Student Refunds Information

This applies to individual students and any organisation (employer etc.) or a guarantor responsible for a student’s fees and charges.

The availability of complaints and appeals processes does not remove the right of the student to take action under Australia’s consumer protection laws. Strategix, must comply with relevant legislation provisions.

To qualify for a refund the student must identify the funding or payment agreement/type made with Strategix. Where there are specific requirements that affect the student’s eligibility for a refund, further information can be found in Appendix A.

Examples of refund situations that may apply:

• Domestic student withdraws seven (7) days prior to the course commencing

• International student withdraws (28) days prior to the course commencing (cancellation fee applies)

• Western Australian and VET Student Loan student withdraws from the course on or before the Census Date of each semester are due a refund of the fees relating to that semester of study.

Fees and charges may not be refunded if a student withdraws after the course has commenced (except for in extenuating circumstances and contractual situations).

Extenuating Circumstances

A student may apply for consideration of a refund (full or proportionate) in situations of extenuating circumstances, such as:

• If the student suffers an illness or injury preventing the student from completing the course

• Circumstances beyond a student’s control

• Encountered catastrophic events within home country

• On compelling or compassionate grounds

  • Visa refusal*.

  • Exceptional circumstances beyond a student’s control does not include common changes to personal circumstances, such as moving house, change to a relationship or living arrangements, or changing the level of commitment to completing the study, or short term sickness or minor injury etc**

*International Students (Visa refusal):

Where a visa application is refused before commencement of the course, Strategix will refund fees in full except for:

• 5% of the amount of course fees received; or

• $500; whichever is lesser and

• The enrolment fee.

If a student’s current visa is expiring and a new visa was not granted and the course has commenced, Strategix will refund the unused portion of the prepaid tuition fees less the enrolment fee.

**Please note: Being unwell for one (1) week and does not justify being unable to complete the course. The student must make every effort to complete the course including requesting an extension, before consideration will be given regarding a refund. Any application for refund based on medical grounds must include a doctor’s certificate that indicates it is reasonable to assume that the illness/injury prevented completion of the course, and that the illness/injury was not a pre-existing condition.

Evidence must be provided to Strategix for any extenuating circumstances.

Non-refundable Situations

A student is not eligible for a refund in the event of a student default. Situations of student default include:

• Where a student fails to start the course on the agreed start date or attend class and fails to inform the Strategix in writing*

• Misbehaviour by the student which leads to removal from course

• A breach of student visa conditions by the student (international).

• Charges incurred whilst the CoE has been re-issued in the event of cancellation

*Except for WA and VSL (Census Date applies)

How to apply for your refund?

Apply for Refund

Students can apply for a refund through either the Withdrawal Form (as part of the withdrawal process) or the Refund Request Form, both can be found on Strategix’ website.

Application Decision

Refunds are to be processed and assessed in line with the policy in this document and a decision made to either approve or refuse the refund.

Approval

When an application is approved, the student is to be notified of the approval and informed that it the Accounts Department will be processing the refund shortly. The individual who approved the decision must notify the accounts department of the approval.

Refusal

When an application is refused, the student is be provided with a written notice stating the reason the refusal of a refund request within seven (7) days of their application. When a refund has been refused, a student may choose to appeal the decision as per Student Complaints and Appeals Policy and Procedure within thirty (30) days of receiving written notification.

Refund of Monies (if approved)

Once your application of refund (if) approved will be forwarded to the Accounts Department. The Accounts Department is responsible to action the refund in line with Strategix’ Invoice, Payment and Finance Procedure.

Accounts will process the refund within four (4) weeks from the point of Strategix receiving the completed application from the student (not from the point of being notified of the refund approval).

Refund Method

Generally, any monies to be refunded will to be paid direct into the nominated bank account via EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer), all refunds are made in Australian Dollars.

The total refund amount may be affected by Bank charges/fees made by bank draft or electronic transfer. Where possible refunds into international bank accounts may be deposited by a local account through Cohort Go, this is to reduce transfer fees and any international exchange fees.

Processing Time

Refunds will be processed within four (4) weeks from the date of receiving the completed application. Supporting documentation should be provided when applying for a refund to be assessed. Failure to supply sufficient supporting documentation will delay the refund process.

Provider Default or Cancellation

Strategix reserves the rights to cancel or postpone any course prior to the scheduled commencement dates, should it be necessary. In such circumstances, if the course is postponed by more than 4 weeks, and if the student is unable to enrol into a similar course at Strategix, all fees will be refunded. If the course is cancelled and if a student is unable to enol into a similar course at Strategix.

If, in the unlikely event, Strategix is unable to provide the program or unable to deliver a course/program in full, or an offer of a place is withdrawn, a student will be offered:

• A refund:

• Full (if not commenced) or pro rata (if commenced) refund of tuition fees paid

• Re-credit of the entire Tuition Fee paid to date where Strategix College assisted courses have passed the Census Date

• A place in an upcoming course

• Referral to another course of study

• Referral to another provider.

Related Documents:

Domestic Student Handbook

International Student Handbook

Withdrawal Form

Refund Request Form

Student Fees and Charges Information

Student Withdrawal Information

Payment Contract

DebitSuccess Management Agreement

Appendix A – Refund eligibility criteria (based on payment)

Refund requests prior to commencement – Students who withdraw prior to course commencement will be provided refunds under the following criteria:

Refund requests after course commencement – Generally speaking, with the exception of extenuating circumstances, Tuition Fees are not refunded if a student withdraws after the course has commenced:

Policy

This policy applies to Individual students and any organisation (employer etc.) or a guarantor responsible for a student’s fees and charges.

This policy and procedure, and the availability of complaints and appeals processes, does not remove the right of the student to take action under Australia’s consumer protection laws. Strategix, must comply with relevant legislation provisions.

The following sections outline the conditions surrounding refunds in relation to:

1. Provider Default or Cancelation

2. Student Withdrawals

3. Extenuating Circumstances

A. Provider Default or Cancellation

Strategix reserves the rights to cancel or postpone any course prior to the scheduled commencement dates, should it be necessary. In such circumstances, if the course is postponed by more than 4 weeks, and if the student is unable to enrol into a similar course at Strategix, all fees will be refunded. If the course is cancelled and if a student is unable to enol into a similar course at Strategix.

If, in the unlikely event, Strategix is unable to provide the program or unable to deliver a course/program in full, or an offer of a place is withdrawn, a student will be offered:

• A refund:

• Full (if not commenced) or pro rata (if commenced) refund of tuition fees paid

• Re-credit of the entire Tuition Fee paid to date where Strategix College assisted courses have passed the Census Date

• A place in an upcoming course

• Referral to another course of study

• Referral to another provider.

B. Student Withdrawals

Refund requests prior to commencement – Students who withdraw prior to course commencement will be provided refunds under the following criteria:

Refund requests after course commencement – Except for in extenuating circumstances, tuition fees may not be refunded if a student withdraws after the course has commenced:

C. Extenuating Circumstances

A student may apply for consideration of a refund (full or proportionate) in situations of extenuating circumstances, such as:

• If the student suffers an illness or injury preventing the student from completing the course

• Circumstances beyond a student’s control

  • Encountered catastrophic events within home country

• On compelling or compassionate grounds

• Visa refusal*.

*International Students (Visa refusal):

Where a visa application is refused before commencement of the course, Strategix will refund fees in full except for:

• 5% of the amount of course fees received; or

• $500; whichever is lesser and

• The enrolment fee.

If a student’s current visa is expiring and a new visa was not granted and the course has commenced, Strategix will refund the unused portion of the prepaid tuition fees less the enrolment fee.

Evidence must be provided to Strategix any extenuating circumstances.

Non-refundable Situations

A student is not eligible for a refund in the event of a student default. Situations of student default include:

• Where a student fails to start the course on the agreed start date or attend class and fails to inform the Strategix in writing*

• Misbehaviour by the student which leads to removal from course

• Exceptional circumstances beyond a student’s control does not include common changes to personal circumstances, such as moving house, change to a relationship or living arrangements, or changing the level of commitment to completing the study, or short term sickness or minor injury etc**

• A breach of student visa conditions by the student (international).

• Charges incurred whilst the CoE has been re-issued in the event of cancellation

*Except for WA and VSL (Census Date applies)

**Please note: Being unwell for one (1) week and does not justify being unable to complete the course. The student must make every effort to complete the course including requesting an extension, before consideration will be given regarding a refund. Any application for refund based on medical grounds must include a doctor’s certificate that indicates it is reasonable to assume that the illness/injury prevented completion of the course, and that the illness/injury was not a pre-existing condition.

Processing Time

Refunds will be processed within four (4) weeks from the date of receiving the completed application. Supporting documentation should be provided when applying for a refund to be assessed. Failure to supply sufficient supporting documentation will delay the refund process.

Refund Method

Generally, any monies to be refunded will to be paid direct into the nominated bank account via EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer), all refunds are made in Australian Dollars.

The total refund amount may be affected by Bank charges/fees made by bank draft or electronic transfer. Where possible refunds into international bank accounts may be deposited by a local account through Cohort Go, this is to reduce transfer fees and any international exchange fees.

Procedure:

Apply for Refund

Students can apply for a refund through either the Withdrawal Form (as part of the withdrawal process) or the Refund Request Form, both can be found on Strategix’ website.

Application Decision

Refunds are to be processed and assessed in line with the policy in this document and a decision made to either approve or refuse the refund.

Approval

When an application is approved, the student is to be notified of the approval and informed that it the Accounts Department will be processing the refund shortly. The individual who approved the decision must notify the accounts department of the approval. The refund is processed as per step 3 “Refund of Monies”.

Refusal

When an application is refused, the student is be provided with a written notice stating the reason the refusal of a refund request within seven (7) days of their application. When a refund has been refused, a student may choose to appeal the decision as per Student Complaints and Appeals Policy and Procedure within thirty (30) days of receiving written notification.

Refund of Monies (if approved)

Once advised, the Accounts Department is responsible to action the refund in line with Strategix’ Invoice, Payment and Finance Procedure.

Accounts will process the refund within four (4) weeks from the point of Strategix receiving the completed application from the student (not from the point of being notified of the refund approval).

Related Documents:

Domestic Student Handbook

International Student Handbook

Withdrawal Form

Refund Request Form

Student Complaints and Appeals Policy and Procedure

Invoice, Payment and Finance Procedure

Payment Contract

DebitSuccess Management Agreement

Standards Reference:

Glossary: