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Terms and Conditions

Review of Tuition Fees

TAFE NSW reserves the right to review its fees and charges. If tuition fees are increased you will be required to pay the new fees from the commencement of the next semester. If you defer your course, you will be required to pay the fees applicable at your new commencement date.

Variation of Tuition Fees

If you are required to repeat subjects to complete your course of study or granted a variation to your study load due to recognition of prior learning, a pro rata fee will apply if the number of hours of study is less than 50% of a standard semester load. However, if the number of hours of study is equal to or more than 50% of a standard semester load, a full semester fee will apply.

TAFE NSW Vocational and Packaged Programs

Payment of fees

New students must pay the registration fee, English language fee (if applicable), OSHC, and half year or the whole year's vocational course tuition fees by the due date stated in the letter of offer and prior to the start of the course. If students only pay half the year's tuition fee, the balance is payable two to three weeks before the commencement of their second semester.
When you pay fees for a packaged English language and vocational course with TAFE NSW, the fees for the English language course are charged at the lower packaged rate of A$300 per week. If you withdraw from the TAFE vocational course, then the normal English language fee applies i.e. A$340 per week for 20 weeks or less / A$320 per week for more than 20 weeks.
Continuing students must pay the tuition fee for their next semester of study before the due date on their fee statement, normally two to three weeks before the commencement of the next semester or a Late Payment Fee of A$200 will apply. Failure to pay the fees may lead to cancellation of enrolment. Results will be withheld when fees are outstanding.

Change of Course/College and fees

Once an eCoE has been issued to you and you wish to change your course or college within the ﬁrst semester of enrolment, an application to change course must be lodged with the DEC International Students Centre. Approval of the application is not guaranteed.

Different tuition fees may apply for the same course at different colleges. Where a change of college, either within a TAFE NSW Institute or at another TAFE NSW Institute is approved, and a higher tuition fee applies for the same course at the second campus, you must pay any difference in the fees applicable before you can enrol in the second campus. If a lower fee applies for the same course at the second campus, you can either apply for a refund of the excess fee or the excess will be carried forward as a credit to next semester fee.

Refund Policy for Vocational Course

Application fees are not refundable. Tuition fees are not refundable if:

A student fails to comply with the conditions of enrolment at a TAFE NSW Institute.
A student breaches any of the visa requirements of his or her visa as imposed by the Australian Government.
A student withdraws from their vocational course after the course semester has commenced.
A student/parent provides false or misleading information.

Part or whole of the tuition fees are refundable under the following circumstances:

TAFE NSW will refund 100 percent of the tuition fees paid if your application for a visa to study in TAFE NSW is rejected before commencing a course.
TAFE NSW will refund 90 percent of the tuition fees paid if you withdraw from your vocational course 4 weeks (28 days) or more before course semester commencement, except where you have applied for a packaged English language and vocational course, where the English language fees have been charged at the lower rate of A$300 per week. Withdrawal from the vocational course will incur the charge for the relevant English language fee calculated by reference to the weekly rate of A$320 or A$340. The difference between the relevant fee and the lower packaged fee for English will be deducted from the vocational course tuition fees.
TAFE NSW will refund 80 percent of the tuition fees paid if you withdraw from your vocational course within the ﬁnal 4 weeks (28 days) before the course semester commencement, except where you have applied for a packaged English language and vocational course, where the English language fees have been charged at the lower rate of A$300 per week. Withdrawal from the vocational course will incur the charge for the relevant English language fee calculated by reference to the weekly rate of A$320 or A$340. The difference between the relevant fee and the lower packaged fee for English will be deducted from the vocational course tuition fees.
TAFE NSW will refund 75 percent of the tuition fees for the vocational course where you:
- Apply for both a TAFE NSW vocational course and an undergraduate course in an Australian university immediately following the completion of the NSW Higher School Certiﬁcate; and
- Withdraw from the vocational course no later than 14 days after the February start date to take up your place in a higher education degree course.
TAFE NSW will transfer the tuition fees from your vocational course to a TAFE NSW higher education course if you withdraw from the vocational course and enrol in the TAFE NSW higher education course within 14 days after the semester commencement.
If you commence a TAFE NSW course before your student visa application has been processed and it is subsequently rejected, a pro rata refund of tuition fees paid will be made.
TAFE NSW will refund pro rata tuition fees from the date of becoming an Australian permanent resident, minus a A$300 processing fee if you have been granted permanent residency before or during a TAFE NSW course.
TAFE NSW will refund pro rata tuition fees from the date of becoming a temporary resident, minus a A$300 processing fee and minus the temporary resident tuition fees where applicable, if you have been granted temporary residency before or during a TAFE NSW course.
If you have not reached a level of English adequate to obtain a Certiﬁcate 3 in English for Further Studies, you will be permitted to defer commencement of your vocational course until the next available intake for that course, but if you would like to withdraw from that course, TAFE NSW will refund tuition fees for the vocational course minus a A$300 processing fee.
If you obtain a deferral of the vocational component of your combined packaged course and then do not enrol for it, the refund policy relevant at date of deferral will be applied to any pre-paid fees.
Processing fee, registration fee, accommodation placement fee (including guardianship arrangement) and airport pick-up fee are not refundable.

The complaints procedure contained in these terms and conditions of enrolment is available to a student in the event of a grievance in relation to a claimed refund. However, this agreement and the availability of complaints and appeals processes does not remove the student's right to take further action under Australia's consumer protection laws or pursue other legal remedies.

Refund Procedures

You must complete a TAFE NSW Refund Application Form.
Your refund will be processed within 4 weeks of receipt of your completed refund application if it includes all the required documents. However, if TAFE NSW withdraws a course the student has enrolled in, the refund will be processed within 2 weeks. A written statement will be provided to the student to explain how the refund is calculated.

Transfer to TAFE NSW Higher Education Course

TAFE NSW will transfer the tuition fees from your vocational course to a TAFE NSW higher education course if you withdraw from the vocational course and enrol in the TAFE NSW higher education course within 14 days after the semester commencement.

Provider Default

In the unlikely event that TAFE NSW is unable to deliver the agreed course in full, the student will be offered a refund of all the course money paid to date. The refund will be paid to the student within two weeks of the day on which the course ceased being provided. Alternatively, the student may be offered enrolment in an alternative course by TAFE NSW at no extra cost to the student.

If an alternative course is offered, the student has the right to choose whether he or she would prefer a full refund of course fees, or to accept a place in another course. If the student chooses placement in another course, TAFE NSW will ask the student to sign a document to indicate that the student accepts the placement.

TAFE NSW English Language Course Fees and Refunds

Transfer of Fees
If you complete your English course at TAFE NSW earlier than expected and there is a further general English course available at this centre, any remaining fees will be applied to that course; or if you enrol immediately in a TAFE NSW vocational course, the remainder of your paid fees will be transferred to that course. If you are accepted into a TAFE NSW course before you complete your English course, we will transfer to that course the remainder of your paid fees as at the end of the English course session/term in which you are enrolled at the time of transfer. No fees will be transferred to other institutions or persons.

Refund Procedures

All applications for refunds must be made in writing and must contain the electronic Conﬁrmation of Enrolment (eCOE) form, receipt for course fees and certiﬁed copies of any supporting documentation. If you provide TAFE NSW with false or misleading information or documents, or breach your visa conditions, no refund will be made.

If you complete the general English program earlier than expected and do not enrol in a TAFE NSW course, remaining fees will be refunded. There is no refund for public holidays. The processing fee, application fee, accommodation placement fee (including guardianship arrangement) and airport pick-up fee are not refundable.

Refund Policy

A$100 processing fee applies to all refunds except when a student visa is refused or a TAFE NSW course is cancelled.
Course fee refunds are calculated from the date a written refund application is received, on the following basis only:
- The English Language Centre will refund 100 percent of the English language course fee paid if your application for a visa to study in Australia is rejected.
- The English Language Centre will refund 100 percent of the English language course fee paid if the course you have enrolled in is cancelled by TAFE NSW.
- The English Language Centre will refund 90 percent of the English language course fee paid if you withdraw from the course 4 weeks (28 days) or more before the commencement date of course of study.
- The English Language Centre will refund 80 percent of the English language course fee paid if you withdraw within the final 4 weeks (28 days) before the commencement date of course of study.
- There will be no course fee refund on or after commencement date of course of study.
- No refund will be paid to a third party unless the student indicates the name and address of the person to whom the refund should be paid. If no name and address is provided, the refund will be sent to the student's home address as indicated in section 1 of TAFE NSW Application form.

Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC)

All international students are required to pay the OSHC for themselves and all dependent members of their family staying with them in Australia.
If you are currently studying in Australia, you must provide a copy of your health fund membership records showing your name, membership number and date of expiry.
TAFE NSW receives a commission from the health insurance provider for processing your OSHC payment.

Information Regarding a Disability (Part 10 of TAFE NSW Application Form)

Information about your disability is requested to establish whether you require the provision of additional services or facilities not required by students who do not have a disability.

After consideration of your requirements, if the provision of these services or facilities would impose "unjustiﬁable hardship", for example, a very high cost on TAFE NSW, your enrolment may be refused or additional fees may apply. You will be advised in writing of our decision.

Expectations of TAFE NSW

TAFE NSW will:

Provide the student with the same level of instruction and educational services as normally provided to other students enrolled at TAFE NSW.
Provide an orientation program for the student.
Monitor the welfare of the student and provide counselling and ongoing support while the student is enrolled at TAFE NSW.
Appoint one or more NSW staff members to act as the point of contact for students who have access to up-to-date details of TAFE NSW's support services for students.
Pay commission to an agent registered with TAFE NSW who submits the student's application.

Expectations of Students and Parents

The student (and parent if the student is under 18, so far as relevant, will ensure the student complies with the following):

Is subject to the requirements of the National Code and must comply with TAFE NSW enrolment conditions and requirements in respect of international students.
Must obtain a student visa and comply with student visa requirements.
Must meet TAFE NSW course requirements and meet the requirements of DEEWR - DIAC Course Progress Policy and Procedures.
Must not engage in any activity that may endanger their safety or the safety of any other person.
Must ensure requirements are met and maintained for accommodation and welfare arrangements for students under 18.
Must pay the required fees when an offer of placement is made and fees owing on receipt of invoice.
Must notify the DEC International Students Centre staff if they defer their studies and notify the International Students Coordinator at their TAFE NSW Institute immediately if they terminate their studies, withdraw from their course, or there are any changes to their visa status.
Must notify the International Student Coordinator at their TAFE NSW Institute of their residential address within 7 days of arrival and of any change to their residential address within 7 days of any change.

No Obligation

TAFE NSW does not represent or guarantee that the student will:

Be accepted for enrolment at a specific TAFE NSW college
Successfully complete studies undertaken
Gain entry into further tertiary studies
TAFE NSW accepts no liability for any unexpected interruption in services through events such as staff strikes, electrical failure, ﬂoods and other similar events and which causes a cancellation of classes. Fee refunds will not be provided for classes missed due to such events.

Complaints Procedure

If the student has a complaint about the services provided by the TAFE NSW Institute or DEC International Students Centre, attempts should be made to resolve the problem with relevant staff before lodging the complaint.

So far as possible relevant complaints will be handled upon the same basis as complaints from a student or parent ordinarily resident in NSW.

Complaint(s) must initially be made in writing in English and sent to the college director. The directors will use their best endeavours to resolve the complaint(s). However, if the complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student, a copy of the written complaint together with the reasons for the dissatisfaction may be forwarded to the Director, DEC International Students Centre, NSW Department of Education and Communities.

DEC International Students Centre Director will review the complaint and undertake such action as he or she deems fit. If the student is not satisfied with the solution arising from this process, they may request independent grievance handling/dispute resolution using a mediation/conflict resolution service through the Director General of TAFE or his or her nominee. Independent grievance resolution process may include a nominee of the student if the student so chooses.

Breach of Terms and Conditions

Any breach of terms and conditions may result in the termination of the student's enrolment and may affect the student's visa.