Return to Campus - FAQ

Q. Who does this one-third limit of online study apply to?

A. This limit applies to all international students who hold an Australian student visa. These students will be required to attend face-to-face classes from 1 July 2023 (Trimester 2, 2023) to ensure they comply with the requirements of the Australian Government. This limit applies to all student visa holders enrolled in higher education programs, regardless of which institution they are enrolled in.

Q: I have heard that in each trimester, I must enrol in at least one subject face-to-face. Is that right?

A. Yes, students need to enrol in at least one face-to-face subject each trimester.

Q: If I only have one subject left in my final trimester, can I take this online?

A: Yes, students are allowed to complete their final subject online if it is only available online. This is the only exception to the rule of enrolling in one subject face-to-face. Please note, you are not able to exceed the one-third limit in doing your last subject/s online.

Q: When is the maximum one-third requirement for online study being reinstated?

A: From 1 July 2023, you must ensure at least two thirds of your remaining course is studied in person and that you enrol in at least one face-to-face subject each trimester. For example, if you still have six, seven or eight subjects remaining in your course at the commencement of Trimester 2, 2023, the maximum number of subjects into which you can enrol online is two.

Q: When calculating the number of subjects I have remaining that I can do online, it’s not a whole number. Do I round up or down?

A. The number is rounded down. The only exception to this is those students who are finishing in Trimester 2, 2023 and only have 1 or 2 subjects left to complete. These students will be allowed to take one subject online. To make it easier, we’ve created a table below so you can see how many subjects you’re allowed to take online, depending on how many you have left.

Q: Can I complete more than two thirds of the course face-to-face if I want to?

A: Yes, students can complete more than two thirds of their course face-to face. The limit is only applicable to the number of subjects completed online.

Q: Will all the subjects in my course be offered online?

A: This will depend on the course. Most core subjects will only be offered face-to-face with a limited number of subjects offered online. There will be a significant increase in the number of subjects now offered face-to-face.

Q: Will my classes be on the same day?

A: Our timetable for all courses and subjects runs across the whole week, Monday to Friday. Although we endeavour to schedule classes at the most convenient time for students, your class options are likely to be spread across the whole week. The earlier you enrol in your subjects, the more choice you will have.

Q: Will I have multiple options available for the subjects I want to take?

A: When classes were solely online, we were able to offer multiple class times that were available to students across our 5 campuses. Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer as many options as the large majority of classes return to campus.

Q: How do I know what subjects will be offered online and what subjects will be offered face-to-face?

A: When enrolling in Kaplink, you will be able to see which subjects are delivered online and which subjects will be delivered face-to-face.

Q: When I've logged into Kaplink to select my subjects, there aren't enough face-to-face options to complete a full-time study load. What do I do?
 
A: With the majority of classes now being delivered on-campus, there will be limited class options due to classroom capacities. That’s why it is very important that you use the subject offerings to understand which subjects you need to complete in each trimester and enrol in those classes as early as possible. If you’re unsure of your study plan, book an appointment with a Student Experience Officer to create one. If you’re in a situation where there aren’t the face-to-face options available at your campus, you may have to study that subject elsewhere to finish your degree before your completion date.

Q: What are the rules for ELICOS (English Language) and PQP (Postgraduate Qualifying Program) students?

A: ELICOS and PQP students will be required to study their whole course in face-to-face classes on campus.

Q: What are the campus opening times in each State?

A: Our campus opening times are regularly updated online, via Google Maps or MyKBS. During the trimester, generally campuses will be open from 8am – 8:30pm Monday – Thursday, and 8am – 5pm on Friday. Always check with the campus team or online to get the latest opening hours.

Q: What are the facilities we can use on campus in-between classes?

A: All of our campuses have a range of facilities available for you to use in-between classes. This includes student lounges, quiet areas, a kitchenette, computers, a student experience hub and more.

Q: Is there free Wi-Fi on campus?

A: There is free Wi-Fi on all of our campuses. Please check with the Student Experience team to get the password.

Q: Are there spare computers we can use on campus?

A: Yes, there are some computers available for general use in all of our campuses. To login to the computers, it is the same credentials as MyKBS and Kaplink.

Q: Are Academic Internships considered face-to-face or online subjects?

A: All Academic Internship subjects are designated as face-to-face subjects and will not be considered as part of your maximum online study load.

Q: Is there a minimum attendance requirement for face-to-face classes?

A: Yes, all students are expected to attend a minimum of 70% of both online and face-to-face classes each trimester. Please refer to the Attendance Policy

Q: Do I have to attend every class?

A: Our expectation is that, yes, you must attend every class. Missing out on even one class risks creating a significant knowledge gap, thereby making it difficult to catch up. Our analyses show there is a strong correlation between attendance and successful student outcomes, and for example, students who attend less than 60% of their classes have a much greater chance of failing their subject.

Q: How can I catch up if I don’t attend my class?

A: Speak to your lecturer about the content you have missed and there are several resources available on MyKBS to catch up

Q: Will there be a recording to watch later?

A: For the majority of subjects, there will no longer be a recording since most subjects from now on will only be taught on campus. However, a substantial minority of subjects will continue to have at least one online class scheduled and as such weekly recordings will be made available via MyKBS for all students enrolled in that subject throughout that trimester.

Q: I’m not feeling well and think I may have COVID-19. What do I do if I have a class on campus?

A: If you have any of the symptoms on this list, or you feel you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and as such, are concerned about your health, please contact your local health professional immediately or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to receive a health assessment by a registered nurse. Further information is also available at www.health.gov.au. In this instance, do not attend campus and let your lecturer know you will not attend.

Q: If I have other questions about the face-to-face requirement, who can I contact?

A: Your local Student Experience team are available on campus, via email or telephone to answer any questions you may have.

Q: With working hours now capped for International Students, I may struggle with my subject enrolment fees. What options are available?
 
A: We understand that fee payment can be challenging with current costs of living. There are a number of useful resources online we'd suggest utilising such as MoneySmart and Financial Capability. As an International Student on a student visa, it is your responsibility to ensure you have sufficient financial capacity to complete their course, without relying on part-time work.