Student Handbook

G’day, and welcome to TalentMed.

We’re an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO 22151). Every qualification we deliver is nationally recognised, which means your hard work here will be recognised anywhere in Australia’s healthcare sector.

This handbook is your map. It explains how our courses work, what we’ll do for you, and what we ask from you in return. Keep it handy. Most of the questions you’ll have as a student are answered in the pages below.

If something isn’t covered here, get in touch. Contact details are at the end.

We’re looking forward to supporting you.

Some of the things you might need right now:

Applying and enrolling

Our courses are open to anyone who meets the entry requirements. To enrol, you’ll complete four steps with us:

1. Enrolment form. You tell us who you are and confirm you meet the entry requirements.
2. Pre-training review. We check the course is right for you and identify any support you might need.
3. Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) check, if required for your course. This helps us work out if the course reading and writing level is a good fit.
4. Enrolment agreement. Before you pay any fees, you’ll receive a written agreement covering what’s included, what it costs, and what’s expected from both sides.

One of our Course Advisers will walk you through each step.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

Every VET student in Australia needs a USI. It’s free, you keep it for life, and it’s how your qualifications are recognised by government and future employers.

You’ll need your USI before we can issue you a certificate or Statement of Attainment.

Qualifications we deliver

TalentMed delivers the following nationally recognised qualifications:

• HLT50321 Diploma of Clinical Coding
• 11288NAT Diploma of Healthcare Documentation
• BSB50920 Diploma of Quality Auditing
• HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management
• BSBMED301 Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately (a single unit of competency)

All courses are delivered 100% online through our learning management system.

Duration and structure

Each course has a set duration and a set of units of competency you’ll complete. Exact duration is listed on the course page on our website and in your enrolment agreement.

Our training is competency-based. That means we don’t just teach content. We check that you can actually do the thing the workplace needs, to the standard the industry expects.

You work at your own pace within the course end date. If life gets in the way, extensions are available. See Fees and payment below.

What you’ll know before you pay

Before you enrol, you’ll receive written details of:

• Total course fees and what’s included
• Payment terms and due dates
• Any additional costs (materials, equipment)
• Available payment plans
• Any government subsidies you may be eligible for

No hidden costs. If anything changes, we’ll tell you in writing before you’re committed.

How you can pay

Fee protection

If we can’t deliver the training you’ve paid for (for example, if the course is withdrawn), we’ll either place you in an equivalent course or refund the fees for the training not delivered. This protection applies to all prepaid fees.

Refunds

Our Fees and Charges Policy sets out when refunds are available, how to apply, and how long processing takes. There’s also a cooling-off period for new enrolments.

→ See the Fees and Charges Policy for the full terms.

VET Student Loans (VSL) is an Australian Government loan scheme. The only TalentMed course currently approved for VSL is HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management.

If you’re enrolling in HLT57715 and considering VSL, here’s what matters:

• Eligibility. Specific government criteria apply. We’ll check with you before you apply.
• Census dates. Your loan is confirmed on set dates. You’ll receive a Fee Notice at least 14 days before each census date so you can withdraw without a loan debt if you change your mind.
• Loan fee. The government charges a 20% loan fee on top of the amount borrowed (some exemptions apply).
• Repayment. You repay through the tax system once your income reaches the annual threshold. The current threshold is published at ato.gov.au.
• Personal debt. A VSL loan is a personal debt until you repay it. It can affect your take-home pay once repayments begin and may affect your borrowing capacity.

Before you apply, read the VET Student Loans Information Book from the Department of Education. Consider getting independent financial advice as well. A loan is a big decision.

→ See the VET Student Loans Policy, VSL Academic Suitability Policy, VSL Fee Management Policy, VSL Re-crediting Policy, and VSL Student Progression Policy for the full picture.

You may not need to complete every unit from scratch. We have two paths for recognising what you already know:

Credit transfer

If you’ve already completed an equivalent unit through another RTO, we can recognise that unit without you having to redo it.

To apply:

1. Tick the credit transfer box on your enrolment form.
2. Send us certified copies of your qualification or Statement of Attainment.
3. We’ll process the decision within 10 business days.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is for skills and knowledge you’ve picked up through work or life, not through formal study.

What your evidence needs to be:

• Valid. It actually relates to the unit
• Sufficient. Enough of it to show competence
• Authentic. Genuinely your own work
• Current. Recent enough to reflect today’s industry

RPL is assessed like any other assessment. Processing takes up to 10 business days (sometimes longer, depending on the evidence).

Fees apply for both credit transfer and RPL. See the Statement of Tuition Fees in your enrolment pack.

If you disagree with a credit or RPL decision, you can appeal. See Complaints and appeals below.

→ See the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and Credit Transfer Policy for the full procedures.

How you’ll learn

Every course unit is built around a unit of competency. A unit of competency is a specific set of skills and knowledge defined by the industry. Your learning materials, activities, and assessments all line up with those units.

You can work through the course at your own pace, within the course end date. Trainers and assessors are available to help when you get stuck.

How you’ll be assessed

Assessment uses a mix of:

• Written assessments. Questions and answers (up to three attempts per assessment)
• Practical activities. Hands-on tasks
• Case studies. Realistic scenarios you work through
• Projects. More extended pieces of work

Your assessor judges your evidence against the unit of competency, not against other students. Assessments are fair, flexible, valid, and reliable (the four principles of assessment).

Assessment outcomes

If you pass every unit, you receive the full qualification certificate within 30 days of finishing.

If you don’t achieve competence after the maximum attempts:

• If you’ve completed no units, we’ll provide a transcript showing what you’ve done.
• If you’ve completed one or more units, we’ll issue a Statement of Attainment for those.
• You can re-enrol and pay tuition fees to retake the training and assessment.

→ See the Assessment Policy for the full assessment framework.

Academic integrity

We take academic integrity seriously. Your certificate needs to mean what it says: you did the work and you have the skills.

• Submit your own original work.
• Don’t plagiarise, collude, or use AI to generate assessment responses as if they were your own.
• We use plagiarism and AI-detection tools.

Consequences for breaches range from a warning and resubmission through to enrolment cancellation, depending on severity.

→ See the Academic Integrity Policy for detail.

Student support

Our support team is here to help with:

• Questions about course content, assessments, or your learning plan
• Technical issues with the learning platform
• Timelines, extensions, and administrative questions

→ See the Student Support Services Policy for the full support framework.

Wellbeing

Studying can be demanding, and life throws curveballs at everyone. If you’re struggling, with the course or with anything else, please talk to us. We can:

• Discuss flexible study arrangements
• Point you to external support services suited to your situation
• Help you apply for Special Consideration or an extension if appropriate

→ See the Student Wellbeing Policy for the full wellbeing framework.

Reasonable adjustments

If you have a disability, a mental health condition, or another circumstance that affects how you learn or are assessed, we may be able to adjust how we deliver the course or assess you, while keeping the qualification requirements the same.

Reach out to us before you enrol or during your studies to discuss what you need. We treat these conversations confidentially.

→ See the Reasonable Adjustment Policy for detail.

Special consideration and extensions

If extenuating circumstances (illness, bereavement, or a family crisis) mean you can’t complete an assessment or the full course on time, you can apply for:

• Special consideration (for a specific assessment). Submit while the course is current, with supporting evidence.
• Course extension. Apply before your course expiry date. An administrative fee applies.

Diversity and inclusion

TalentMed is committed to a safe and inclusive learning environment for every student, regardless of background, identity, ability, or belief. We are committed to a culturally safe learning environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

If something about the learning environment isn’t working for you, please let us know.

→ See the Diversity and Inclusion Policy for the full framework.

As a TalentMed student, you have the right to

• Learn in a safe, respectful environment free from harassment and discrimination
• Be treated fairly and consistently with other students
• Have your personal information handled in line with the Privacy Act 1988
• Access clear and accurate information about your course
• See records of your progress and participation
• Receive reasonable adjustments where appropriate
• Raise complaints and lodge appeals, and have them handled fairly
• Provide feedback on the training and support you receive

As a TalentMed student, you agree to

• Treat staff, trainers, and fellow students with fairness and respect
• Follow our policies and procedures
• Provide honest, accurate information, including about your prior learning
• Submit your own original work for assessment
• Pay fees in line with your agreed schedule
• Keep your contact details current (email is how we reach you)
• Check your email regularly (add talentmed.edu.au to your safe-sender list)
• Let us know promptly if your circumstances change

The laws that protect and apply to you

Your studies sit inside a framework of laws:

• National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011. The law governing RTOs like us
• Privacy Act 1988. How we handle your personal information
• Anti-discrimination legislation (Commonwealth and Victorian). Protects your right to study free from discrimination.
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (VIC). Applies to our workplace and your study environment

→ See the Privacy Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy, and Student Code of Conduct for detail.

We want to hear when something isn’t right. Complaints and appeals help us improve. They’re not a problem, they’re information.

Making a complaint

A complaint is for when you’re unhappy with something we (or a third party working with us) did or didn’t do.

Our process:

1. If you feel comfortable, raise the issue directly with the person involved first.
2. If that doesn’t resolve it, submit a written complaint to us.
3. We’ll acknowledge your complaint, investigate, and give you a written outcome within a reasonable timeframe.
4. If you’re not satisfied with the outcome, you can escalate externally (see below).

Making an appeal

An appeal is for when you disagree with a decision we’ve made that affects you, for example an assessment result, an RPL decision, or a disciplinary action.

Lodge your appeal in writing within 20 working days of being notified of the decision.

• We’ll review the decision with someone who wasn’t involved in making it.
• You’ll receive a written outcome with reasons.
• If you remain dissatisfied, you can request an independent review. We’ll tell you the options when we communicate the appeal outcome.

External options

If you’ve been through our internal process and you’re still not satisfied, you can consider:

• Resolution Institute. Independent mediation
• Consumer Affairs Victoria. For fee or contract disputes
• Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). The national VET regulator

→ See the Complaints and Appeals Policy for full details of timeframes and procedures.

Sometimes things change. We might update a unit, a qualification might be superseded by a newer version, or delivery arrangements might shift.

If anything changes that affects you, we’ll tell you as soon as practicable. Where a qualification on our scope is superseded, we’ll either support you to complete the current version within the allowed transition period, or transition you to the replacement, whichever works best for you.

This handbook is a summary. For the full details on anything covered here, visit our policies page. The policies below form part of your enrolment agreement.

• Student Information Policy. Course details and enrolment procedures
• Fees and Charges Policy. Fees, refunds, payment plans
• VET Student Loans Policy. VSL for HLT57715
• VSL Academic Suitability Policy. Eligibility
• VSL Fee Management Policy. VSL fees
• VSL Re-crediting Policy. When loan amounts may be refunded
• VSL Student Progression Policy. Academic progress requirements
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy. Get credit for skills and experience
• Credit Transfer Policy. Transfer qualifications from other providers
• Assessment Policy. How we assess, including reassessment
• Reasonable Adjustment Policy. Support for students with additional needs
• Academic Integrity Policy. Maintaining honesty in your studies
• Student Support Services Policy. Support available to you
• Student Wellbeing Policy. Your health and wellbeing
• Diversity and Inclusion Policy. Inclusive learning environment
• Complaints and Appeals Policy. How to raise concerns or appeal decisions
• Privacy Policy. How we handle your personal information
• Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy. What you can expect, what we expect from you
• Student Code of Conduct. Expected standards of behaviour
• Intellectual Property Policy. Copyright, learning platform terms, and what you can and cannot do with our materials
• Marketing and Advertising Policy. Our approach to marketing and communications
• Online Learning Guidelines. Guidelines for successful online study
• Third-Party Communication Consent Form. Authorise us to share your academic information with family, employers, or other nominated parties

Policies are reviewed regularly. If a policy is updated and the change affects you, we’ll let you know.

Student support

Postal address

TalentMed Pty Ltd
Suite 105, 45 Glenferrie Road
Malvern VIC 3144, Australia

Online

• Course login: my.talentmed.edu.au
• Enrol online: talentmed.edu.au/courses
• Reissue a certificate: talentmed.edu.au/request-certificate
• All policies: talentmed.edu.au/about-us/policies/
• National Register entry: training.gov.au/Organisation/Details/22151

In a crisis

• Read the policies. They are part of your enrolment agreement
• Keep your contact details current. We reach you by email
• Check your email regularly and add talentmed.edu.au to your safe-sender list
• Ask early, not late. We can almost always help if we hear from you in time
• Give us feedback. It’s how we keep improving

TalentMed Pty Ltd · RTO 22151 · ABN 29 125 458 808

This handbook is a guide. The specific policies referenced throughout are the authoritative source.

We’re glad you’re studying with us. Best of luck.

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