Online learning is flexible, convenient, and a great way to build your skills, but it can also feel very different from traditional classroom learning.
Before enrolling, it’s important to understand what the course requires and whether this mode of study suits your needs.
What online courses can I choose from?
See a list of the courses available to study online:
When choosing an online course, take time to review the essential skills, knowledge and assessment requirements. Think about whether any of these areas may be challenging for you.
Is online study right for me?
Online study often involves more independence and self-management than face-to-face classes. You will be responsible for planning your time, staying motivated, and keeping up with learning activities.
Developing good online study habits can take time but persevering will set you up for success. Please note that online students do not receive a timetable; you will be contacted by your lecturer who will advise on the first steps.
If you're unsure whether online study is right for you, or need assistance choosing an online course, you're encouraged to speak with our Client Contact Centre, who can direct you to the specific teaching area,:
T: 1800 001 001
Core requirements
As an online student, you will be expected to have:
- Suitable equipment - ensure you have a reliable device (PC/laptop) with a mouse, keyboard, speakers/headphones, microphone and possibly a webcam.
- Reliable internet connection - you'll need to connect to the internet to access learning materials, submit assessment tasks and participate in online classes.
- Standard software for all students i.e. you have access to various Microsoft 365 programs, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, which can be used via a web browser or downloaded on up to five devices, and 1 TB data storage in OneDrive.
- Course-specific software (this varies by course).
- Ability to troubleshoot problems with connectivity and your own devices
Demonstrating practical skills
Qualifications and accredited courses have training package requirements that students demonstrate practical skills. For online students, this means you may need to arrange a work placement or record your skills to upload and share with your lecturer.
Be aware that if you need to undertake a work placement, additional requirements such as getting licenses or clearances to work, may be necessary before you can enter the workplace. Some clearances involve fees or a delay in approval, and you will need to manage this well to be able to enter your work commitments on time. Also, some courses require you to meet the minimum age requirements to be able to find a work placement – underage students in these courses will be unable to complete their course.
In some courses, we require you to use online systems and tools to record your practical skills and create files that can be shared with your lecturer for marking. You may need to download and learn to use additional software to create the files that are compatible with our systems, so that lecturers can open and read your work well.
Competency-based assessment is a phrase you may come across during your study with us. It’s a system used by our lecturers in identifying and rewarding you for skills learned during study, work or life and contributes to your results in demonstrating skills that align with the training package requirements. Visit the Practical Skills Assessment for Online Students page on our website.
Read the study requirements tab of the course page on our website to find out what you can expect to need to do to satisfy the requirements of your course. Your lecturer will also provide instructions to you after you have enrolled for any practical requirements and preferred ways of software to demonstrate and share your work.