VSL Student Progression Policy

Academic progression requirements to remain VSL-eligible on HLT57715.

Purpose

The VET Student Loans Act 2016 requires TalentMed to be satisfied, on an ongoing basis, that you are a genuine student actively engaging with your course. This policy explains what we monitor, what we expect, and what happens if engagement falls short.

It applies to every student using VSL for HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management.

What genuine engagement looks like

Genuine engagement means you are working towards competency in a way that is consistent with someone who intends to complete the course. The signals we look at include:

  • Regular activity on our learning platform
  • Timely submission of assessments, or early communication about extensions
  • Reasonable progress against the course schedule
  • Responses to communications from trainers, assessors, and student support
  • Completion of periodic progression forms that confirm you are continuing

We do not expect perfect attendance or instant response times. We do expect that your engagement pattern is consistent with completing the qualification.

Progression checkpoints

At defined points during the course (typically after each unit of study census date), we check your progression. This includes:

  • A progression form that asks you to confirm your continued study and note any issues
  • An activity review against our learning platform records
  • An assessment completion check to see what evidence has been submitted
  • A conversation where something on the record is unclear

You will be contacted if we need information or if a checkpoint flags a concern.

If your engagement drops off

When there is no activity, no submission, or no response for an extended period, we step in:

  1. Initial outreach. We email and call to check in after around 30 days of no activity.
  2. Formal notice. Where outreach goes unanswered, we send a formal notice explaining the concern and the consequences under the VSL Act.
  3. Decision. If engagement does not resume and you do not request a pause or withdrawal, we may be required to:
    • Suspend your VSL enrolment until engagement resumes
    • Refuse to charge further loan amounts on the next census date
    • Cancel your VSL enrolment and notify DEWR

Where a loan amount has already been charged and circumstances justify it, you may be eligible to apply to have the amount re-credited. See the VSL Re-crediting Policy.

Pausing your course

Life happens. If personal circumstances prevent you continuing, talk to us before the next census date and we will work with you to:

  • Pause your enrolment for a defined period
  • Adjust your course plan and census dates where possible
  • Document the pause so it does not count as disengagement

A pause is different from a withdrawal. A pause maintains your VSL enrolment with agreed timeframes. A withdrawal ends it. We help you decide which is right.

Reasonable adjustments

If disability, chronic illness, or a mental health condition affects your engagement pattern, tell us. Reasonable adjustments (for example, extensions, modified scheduling, or alternative submission formats) are built into your plan so that engagement is realistic for you. Adjustments do not lower progression expectations, they change the form they take. See our Reasonable Adjustment Policy.

Privacy and records

Progression records, outreach history, and any decisions made are held on your student file and handled under our Privacy Policy. You can access them on request.

If you disagree with a progression decision

Progression decisions can be appealed through our complaints and appeals process, within 20 business days of the decision. If the internal appeal does not resolve the matter, you can escalate to the VET Student Loans Ombudsman on 1800 015 314.

Continuous improvement

We review progression data and outcomes annually. Patterns of early disengagement inform changes to our academic suitability assessment, course pacing, and support resources.

Related policies

Contact us

Progression and engagement questions: support@talentmed.edu.au or 1300 737 781

VET Student Loans Ombudsman: 1800 015 314

When this policy is reviewed

This policy is reviewed annually and whenever the VSL Act, VSL Rules, or our progression monitoring practice change.

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

The specific policies referenced throughout are the authoritative source.

Version history

v2.0 · 20 April 2026 Revised for Standards for RTOs 2025 alignment. Compliance Manager.
v1.0 · 1 June 2025 Previous version. Preserved in Writer version history.