• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Section 4 - Procedures
• The Handbook
• The Learning Guide
• Curriculum Publication, Access, and Authoritative Version
• Learning Guides - Publication and Access
• Handbook Content
• Learning Guide
• Mandatory Content

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) These procedures provide information on the basic framework of student-focused documentation related to learning and teaching activities and assessment in curriculum. This includes the requirements for the preparation, approval and dissemination of key resources.

(2) The University is committed to making clear to students what they are expected to learn and how they will be assessed.

(3) There are two key resources for each subject:

1. Handbook; and
2. Learning Guide.

(4) These procedures should be read and understood in conjunction with the following policies and procedures:

1. Assessment Policy;
2. Curriculum Approval Procedures;
3. Curriculum Design and Approvals Policy;
4. Curriculum Structure Procedures;
5. Examination Policy;
6. Examination Procedures; and
7. Student Misconduct Rule.

Section 2 - Definitions

(5) For the purposes of these procedures, and consistent with the Curriculum Design and Approvals Policy, definitions that apply can be found in the Policy DDS Glossary.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(6) Curriculum Design and Approvals Policy.

Section 4 - Procedures

The Handbook

(7) The Handbook entry provides current and prospective students with clear and concise information about expectations and requirements for the program of study and must include:

1. what a student would expect to learn from studying the program in summary form;
2. the formal status of the program and subject, including credit points, subject level, pre-requisites for study, and mode of study;
3. the approved assessment requirements for the subject; 
4. information compliant with the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 and Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000/ESOS National Code requirements.

The Learning Guide

(8) The Learning Guide provides detailed information to students to support them in their learning and:

1. supplements the information on the Handbook, and details the fundamental mutual obligations and responsibilities of the University and students, in relation to the subject;
2. makes explicit the links between the subject learning outcomes (SLOs) and program learning outcomes (PLOs);
3. makes explicit the links between each assessment and the SLOs;
4. provides information about each assessment, including due dates, instructions for submission, and details about the assessment criteria and standards;
5. gives a clear description of what is expected in order for students to achieve particular grades in the subject;
6. describes how content, assessment and learning activities are linked.

(9) Curriculum approved in accordance with the Curriculum Design and Approvals Policy is published in the University Handbook. When changes to curriculum are approved, the Handbook is updated accordingly.

(10) Academic staff are responsible for the provision of more extensive details about learning and teaching activities and assessments in the Learning Guide. 

(11) Learning Guides are approved by the Deputy Dean of the School or nominee(s).

(12) The Deputy Dean is responsible to ensure that there are quality assurance processes in place for the approval of Handbook content and Learning Guides within their discipline areas.

(13) The material included in the Learning Guide must be consistent with the approved subject proposal and Handbook.

Curriculum Publication, Access, and Authoritative Version

(14) Handbook content will be reviewed in accordance with the published schedule and any subject changes confirmed to ensure publication at least two weeks prior to the commencement of each term in which the subject is taught.

(15) Access to the Handbook is available on the University's website. 

(16) Copies of the Handbook will be stored in the University's official records management system by at least annually.

(17) The publicly available version will be the authoritative version of the Handbook.

(18) The Deputy Dean is responsible for ensuring the School provides the required information to enable adherence to the required timelines for the publishing of curriculum information on the Handbook.

Learning Guides - Publication and Access

(19) Learning Guides will be available a minimum of one week before commencement of each term in which the subject is taught.

(20) Learning Guides will be made available to registered students in the University's Learning Management System (LMS) and on the Library website.

(21) Copies of all Learning Guides will be stored in the University's official records management system bi-annually following the census date for the two main terms. 

(22) The Deputy Dean is responsible for ensuring the School provides the required information to enable adherence to the required timelines for the publishing of Learning Guides.

Handbook Content

(23) Program details in the Handbook will include: 

1. Program name and code;
2. Approved abbreviation;
3. Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level;
4. Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) code if applicable;
5. Status;
6. Handbook summary;
7. Study Mode (includes duration);
8. Contacts (Director, Academic Program, Academic Program Advisor or other general contact point);
9. Location, attendance type and mode;
10. Credit for Prior Learning (Credit);
11. Accreditation applicable;
12. Inherent Requirements;
13. Admission;
14. Special Requirements, including program rules such as maximum time to complete and maximum leave of absence when enrolled in a professionally accredited program;
15. Work Integrated Learning (WIL);
16. Program Structure / recommended sequence (includes links to field of study where applicable);
17. Major/minor elective spaces if applicable.

(24) Fields of Study (majors, minors, concentrations) details in the Handbook will include:

1. Field of Study type, name and code;
2. Field of Study status;
3. Related programs;
4. Availability in other programs (Yes/No);
5. Handbook summary statement;
6. Location, study mode and contact;
7. Field of Study structure and recommended sequence (includes links to other fields of study where applicable).

(25) Subject details in the Handbook will include:

1. School name;       
2. Subject name and code;
3. Discipline;
4. Student Contribution Band;
5. Subject level;
6. Credit points;
7. Subject Coordinator name;
8. Assumed knowledge;
9. Pre-requisites;
10. Co-requisites;
11. Equivalent subjects;
12. Subject incompatible with and not to be counted for credit with;
13. Restrictions;
14. Term, campus, mode of offer for which the Handbook applies and Subject Coordinator name;
15. Handbook summary and subject description;
16. Special Requirements – Legislative Pre-requisites;
17. Special Requirements – Essential Equipment;
18. Attendance requirements;
19. Subject Learning Outcomes;
20. Assessment Summary that includes assessment type, items, weighting, SLO assessed and threshold requirements;
21. Mode of delivery;
22. Prescribed subject-text book, if applicable;
23. Online learning requirements, including hardware and software requirements;
24. Programs and field of study structures that include subject.

Learning Guide

(26) Learning Guides are created through the Learning Guide Management System, supported by the Education and Program Support Team. Learning Guides should meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2 Level AA.

Mandatory Content

(27) It is mandatory for all Learning Guides to have content that covers the following topics:

(28) Refer to the Learning Guide Management System.