When it comes to attendance at TAFE NSW, the rules around how many days you can miss depend largely on the course you’re enrolled in and whether you are a domestic or international student. Attendance is an important part of your learning experience, and maintaining consistent participation is essential to successfully complete your course.
Attendance Requirements for International Students
For international students studying at TAFE NSW, attendance is strictly monitored to comply with the Australian Government’s Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework. Students enrolled in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) must maintain at least 80% attendance each term. Falling below this threshold can trigger intervention strategies to support students or, in some cases, lead to withdrawal from the course if attendance does not improve.
Similarly, international students in other TAFE NSW courses are expected to regularly attend classes, practical sessions, and assessments. Poor attendance can affect your academic progress and may impact your visa status, as maintaining satisfactory course progress and attendance is a visa condition.
Attendance Expectations for Domestic Students
For domestic students, attendance policies can be more flexible and may vary depending on the course and campus. Some vocational courses emphasize competency-based learning, meaning students must demonstrate skills and knowledge rather than attend a fixed number of days. However, attending classes regularly is highly recommended to keep up with course content, participate in practical activities, and receive support.
In some apprenticeship or traineeship programs, a minimum attendance rate of around 50% of the course or unit may be required, but this is generally considered the bare minimum. To maximize your chances of success, aiming for 95% attendance is advisable.
Consequences of Excessive Absences
Missing too many classes without valid reasons can lead to:
- Being marked as “at risk” of not meeting course requirements.
- Receiving support interventions from TAFE NSW to improve attendance and academic progress.
- Possible withdrawal from the course if attendance remains unsatisfactory, especially for international students.
- Needing to repeat units or courses if competency cannot be demonstrated due to lack of participation.
What to Do If You Need to Miss Classes
If you have legitimate reasons for missing classes, such as illness or personal emergencies, it’s important to:
- Inform your teacher or course coordinator as soon as possible.
- Provide supporting documentation if required (e.g., medical certificates).
- Discuss options for catching up on missed work or attending alternative sessions.
- Seek support from student services if you’re facing ongoing challenges affecting attendance.
Summary
While TAFE NSW does not have a one-size-fits-all rule for how many days you can miss, maintaining consistent attendance is crucial, especially for international students who must meet visa requirements. For ELICOS students, at least 80% attendance per term is mandatory, and many vocational courses expect regular participation to ensure competency. Missing too many classes without valid reasons can jeopardize your course progress and completion.
To stay on track, communicate proactively with your teachers and use available support services if you face difficulties attending classes.