Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)
At Lawson College Australia (LCA) we encourage our prospective and / or current students to make informed decision about their studies at LCA. We have developed a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) and Fact Sheets to enable you to decide and make informed decisions regarding the courses being offered at LCA.
About LCA
Lawson College Australia is an Australian Government approved registered training organisation (training.gov.au – 40679 – Lawson College Australia Pty Ltd) and holds CRICOS Provider Registration Number 03406J Institution Details – Lawson College Australia Pty Ltd (education.gov.au) enabling delivery of courses to overseas students studying on a student visa.
To ensure that you are fully informed and confident in your choice of study location and course of study, you are strongly advised to read and understand the accessible, accurate and comprehensive information relating to Lawson College Australia and the course/s you are considering enrolling on our website http://www.lawsoncollege.edu.au
Other useful links you may consider:
Application process
You are an international student, unless you fall into any of the following categories:
- Australian citizen; or
- New Zealand citizen; or
- Australian permanent residency visa holder; or
- Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder.
If you are an international student, you can find out more about applying to study at LCA by following the steps on our How to apply page.
Yes, you may choose to enrol for 2 or more courses. As per the ESOS standards the final or the highest course of study is considered as your ‘Principal Course’ and you must complete the first 6 months of your ‘Principal Course’ be eligible to transfer out of LCA. Please refer to the Transfer between Registered providers policy for more details. https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/international-student-policies/
NOTE: Your one student visa application, which will cover the entire duration of 2 or more courses, with single visa application charge payable to the Department of Home Affairs.
Definition: The ‘Principal Course’ is the main course of study to be undertaken by an overseas student where a student visa has been issued for multiple courses and is usually the final course of study or the highest qualification level. The first six months is calculated as six calendar months from the date an overseas student commences their Principal Course (ESOS Standard 7: Overseas Student Transfers).
Implications of a Principal Course
- Lawson College Australia is obliged to implement policy and procedures as related to ESOS Standard 7.
- Prospective Students are advised this includes applying the standard relating to ‘Principal Course’ in relation to request for transfer as outlined in (Policy & Procedure – Overseas Student Transfers) https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/international-student-policies/
- Note that eCoE details are listed on the Australian Government Provider Student Management System known as PRISMS and this system determines the Principal Course, and not Lawson College Australia.
Please refer to the (Principal Course- Fact Sheet) https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/fact-sheets/
Your LCA letter of offer, also referred as student written agreement is a legally binding agreement between you and LCA. It complies with the regulatory standards as defined by Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) under Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) legislation. To accept your LCA offer and the terms of the agreement, follow the below steps.
STEP 1: Read and research all the information contained in your letter of offer carefully to make an informed decision. Seek any professional advise if necessary.
STEP 2: You will need to meet your conditions, if any, as outlined in your Letter of offer before you can proceed.
STEP 3: If you decide that you want to accept your offer and enter into a written agreement refer to the ‘Offer and Course Acceptance Authorisation’ page in your letter of offer and follow the instructions.
NOTE:
- By accepting you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms of the Letter of offer.
- LCA cannot hold, reserve, or confirm your admission into the program/s without receiving the signed course acceptance and any applicable fee within the specified time frame, as mentioned on the Letter of Offer.
Please refer to the (Letter of Offer – Fact Sheet) https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/fact-sheets/
On accepting your offer and on receipt of your course acceptance payment by LCA, you have entered into a legally binding written agreement with LCA.
If you are applying for a Student visa, you will be issued a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) after you have accepted your offer and paid any requested fees. You will need the CoE for your Student visa application.
If you decide not to continue or opt out from your application, you will need to inform the student support office. Any CoE’s issued would be cancelled.
Any refunds, if applicable, will be subject to the LCA’s Refund policy which can be accessed from https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/international-student-policies/
As an international student, you will apply for a Student visa to undertake your studies at LCA. For information about visas, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
To obtain an Australian student visa, you generally need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, such as IELTS or PTE scores, and proof of your financial capacity. For more information, please use the Document Checklist Tool provided by the Department of Home Affairs: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/web-evidentiary-tool
Orientation and arrival
LCA offers an extensive Orientation program which allows you to find out more about LCA and your program, as well as meet new people and get to know your new home. You will need to make sure you arrive in Australia early enough to attend. As an international student you have to complete the International Student Welfare and Academic Orientation at LCA.
You should aim to arrive in Australia with sufficient time to settle in and acclimatise yourself to Australia or at least 2 weeks before the Orientation commences. We encourage you to finalise your accommodation arrangements before Orientation commences.
It is recommended that you purchase your textbooks and/or course workbooks so that you have them at hand for your readings, homework and assignments.
- Generally, you need to read your textbook each week and answer revision questions. Your textbook is also a valuable resource for exam preparation.
- Textbooks for most courses are held in the Library. These can only be borrowed for two hours within the Library.
- Not having access to a textbook or course workbook is not accepted as a reason to request an assessment / assignment extension.
When you attend classes in Week 1, seek advice from your trainers about what you will need.
International students are required to attend 20 hours per week of classes during each study period and as per scheduled timetables. Any lack of attendance may put you ‘at risk’ of course progression which may impact on your student visa. If you are facing any difficulties attending classes, we encourage you to discuss with the student support officers and / or your trainers so that full support could be provided to you.
Please refer to (Attendance – Fact Sheet) https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/fact-sheets/
Accommodation and AirPort Transfer
It is essential for international students to organise either short or long-term accommodation before arriving in Australia. Give yourself the best possible chance for a good start to your studies knowing you have somewhere to stay when you get to LCA.
You might consider organising short term temporary accommodation for the first few weeks after you arrive, before you commit to long term accommodation. This will help you get to know the area and choose an accommodation option that suits your needs.
There are a variety of accommodation options close to LCA’s campuses whether you want to live in a shared house, a homestay or find a place of your own.
Please note: Lawson College Australia does not own any accommodation, nor does it act as an agent in the provision of accommodation information.
LCA may only provide accommodation search assistance, if requested by you. It is your responsibility to determine whether the accommodations arrangements are suitable to you.
Once you have finalised your flight details, you should consider how you will travel from your arrival airport to your accommodation.
The most convenient option is to book an airport transfer. All airport transfer services will incur a cost which may vary between the various service providers.
There are a number of companies that offer airport transfers across Melbourne. Most airport transfer companies accept online bookings.
You may also request Airport transfer from LCA, at least 3 days prior to your scheduled departure by completing the booking form available from LCA’s Student Support Services.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
The Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) requires that Student visa holders maintain OSHC for the duration of their Student visa. Health insurance cover is also required for all family members residing in Australia on a dependent Student visa.
LCA can accept payment and arrange visa-length OSHC on your behalf with our preferred provider Medibank.
No. Only government-approved Australian registered private health insurers can offer OSHC.
LCA can accept payment and arrange visa-length OSHC on your behalf with our preferred provider Medibank. LCA has no relationship with any other government-approved OSHC providers and cannot accept payment from students for any provider other than Medibank. However, you can contact another OSHC provider and insure with them directly.
Your OSHC policy quote from Medibank will be included in your Letter of Offer. If you accept your offer, and pay the OSHC fee, LCA will schedule your policy with Medibank.
Payment
You can pay your fees via debit/credit card or through bank transfer. All payment methods are listed on your invoices.
Note: International payments may take several business days to reach LCA. Plan ahead to ensure your payment is received by the fee due date. Late fee penalties may apply.
If you have any outstanding tuition fees, the remainder will be payable by the fee due date of the relevant teaching period. A late payment fee will apply for payments that are made after the fee due date.
You can view the tuition fee policy here: https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/international-student-policies/
Your tuition fees for the courses you are enrolled in are due on the fee due date as indicated in your Letter of Offer when you accepted your offer. If you have any outstanding tuition fees, the remainder will be payable by the fee due date of the relevant teaching period. A late payment fee will apply for payments that are made after the fee due date.
You can view the tuition fee policy here: https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/international-student-policies/
Your tuition fees for the courses you are enrolled in are due on the fee due date as indicated in your Letter of Offer when you accepted your offer.
LCA does not collect any tuition fees before the visa approval, which means that prospective students do not have to pay any tuition fee if their visa is not approved. This is a measure to support prospective students, reduce their financial obligations and encourage them to apply for their student visa.
However, there are some non-tuition fees that prospective students have to pay when they accept an offer from LCA. These fees include the Application Fee, the Course Acceptance Fee, and the Enrolment Fee. These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, but they are valid for six months from the date of payment.
NOTE: LCA WILL NOT BE OFFERING ANY NEW SCHOLARSHIPS FROM JANUARY 2024.
Scholarships provide invaluable support and financial assistance to eligible students. At the sole discretion of LCA executive committee, a scholarship may be offered to international students. Details of the amount of the scholarship is outlined in your Letter of Offer. Scholarship may include a reduction in the tuition fee to support student’s education for the entire duration of a course or courses selected by the student with a minimum of 2 years of study, as offered by LCA.
Generally, scholarships, discounts and fee waivers are genuine and well-intentioned financial aid for students. They are designed to help you pursue your dreams and career goals at LCA, where you can learn, and thrive in a supportive environment. The main purpose is to financially assist you during your education journey at LCA.
Scholarships, discounts and fee waivers may be offered on tuition fee, non-tuition fee or other related educational expenses. These are offered on the general conditions that the student will complete all their studies in a timely manner whilst enrolled at LCA, pay all their fees and charges as and when they are due, maintain attendance and course progression, will continue to undertake studies at LCA, until the completion of the principal course, abide by all other student visa conditions, and maintain the integrity of the student visa.
There are some non-tuition fees that a prospective student have to pay when they accept an offer from Lawson College Australia. These fees include:
- Application Fee
- Course Acceptance Fee
- Enrolment Fee
These non-tuition fees are non-refundable and non-transferable but are valid for six months from the date of payment.
This means that if you are unable to pursue your visa application due to some circumstances, such as existing and ongoing employment obligations, or family commitments, or in the event your student visa is refused and you want to reapply, you do not have to pay these fees again if you resubmit your application within six months.
My Study Plans:
Yes you can. LCA is obliged to cancel all your CoE’s. This will stop any further processing. You may choose to apply for a refund, if applicable. Your refund will be processed in accordance with the ‘Refund Policy’.
See https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/international-student-policies/
Please refer to (Opting Out – Fact Sheet) https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/fact-sheets/
You may choose to re-apply again. However you will be considered as a new applicant and you will have to re-apply for a new student visa. OR
You may choose to apply for a refund. You refund will be processed in accordance with the ‘Refund Policy’.
See https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/international-student-policies/
You are encouraged to make an appointment with Student Support Officer to discuss your matter and to find out if you are eligible to transfer to another education provider, in accordance to the ESOS legislation. Criteria for ‘Transfer’ between providers, is clearly mentioned in the ‘Transfer between registered providers policy’
See: https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/international-student-policies/
If you have not commenced your studies, LCA is obliged to notify the Department of Home Affairs about the ‘Non-Commencement’ of studies which could lead to the cancellation of all your CoE’s, which may severely impact your student visa. You are encouraged to seek advice and assistance from the Student Support personnel.
NOTE: Other education providers will not be able to issue you with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), or enrol you in any courses unless you have been granted a transfer from LCA.
Please refer to (Opting Out – Fact Sheet) https://lawsoncollege.edu.au/fact-sheets/
Yes, you can enrol in more than one courses at LCA. You will need to complete a Course Variation form, which you may request from the Student support services. Upon meeting the eligibility criteria applicable, you will be issued a revised or new Letter of Offer. Once you have accepted the offer, a confirmation of enrolment (CoE) for the additional courses will be issued confirming your enrolment in the additional course/s.
Note: Adding additional course/s would alter the duration of your studies and you may need to contact the Department of Home of Affairs regarding the student visa extension, if required.
You may be eligible to apply for another type of visa upon completion of your studies. For more details, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder
NOTE: Lawson College does not guarantee a migration outcome as a result of undertaking any of its courses.
Work Placements:
Work placements are training methods which enable students to develop and demonstrate skills in a real-world setting. Work placements comprise workplace training, workplace assessment, and workplace simulations. By observing and assessing skills under realistic conditions, and in real-world environments, RTO can ensure stakeholders have confidence that learners’ competency reflects contemporary, industry-appropriate situations.
Refer: https://www.asqa.gov.au/guidance-resources/practical-training-and-assessment
You are not required to organise your own work placements. LCA will organise work placements for you, and no fees are charged to undertake scheduled work placements. As work placement is part of the qualification, you must undertake work placement/s as scheduled on your timetable, and for the correct number of hours, and meet all assessment task requirements. The number of hours of mandatory work placements is outlined in the course descriptor located on https://www.training.gov.au and outlined in your student written agreement.
If you do not attend your scheduled work placements organised for you by LCA, you may be liable to pay a rescheduled work placement fee, as per published non-tuition Fees relating to work placement. Non Tuition Fee – Lawson College.
Further, non-attendance at work placement may impact on course progress and subsequent course duration end date as listed on your CoE.
The following courses at LCA require mandatory work placement.
Refer: https://www.training.gov.au
Course – Qualification | Work Placement Duration |
CHC30121- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care | At Least 160 hours |
CHC33021- Certificate III in Individual Support | At Least 120 hours |
CHC43015- Certificate IV in Ageing Support | At Least 120 hours |
CHC50121- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care | At Least 280 hours |
CHC53315- Diploma of Mental Health | At Least 160 hours |