ANIBT Critical Incident Management Policy

1. Purpose

ANIBT is committed to providing appropriate support to both domestic and international students in the event of a critical incident, in accordance with the Educational Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) and the National Code 2018. This policy defines the system ANIBT uses to meet the requirements of the ESOS Act and the National Code 2018 in responding to critical incidents.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all ANIBT students, including domestic and international students, and to all ANIBT staff involved in responding to a critical incident, across all ANIBT campuses.

3. Regulatory Framework

This policy is developed with reference to the ESOS Act 2000 and the National Code 2018, including:

• The requirement for CRICOS registered training organisations to maintain a documented critical incident policy and procedure covering the action to be taken in the event of a critical incident, required follow-up, and record-keeping
• The requirement to notify the Department of Education (DE) and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) as soon as practicable after a critical incident, including via the Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS) where a student's death or other absence affects their attendance

4. Definitions

5. Policy Statement

5.1 CRICOS registered training organisations must have a documented critical incident policy and procedure covering the action to be taken in the event of a critical incident, required follow-up, and records of the incident and action taken; this policy applies to domestic students where relevant.

5.2 Where an international student dies or sustains serious injury, ANIBT may assist the student's family, including:

• Hiring interpreters
• Making arrangements for hospital, funeral, memorial services or repatriation
• Obtaining a death certificate
• Assisting with personal items and affairs, including insurance and visa issues

5.3 Where a critical incident involves a student or staff member who is off campus, the person receiving the information must immediately contact the Campus Manager and the Manager - Student Services & Academic Support, who will communicate with other staff and relevant persons as appropriate.

5.4 Any staff member receiving news or information regarding a critical incident, on or off campus, must contact the Manager - Student Services & Academic Support and/or the relevant Campus Manager, whose contact details are published on the Institute's website, in the student handbook, and on campus notice boards.

5.5 On receipt of information regarding a critical incident, the Manager - Student Services & Academic Support, in conjunction with the Campus Manager:

• Establishes a clear understanding of the known facts
• Contacts emergency services (000) where an emergency exists
• Arranges interpreter services (such as the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450) or counselling services (such as Lifeline on 13 11 14) where required
• Plans an immediate response and ongoing strategies, allocating individual roles and responsibilities for ongoing tasks

5.6 Where a critical incident involves suspected criminal activity, the matter is reported to Police regardless of any issues of consent or confidentiality, and where the incident is of a police or workplace health and safety nature, the area or site is not disturbed.

5.7 Based on an evaluation of the critical incident, the Manager - Student Services & Academic Support, in conjunction with the Campus Manager, implements the following as appropriate:

• Contact with next of kin or significant others
• Informing Police and relevant organisations able to assist, such as community, multicultural, or phone-counselling services
• Informing Institute staff and students, including preparing guidance for staff on what information to give students and a written bulletin where the matter is complex
• Briefing staff and delegating a staff member to manage telephone or counter inquiries
• Managing media and publicity
• Identifying students and staff most closely involved and ensuring they are offered support and counselling
• Arranging an initial group or individual debriefing session with counsellors
• Maintaining privacy principles
• Arranging access to emergency funds if necessary

5.8 The Campus Manager, in conjunction with the Manager - Student Services & Academic Support, records the incident in the Critical Incident Report, including:

• The time, location and nature of the incident
• The names and roles of persons directly involved
• The action taken by the Institute
• The organisations and people contacted

The Critical Incident Log is then updated, and DHA is informed if required.

6. Responsibilities

7. Documentation and Record-Keeping

The Critical Incident Report and Critical Incident Log are stored in the Critical Incident file located at both Institute campuses. A copy of the Critical Incident Report is also stored in the student's file, if applicable.

8. Review and Updates

This policy is reviewed periodically to ensure ongoing compliance with the ESOS Act 2000 and the National Code 2018, and is updated to reflect changes in legislation, regulatory requirements, or best practice.