Kent Institute's School of Information Technology offers a wide range of government accredited Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses targeting areas of industry that attract strong employment opportunities, university articulation and financial rewards.

Student ID Card
When you arrive at Kent Institute, and have paid your fees, you will be issued with a Student ID Card with your personal and course details. If you lose your card, a replacement card will cost $10.00.

Accommodation
Please see Students Services for any assistance you may require regarding accommodation. The college has a number of arrangements, including share accommodation, to assist students to settle as quickly as possible.

Homestay
You can stay with an English speaking family. The College inspects the home to ensure that the family and house are of an acceptable standard. Host families provide breakfast and dinner each day of the week and also lunch on weekends. By establishing close family associations, you can not only improve your English, but also gain a first-hand appreciation of Australian culture and family life. The maximum travelling distance would be 30 min. by train, bus or ferry.

Rights and Responsibilities
DEST has made available a brief overview of the ESOS Framework (PDF), including the rights and responsibilities of international students.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OHSC)
If you are on a student visa, you must have health insurance. This is known as O.S.H.C. (Overseas Student Health Cover). You normally pay this insurance when you pay your tuition fees. Medibank is the organisation that manages your O.S.H.C. It will take about 3 weeks for you to receive your Medibank card. Please contact Student Services immediately if you have not yet paid your health insurance.

Fee Payment
All fees must be paid in advance. When we receive your payment, we will give you a receipt and a Student ID Card. Please keep your receipts as you might be asked to produce them
If you have not paid your fees your name will not appear on the class roll. When you have paid any outstanding fees, then your name will reappear on the class roll which will allow you to attend the class.

Note: Should fees be overdue more than 14 days a late fee of $100 will be charged. Should fees remain overdue more than 28 days Kent institute reserves the right to cancel the student’s enrolment and notify DIAC.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• Enrolment fee and accommodation booking fees not refundable.
• Fees will be refunded:
• (a) In the event of a default by the provider, the student shall be entitled to a refund under the provision of the ESOS Act 2000 and ESOS Regulations 2001; or
  
• (b) In the event of a default by the student then
  • the college has to be notified at least 28 days before the commencement date of the course other wise a cancellation fee of 30% will be charged, refund will normally be made within 4 weeks of the application;
  • The student is not granted a student visa. In this instance, application must be accompanied by a rejection letter from the Australian Embassy.
• Health Cover Premium is refunded in full before arrival in Australia. Not refundable after arrival.
• Tuition fees are not refundable or transferable after the commencement date except for compassionate ground.
• Application for refund must be in writing and must be received by the college no later than 3 months after commencement of the course. Application received after 3 months will not be processed.

This agreement, and the availability of complaints and appeal processes, does not remove the right of the student to take action under Australia's consumer protection laws.

The Institute reserves the right to modify any timetables, course schedules, Institute fees and refund policy to reflect changing circumstances.

Information for All Students
On the first day at Kent Institute, you will attend an orientation session and be issued with a student handbook. The handbook contains detailed information covering all aspects of your course and living in Sydney. Remember that at Kent Institute, we have a Student Services Department to help you with any part of your stay to ensure that you are completely satisfied and happy studying with us.

The Student Service Manager is the first contact for students to lodge a complaint or seek assistance.

Cost of Living
The most recent Department of Immigration estimates for the cost of living (in addition to your course fees) are:

$12000 for yourself;
$4200 for your spouse;
$2400 for your first child and
$1800 each for any subsequent children plus compulsory education full-fees for all school-aged children (currently $8000 per year minimum).

Public Transport
Buses and trains operate from around 5.00am until around midnight. It is cheaper to use Travel Pass, Travel Ten, weekly, quarterly or yearly tickets. Travel Passes can be used on State Transit buses and ferries for unlimited travel during the period of the ticket. Travel Ten tickets can be used on buses only. Weekly, quarterly and yearly tickets are also available for train travel. Check with your newsagent or the bus and train counter officers to find out which one is the best choice for you.

Banks
Most banks are open Monday - Thursday from 9.30am - 4.00pm and on Friday from 9.30am - 5.00pm. Some are open on Saturdays until midday. They are closed on Sundays. To open an account, go to the information desk and ask for a savings account. You can change money from your country at any bank.

Chemist
Most chemists are open from 9.00am – 9.00pm. If you need a chemist urgently, ask at Student Services to find the nearest chemist to the college.

Shops
Most shops are open from 9.00am - 5.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9.00am - 9.00pm on Thursday (late night shopping), from 9.00am - 4.00pm on Saturday and some shops are open on Sunday. Grocery shops are usually open late and you can buy most foods there. They are expensive though! Pubs are open from 10.00am - 12.00pm. It may be a good idea to take a photocopy of your photo ID with you as pubs often ask you to prove that you are over 18 years of age.

Consulates
These are listed in the A-K White pages telephone book. Student Services can also help you if you need to contact your Country's consulate.

Responsibilities associated with your visa
If you will be studying with a Student Visa you must note that there are very serious responsibilities associated with this special Visa. These conditions are determined by DIAC (Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs)

Intervention Strategy
Should the student at risk of not passing 50% of the subjects undertaken, Kent Institute Intervention Strategy will be activated, to help student identify any learning difficulties and provide suitable help and support

For more details please click here to see the Kent Intervention Strategy(pdf)

Working
As a holder of a Student Visa, you are not permitted to work until after you have arrived at the College. Once you have arrived, you can apply to Immigration for permission to work. When this permission is granted, you are allowed to work part time (up to 20 hours per week) provided this does not interfere with your studies. If you breach this condition and are caught working in excess of 20 hours, this may result in a cancellation of your Student Visa.

Holidays
It is a condition of your Visa that you take holidays from your course only during official College breaks (except due to exceptional circumstances usually beyond your control). You should therefore plan your visits home during these times only.

Sickness
If you are absent from the college due to sickness, you will be required to contact the college as soon as possible and present a medical certificate to explain your absence. Kent Institute does not have the right to grant you attendance however; medical certificates are submitted to DIAC for consideration if you intend to extend your visa for further studies.

Internet Access
Kent Institute has well-equipped Internet labs where you may access the Internet for free for research and emails when you do not have lessons. The computers in these rooms are in high demand at times, so volume of access limits apply.

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