have arranged that first with the International Unit, before returning home.
An international student cannot study a complete qualification, online, in their home country.
The Australian Government has put in place travel restrictions for people travelling to Australia. Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for up-to-date details of current restrictions.
Yes. All international students are advised to arrive, in Adelaide, at least 14 days prior to the course commencement date on your COE. If you are arriving into another Australian capital city prior (transiting) you may be required to self-isolate in that city as well. Therefore, please review the travel restrictions to ensure that you arrive in plenty of time to commence your studies.
TAFE SA is a South Australian Government education provider. So, whilst TAFE SA isn’t providing international students with specific financial assistance, the South Australian Government student support package is offering international students a $500 payment is available to eligible TAFE SA international students. It is a one-off cash payment to help you through the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read more about this in the International Student Newsletter that was emailed to your TAFE email on last Wednesday or on the Study Adelaide website. You will need to apply for the payment, though, so make sure you register – the link is on the Study Adelaide website.
If you are experiencing any issues in relation to your welfare please contact Julie Ladic, International Student Support Consultant, phone 0434 078 881. Julie can refer you to agencies assisting with food and other essentials and online food delivery sites.
The best source of information is the Department of Home Affairs website, which provides information on travel restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as information for current visa holders. These will be updated as the situation changes.
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