Rights and Responsibilities

TAFE NSW aims to provide you with the opportunity to study, learn and develop skills in a safe and supportive environment.

When you sign your enrolment form, you agree to follow TAFE NSW instructions and rules - details are available in TAFE NSW libraries and at the college at which you enrol. The college will also provide you with information and procedures relating to examinations and course assessments and results.

You may be penalised if you disrupt your class, harass other students or teachers, damage property, cheat in examinations or otherwise act in a way contrary to the good conduct of TAFE NSW. You can appeal against certain penalties. Your penalty might then be reduced, removed, or increased.

TAFE NSW encourages students to form representative groups and have representatives on Institute councils.

Your privacy and personal information protection in TAFE NSW

When you enrol at TAFE NSW the personal information you provide is protected under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. This Act imposes obligations on public sector agencies such as TAFE NSW regarding their collection, storage, use and disclosure of your personal information.

We are obliged to tell you the purpose of collecting personal information, who receives this information and where it is held. We must also provide for your ongoing rights to access this information about yourself and make corrections if necessary. We are also obliged to protect your personal and private information and not disclose it without your knowledge and approval. Information we ask you to provide will only be that which is necessary for the purposes of your course enrolment, learning and study records. For more information, call the FOI and Privacy Unity on + 61 2 9561 8447.

Freedom of information (FOI) - your right to access documentation

The Freedom of Information Act 1989 gives you the right to access documents held by most government agencies, including TAFE NSW. Under the Act, you are also able to ensure that records held concerning your personal affairs are not incomplete, missing, out of date or misleading.

If you want to access documents held by TAFE NSW, you do not have to explain why you want access. To request access to documents, you will need to fill out an FOI application form and pay a $30 fee. In some cases this fee may be reduced to $15.

You can only ask to see documents which may contain the information you are seeking. You cannot ask for an answer to a specific question or ask for a document to be created specially to meet your request.

Under the FOI Act a 'document' includes paper files, maps, plans and photographs, video and audio tapes, computer programs and printouts, microfilm and microfiche.

For more information:

Please call the FOI and Privacy Unit on + 61 2 9561 8447.

Protection of children and young people

In line with NSW Government legislation TAFE NSW is committed to promoting the safety, welfare and well-being of children and young people (defined legally as people under 18 years of age) whether they are students, apprentices or Trainees in schools, colleges, workplaces or programs conducted by TAFE NSW or under the auspices of TAFE NSW. TAFE NSW employees are required, by law, to report children and young people suspected to be at risk of harm to the NSW Department of Community Services.

Complaints policy

If you have a problem with or complaint about TAFE NSW, you may report it to any staff member. They will record your concerns so they can be dealt with confidentially and promptly. We suggest you see someone you know. You can also record your complaint on a Suggestion or Complaints Form, available from administration staff. See also the NSW Department of Education and Training website for advice on complaints.

Occupational health and safety

TAFE NSW has a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees, students and visitors at TAFE NSW. At enrolment you will be informed of any course requirement that you provide and wear protective clothing and equipment. During an orientation session on your first attendance you will be given information on what to do in case of an emergency or if you are injured and require first aid. All of our courses include instruction and training on occupational health and safety relevant to your training.

To help us provide a safe environment for all staff and students, occupational health and safety legislation also reinforces your duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of others. You must not interfere with or misuse anything provided for you in the interest of health and safety. You should report any safety issues or concerns to your teacher or campus staff as soon as possible.

For further information about occupational health and safety visit a TAFE NSW library, ask your teacher, or visit the WorkCover Authority website.

Anti-discrimination

Discrimination means treating someone differently because they happen to belong to a particular group of people. Many types of discrimination are against the law. It is unlawful to discriminate against people on the grounds of:

who you are related to or who you associate with

age

carers' responsibilities (caring for or supporting a child or other immediate family member)

disability

homosexuality (gay or lesbian or someone thinks you are gay or lesbian)

marital status

race (including colour, ethnic or ethno-religious background, descent or nationality)

sex (including sexual harassment or pregnancy) and

transgender.

It is against the law to incite vilification on the grounds of race, homosexuality, HIV/AIDS or transgender.

If you feel you have been discriminated against at TAFE NSW, see your teacher, head teacher or campus manager. You could also talk to a TAFE NSW Counsellor, Institute Multicultural Education Coordinator, Aboriginal coordinator or harassment contact officer. if your complaint is still not resolved you can seek advice from the Anti-Discrimination Board on + 61 2 9268 5555, or 1800 670 812 (toll free - NSW only), TTY + 61 2 9268 5522 or fax + 61 2 9268 5500.

Harmonious Learning Environments

TAFE NSW has a proud record in providing a learning environment where people from all over the world are able to access education and training, achieve their learning goals and participate more fully in the community.

Our campuses provide safety and security for all students and seek to build and maintain an atmosphere of harmony and trust in which all students are able to achieve their study and employment goals. Racism, including racial vilification and harassment, has no place on our campuses.

A safe and harmonious learning environment is the right of every student and staff member. But harmony and trust does not just happen. We make it happen through our actions and attitudes that demonstrate mutual respect and goodwill to others. It is a responsibility we all share.

If you have any concerns about maintaining a harmonious learning environment on campus, please contact your teacher, head teacher or campus manager.

Environmental policy

The Northern Institute believes that sound environmental management is an important component of its overall management responsibility and demonstrates its commitment to improved environmental performance through the establishment of an environmental policy, the implementation of its Environmental Management System and certification to ISO 14001:1996, the international standard for environmental management.

Students have an environmental responsibility to:

implement good environmental practice

be conscious of saving water and energy and reducing waste

support any environmental programs or practices implemented in the college/classroom.