Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers about the Southbank Tertiary Entrance Program (STEP)
- How do I find out if my school is registered?
- Who is my STEP Coordinator?
- How many hours do I attend SBIT per week?
- How do I register my interest in STEP?
- How much will it cost me?
- When will I know my timetable?
- Is the timetable flexible?
- What do I do if my child is sick?
- When do applications open?
- When do applications close?
- Can I still apply for STEP if my school is not registered?
- What date do I commence study in 2011?
- Will STEP affect my high school results?
- What if I find STEP too difficult?
- What happens if I fail a subject? Can I still move on to the next semester?
- Can I study two STEP programs at once?
- Will I be in a separate class for high school students?
- I am an international student, can I apply for STEP entry?
- Do I need to apply through QTAC at the end of Year 12 to continue my Diploma after school?
- Do I obtain an automatic pathway into university?
- How much time do I have left to complete my Diploma when I come to SBIT?
- Can STEP students enrol mid-year?
- Can students commencing Year 12 in 2011 enrol in STEP?
How do I find out if my school is registered?
Your Principal needs to register your school and nominate a STEP Coordinator as part of the STEP registration process. Therefore, please ask at your school’s reception desk.
Who is my STEP Coordinator?
Your STEP Coordinator is nominated by your Principal. Please ask at your school’s reception desk for the name of your STEP Coordinator.
How many hours do I attend SBIT per week?
This depends on the Diploma you choose to study. Students will be required on campus one day per week for up to 8 hours each semester.
The day STEP students are required on campus may change by semester.
How do I register my interest in STEP?
The STEP team will be making some changes to the registration process for 2011. Once these changes have been confirmed, they will be available for viewing here. Watch this space!
How much will it cost me?
STEP students will not be required to pay any tuition fees, only the material fees associated with their STEP units.
Material fees for each Diploma are different. Please refer to the STEP Diploma brochures for more information on costs. Please note - payment will be required on a per semester basis.
When will I know my timetable?
Timetables for each semester will be available in the timetable section of the STEP webpage at least 2 months before start of study date. The allocated day STEP students are required on campus may change by semester.
Is the timetable flexible?
Depending on the Diploma a STEP student chooses to study, they may be offered two options when considering their semester timetable. The options made available by SBIT are not able to be changed. The allocated day STEP students are required on campus may change by semester.
What do I do if my child is sick?
Parents must liaise directly with the school's STEP Coordinator if their child is sick and unable to attend Southbank Institute of Technology. The STEP Coordinator will then inform SBIT directly.
When do applications open?
Dates for the 2011 intake are yet to be confirmed. Watch this space!
When do applications close?
Dates for 2011 are yet to be confirmed. Warch this space!
Can I still apply for STEP if my school is not registered?
No, however it is very easy for a school to register with the STEP program. Therefore, please ask at your school’s reception desk for the best person to speak to about getting your school registered.
What date do I commence study in 2011?
Start of study date will depend on the Diploma chosen. It is likely to be the week commencing 1 February 2010. STEP students will be required to attend orientation with all other SBIT students prior to start of study. Orientation dates and start of study dates will be sent to the students’ STEP Coordinators in November 2009 for distribution to STEP students.
Will STEP affect my high school results?
STEP will contribute towards your QCE points. Please see your STEP Coordinator for more information.
What if I find STEP too difficult?
Southbank staff will endeavour to do all they can to help STEP students successfully complete their STEP Diploma. In a situation where STEP study is proving too difficult, it is highly recommended the STEP student and their Parent/Guardian seek further guidance from their school’s STEP Coordinator.
What happens if I fail a subject? Can I still move on to the next semester?
If a STEP student fails a subject, they may or may not be able to move onto the next semester. If the failed subject is a pre-requisite for other units to be taught as part of the STEP program, students may not be able to continue their studies immediately. This situation will be dealt with on an individual basis.
Can I study two STEP programs at once?
No.
Will I be in a separate class for high school students?
All STEP students attend class and/or share facilities with Southbank Institute of Technology full-time and part-time students.
I am an international student, can I apply for STEP entry?
Not at this stage. Due to the State Government funding criteria, STEP students must be Australian citizens or residents for entry into the STEP program. The STEP team is currently working on STEP International which will be delivered from 2011. Please talk to your STEP Coordinator for more information.
Do I need to apply through QTAC at the end of Year 12 to continue my Diploma after school?
No. Following Year 12, STEP students will have the opportunity to complete their entire Diploma program at SBIT with confirmed entry and credit into the Diploma they have been studying.
Do I obtain an automatic pathway into university?
Not at this stage. It is likely that STEP students will be required to apply through QTAC to confirm their intention to transition to university. However SBIT is working towards guarantee entries for university pathways.
How much time do I have left to complete my Diploma when I come to SBIT?
This depends on the Diploma chosen. Please refer to the STEP Diplomas section for more information.
Can STEP students enrol mid-year?
At present, a mid year intake is not part of the STEP program.
Can students commencing Year 12 in 2011 enrol in STEP?
The STEP program has previously accepted applications from year 11 and year 12 students. The STEP team is making some changes to the application process and will confirm shortly whether applications from year 12 students will continue to be accepted. Watch this space!
Last updated 23 July, 2010