College Policies
Studying overseas is a big step. Every policy that shapes your time with us is published here in full — so you know how we work from the very start.
Know how we work — before you decide
Good policies are not fine print. They are how a school says what it will do, and then does it. Everything we work to is published here in full — so you can read it for yourself, at your own pace.
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Registered for 30 years
Only registered schools may enrol international students. We have held that registration, and welcomed students from overseas, for around three decades. CRICOS provider code 00500B.
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Australia's national standards
We work within the ESOS Act and the National Code — the standards Australia sets for teaching international students. Our policies are built around them.
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Published in full
No summaries, no fine print. Every document below is the complete official version, and each one names the standard it is written to meet.
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Current and dated
Each policy carries its version and review date, and is reviewed on a set cycle. The links here always open the version in force today.
New words? ESOS = the Australian law that sets the standards for teaching international students. CRICOS = the official register of schools approved to teach them. Provider = the school. You will see these words in every policy.
Every policy, in plain English
Search or filter to find what you need. Each card explains the policy in simple language before you open the full document.
Showing all 16 documents.
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Overseas Student Admissions Policy
How the College checks that your English level and previous schooling are right for the course, before you enrol — so you are placed where you can succeed.
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Overseas Student Academic Support Policy
The academic help you can expect if you are finding a subject hard — at no extra cost. Includes how the College identifies students who need support early.
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Overseas Student Complaints and Appeals Policy
How to raise a concern or appeal a decision — informally or formally. The process is free, fair and prompt, and it does not stop you going to an outside body.
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Overseas Student Homestay and Welfare Policy
The standards for homestay and student welfare, especially for students under 18 — how host families are checked, who supervises the arrangement, and how the College keeps you safe.
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Overseas Student Transfer Policy
When you may move to or from another school, and how to ask for a release. Australian law restricts transfers in the first six months of your main course — this explains the exceptions.
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Overseas Student Refund Policy
What happens to your fees if plans change — including a visa refusal, a withdrawal, or if the College cannot deliver your course. Explains how to claim and how long it takes.
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Overseas Student Visa Requirements: John Paul College Courses
What your student visa asks of you from Prep to Year 12, and on Study Abroad — attend at least 80% of your school days, and keep passing your subjects. It also sets out the support you are offered first if you fall behind, and every step the College takes before anything is reported.
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Overseas Student Visa Requirements: John Paul International College Courses
The same visa rules written for the High School Preparation Course and Primary School Preparation — the English standard to reach at each level, the 80% attendance rule, and how you move into mainstream classes when you are ready.
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Student Protection Policy
The College's full commitment to protecting children and young people — what staff must do, how concerns are reported and acted on, and who is responsible.
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Safeguarding Our Students
A parent-and-student guide to student protection, written as questions and answers. The clearest place to start if the full policy feels long.
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Student Protection Officers
The named staff you can go to if you feel unsafe or worried — including the Head of JPIC, Deputy Principals, Deans of Students and College Counsellors. With photos, so you know who to look for.
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Bullying Prevention and Management Policy
What bullying is, what the College does to prevent it, and what happens when it is reported. Built on the College values of Mutual Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence.
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Anti-Discrimination & Harassment Policy
How the College responds to discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification and bullying among adults in the community. Applies to staff, volunteers, parents and students over 18.
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Privacy Policy
What personal information the College collects about you, how it is used and stored, when it may be shared, and how to ask to see or correct it. Covers students, families, homestay hosts and website users.
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Attendance Policy
Why coming to school every day matters, how attendance is recorded, and what to do if you must be absent. Applies to Kindergarten, Primary, Secondary and the International School.
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Outside School Hours Care Handbook
The rules and daily arrangements for before-school, after-school and vacation care in the Primary School — useful for younger students' families.
No policies match that search
Try a simpler word — for example , , or .
These documents open on the College's policy site and are the official versions. If a policy changes, the link always shows the current one. Prefer to read in your own language? Ask our team and we will talk you through it.
Three steps to being heard
Nobody wants to complain. But if something is not right, you have a clear path — and it costs you nothing. You can bring a support person, and using this process never disadvantages you.
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Talk to someone first
Speak to your teacher, your homestay coordinator, or any member of the JPIC team. Most concerns are sorted out quickly and informally at this stage — often the same week.
Informal · usually fastest -
Make a formal complaint to the College
If you are not satisfied, put your concern in writing to the College. Your complaint is assessed through a documented process that is fair, consistent and prompt, and you are told the outcome and the reasons for it.
Free · in writing · you get reasons -
Go to an independent body
If you are still not satisfied after the College's internal process, you can take the matter to the Overseas Students Ombudsman — a free, independent Australian Government service for international students. Your enrolment continues while a complaint is being considered.
Independent · free · outside the College
The full process — including timeframes and how to appeal a decision — is set out in the Complaints and Appeals Policy.
Official Australian protections
These are Australian Government services. They exist to protect you, they are independent of the College, and they are free to use.
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The ESOS Framework
The law and standards that protect every international student in Australia, explained by the Department of Education.
education.gov.au -
Overseas Students Ombudsman
Free, independent investigation of complaints about private education providers — after you have tried the College's own process.
ombudsman.gov.au -
Tuition Protection Service
The Australian Government safety net for your tuition fees if a school cannot deliver the course you paid for.
education.gov.au/tps -
CRICOS register
Check any Australian school or course yourself. John Paul College's provider code is 00500B.
cricos.education.gov.au
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ESOS Act and how does it protect international students?
The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) is Australian law that protects students who come to Australia on a student visa. It sets rules that every school must follow on admissions, fees and refunds, welfare, complaints and course transfers. The National Code sits under the ESOS Act and sets the detailed standards. John Paul College’s overseas student policies are written to meet these standards.
What does CRICOS 00500B mean?
CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A school can only enrol international students if it is on this register. John Paul College’s CRICOS provider code is 00500B. You can check any Australian school or course on the official CRICOS register at cricos.education.gov.au.
How do I make a complaint or appeal a decision at John Paul College?
Start by talking to your teacher, homestay coordinator or a member of the JPIC team. Most concerns are solved quickly this way. If you are not satisfied, you can make a formal written complaint to the College, and the process is free. If you are still not satisfied after the College’s internal process, you can take your complaint to the Overseas Students Ombudsman, which is free and independent. Full details are in the Overseas Student Complaints and Appeals Policy.
Can I get a refund if my student visa is refused?
Refund conditions are set out in the Overseas Student Refund Policy and in the written agreement you sign before you pay. The policy covers both student default (for example, a visa refusal or withdrawal) and provider default. Under Australian law, this policy does not remove your right to take further action under Australian consumer protection law.
Can I transfer to another school before I finish six months?
Australian law restricts transfers during the first six months of your principal course. John Paul College cannot knowingly enrol a student transferring from another provider inside that period, except in limited circumstances — for example if the other provider’s registration or course has ceased, if a government sanction prevents you continuing, or if a government sponsor supports the change in writing. The Overseas Student Transfer Policy explains how to request a release.
How does John Paul College look after students under 18?
Students under 18 on a student visa must have their accommodation and welfare arrangements approved. The College offers homestay for students from Year 7 to Year 12, with checked host families, a homestay coordinator and 24/7 emergency support. The Overseas Student Homestay and Welfare Policy sets out the standards, and the Student Protection Policy applies to every student at the College.
Who can I talk to if I feel unsafe at school?
Speak to any trusted adult at the College, or go directly to one of the Student Protection Officers. These are named staff — including the Head of JPIC, Deputy Principals, Deans of Students and College Counsellors — whose role is to help you when you are worried about your safety or wellbeing, or that of a friend. Their names and roles are listed in the Student Protection Officers document.
How does John Paul College handle my personal information?
John Paul College is bound by the Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988. The Privacy Policy explains what personal information the College collects, how it is used, when it may be disclosed and how you can ask to see or correct it. It applies to students, parents and guardians, alumni, volunteers, homestay providers, contractors, visitors and website users.
Questions About Any of This?
Policies can be hard to read — especially in a second language. Our international team will explain anything you are unsure about, before you commit to anything.