VSL Academic Suitability Policy

The VET Student Loans Act 2016 requires TalentMed to be satisfied that you are academically suitable for the course before we allow you to take on a VSL debt. This policy describes how we make that judgement for the one VSL-approved course on our scope, HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management.

It applies to every prospective VSL student and every current VSL student adding or changing units.

VSL is a real debt to the Commonwealth. The assessment protects you from taking on a debt for a course you are not ready for. It also meets our obligations under the VSL Act and VSL Rules.

The assessment is not a gatekeeping exercise. If the course is a good fit, we confirm it. If it is not yet, we say so honestly and suggest alternatives, which may include a different course, a bridging option, or deferring until you have gained prerequisite skills.

The assessment looks at:

• Educational background. Year 12 or equivalent, prior qualifications, or prior formal learning that prepares you for diploma-level study.
• English language proficiency. Your ability to read, write, speak, and understand English at the level needed to engage with the course.
• Language, literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy (LLND). Through an LLND self-review and, where appropriate, a structured LLND assessment aligned to the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).
• Learning readiness. Your capacity to engage with self-paced online study, manage your time, and follow through on assessment tasks.
• Course alignment. Your understanding of what the course leads to, what the workload involves, and how it fits your goals.
• Support needs. Any reasonable adjustments or additional support we should plan for from day one.

• Certified or original copies of your highest completed qualification (Year 12 statement, or a qualification at Certificate III or above)
• If you do not hold Year 12 or Certificate III, we may accept evidence of work experience and prior non-formal learning combined with a higher LLND assessment
• A completed LLND self-review, and where needed, the outcome of our formal LLND assessment
• Your USI and photo identification

We verify evidence through an authenticated VET transcript where available.

Our assessment results in one of three outcomes, documented on your student file:

• Academically suitable. You meet the requirements and can proceed with VSL enrolment.
• Suitable with additional support. You can proceed, with specific reasonable adjustments or additional support built into your plan from day one.
• Not yet suitable. You do not currently meet the requirements. We explain why in writing and suggest an alternative, which may be a different course (including one of our non-diploma options), further preparation, or deferring until you have completed prerequisite study.

Where the outcome is “not yet suitable”, no VSL debt is incurred because you do not proceed with VSL enrolment.

Where the self-review indicates LLND support may be required, we run a formal LLND assessment before VSL enrolment. The assessment uses tools mapped to the Australian Core Skills Framework. The outcome informs both the academic suitability decision and any reasonable adjustments we plan.

If disability, chronic illness, or a mental health condition affects how you complete the assessment, tell us before you start. We make reasonable adjustments under our Reasonable Adjustment Policy.

We keep the evidence, the assessment, and the written decision on your student file. These records are retained for the periods set out in our Privacy Policy and VSL Rules. They are available to you on request.

You can appeal an academic suitability decision through our complaints and appeals process, within 20 business days of the decision.

• VET Student Loans Policy
• VSL Fee Management Policy
• VSL Re-crediting Policy
• VSL Student Progression Policy
• Reasonable Adjustment Policy
• Student Handbook

View the complete list of policies that apply to your enrolment.

VSL enquiries and academic suitability: enrol@talentmed.edu.au or 1300 737 781

This policy is reviewed annually and whenever changes to the VSL Act, VSL Rules, or LLND requirements require it.

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

The specific policies referenced throughout are the authoritative source.

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