International Policies and Procedures
Cancellation and refund policies
For international students, it’s essential that you are aware of all cancellation and refund policies. This policy applies to all international students, and it’s important that you read and understand it.
If you do not pay your fees in full by the payment due date, you will incur a penalty and may face exclusion from classes. Failure to make payment by the due date will result in a 20-working-day intention to report to the Department of Home Affairs for non-payment of fees. This may lead to cancellation of your enrolment at the Institute and could affect your student’s visa.
The Institute will refund all pre-paid course fees if:
Your course is cancelled or undelivered.
The commencement of your course is postponed by the Institute for more than four weeks.
You are refused an offer of a place due to capacity limits.
In the unlikely event that the Institute is unable to deliver the course in full, you will be offered an alternative place at no extra cost. Alternatively, you will be refunded the unspent portion of your tuition fees within ten working days of the day the course ceased to be provided.
The Institute will refund all course fees you have paid, less an administration fee, if:
You are refused a visa to study in Australia.
You are prevented from entering a course by reasons beyond your control.
You withdraw from the course and return home before a course commenced because of compassionate or compelling circumstances.
You do not satisfy conditions attached to your offer, and the Institute withdraws the offer.
If you receive a visa refusal or withdraw for compassionate or compelling circumstances after you have commenced the course, the Institute will refund all tuition fees paid, less the amount for the period already studied.
If you withdraw due to a change of mind, or the Institute determines that compassionate or compelling circumstances do not exist:
More than 28 days before the course or term commencement, all course fees paid will be refunded, less an administration fee.
Between seven and 28 days before the course or term commencement, 80% of the fees paid in advance will be refunded.
Seven days or less before course or term commencement, then no refund is granted.
On or after the day the course or term commences, then no refund is granted.
No refund will be given if:
You breach the conditions of your student visa.
Your enrolment is cancelled due to breach of the Student Code of Conduct Policy.
You breach academic course progress requirements for international students.
You have not returned a signed Offer and Acceptance Agreement.
A payment or other document provided is deemed to be fraudulent.
Accommodation arrangement fees will be refunded if notice is provided within ten working days before your arrival date.
OSHC costs paid directly to the Institute will be refunded if you have not arrived and have never resided in Australia. If you have already arrived in Australia, you must request a refund directly from your OSHC provider.
In the event of a dispute between you and the Institute, the dispute will be resolved in accordance with the Complaints & Appeals Policy.
The Institute’s dispute resolution process does not limit your right to pursue other legal remedies.
Claims for refunds should be made as soon as practicable after the event. Claims must be in writing, with relevant supporting documentation, and should be addressed to the International Students Unit. Refunds will only be paid to the same person or organisation who has paid the fees.
Please view the full list of policies in the “International Student Fee Payment & Refund Policy.”
The grounds that could lead to deferred, suspended or cancelled enrolments
For international students, you must be aware of the grounds that could lead to a deferment, suspension or cancellation of your enrolment.
This policy applies to all international students studying with us, and it’s essential that you read and understand it. Regardless of the reason, a deferment, suspension or cancellation of your enrolment may affect your student visa.
Our policies and procedures for international students are in accordance with the following Australian regulations and policies:
Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 (Cth)
Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Regulations 2019 (Cth)
National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code)
You can defer or temporarily delay your studies before course commencement. This process can also be initiated by the Institute. A deferment becomes official once recorded in PRISMS and a new start date is listed on the CoE.
If you want to defer your studies, you must notify the Institute before their course commencement date.
Approval for deferment will only be granted in accordance with compassionate or compelling circumstances. These include:
Serious illness or injury, with a medical certificate.
Bereavement of a close family member, such as a parent or grandparent.
Major political upheaval or a natural disaster in your home country that requires emergency travel and impacts your studies.
A traumatic experience, such as witnessing or being the victim of a serious accident or crime.
The institute was unable to offer a required prerequisite unit.
Delays in receiving the student visa that prevented you from starting your course by the commencement date.
If you wish to take a break from your studies without demonstrating compassionate or compelling circumstances, you must withdraw and re-apply when you are ready to return to study.
Either you or the Institute can suspend or temporarily postpone your enrolment.
Suspension by student
You can only suspend your studies due to compassionate or compelling reasons.
All international students must submit appropriate documentation before taking leave from studies in compliance with student visa conditions. For advice on how a leave of absence may affect your student visa, contact the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). If the approved leave impacts your ability to complete your course within the required timeframe, you will need a new CoE, which may impact your student visa.
Weddings, cultural and religious activities are not acceptable reasons for suspension of studies.
Suspension by the Institute
The Institute has the right to suspend your enrolment on the following grounds:
Compassionate or compelling circumstances supported by evidence.
Disciplinary reasons where a student breaches the Institute’s Student Code of Conduct Policy resulting in suspension of your enrolment.
If your enrolment is cancelled, you are no longer a student of the Institute. If you are a transfer-restricted student, cancellation of your enrolment doesn’t automatically grant you a release. Transfer-restricted students must apply for a release separately.
Cancellation by student
Your enrolment may be cancelled for non-commencement where a lack of action indicates you will not be commencing or continuing your planned studies. This includes:
Where you do not commence your course when you are due to and have not notified the Institute in writing.
Where you requested a deferment, suspension or leave of absence but it was not approved, and you took an unapproved break from studies.
Where you haven’t completed your course and do not return to your studies after an approved holiday break, deferment, suspension or leave of absence.
If you are transferring to another provider, see the International Student Transfer Policy for how this affects your enrolment.
Cancellation by the institute
The Institute has the right to cancel your enrolment for the following reasons:
Disciplinary reasons: You breach the Institute Student Code of Conduct Policy leading to disciplinary action
Non-Compliance with visa conditions: You display unsatisfactory course progress or unsatisfactory attendance resulting in non-compliance with student visa conditions
No longer holding a student visa: Evidence of a change in visa type or status means you are eligible to enrol as a domestic student or no longer have study rights in Australia.
Non-payment of fees: You default in paying your tuition fees as per the signed International Offer and Acceptance Agreement.
Under-enrolment: You deliberately under-enrol (taking less than a normal load without good reason) despite advice from the Institute.
Non-delivery of a course: The Institute is unable to deliver your registered course, in whole or in part, for any reason.
If you are notified of an intention to report a suspension or cancellation for disciplinary reasons, non-compliance with visa conditions, or non-payment of fees, you have 20 working days to access the Institute’s complaints and appeals process.
If you access the complaints and appeals process, the suspension of your studies or cancellation of your enrolment will not take effect until the internal process is completed, unless extenuating circumstances relating to your welfare apply.
Please view the full list of policies in the “International Student Deferral, Suspension or Cancellation of Enrolment Policy”
