Student Handbook

1. About Prepare Training

Prepare Training Pty Ltd (ABN 55 620 728 501), trading as Prepare Training (RTO 45384), is a Registered Training Organisation delivering nationally recognised building and construction qualifications and work health and safety training, 100% online, across Australia. The qualifications and units we are approved to deliver are listed on our scope of registration at training.gov.au (search RTO 45384).

You can reach us Monday to Friday on 1300 142 181 or at hello@prepare.com.au.

2. About this Handbook

This Handbook explains how we work with you and your rights and responsibilities as a student. It forms part of your agreement with us, alongside our Terms of Service and your individual enrolment agreement. We give it to you before you enrol, and the current version is always available on our website.

The specific fees, charges and amounts that apply to you are set out in your enrolment agreement — read this Handbook together with that document. If anything in your enrolment agreement covers a specific matter (such as your fees), it applies to that matter. We may update this Handbook from time to time; the current version and effective date are shown at the top of this page.

3. Entry requirements and who our courses suit

Each course has its own entry requirements and target student, set out in the course information we provide before you enrol. Generally you should be at least 18 years of age, have the language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills to study online (see clause 5), and have access to a reliable internet connection and a suitable device.

4. Unique Student Identifier (USI)

Under the Student Identifiers Act 2014 (Cth), every VET student must have a Unique Student Identifier. We cannot issue your qualification or Statement of Attainment without a verified USI.

You can create a USI for free at usi.gov.au, or authorise us to create or verify one on your behalf. We encourage you to provide your USI early so there is no delay in receiving your certificate when you finish.

5. Language, literacy, numeracy and digital readiness

Before you enrol, we will help you check that your chosen course is a good fit — including a review of your language, literacy, numeracy (LLN) and digital skills, and your prior experience. This is to make sure you have a reasonable prospect of completing the course. If you need support, we will talk you through the options (see clause 18).

6. Fees and payment options

The fees for your course, what they include, and your payment options are set out in your enrolment agreement, which we give you in writing before you enrol or pay anything. We will not ask you for any payment that was not disclosed to you in advance.

Payment plans may be available — where offered, the terms are in your enrolment agreement. Nationally recognised training that leads to an AQF qualification or Statement of Attainment is generally GST-free; any fee that does attract GST will be shown in your enrolment agreement.

7. Refunds, cancellation and withdrawal

Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law always apply and are not limited by this policy (see the box at the end of this clause).

If we cancel a course or cannot deliver it. You will receive a refund of the fees you have paid for any training not yet delivered. Where possible, we will also offer to place you in an equivalent course at no extra cost.

If you change your mind or your circumstances change. We do not provide a cash refund simply for a change of mind. Instead, we will work with you to keep your study on track or preserve its value, through options such as:

• pausing your enrolment for a period;
• an extension of your course time;
• transferring to a different course; or
• a credit toward future study.

Genuine extenuating circumstances. If something serious happens — for example a significant illness or a compassionate situation — tell us. We will consider your situation on its merits and may offer a refund, credit, pause or transfer. We may ask for supporting evidence.

How to request a refund or a change. Contact us in writing at hello@prepare.com.au. We will acknowledge your request within 2 business days, tell you our decision within 5 business days, and pay any approved refund within 10 business days, to the original payment method (unless you ask us in writing to use another account in your name).

8. Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer

If you already have relevant skills, experience or qualifications, you may not need to complete every part of your course:

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assesses your existing skills and experience against the units in your course.
• Credit Transfer recognises units or qualifications you already hold from another RTO.

The process, the evidence we need, and any fees are explained in your enrolment agreement. Talk to us before you enrol if you think either may apply to you.

9. Getting started and accessing your course

When you enrol, we give you access to our online learning system for the duration of your course. Your login is personal to you — keep it secure and let us know promptly if you think someone else has accessed your account. You are responsible for activity under your login.

10. Delivery mode and course duration

Our courses are delivered fully online and are competency-based — you progress by demonstrating the required skills and knowledge, not by spending a set amount of time. The expected duration of your course is shown in your course information and enrolment agreement.

11. Deferral, extension and re-enrolment

If you need more time, you can apply to defer (pause) or extend your course, or to re-enrol if your access has ended. Some of these options may attract a fee, which is set out in your enrolment agreement. Contact us and we will confirm any change in writing.

12. Assessment, competency and re-assessment

Assessment is competency-based. After each assessment you are marked either competent or not yet competent. If you are not yet competent, we give you feedback and a reasonable opportunity to be re-assessed. Three assessment attempts are included for each unit; a fee may apply for additional attempts, as set out in your enrolment agreement.

13. Reasonable adjustment

We make reasonable adjustments so students with disability or specific learning needs can participate on the same basis as other students — for example adjusting how an assessment is conducted, while still meeting the requirements of the unit. Tell us what you need and we will work with you.

14. Academic integrity and plagiarism

You must complete all assessments honestly and as your own work. Plagiarism (presenting someone else’s work as your own), collusion, contract cheating, and submitting AI-generated content as your own work are serious breaches. Depending on the circumstances, the consequences may include re-assessment, a formal warning, invalidating the assessment, or — for repeated or serious breaches — cancellation of your enrolment, following a fair process.

15. Student code of conduct

We expect all students to treat our staff, trainers and other students with respect, and to communicate respectfully in all online interactions. Serious or repeated misconduct may lead to suspension or cancellation of enrolment, following a fair process.

16. Work health and safety

Although you study online, work health and safety still matters — both at your study space and in any workplace-based activities your course involves. We will tell you about any WHS requirements specific to your course, and you must follow any safety instructions given.

17. Access, equity and anti-discrimination

We are committed to providing training that is fair and accessible to everyone, regardless of background, and we comply with Australian anti-discrimination and human-rights law. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or bullying.

18. Student support and wellbeing

Studying while working or managing other commitments can be demanding. We offer academic and administrative support throughout your course, and can refer you to external wellbeing services where appropriate. To access support, contact us on 1300 142 181 or at hello@prepare.com.au.

19. Complaints and appeals

We take complaints and appeals seriously and deal with them fairly, promptly and confidentially. You will not be disadvantaged for raising a concern.

• Raise it with us first. Contact us at hello@prepare.com.au or 1300 142 181. We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days and aim to resolve it within 30 days.
• Appeal a decision. If you are unhappy with the outcome, or with an assessment or other decision, you may appeal within 10 business days. You can ask for the matter to be reviewed by an independent party at no, or low, cost to you.
• External options. If your complaint is about a consumer issue such as fees or refunds and we cannot resolve it together, you can contact the Queensland Office of Fair Trading or the ACCC. You can also raise concerns about an RTO with ASQA, the national VET regulator — but note that ASQA does not resolve individual disputes or order refunds; it uses information about providers to inform its regulatory work.

20. Privacy, your data and government reporting

We handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. Full detail is in our Privacy Policy.

As an RTO, we are required by law to collect certain information and disclose it for VET regulatory and statistical purposes. By enrolling, you acknowledge that:

• your personal information is reported to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) as part of the National VET Data Collection (AVETMISS data);
• your information may be disclosed to ASQA, the USI Registrar, and Commonwealth and State and Territory training authorities as required or authorised by law; and
• you will be given the National VET Data Policy Privacy Notice, which explains how your data is used. You may decline to take part in the NCVER student survey, but we are still required to report your enrolment data.

21. Certification

Where you are assessed as meeting the requirements of your training product, we will issue your AQF certification documentation (testamur and/or Statement of Attainment) within 30 calendar days of you being assessed as competent, provided that you have a verified USI (clause 4) and have paid all agreed fees for the training product.

Where agreed fees remain unpaid, we may withhold issuing your certification until those fees are paid. We will not withhold certification you have validly earned unreasonably or indefinitely.

You can request a replacement certification document at any time; a reasonable fee may apply to cover the cost of producing it. We retain records of the certification we issue for 30 years.

22. Transition and teach-out

Training products are updated from time to time. If a qualification or unit you are enrolled in is superseded or we stop offering it, we will teach you out (let you finish on the existing version where allowed) or transfer you to the replacement, and we will tell you about any change as soon as practicable. If a change materially disadvantages you, clause 7 applies.

23. Quick reference

• Your fees and payment terms — in your enrolment agreement.
• Refund, deferral or transfer — clause 7, or email hello@prepare.com.au.
• Create a USI — usi.gov.au (see clause 4).
• Make a complaint or appeal — clause 19, or call 1300 142 181.
• Privacy and your data — clause 20, or see our Privacy Policy.
• Student support — clause 18, or call 1300 142 181.

Prepare Training Pty Ltd (RTO 45384)
15/1 Newspaper Pl, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Phone: 1300 142 181
Email: hello@prepare.com.au