Code of Conduct

Refunds are only given to those experiencing financial hardship and lifechanging illnesses,  if you can’t make the day due to changes to work, Covid19 or other short term sickness etc, we are happy to rebook for another day. In the case of severe weather, we will reschedule at a time convenient to both parties.

1. Enrolment Procedures

To enrol in one of our face to face courses or online assessment sessions please visit: Course Dates and select the month you wish to do your Course costs are published on our website and updated frequently.
 
2. Pre-Enrolment Information

You the student, are the most important part of our business and so we aim to keep you informed about all aspects of your training and assessment experience with Brisbane Boating Courses.

The mission of Brisbane Boating Courses is to enhance safety on our waterways and to support Maritime Safety Queensland by providing quality education, training and promoting good seamanship within our licensing course and other qualifications. As our Policies, procedures and documents are under constant review,  Brisbane Boating Courses reserves the right to amend any document or process to suit the needs of the training organisation as required.

Legislative Requirements

Brisbane Boating Courses complies with all relevant local, state and federal government regulations and requirements with reference to the conduct of its business purpose(s). All relevant legislative and regulatory requirements relating to Brisbane Boating Courses are incorporated in the Organisation’s policies and procedures.  Further information on legislation is available on the State government web site visit www.legislation.qld.gov.au

Access and Equity

Brisbane Boating Courses are congruent with access and equity, as they have the flexibly to cater for individuals from all social, cultural, and educational situations.

Brisbane Boating Courses Access and Equity Policy is highly considered when applying course selection procedures and assessment practices. This is done to ensure equality of opportunity, regardless of age, gender, social or educational background.

Course design and delivery observes the principles of equal opportunity. This involves avoiding both direct and indirect discrimination against any potential students.

For a copy of the Access and Equity Policy please consult your trainer or refer to the policies and procedures document.

Brisbane Boating Courses Code of Conduct

We ensure the following procedures are adhered to during the conduct of your course:

  • Proposed subjects/modules are to be taught according to the course documentation. No changes are to be made without prior approval of the principal 
  • Assessments are to be conducted for all stated competencies.
  • Assessments are equitable for all persons, taking into account individual needs relevant to the assessment.
  • Students will, at all times, be treated with respect and dignity.
  • Professionalism, strong work ethics and empathy must always underpin the treatment of students.

Candidate Code of Conduct

All students attending our courses have an expectation placed on them by Boat Jetski Licence staff that they will not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time, conduct themselves in a orderly manner, show consideration to fellow candidates & trainer, demonstrate motivation to achieve the competencies required and not be disruptive to the learning environment created by our trainers. At all times during the course students have a “Duty of Care” that requires you to consider your own and the safety of others to avoid any injuries or discomfort.  At all times follow the instructions given to you by our trainer/master, wait to be instructed when to board and disembark from the boat and remain seated at all times whilst the boat is underway. When on our training boat or jet ski (PWC) especially you must consider safety first at all times.

The practical training and assessment when operating our supplied or your private jet ski (PWC) you must wear the provided PFD (personal flotation device) Type 2 supplied by us or your own PFD 2 or 3 as applicable to the area of operations.  All instructions/directions given to you by our trainers must be followed at all times on the water for your safety.

Workplace Health and Safety Guidelines must be considered and adhered to at all times during your course.

Client Services

Brisbane Boating Courses undertakes to provide its clients with all appropriate assistance in order to achieve their training goals. We have access to welfare and support services to aid any prospective student for any purpose on the provision that such assistance does not contravene the competency standards or regulatory requirements for the qualification being sought and is financially and practically viable to do so.

When investigating the level of assistance available to candidates, Brisbane Boating Courses must adhere to the principles of:

  • Validity
  • Reliability
  • Fairness

Competency Based Assessment (CBA) incorporates all aspects of skill performance, including problem solving and the capacity to apply skills and knowledge in both familiar and new situations. Assessment of competence involves the assessment of skills and knowledge combined.

Assessment will comply with the four principles of validity, reality, reliability and flexibility. The assessment process needs to address the cultural, language, literacy and numeracy needs of students. As such assessment can be modified to suit the individual needs of a student (as long as the modifications do not contradict the competency requirements)
Please note that as Brisbane Boating Courses primary business is associated with licensing and as such there is a Medical Declaration that must be completed which stipulates that medical conditions that would inhibit the ability to safety navigate a vessel will require a medical clearance. For more information on this please visit Maritime Safety Queensland or contact Department of Transport and Main Roads or Brisbane Boating Courses.

Literacy & Numeracy Support:

If any learning or language problems exist, please discuss this with your instructor prior to the commencement of the course.  Your instructor can arrange to conduct a verbal assessment rather than the written assessment or extra tuition if required.

Pre-course numeracy and literacy support is available by the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Hotline: 1300 655 506 or email: info@literacyline.edu.au or visit: http://www.tafe.qld.gov.au/courses/literacy_numeracy

For face to face assistance in the Brisbane area with english tutoring contact:

Julia Crombie: julia.boo.crombie@gmail.com
 
Enrolment and Admission Procedures

Prior to the commencement of any course, candidates will be provided with:

  • A course outline indicating  assessment requirements, and items required from the candidate, Cost, course inclusions and duration
  • RPL processes and procedures
  • Complaints procedures and processes
  • Codes of practice
  • Student conduct
  • Licensing outcomes
  • Legislative requirements

Prior to commencement of any course, all students will be required to complete the registration details and Medical Declaration located on the front page of the course assessment booklet.

Assessment

Competency-based Assessment

Competency-based assessment is the process of collecting evidence and making judgments about whether or not you have the knowledge and skills to meet the performance criteria required in the workplace.

With this type of assessment you will be given more than one opportunity to gain competency in particular units of competency or learning outcomes, and be expected to demonstrate the competency (is) in a variety of situations/contexts.  For course content information visit Maritime Safety Queensland 

As Brisbane Boating Courses' primary function is the provision of training and assessment in marine training in order to obtain an Recreational Marine Drivers Licence (RMDL) through the Boatsafe training scheme, the assessments undertaken comprise of two main assessment pieces.

A written test comprising of multiple choice questions which is designed to test the specific knowledge of the content which is to be applied in the practical scenario.

An “on the water” practical task where candidates must apply the required knowledge in a practical application and demonstrate the practical skills required to meet the competencies of both the ‘Boatsafe’ training package visit Maritime Safety Queensland

It is important to note that trainers will use other evidence to ascertain competence such as oral questioning, activities, anecdotal observations and electronic/web based study.  Where these are used the trainer will inform the candidate and log this evidence against the candidate’s profile.

Complaint and Appeal Process

Should you have any complaints or concerns regarding competency decisions after your course you may submit these in writing to:  The Manager, Brisbane Boating Courses PO Box 175 Clontarf Beach QLD 4019. Your complaint or concern will be considered as a matter of a high priority and you will be contacted by management as soon a practicable to discuss the matter. Further action will be taken by management appropriate to the circumstances.  A written response outlining the outcome of your complaint/appeal will be returned to you via Australia Post in a timely manner.  You also have the option to make any complaint or compliment directly to Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Complaints and Appeals Policy

Preamble

Brisbane Boating Courses quality teaching and learning, experienced staff and continuing liaison with industry on techniques and work standards, minimise the likelihood of any student dissatisfaction.  Nonetheless, if a student feels that he or she has grounds for complaint, he or she must have the right to represent this concern.

Purpose

This policy is to ensure that all Brisbane Boating Courses students have and know that they have a clear right to fair and equitable treatment in all of their dealings with us.  The organisation regards any expressed dissatisfaction as valuable feedback, an important learning opportunity and input to its continuous improvement process.

Any student who believes that he or she has been unfairly treated in any way has the right to present his or her case and have it dealt with fairly and effectively, and is invited  to do so.

Policy

Brisbane Boating Courses is committed to the highest standards of education and professional service.  In the event that any student perceives unfair or inappropriate treatment in their dealings with Brisbane Boating Courses, they should address the issue directly with their Trainer.  If the issue is not resolved in this manner, every student has the right to submit concerns in writing. They will then undergo due process; the student will be invited to represent his or her case formally and will be invited to have a ‘friend’ present at that representation.
Complaints and appeals include, but are not limited to, disputes involving assessment or program requirements.  Complaints may also address perceived problems relating to student perceptions of any other unreasonable treatment at the hands of our staff.

In resolving a complaint or appeal, it is the responsibility of the student to initiate the procedure outlined below within two working days of the problem occurring.  Only in special circumstances will incidents reported outside of this timeframe be investigated.

All formal complaints will be heard and decided within 10 working days of the receipt of the written Complaints & Appeals Record Form.

Initial investigations are undertaken by the lead trainer wherever he/she is not at the centre of the complaint; then procedures outlined below apply.  Where cases require to be referred beyond an initial investigation, they are to be provided to the owners of Brisbane Boating Courses in writing.  If the case remains unresolved , it will be referred to Boatsafe Queensland Inc. for final ruling.  If the issue still remains unresolved, Brisbane Boating Courses will provide the student with all the information necessary to place the matter in the hands of the appropriate Government Authority, typically Maritime Safety Queensland.

Procedures

  1. Brisbane Boating Courses trainers are equipped to accept and act on verbal or written advice of a complaint or appeal at any time; and in normal circumstances, are to be the first point of contact for a student with a concern.
  2. Complaints and appeals should be brought to the attention of Brisbane Boating Courses staff as soon as possible after they arise.
  3. It is the responsibility of any member of the Brisbane Boating Courses training staff to which a student expresses a concern; to ascertain if any particular staff member is at the centre of the complaint.  If they are that person, they are to arrange for another staff member who has not been involved with the issue, to undertake its investigation.  The responsible staff member will then :
    • Inform the student of their rights and provide them with a copy of the Complaints and Appeals Policy.
    • Arrange an appointment to interview the student in depth at the earliest possible time, allowing the student to be accompanied by a friend if necessary and referring them to an alternative member of staff if this is preferred.
    • Listen attentively and objectively to the student’s representation, clarifying as necessary.
    • Using questions, identify and note the nature, sequence and outcome of the reported incident, allowing the student an opportunity to verbalise his or her concerns.  This stage should also identify all actions of our staff involved in the matter.
    • Clarify the student’s purpose and the intended outcome of the complaint.  It may be that this opportunity to verbalise might serve the intended purpose.  No pressure is to be applied to the student to achieve this result. 
    • The complaint MUST then be logged on the Complaints Register with all applicable fields completed.
    • Where a matter is resolved at this stage, the staff member must then determine whether some adjustment to the policies, procedures, culture or other aspect of Brisbane Boating Courses operations might require modification. This is achieved through the system improvement section of the Complaints Register which is an integral part of both the feedback process which is referenced to the continuous improvement process.
    • Should the student wish to take the issue further he or she is to be advised to represent the concerns in writing, in accordance with paragraph 5 below.
  4. Brisbane Boating Courses is not in a position to investigate complaints or appeals that are notified outside of this time frame, unless special circumstances prevail.
  5. The owners(s) will review the written statement and interview the student formally, in the presence of a ‘friend’, if required; to review and consider all relevant information before closing the matter.
  6. Where a student is still not satisfied with the resolution of a complaint or appeal, he or she will be referred to the appropriate government authority.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Definition

RPL means getting credit for what you know  -  no matter where or how you learnt it - if your knowledge and skills are of the same standard as required in your vocational course.

RPL will allow you to:

  • Progress through the course at a faster rate
  • Do only new work (and not repeat the work in which you are already competent)
  • Have your knowledge and skill level formally recognised