Student Progression Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to support all students to succeed, and to identify and manage students at risk of not completing their course of study.

2. Scope

Where this policy refers to CIT, it includes CIT Solutions (CITSol).

This policy applies to:

• all nationally recognised training on the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) scope of registration
• all students enrolled in any nationally recognised training on the CIT scope of registration
• all aspects of academic performance, including attendance, assessment and course progression
• international students.

Refer: International Students on Student Visas Policy

This policy does not apply to:

• student behaviour (including academic integrity), which is addressed in the Student Conduct Policy and Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy
• delivery or attendance of students enrolled in the post-school senior secondary program - attendance and progression for these cohorts is governed by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies policy framework
• students enrolled in non-accredited courses or CIT higher education courses.

This policy must be read in conjunction with legislative and regulatory requirements listed below.

In the event of any conflict, external regulations take precedence over this policy and procedure.

3. Principles

CIT is dedicated to helping every student reach their full potential and is committed to providing the support students need to successfully complete their programs of study.

Participation and progression are connected, both reflecting a duty of care to students and necessitating regular monitoring to ensure effective management.

To achieve this CIT will:

• provide a learning environment that assists students to reach their learning goals
• communicate this policy and document support options
• regularly monitor and review each student’s progress, and ensure students are given clear and timely advice and information about progression
• identify where an intervention is needed to guide progression
• provide students measured and appropriate support
• treat students impartially and equitably during all stages of a student progression review process
• negotiate Student Progression and Completion Plans to support academic achievement
• ensure parent/guardian involvement in cases where student progression reviews are undertaken for students under the age of 18 years
  • invite the employer to attend any a progression review session with the student
  • enable CIT Apprenticeships and Traineeships (CAT) to be involved in student progression review at the invitation of staff, students or employers
  • notify the relevant State Training Authority within 14 days of identifying the risk if CIT is unable to resolve the issue
• in the case of international students:
  • providing the finalised Student Progression and Completion Plan to International Student Advisors
  • student visa holders who do not pass more than 50 per cent of units/subjects in this study period will be identified for intervention (for academic student visa requirements) for the following study period
• prioritise monitoring of student progression by:
  • monitoring of participation and progression by educators
  • discussing progression as a standing agenda item in department meetings
  • conversations initiated by the Head of Department with educators to discuss emerging progression issues.

• in the case of Australian Apprentices:

3.1 Student at risk indicators

3.1.1 Attendance and participation

Evidence that a student is at risk of non-completion may include:

• absence for an entire class on two consecutive occasions without an acceptable explanation
• absence or late arrival on the first day of class without an acceptable explanation
• absence from required structured workplace learning
• emerging patterns of late arrival/early departure.

3.1.2 Assessment-related

Evidence that a student is at risk of non-completion may include:

• not completing two assessments by a given due date or within the set time frame (where a formal extension has not been granted)
• submitting one or more incomplete assessments
• requiring resubmits for two consecutive assessments.

3.1.3 Academic, wellbeing or related to living with a disability

Evidence that a student is at risk of non-completion may include:

• student appearing to lack the digital literacy to complete the course
• student reporting an issue directly to the teaching or support team
• student appearing to need wellbeing or welfare support
• student struggling to understand training content or assessment requirements, indicating potential disability
• student progression and/or attendance is negatively impacted by emerging financial issues (payment plans or new job to support family).

3.1.4 Academic/Foundation Skills

Evidence that a student is at risk of non-completion may include:

• student appears to lack the digital literacy required to complete a digital task
• student appears to lack the literacy skills to read, write or communicate to the level required to complete tasks
• student has difficulty completing mathematical calculations required by the activity.

3.2 Responsibilities

3.2.1 College Director

The College Director is responsible for:

• ensuring monitoring of student progression
• supporting Heads of Department to implement this policy and Student Progression Procedure
• liaising with Student Support where intervention is needed to guide progression
• reporting emerging trends and themes in student progression and intervention strategies to Academic Council.

3.2.2 Heads of Department

The Head of Department is responsible for:

• including student progression as an agenda item to staff meetings
• initiating conversations with educators to discuss emerging progression issues
• actively supporting educators implementing Student Progression and Completion Plans
• endorsing the actions negotiated and signing-off Student Progression and Completion Plans
• notifying and briefing Student Support where there is evidence progression is being impacted by wellbeing or disability related factors
• ensuring employers of Australian Apprentices are notified and briefed on any discussion with the student regarding progression and completion
• notifying and briefing parents/guardians of students under the age of 18 on any discussion with the student regarding progression and completion
• ensuring international student advisors are provided a record of the Student Progression and Completion Plan.

3.2.3 International Student Advisors

International Student Advisors are responsible for:

• providing students on student visas with information on potential visa implications associated with non-progression
• informing ESOS exempt students on potential impact of non-progression on course duration and study pathways.

3.2.4 Pastoral Care Officers

Pastoral Care Officers are responsible for:

• providing the finalised Student Progression and Completion Plan to International Student Advisors.

3.2.5 Educators

Educators are responsible for:

• using professional judgement to reach out to students if they are struggling to progress or disengaging
• monitoring for any signs of a student at risk and initiating verbal or written contact where Student at Risk indicators are observed or documented (see Student Progression Procedure)
• maintaining a record of outreach to students demonstrating Student at Risk indicators
• sharing observations at department team meetings to develop strategies to support individual students or cohorts of students
• notifying and briefing the employer of an apprentice or trainee on any discussion with the student regarding progression and completion
• developing a Student Progression and Completion Plan (see Student Progression Procedure) with the student and monitoring progression against key milestones
• providing the Student Progression and Completion Plan for international students to the Pastoral Care Officer in their Department.

4. Documentation

4.1 Related Legislation/Regulation

• ACT Standards Compliance Guide for Australian Apprentices
• NSW Smart and Skilled Operating Guidelines
• Revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2025
• Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000
• National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018)

4.2 Related Policy and Procedures

• Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy
• Apprentices and Traineeships Policy
• Assessment Policy
• International Students on Student Visas compliance with the ESOS Act Policy
• Student and Community Members Complaint Policy
• Student Support Policy

5. Definitions

All terminology used in this policy is consistent with definitions in the CIT Definitions of Terms.

6. Policy Contact Officer

For more information about this policy, contact the Executive Director, Education Futures and Students.

Contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au for further information.

7. Procedures

This policy is implemented through the associated procedure. Authority to make changes to the procedure rests with the policy owner.