Frequently asked questions

Click here to see the current GIA Post Graduate Handbook. 

Governance Academy offers two study periods:

• Semester 1 — March to June
• Semester 2 — August to November

Refer to the Key Dates, Timetables and Fees page. 

The Governance Institute of Australia higher education qualifications are delivered entirely online, via our Learning Management System – Blackboard, that provides with the flexibility to study from anywhere at any time. 

To accept the offer of admission, students should: 

1. Read all information in the offer letter email, including the Student Fees Policy and Enrolment Policy; and
2. Reply to the offer letter email sent from Admissions, stating “I accept my Offer of Admission per the details enclosed” within 7 days from receipt of the offer letter. 

All students are expected to enrol into a subject via the Course Catalogue.  

If you require any assistance regarding your enrolment, see the Enrolment Information page or contact us at education@governanceinstitute.com.au  

Students can log in to the Learning Management System by following this link. Refer to Blackboard LMS Help and Navigation Tips for these instructions.  

If you require further assistance, please contact us at education@governanceinstitute.com.au  

Go to the Governance Institute login page and click on “forgot password”. 

The all subjects learning material including access to subscribed academic research e-databases is available through Blackboard.  

The following can be found within your Blackboard subject tile: 

• EBSCOHost and LexisNexis research platforms
• Academic Skill Resources including referencing and study guides. 

Attendance to the orientation is not compulsory. However, we highly recommend that all students attend online orientation session via Zoom. View the Key dates, timetables and fees page to see when the orientation sessions will run. Students will be provided with the Zoom link via email, alternatively find the link within the Calendar tab on Blackboard.  

Yes. All new students must complete two mandatory modules once during their studies.  

• Academic Integrity 
• Copyright Agreement 

These modules will become available at the beginning of the semester in Blackboard and must be completed before the end of the semester. 

Penalties will apply. Failure to complete these modules will result in a hold being placed on your final marks for the semester, and you will not receive your grades until these modules have been completed. 

For an unofficial transcript, please log in to the Governance Institute website and go to the “Academic Records” menu under the “Personal Details” menu. An official transcript can only be issued after the course completion. 

We assist our students in any possible way. Stressful circumstances and psychological and emotional issues can affect your health, your studies, and your relationships. When things get tough, it’s usually best to talk about it with a professional who can help. 

Governance Institute provides you with below emergency contact details to supplement the internal  Student Support, Feedback and Representation Policy.

View Students Emergency Contacts Support 2024

If you are experiencing personal difficulties and require higher level support, GIA can refer you to one of our partners Brisbane Counselling Centre that provides confidential, wellbeing assistance where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and concerns, either on Zoom or over the phone. Students are permitted for a maximum of 3 funded sessions.

Please do not hesitate to give them a call if you need any further information or have booking enquiries.

Contact Details:
admin@brisbanecounsellingcentre.com.au
Phone: (07) 3831 4452
After hours: 0448 864 411

If you have any more questions, please contact our Education Team at education@governanceinstitute.com.au 

No. You can meet our entry requirements through our non-academic entry route by providing evidence of general and professional qualifications or professional experience, including membership of professional organisations, which satisfies us that you have the capacity to undertake postgraduate study. Admission is initially on a conditional basis (see Admissions Policy). The academic entry route remains open for applicants who have a degree, including overseas degrees awarded by a recognised overseas university or higher education provider.

Yes. You must provide a Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) that clearly states your study entitlements whilst in Australia. Please note, Governance Institute of Australia is not on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and as such cannot accept applicants on a Student Visa.

No, we are not registered to provide FEE-HELP. We have a payment plan option whereby you can spread your student fees over three equal payments (see Student Fees Policy).

Awards study entails seeking admission to a course such as a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma and completing the subjects in the required sequence. The core subjects that make up the Graduate Certificate must be completed before you can progress to the remaining subjects in your chosen pathway in the Graduate Diploma. You must elect which pathway you intend following at the point of admission. If you later decide the alternative pathway is better suited to your career path, due to a change of job for instance, you can request to change your pathway.

If you only intend studying up to a maximum of two subjects you can do so on a non-award basis, the subjects not contributing to a course. Subjects studied on a non-award basis can later be transferred to an award course, hence the entry requirements for this type of study are the same as those for award study.

If your aim is to simply gain or refresh your knowledge, and you have no interest in gaining academic credit for the subject, you can study subjects without having to undertake the assessments.

Yes. If you successfully complete the four core subjects of the Graduate Certificate you can choose to graduate with this qualification. You can later return to complete the requirements for the Graduate Diploma.

The term advanced standing describes the recognition of prior learning which may be relevant and may be applied to your course. This learning is credited to your course and reduces the number of subjects you need to complete the course. It is your responsibility to identify prior learning that demonstrates you have gained the knowledge, understanding and skills equivalent to the stated learning outcomes for the subject(s) for which you are seeking advanced standing. The maximum amount of advanced standing that can be awarded in any course is 2 subjects [20 credits]. Advanced standing should not be confused with the term exemption, no longer used by Governance Institute.

Yes. Applications for provisional advanced standing can be made prior to admission and any advanced standing awarded remains valid for a period of one academic year. Offers not taken up within that period will be considered to be expired.

No. All students must study ‘Corporate Governance’, and any student undertaking the Qualifying Program for Chartered Secretary must study ‘Corporate Accountability: Meetings and Disclosure’ or ‘Public Sector Accountability and Transparency’.

We do not provide past assignment questions and answers. You will be given access to a single scenario-based sample examination question for your practice that reflects the style used in the examination itself. Following a period of practice, an outline answer will be provided for that sample examination question.

Most of our subjects require you to undertake an examination at the end of semester as part of the overall assessment for the subject. The examination typically is worth 50% of the overall mark, and students are required to meet a 40% threshold in the examination itself to pass the subject, regardless of the total aggregated mark. All examinations are held online during the examination week each semester and all exams are held in the AEST/AEDT time zone. Students located in other time zones must sit their exams at the equivalent time in their location.

You are required to make yourself available during the examination week. The examination week is scheduled in advance of the start of semester and is published on our website – plan ahead. Extenuating circumstances may mean you are eligible for special consideration to sit a deferred examination later in the semester. If you are unwell on the day of your examination, or experience other extenuating circumstances, you will need to submit an application for special consideration (see Special Consideration Policy).

All examination papers receiving a mark of less than 50% are remarked. Providing you meet the 40% threshold in the examination and your total aggregated mark for the subject is not less than 50% you will pass the subject. If you fail the subject you will be required to re-enrol, usually in the following semester, and complete all the assessments items. Carryover is no longer an option.

You can submit an appeal against the final subject grade issued at the end of semester providing, providing certain groups are met (see Review of Grade Policy).