Accredited Training

We are thrilled to announce the collaboration between the Australian Doula College and the Professional Development Centre trading as Australian College of Disability and Community Services (ACDCS) {RTO 41475} to deliver accredited doula training courses in Australia and worldwide.

Owned and operated by the Centre for Disability Studies (CDS), CDS has for over 24 years provided training to the industry both locally and internationally. We are thrilled to be working alongside an organisation whose values, approach and actions are aligned to ours.

Together with PDC the ADC will bring accredited doula training programs that set the highest industry standards. Students will be educated and supported by qualified trainers and assessors with a wealth of expertise and experience. Our team creates an enriching, transparent and transformative environment from enrolment to graduation.

 

Students can anticipate a curriculum designed to prepare them to have the confidence to deliver supportive and compassionate care that champions a deep understanding of the unique and diverse needs of every individual you will serve during transitional times in their lives.

Study with the Australian Doula college, become the doula you were always meant to be.

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About the Professional Development Centre

 

Welcome to the Professional Development Centre (PDC) trading as ACDCS, a leading training provider across NSW and beyond. We work with students and industry to ensure training needs are met. We specialise in community services and disability programs, and with a range of partnerships we are building our programs to meet the workforce needs of the industry. The purpose of this Handbook is to provide you with all the information that you need to know about studying with PDC. Studying Through The Professional Development Centre (PDC) The Professional Development Centre (PDC) offers exceptional, person-centred training to staff of the disability and community sectors.
 

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) registered with Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), we have an obligation to ensure the quality of the nationally recognised training and assessment we deliver. We must comply at all times with the Standards for RTOs 2015 which are part of the VET Quality Framework. To ensure compliance we have developed comprehensive internal policies, procedures and systems that guide our compliant operations and we must participate in audits with ASQA upon their request. In addition, we must ensure that any third parties that we work with who have any involvement in your training and assessment comply as well. This includes our training partners, marketing brokers and sales people where applicable. 

As the RTO we have the responsibility to issue your AQF certification documents in line with our issuance policy as outlined in this Handbook.

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If at any time you feel we have not met our obligations as an RTO, you have the right to make a complaint following our Complaints and Appeals Policy outlined further on in this Handbook.

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Contact Details

 

https://www.acdcs.edu.au/contact-us

Jessica Hawkins

students@acdcs.edu.au or 0427 364 806

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Enrolment

 

PDC accepts applications from all students who meet the entry requirements published in the course information.  Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis but if a course is full, you will be offered a place in a course starting at a later date. 

To apply to enrol in a course, you must complete an Enrolment Form/Application Form.  If you are applying for a course that has entry requirements you will also need to provide the necessary evidence (as indicated on the Course Outline) such as verified copies of qualifications, CV or other evidence.

If you are applying for Credit you should indicate this on your enrolment and supply certified copies of your transcripts so we can assess your application for Credit. See the section on Credits in this Handbook below.

Upon approval of your application/enrolment, you will be sent further information about the next steps, payment arrangements and how you can get started in your course.

 

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

 

A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a reference number made up of numbers and letters that creates a lifetime record for an individual of all the nationally recognized training that has been completed.  Under the Unique Student Identifiers Act 2014, all RTOs must ensure they have a valid USI for any student that enrolls in nationally recognised training from 2015.  This means (unless you have an exemption issued by the USI registrar) that as a student you must either:

• Provide us with your USI, or

• Provide us with permission to access or create your USI on your behalf.

For information about exemptions for individuals please review this webpage: https://www.usi.gov.au/training-organisations/training-organisation-requirements/exemptions-individuals/how-apply

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If you are providing us with permission to access or create your USI we will need a valid form of identification. The ID that you provide for this purpose will be destroyed once we have used it for this purpose.

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If you would like to create your own USI, please visit: http://www.usi.gov.au/Students/Pages/default.aspx

We are unable to issue a qualification or a statement of attainment unless we have a valid USI or a notice of exemption from the registrar.

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Credits

 

A credit is formal recognition of the previous studies you have completed for the purpose of reducing the units or modules that you are required to complete in the course you are enrolled in with us.

PDC can grant you credit towards your course for units of competency or modules that you have already completed with another RTO or authorised issuing organisation. We can also grant you Credit for subjects or units you have completed where equivalence can be established between the unit/ module in your course, and the subject or unit you have completed.

There is no charge to apply for Credit.

To apply, fill in the Credit Application Form and submit it as part of your enrolment/application. You can apply for Credit at any time however it is best you do this as part of your enrolment so that Credits are known upfront and you are not required to do any work that you otherwise may not have needed to do.

Make sure you attach certified copies of transcripts from your previous study. In some cases we may ask for additional information about the subject or unit you previously studied so we can determine equivalence. Your Credit Application may be returned to you if you don’t provide the required information.

In some cases, Credits may lead to a reduction in the course fees as there is less work involved in offering your course. This will be advised to you in writing.

You will be advised in writing of the outcome of your Credit Application.

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Recognition of Prior Learning   

 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where skills and knowledge that you have gained through work and life experience and other unrecognised training can be formally recognised.

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PDC has a process that has been structured to minimise the time and cost to applicants and provides a supportive approach to students wishing to take up this option.  You should ideally apply for RPL at the time of enrolment but you may also apply up to 2 weeks into your course.

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If you think RPL is a suitable option for you, the first step is to contact your trainer/assessor or our office and have a conversation about whether or not RPL might be suitable for you. Suitability is often determined on how much experience you have in a certain area, your work history and previous training. If RPL is determined as a possibility for you, you will be provided with a kit that will guide you in working through each unit to determine relevant skills and experience and identify whether you would be able to provide the required evidence.

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A trainer/assessor will be available to assist you throughout this process.

To apply for RPL, you will need to fill in a part of the kit and return it with an RPL Application Form. Your application will then be assessed for suitability and you will then be contacted by an assessor to progress the RPL process.

From here, usually the RPL process involves gathering evidence to demonstrate skills, knowledge and experience, responding to questions, completing tasks and depending on the area, observation of your work skills in your workplace.

Fees are applicable for Recognition of Prior Learning and you will be advised of these fees upon contacting us. Alternatively  - you may wish to insert details here regarding the application fee and any other fees and charges involved in RPL (or not if these vary from course to course).

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For more information about submitting an application for RPL, contact the head office.

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Assessment arrangements

 

At the beginning of each unit or cluster, your assessor will go through the arrangements for assessment with you and you will be given all the details about the assessment requirements. Assessment will take place by Australian Doula College Trainers and Assessors.

At this time you will:

• Be provided with detailed assessment instructions for each task/requirement which includes the criteria that you’ll be assessed against.

• Be informed of relevant due dates or timing of assessments to be conducted

Your assessor will go through all of the arrangements with you and you can ask them any questions you have.

Submitting your assessments

You must submit written assessment tasks via the Australian Doula College CANVAS site.

You must keep a copy of all tasks that you submit as we are not able to return copies because we must keep them as evidence in your file.  Additionally, we will not be held responsible for any items that go missing in the post. If this occurs, you will be asked to re-submit the work.

Written work will be marked within 30 days of receipt. Your assessor will provide you with written feedback.

Assessment outcomes

Each assessment task will be given an outcome of either Satisfactory (S) or Not Satisfactory (NS). You must complete all tasks for a unit satisfactorily to achieve an overall outcome of Competent (C) for a unit. If one or more of your tasks are assessed as Not Satisfactory, you will be given an overall outcome for the unit of Not Yet Competent (NYC).  You can have 2 further attempts to complete the task and achieve a Satisfactory outcome.  You will be given a timeframe for your resubmission and advised what you must include in your re-submission.

If, after the third attempt, you are still assessed as Not Satisfactory for a task, you will need to complete additional training and assessment to support you in achieving a Competent outcome. This may incur an additional fee for self-funded students as identified in the fees and charges information.

Reasonable adjustment in assessment

Some students may need modifications to assessments due to disability, illness or special considerations – this is called reasonable adjustment.

Reasonable adjustment can involve:

• Making training and assessment resources and methods more accessible e.g. providing learner workbooks in an audio format or on different coloured paper.

• Adapting physical facilities, environment and/or equipment e.g. setting up hearing loops.

• Making changes to the assessment arrangements e.g. more time allowed for assessments.

• Making changes to the way evidence for assessment is gathered e.g. written questions asked orally

Please speak to your assessor if you think that you may need an adjustment made. Note these adjustments are made at the discretion of your assessor based on your identified needs.

 

Appealing assessment decisions

If you do not agree with any assessment decision, you can lodge an assessment appeal.  Please refer to the Complaints and Appeals section in this handbook for information about how to lodge an appeal.

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Support services

 

We are committed to ensuring that you get all the support you need to be successful in your studies.  You may not have studied for a while and or you might need help with study skills.  You may also need assistance with skills such as reading, writing and maths.

The enrolment form you complete will help us to identify any support you need and depending on the course you are enrolling in, you may also be required to complete a test that assesses your language, literacy and numeracy skills.  Based on the information you provide in your enrolment and/or the results of your language, literacy and numeracy test, we will contact you to discuss your support needs.

Your support needs can also be discussed during the induction to your course.

Services that we can offer to you include:

• One to one support from our trainers/assessors including providing you with their phone and email contact details

• Classes to assist with study skills.

• Study groups where you can work with your fellow students.

• Referral to relevant external services.

• Specialist support services for students with a disability.

• Personal counselling

Contact us to discuss your support needs.

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Fees, Charges and Refunds

 

For our fees, charges and refunds policy please head to https://www.acdcs.edu.au/policy

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Complaints and Appeals

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For information on complaints and appeals please head to https://www.PDC.edu.au/policy