International Student Specific Refund Information

Generally no refund is due after course commencement, should there be extenuating circumstances and consideration of a refund (full or proportionate) may be applicable. The Enrolment fee is non-refundable. If your refund application is denied you will be notified in writing.

International student funds will be held in credit for up to 12 months for you to return to study. Please contact Strategix if you require further information. Refer to the Tuition Protection Service section of this Handbook for information about if Strategix is ceases to trade.

This information applies to individual students and any organisation (employer etc.) or 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.

Refund Requests

To qualify for a refund, you must first identify the funding or payment agreement/type made with Strategix. This will inform you of any specific eligibility criteria or other requirements that apply. Refer to the Refund Eligibility Criteria section for further information on this. Examples of situations where refund requests will be actioned include:

• 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

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

• If you suffer an illness or injury preventing you from completing the course

• Circumstances beyond your control*

• Catastrophic events within your home country

• Compelling or compassionate grounds, such as visa refusal**.

*Circumstances beyond your control does not include common changes to personal circumstances, such as moving house, changes in relationships or living arrangements, changes in the level of commitment to completing the study, or short term sickness or minor injury, etc. Please note: Being unwell for one (1) week does not justify being unable to complete the course. You must make every effort to complete the course including requesting an extension, before consideration will be given regarding a refund. Any application for a 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.

**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 for any extenuating circumstances.

Non-Refundable Situations

A student is not eligible for a refund where a student has defaulted. This includes:

• Where a student fails to start the course on the agreed start date or attend class and fails to inform 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)

Apply for a 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’s website. Supporting documentation should be provided when applying for a refund. Failure to supply sufficient supporting documentation will delay the refund process.

Approval
When an application is approved, you will be notified of the approval and informed that the Accounts Department will be processing the refund shortly.

If approved, your refund will be processed within four (4) weeks from the point of Strategix receiving the completed application, not from the point of being notified of the refund approval. 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.

Refusal
When an application is refused, you will be provided with a written notice stating the reason for the refusal within seven (7) days of your application. When a refund has been refused, you can choose to appeal the decision as per Complaints and Appeals Information within thirty (30) days of receiving written notification.

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, in the unlikely event that 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.

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:

• The student withdraws prior to the withdrawal/census date

• The student does not commence a subject or a unit of study

• Withdraws on compassionate and extenuating circumstances

Refer to the Fee Refund Information Sheet for full details.

Strategix will refund in full any course fees, where notification of cancellation is received seven (7) days prior to course commencement. No refund is due after training has commenced. Strategix will provide negotiated refunds after commencement of a course in accordance with the following special circumstances:

• Inappropriate and/or offensive behavior is exhibited by Strategix staff (this may include discrimination, culturally insensitive comments or actions)

• Previously agreed (in writing) and mutually understood outcomes are not met

• The training program is cancelled or discontinued by Strategix.