DSCWT Policy

4.1 ACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR DEFERRAL, SUSPENSION OR CANCELLATION

4.1.1 In accordance with the National Code 2018, Pioneer College can defer or temporarily suspend a student’s enrolment on the compassionate or compelling circumstances.
4.1.2 In addition, Pioneer College can suspend or cancel a student’s enrolment including, but not limited to, the following factors:
• Student misconduct (9.3.1)
• Failure to comply with the Terms of Offer as outlined in the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (Written Agreement) for Course Progress or attendance, and any formal warning issued by Pioneer College against these processes, which are in accordance with Standard 8 (Overseas student visa requirements)
• The non-payment of fees in accordance with the Terms of Offer as outlined in the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (Written Agreement) and Payment Schedule.
• The suspension or cancellation of the overseas student’s enrolment for these reasons may not take effect until the internal appeals process is completed, unless the health or wellbeing of the overseas student or the wellbeing of others, is likely to be at risk

4.2 DEFERRAL
Applications for deferral of the commencement of the course must be made by completing a
Deferment Suspension Withdrawal Transfer Form (DSWT) with any additional evidence and
submitting it to Pioneer College Admissions Staff prior to the course commencing.
a) The DSCWT Form can be submitted via Email, Mail or in Person.
b) Email address: admin@pioneercollege.edu.au and copied to
studentservices@pioneercollege.edu.au
Once Pioneer College has processed the request, the student will receive a written correspondence of
the outcome.
a) An electronic update to the Letter of Offer and Acceptance and / or Confirmation of
Enrolment will be provided, as appropriate, to reflect the new training plan.
b) Pioneer College will inform the Secretary of the Department of Education via PRISMS as
required under the ESOS Act.
4.3 SUSPENSION
Applications for Suspension of enrolment must be made by completing a DSCW Form with any
additional evidence and submitting it to Pioneer College Student Support Officer.
a) Applications must be received at least 10 working days prior to the requested Suspension
date.
b) Applications received less than 10 working days prior to the requested Suspension date will
not be processed.
c) In the event of an emergency requiring Suspension, the submission timeline of 10 working
days may be waived by the Pioneer College.
Once Pioneer College has processed the Suspension request, the student will receive a written
correspondence of the outcome within 5 working days after lodgement. Pioneer College will inform
the Secretary of the Department of Education via PRISMS as required under the ESOS Act.

4.4 CANCELLATION
Applications for cancellation of enrolment must be made by completing a DSCW Form with any
additional evidence and submitting it to Pioneer College Student Support Officer.
a) The DSCW Form can be submitted via Email, Mail or in Person
b) The Student Support Officer will then check all information is attached and send the cancellation request to the Compliance Manager / PEO for review against Policy & Procedures.
c) The Compliance Manager / PEO will then process the cancelation request. Once Pioneer College has processed the Cancellation request, the student will receive a written correspondence of the outcome from Admissions Manager.
a) If the request is granted, the student will receive a Letter of Release. Once the Cancellation has been processed, Pioneer College will inform the Secretary of the Department of Education via PRISMS as required under the ESOS Act.
b) If the request is denied, then the student may appeal the outcome in accordance with the
Complaints and Appeals Policy.

4.5 WITHDRAWAL
Applications for Withdrawal from a course must be made by completing a Deferral Suspension Cancellation Withdrawal (DSCW) Form with any additional evidence and submitting it to Pioneer College Student Support Officer.
• Any withdrawal must be done formally with evidence of why the student is withdrawing
• Pioneer College has the right to refuse a withdrawal where a student has not completed six (6) months of their primary course
• Pioneer College has the right to refuse a withdrawal on the grounds that the student has outstanding fees or if the student is in the debt recovery process as ‘unresolved’
• Any refund application will be processed in accordance with the refund policy
• Certification of any description will only be processed after all outstanding fees are paid
• Certification will be issued within 30 calendar days of these conditions being met
• All documentation will be recorded in the student file in aXcelerate.
• In this instance the reasons must be documented and recorded to justify this decision
• Should the student wish to withdraw and return to their home country, the student must advise Australian Department of Home Affairs to cancel their student visa
4.6 TRANSFER
Applications for Transfer from a certain Course / Qualification to a different Course / Qualification being offered by Pioneer College must be made by completing the DSCW&T Form. Student shall be required to discuss his intent with the Student Support Supervisor and eventually with the PEO who shall make the final decision.
4.7 SUSPENSION OR CANCELLATION INSTIGATED BY PIONEER COLLEGE
In any given situation that leads to a suspension, or cancellation of studies, instigated by Pioneer College, prior to imposing a suspension/cancellation:
• Formal written notification will be provided to the student of the intent and reasons for suspension/cancellation
• Inform the parent(s)/legal custodian(s) of the student if the student is younger than 18 years of age.
• The student will be informed of their right to appeal this decision, as well as the timeframe and process for doing so
• The student shall have 21 working days to access Pioneer College‘s Internal Complaints and
Appeals process in accordance with Standard 10 (Complaints and appeals).
4.8 COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS PROCESS
The suspension or cancellation of studies, as instigated by the Pioneer College, cannot take effect until the Internal Complaints and Appeals process has been completed, unless extenuating circumstances relating to the welfare of the student apply.
• In the case of students under the age of 18, a copy of the formal notification will be forwarded to the Parent or Legal Guardian and a resolution formulated.
• At the completion of the complaints and appeals process, should the suspension or cancellation of studies be upheld by the complaints and appeals hearing, Pioneer College will
inform the Secretary of the Department of Education via PRISMS as required under the ESOS Act.
4.9 ADVISING AND REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
In the instance of suspension or cancellation action going ahead Pioneer College will inform the overseas student regarding the need to immediately contact Immigration for advice on the potential impact to the student’s visa. (9.5.1) Pioneer College will report the change to the overseas student’s enrolment as per section 19 of the ESOS Act. (9.5.2)
4.10 IMPLICATIONS OF SUSPENSION OR CANCELLATION
Should a student enrolment be suspended for a period of 28 days or longer, the student must return home, unless special circumstances exist. Students are to be made aware that:
• Students can only temporarily suspend enrolment for a maximum period of six months,
• Deferral, Suspension or Cancellation of enrolment may affect the student’s VISA,
• If the enrolment is suspended for a period greater than six months, the student’s visa may be cancelled by Australian Department of Home Affairs