Introduction
The Extension/Deferral Policy was formulated to provide information to prospective and current learners on Extension and Deferral.
Scope and Application
The policy is applicable to all learners and/or prospective learners of the College. It applies to all requests for extensions or deferral of learners’ course programs.
This policy does not apply to other course program adjustments, including cancellations and withdrawals.
Overview
The College’s primary purpose is the provision of quality vocational education and training programs to learners.
To specify the conditions under which the College will apply its Extension/Deferral Policy to respond to learners’ requests for extension of course time or deferral of studies.
The College will apply this policy consistently and fairly across all programs and any learner enrolled into a program at the College.
Policy
Deferrals
Qualification/ Course
NCOA recognises that learners may be impacted by unforeseen circumstances that prevent them from studying for a period of time.
- If a learner needs to defer from their course, they must make a formal application for a deferral to NCOA administration via the website including the reasons for the request. Please note NCOA will not under any circumstances backdate a deferral.
- Deferral applications should be submitted as early as possible (i.e. as soon as the learner knows they will be unable to study for a period of time).
- Learners must make it clear in their application for deferral, the total amount of time required.
- Learners may defer their studies for a combined maximum of three (3) months.
- Learners will be notified of the approval and their amended course completion date within five (5) working days of the deferral coming into effect.
- All learning accounts of the learner will be suspended for the duration of the deferral period. This means that the learner will not have access to any of their online learning or assessment materials for the duration of the deferral.
- The learner’s access to their accounts will be restored the day after the conclusion of the deferral period.
- Learner’s will be advised via email that their learning accounts have been reactivated.
- Where a learner requires more time, they must purchase an extension to their course duration (see Extensions).
- Where a qualification is in teach out and a request for deferral is received, deferrals will only be granted up to the final date for submission of all completed assessment. Deferral beyond this date may result in extending the term of a learner’s enrolment beyond the teach out date. Regulations do not allow NCOA to extend the enrolment of learners beyond the approved teach out.
Extensions
- NCOA recognises that learners may be impacted by unforeseen circumstances that prevent them from completing all course requirements in accordance with the specified duration.
- Learners must make a formal application for an extension to NCOA administration via the website.
- Extension applications should be submitted as early as possible (i.e. as soon as the learner becomes aware of the need to seek an extension to the duration of their course).
- Qualification / Course learners may request a maximum of two extensions of six (6) months except in the case where a qualification is in teach out.
- Skill Set /Short Course learners may request only one extension of one (1) month.
- Learners who apply for an extension will be notified of their amended course completion date via email within 5 working days of approval of the request.
- Once the learner has applied for two extensions to their enrolment, no further requests to extend the course duration will be accepted and learners will be required to re-enrol into their course programme.
- Applications for extension to the Qualification / Course duration attract an upfront payment fee equal to $299 (per 6-month extension) payable at the time of the request. This is a non-refundable fee.
- Applications for extension to the Skill Set / Short Course duration attract an upfront payment fee equal to $60 (per 1-month extension) payable at the time of the request. This is a non-refundable fee.
- Application for extension to Qualification / Course payment plans are available for Qualification/Course Total payment fee equal to $360 (per 6-month extension) consisting of 11 instalments (upfront payment $60 plus ten ongoing weekly payments $30)
- Application for extension to Skill Set / Short Course is not available for payment plans
- Where a qualification is in teach out and a request for extension is received less than six (6) months prior to the teach out date, extensions will only be granted up to the final date for submission of all completed assessment. Regulations do not allow NCOA to extend the enrolment of learners beyond the approved teach out.
Documentation must be submitted to NCOA either with the email request or within seven (7) days of sending the email request.
In line with the 2025 RTO Standards’ emphasis on flexible learner support, NCOA utilises AI-enhanced tools for monitoring progress and facilitating deferrals or extensions in our blockchain, cryptocurrency, and AI education offerings. For enquiries, contact the ABA team today.