Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy and Procedure

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to outline Academus Training Institute's expectations and response process in relation to alcohol and other drugs.

Academus Training Institute is committed to providing a safe, healthy, respectful and productive training and workplace environment. Alcohol and other drugs may affect judgement, coordination, behaviour, concentration, decision-making and the ability to safely participate in training, assessment or work activities.

This policy establishes clear rules for preventing and managing alcohol and other drug-related risks across ATI premises, training rooms, practical activities, assessment activities, workplace-based training, work placement, simulated workplace environments and ATI-approved events.

This policy supports ATI's duty of care obligations, workplace health and safety responsibilities, student safety, staff safety, assessment integrity and the professional standards expected in regulated training environments.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all persons who attend, work at, study with, visit or represent Academus Training Institute.

This includes:

• Domestic students
• Prospective students attending interviews, LLND checks, information sessions or enrolment activities
• Trainers and assessors
• Administration staff
• Management staff
• Contractors
• Third-party representatives
• Visitors
• Industry representatives
• Any person attending an ATI-approved training, assessment or business activity

This policy applies while a person is:

• On ATI premises
• Attending any ATI training or assessment location
• Participating in classroom training
• Participating in practical training or assessment
• Participating in simulated workplace activities
• Attending work placement or workplace-based assessment arranged by ATI
• Attending an ATI-approved event
• Representing ATI in any official capacity
• Using ATI facilities, equipment or resources

This policy applies to alcohol, prohibited drugs, misuse of prescription medication, misuse of over-the-counter medication and any other substance that may impair safety, behaviour or performance.

3. Policy Statement

Academus Training Institute has zero tolerance for any alcohol or other drug-related conduct that places students, staff, visitors, clients, workplaces, training outcomes or public safety at risk.

ATI prohibits:

• Attending training, assessment or work duties while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
• Using, possessing, supplying, selling or distributing prohibited drugs.
• Consuming alcohol during training, assessment or work duties.
• Consuming alcohol on ATI premises unless specifically authorised in writing by the CEO for an approved function.
• Misusing prescription or over-the-counter medication in a way that affects safety or behaviour.
• Participating in practical activities while impaired.
• Driving from ATI premises or an ATI activity where impairment is suspected.
• Refusing reasonable safety directions related to suspected impairment.

ATI recognises that some students or staff may take prescription or over-the-counter medication for legitimate medical reasons. Where medication may affect alertness, coordination, behaviour, judgement or safe participation, the person must notify ATI as soon as practicable so that appropriate risk controls, support or reasonable adjustments can be considered.

4. Relevant Legislation and Standards

This policy is informed by the following, as applicable:

• National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Outcome Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations 2025
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 NSW
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 NSW
• Privacy Act 1988 Cth
• Australian Privacy Principles
• Relevant NSW criminal legislation relating to prohibited drugs
• ATI Student Code of Conduct
• ATI Workplace Health and Safety requirements
• ATI Complaints and Appeals process
• ATI Student Support and Wellbeing arrangements

5. Definitions

Alcohol and Other Drugs: Alcohol, illicit drugs, prohibited substances, misuse of prescription medication, misuse of over-the-counter medication, synthetic substances or any other substance that may affect safety, performance or behaviour.

Impairment: A condition where a person's physical, mental, emotional, cognitive or behavioural functioning appears affected to the extent that safety, judgement, participation, performance or conduct may be compromised.

Prohibited Drugs: Drugs or substances that are unlawful to possess, use, sell, supply or distribute under applicable law.

Prescription Medication: Medication prescribed by a medical practitioner for a legitimate medical purpose.

Reasonable Suspicion: A belief based on observable signs, behaviour, credible information or circumstances that a person may be affected by alcohol or other drugs.

Fit for Training or Duty: A person is physically, mentally and behaviourally able to safely participate in training, assessment, work duties or ATI-approved activities without creating an unacceptable risk.

Practical Activity: Any training or assessment activity involving physical movement, role play, security scenarios, equipment, simulated workplace tasks, first aid practice, crowd control, conflict management, evacuation drills or any activity requiring safe participation.

6. Responsibilities

6.1 CEO

The CEO is responsible for:

• Approving this policy and procedure.
• Ensuring ATI maintains a safe training and workplace environment.
• Ensuring alcohol and other drug-related risks are managed appropriately.
• Authorising any exceptional approval involving alcohol at an ATI-approved function.
• Overseeing serious incidents, suspensions, cancellations or disciplinary actions.
• Ensuring procedural fairness is applied.
• Ensuring serious incidents are recorded and reviewed.
• Ensuring continuous improvement actions are implemented where required.

6.2 Compliance Manager

The Compliance Manager is responsible for:

• Maintaining this policy and procedure.
• Supporting records management and privacy requirements.
• Ensuring incidents are documented appropriately.
• Supporting compliance review and continuous improvement.
• Assisting with investigation records where required.
• Ensuring sensitive information is handled securely.

6.3 Trainers and Assessors

Trainers and assessors are responsible for:

• Monitoring student fitness to safely participate in training and assessment.
• Taking immediate action where impairment is suspected.
• Stopping unsafe participation.
• Reporting concerns to the CEO or delegated senior staff member.
• Recording relevant observations and actions.
• Maintaining a safe training and assessment environment.
• Applying assessment integrity requirements.
• Refusing to assess a student where safety or impairment concerns affect participation.
• Supporting students respectfully and without judgement.

6.4 Staff and Contractors

Staff and contractors are responsible for:

• Attending work fit for duty.
• Not being impaired by alcohol or other drugs while performing duties.
• Following lawful and reasonable directions.
• Reporting safety concerns.
• Notifying ATI if medication may affect safe work performance.
• Cooperating with any reasonable safety response.

6.5 Students

Students are responsible for:

• Attending training and assessment fit to participate safely.
• Not attending ATI premises while impaired.
• Not possessing, using, supplying or distributing prohibited drugs.
• Not consuming alcohol during training or assessment.
• Following trainer and staff safety instructions.
• Not participating in practical activities if they are unfit to do so.
• Advising ATI if medication may affect safe participation.
• Cooperating with any reasonable safety response.
• Seeking support early where alcohol or other drug concerns may affect training.

6.6 Visitors

Visitors are responsible for:

• Complying with ATI safety directions.
• Not attending ATI premises while impaired.
• Leaving the premises if directed due to safety concerns.

7. Prevention and Education

ATI will support prevention by promoting awareness of alcohol and other drug risks.

Prevention strategies may include:

• Providing students with behavioural and safety expectations during enrolment or orientation.
• Including alcohol and other drug expectations in student information.
• Including staff obligations during staff induction.
• Reminding students of fitness requirements before practical training or assessment.
• Encouraging early self-reporting where a student or staff member may not be fit to participate safely.
• Providing referral information for external support services where appropriate.
• Reinforcing duty of care and safety expectations during training.
• Managing incidents consistently and fairly.

ATI will not stigmatise a student or staff member who seeks support. However, seeking support does not remove the requirement to comply with this policy or attend training, assessment or work fit for participation.

8. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medication

ATI recognises that students, staff and contractors may lawfully use prescription or over-the-counter medication.

A person taking medication is not required to disclose private medical details unless the medication may affect safety, behaviour, judgement or participation.

Where medication may affect safe participation or work performance, the person must advise ATI as soon as practicable.

ATI may consider reasonable controls, including:

• Temporary adjustment to participation.
• Rescheduling practical activities.
• Allowing rest or recovery time.
• Seeking medical clearance where appropriate.
• Modifying participation where safe and reasonable.
• Referring the person to appropriate medical advice.

9. Observable Indicators of Possible Impairment

Reasonable suspicion may be based on one or more observable indicators.

Indicators may include:

• Smell of alcohol.
• Slurred speech.
• Unsteady walking.
• Poor coordination.
• Delayed reactions.
• Confusion or disorientation.
• Drowsiness or inability to stay awake.
• Unusual agitation or aggression.
• Erratic behaviour.
• Sudden mood changes.
• Poor concentration.
• Inability to follow instructions.
• Unsafe behaviour during practical activities.
• Repeated near-miss incidents.
• Excessive sweating, shaking or unusual physical presentation.
• Red or glassy eyes.
• Possession of alcohol or suspected prohibited substances.
• Credible report from another person.
• Unexplained absence, lateness or withdrawal combined with other indicators.

10. Procedure for Managing Suspected Impairment

10.1 Immediate Safety Response

Where a staff member reasonably suspects that a student, staff member, contractor or visitor may be impaired, the following steps must be taken:

1. Stop the person from participating in training, assessment, practical activities or work duties immediately.
2. Move the person away from practical activities, equipment or other safety risks where safe to do so.
3. Notify the trainer, CEO or delegated senior staff member as soon as practicable.
4. Speak with the person privately where possible.
5. Ensure the person is not left alone if there is a serious safety or welfare risk.
6. Prevent the person from driving if impairment is suspected.
7. Arrange safe transport where required, such as family contact, emergency contact, taxi or rideshare.
8. Call 000 immediately if there is a medical emergency, violence, threat, serious behavioural risk or immediate danger.

10.2 Private Discussion and Opportunity to Respond

The CEO, delegated senior staff member or trainer must speak with the person privately where practicable.

The discussion should:

• Explain the observed concerns.
• Explain that participation has been paused for safety reasons.
• Give the person an opportunity to respond.
• Ask whether there is a medical, medication or other explanation.
• Avoid making accusations.
• Avoid public embarrassment.
• Focus on safety and fitness to participate.
• Determine whether the person can safely remain on site.
• Decide whether the person must leave, rest, seek medical help or be collected.

The staff member must not attempt to diagnose the person.

Where a student states that medication or a health condition may be involved, the matter must be managed respectfully and confidentially.

10.3 Decision on Participation

Based on the level of risk, ATI may decide that the person:

• May continue participation if the concern is resolved and no safety risk remains.
• May remain on site but not participate in practical activities.
• Must be temporarily removed from class.
• Must reschedule training or assessment.
• Must provide medical clearance before returning.
• Must leave the premises safely.
• Must be suspended from participation pending review.
• Must be referred to emergency services where required.

11. Alcohol and Drug Testing

ATI may require alcohol and/or drug testing where reasonable, lawful and necessary to manage risk.

Testing may be considered where:

• Practical activities involve safety risk.
• There is a serious incident or near miss.
• There is reasonable suspicion of impairment.
• A workplace-based activity requires fitness for duty.
• A host workplace requires testing under its lawful workplace policy.
• A person wishes to dispute an impairment concern and testing may assist.

Where testing is used:

• Testing must be conducted by an authorised external provider or accredited collection centre.
• Results must be handled confidentially.
• Testing must be conducted respectfully.
• The person must be informed why testing is requested.
• Records must be stored securely.
• Procedural fairness must be applied before disciplinary or enrolment decisions are finalised.

Refusal to undertake a reasonable and lawful test may result in the person being treated as not fit to continue participating in training, assessment or duties at that time.

For students, refusal may lead to suspension from class, rescheduling of assessment, requirement for fitness evidence, or further action under the Student Code of Conduct.

12. Student Outcomes and Actions

Where a student breaches this policy or is reasonably suspected of being impaired, ATI may take one or more actions depending on the circumstances.

Possible actions include:

• Private discussion and reminder of expectations.
• Temporary removal from class.
• Exclusion from practical activities.
• Rescheduling of training.
• Rescheduling of assessment.
• Requirement to provide evidence of fitness to return.
• Written warning.
• Student support referral.
• Requirement to meet with the CEO or Training Manager.
• Suspension from training.
• Cancellation of enrolment for serious or repeated breaches.
• Notification to a workplace host where the activity is workplace-arranged and where it is lawful and necessary.
• Contacting emergency services or emergency contact where safety requires it.

Where an assessment is affected, the assessment may be stopped and rescheduled. The student must not be disadvantaged unfairly where the issue is caused by a legitimate medical matter and reasonable adjustment can be safely applied.

13. Staff and Contractor Outcomes

Where a staff member or contractor breaches this policy or is reasonably suspected of being impaired, ATI may take appropriate action.

Possible actions include:

• Immediate removal from duties.
• Direction to leave the workplace safely.
• Stand down pending review.
• Requirement to provide fitness for duty evidence.
• Formal discussion.
• Performance management.
• Written warning.
• Restriction from training or assessment duties.
• Suspension of duties.
• Termination of employment or contract.
• Referral to police or relevant authorities where required.

Any action will be managed in accordance with procedural fairness, employment or contract terms, safety obligations and applicable law.

14. Visitor Outcomes

A visitor who appears impaired, behaves unsafely or breaches this policy may be:

• Refused entry.
• Asked to leave.
• Escorted from the premises where safe and appropriate.
• Subject to police or emergency services involvement where required.
• Restricted from future attendance at ATI premises.

15. Driving and Safe Transport

ATI will take reasonable steps to prevent a person from driving if impairment is suspected.

Where a person appears impaired and intends to drive, ATI may:

• Direct the person not to drive.
• Ask the person to contact a family member, friend or emergency contact.
• Arrange taxi or rideshare transport where appropriate.
• Contact emergency services if the person refuses and creates a serious risk.
• Record the action taken.

ATI staff must not physically restrain a person unless there is an immediate safety emergency and it is reasonable and lawful to do so.

16. Emergency Response

Emergency services must be contacted immediately by calling 000 where there is:

• Loss of consciousness.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Suspected overdose.
• Serious medical concern.
• Violence or threat of violence.
• Risk of self-harm or harm to others.
• Unsafe attempt to drive.
• Serious behavioural disturbance.
• Any immediate danger to students, staff or visitors.

Staff must follow ATI emergency procedures and remain calm.

17. Support and Referral

ATI encourages early self-reporting and support-seeking.

Where appropriate, ATI may provide information about external support services, such as:

• General practitioner or medical centre.
• Drug and alcohol counselling service.
• Lifeline.
• Beyond Blue.
• Community health services.
• Employee support services, where applicable.
• Crisis support services.

Support may also include:

• Referral to student support.
• Discussion about course progression.
• Rescheduling where reasonable.
• Reasonable adjustment where appropriate.
• Temporary pause in participation where safety requires it.

18. Confidentiality and Privacy

Alcohol and other drug-related information may include sensitive personal information.

ATI will manage such information confidentially and in accordance with privacy obligations.

Information will only be shared where:

• The person gives consent.
• It is necessary to manage safety.
• It is necessary to provide support.
• It is required by law.
• It is required for a workplace, regulatory or compliance purpose.
• There is a serious risk to the person or others.
• Emergency services or authorities need to be contacted.

Records must be stored securely and accessed only by authorised personnel.

Staff must not discuss alcohol or drug-related matters publicly or with unauthorised persons.

19. Records

ATI will document incidents, decisions and actions taken under this policy.

Records may include:

• Incident report.
• Staff file note.
• Student file note.
• Observation details.
• Witness details where relevant.
• Action taken.
• Transport arrangements.
• Communication with the student, staff member or contractor.
• Suspension or rescheduling decision.
• Assessment rescheduling record.
• Medical clearance request where applicable.
• Test request or result, where applicable.
• Return-to-training or return-to-work decision.
• Complaint or appeal records.
• Continuous improvement actions.

Records must be factual, objective, respectful and limited to relevant information.

20. Procedural Fairness

Where ATI is considering disciplinary action, suspension, cancellation of enrolment or termination of engagement, procedural fairness must be applied.

This means the person should generally be:

• Informed of the concern.
• Given relevant information about the allegation or incident.
• Given an opportunity to respond.
• Treated respectfully.
• Given a decision based on available evidence.
• Informed of the outcome.
• Advised of complaint, appeal or grievance options where applicable.

Immediate safety action may be taken before a final decision is made.

21. Complaints and Appeals

Students who disagree with a decision made under this policy may access ATI's Complaints and Appeals process.

This may include decisions relating to:

• Temporary removal from class.
• Assessment rescheduling.
• Suspension from training.
• Cancellation of enrolment.
• Requirement to provide fitness evidence.
• Other decisions affecting participation.

Staff may access applicable workplace grievance or employment processes.

22. Breach of Policy

A breach of this policy may include:

• Attending training or work while impaired.
• Possessing prohibited drugs on ATI premises.
• Supplying or distributing prohibited drugs.
• Consuming alcohol during training or work duties.
• Refusing reasonable safety directions.
• Creating a safety risk due to alcohol or drug use.
• Misusing medication in a way that affects safety.
• Attempting to drive while impaired.
• Failing to notify ATI where medication may affect safe participation.
• Repeatedly attending training unfit to participate.

Serious or repeated breaches may result in cancellation of enrolment, removal from premises, termination of engagement or referral to authorities where required.

23. Continuous Improvement

ATI will review alcohol and other drug-related incidents to identify whether improvements are required.

Continuous improvement may include:

• Updating this policy.
• Improving student information.
• Improving staff induction.
• Strengthening practical activity safety briefings.
• Updating incident reporting forms.
• Improving referral information.
• Reviewing assessment rescheduling processes.
• Reviewing WHS controls.
• Providing staff training.
• Improving supervision arrangements.

Improvement actions must be recorded where required.

24. Related Documents

This policy should be read together with:

• Student Code of Conduct
• Student Health and Wellbeing Policy
• Student Support During Training Policy
• Workplace Health and Safety Policy
• Critical Incident Procedure
• Complaints and Appeals Policy
• Assessment Policy
• Training Delivery Policy
• Records Management and Data Reporting Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Staff Code of Conduct
• Continuous Improvement Policy

25. Review

This policy will be reviewed at least every two years or earlier where required due to:

• Alcohol or other drug-related incident.
• WHS issue.
• Student complaint or appeal.
• Staff concern.
• Legislative or regulatory change.
• Internal audit finding.
• Continuous improvement outcome.
• Change to ATI operations or delivery arrangements.

26. Version Control

Next Review Date: 1 December 2027, or earlier if required

Appendix A – Observable Indicators of Possible Impairment

Observable indicators may include, but are not limited to:

• Smell of alcohol.
• Slurred speech.
• Unsteady gait.
• Poor coordination.
• Delayed reactions.
• Confusion.
• Aggression.
• Unexplained mood changes.
• Poor concentration.
• Drowsiness or inability to stay awake.
• Red or glassy eyes.
• Shaking or sweating.
• Unsafe behaviour.
• Repeated near misses.
• Habitual lateness combined with other indicators.
• Unexplained absences combined with other indicators.
• Possession of alcohol or suspected prohibited substances.
• Inability to follow instructions.
• Sudden behavioural changes.

These indicators must be considered carefully and respectfully. Staff must focus on safety, observable behaviour and risk rather than assumptions.

Appendix B – Incident Response Checklist

Where impairment is suspected, staff should use the following checklist:

Appendix C – Student Acknowledgement Statement

I acknowledge that I have been informed of Academus Training Institute's Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy and Procedure.

I understand that I must not attend training, assessment or ATI activities while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

I understand that ATI may stop me from participating in training or assessment if there is a reasonable concern that I am not fit to participate safely.

I understand that serious or repeated breaches may affect my enrolment.

Student Name:

Signature:

Date: