Refund Policy
Domestic Student Refund Policy
Policy Statement
SELMAR Institute of Education is committed to the fair and transparent application of fees and charges, including the processing of refunds. Local and international students are provided with details of all fees and charges and copies of the relevant refund policy prior to enrolment. This policy outlines the circumstances in which a local student may receive a full or partial
refund of their course fees.
Scope
This policy applies to the refund of fees paid for the delivery of courses to local students. Refunds may be provided to students, their employers or any other agency which has paid the course fee on behalf of a student.
The current policy is relevant to the following parties:
Head of Campus
Heads of Department
Department Coordinators
Administration Staff
Finance Staff
Local students – and those paying fees on their behalf.
Definitions
Enrolment fee – an administration fee charged for processing enrolment applications – non refundable except where SELMAR has cancelled a course. Dual qualification enrolments have an enrolment fee for each qualification.
Materials fee – a charge to cover the cost of manuals or other materials required by the student for a specific course. These items remain the property of the student.
Tuition fee – the fee for the delivery of the training.
Course fee – the full fee charged for a course which is inclusive of Enrolment Fee, Tuition Fee and where applicable, Materials Fee.
Full Refund – including Enrolment Fee
Where SELMAR cancels a course, a full refund including enrolment fee will be offered. SELMAR will make every effort to reschedule the course and offer an alternative place to the student. The student is not obliged to accept alternative offers and may seek a full refund instead.
Full Refund – including Enrolment Fee
Where SELMAR cancels a course, a full refund including enrolment fee will be offered. SELMAR will make every effort to reschedule the course and offer an alternative place to the student. The student is not obliged to accept alternative offers and may seek a full refund instead.
Full Refund – excluding Enrolment Fee
Where a student withdraws from a course prior to the course commencement date, a full refund of the tuition fee will be provided. The Enrolment Fee is non-refundable.
Where a student withdraws from a course within 2 weeks of the course commencement date, a full refund of the tuition fee will be provided. The Enrolment fee is non-refundable.
No Refund
Where a student withdraws from a course later than 2 weeks after the commencement date, no refund will be provided.
Refund of Materials Fees
Materials Fees may be refunded at the discretion of the Head of Department where a student cancels before, or within 2 weeks of course commencement. The materials must be returned in re-saleable condition and the Head of Department will determine whether there is a possibility of re-selling them to another student before offering a refund.
Partial Refund - Exceptional Circumstances
In exceptional circumstances the Head of Department may authorise a partial refund for a student who withdraws 2 weeks after the course commencement date. The proportion of fees to be refunded will be at the discretion of the Head of Department and take into consideration how much of the course the student has completed. Exceptional circumstances are defined as those where due to illness or injury a student is
unable to continue their studies and would not reasonably be able to continue after a 6 month deferment.
Applying for a Refund
Requests for refunds need to be submitted to the Head of Department in writing and will be approved or declined within 14 days. Students will be advised of the decision either by phone or email. Approved refunds will be paid to the student in via Electronic Funds Transfer. These will be processed within 14 days of the decision outcome.
Administration Process for Refunds
1. Refund requests go directly to the Head of Department for approval.
2. Approved refund request will be sent to Finance for action.
3. After processing the refund – Finance will send the Refund Request and any accompanying Enrolment Variation Paperwork to Administration Department to update student record.
4. Administration Department will advise student of outcome of refund request by email or phone.
International Student Refund Policy
Policy Statement
This policy addresses refunds for International Students.
Full Refunds
The tuition fee will be refunded to students in the following circumstances:
• The course does not commence on the agreed date.
• The course ceases to be offered by SELMAR Institute of Education
• A sanction has been imposed on SELMAR Institute of Education and the course cannot be provided in full.
The Course Enrolment Fee of AU$150 is non-refundable.
If any of the above occurs, all tuition and other associated fees will be refunded. Alternatively, the student may be offered enrolment in an alternative course at no extra cost. The student
reserves the right to either accept the full refund amount or a place in another course. If SELMAR Institute of Education is no longer in a position to refund or place the student in an alternative course, then the Tuition Assurance Scheme (TAS) ACPET OSTAS will place the student in a suitable alternative course with another Training Provider at no extra cost. If ACPET OSTAS cannot place the student in a suitable course, the ESOS Assurance Fund Manager will attempt to place the student in a suitable alternative course or, if this is not possible, the student will be eligible for a refund as calculated by the Fund Manager.
In the case of a default caused by SELMAR Institute of Education, a full refund will be paid to the person who has signed the Student Agreement or is indicated as the person bound by the Student Agreement within 14 days of the occurrence of the default. In all refund cases, a statement detailing the total amount received by SELMAR Institute of Education, including the non-refundable amount will be provided to the student (if 18 years of age or older or their legal guardian/parent if under 18).
Refund where Visa is Refused
Where a student is unable to obtain a visa, a refund of the course tuition fee will be provided within 28 days of the written request. The Course Enrolment fee of AU$150 is non-refundable.
Where a student is unable to obtain an extension to their current visa, a refund of the course tuition fee less the following amounts will apply:
a) Fees for tuition services already provided to the student by SELMAR Institute of Education.
b) Prescribed amounts for expenses incurred by the SELMAR Institute on behalf of the student for the course.
The Course Enrolment fee of AU$150 is non-refundable.
No Refunds
No Refund will be granted to students in the following circumstances:
• A student provides misleading or false information.
• A student visa has been cancelled due to unsatisfactory academic performance.
• A student withdraws on or after the course start date.
• A student has been expelled due to misbehaviour.
• A student abandons a course without formally cancelling his/her enrolment directly with SELMAR Institute of Education.
In the case of course abandonment, the student will be liable for agreed fees until the withdrawal process is complete.
Partial Refunds
Withdrawal before the course start date:
A student who withdraws before the course start date and gives notice of at least 10 weeks may qualify for a refund of 80% of the tuition fee and course material fee.
A student who submits a request for withdrawal less than 10 weeks but no more than 5 weeks prior to the course start may qualify for a refund of 65% of the tuition fee and course material fee.
A student who submits a request for withdrawal less than 5 weeks prior to the start date of their course of study will not be eligible for a refund of the tuition fee or course material fee.
Withdrawal after the start date:
No tuition fee, overseas student health cover fee, airport pick up charges, accommodation booking fee or course material fee will be refunded to the student (if 18 years of age or older or their legal guardian/parent if under 18), if the application is received by SELMAR Institute of Education after the course start date.
Exceptional Circumstances
A request for a refund maybe considered in exceptional circumstances as the basis for either a total or partial refund of the tuition fee. The decision to grant a refund will be at the discretion of the Head of Campus and subject to the provision of acceptable documentary evidence in support of the application for a refund by the applicant. Exceptional circumstances may include, but are not restricted to:
• Illness or disability of the student
• Death of the student or an immediate family member (e.g. parent, sibling, spouse or child).
Applying for a refund
Requests for refunds will only be accepted in writing to the Administration Department. All requests must be made on the SELMAR Institute of Education Refund Application Form (SMF 4).
The Course Enrolment fee of AUS$150 is non-refundable.
Administration Department will assess the application in line with this policy and either approve or decline the application within seven days of receiving the written request for a refund from the student. The determination made by Administration Department will be handed over to The Head of Campus for authorisation to process the application further.
SELMAR Institute of Education will respond to the relevant student in writing within 20 working days of receiving the request for a refund.
Evidence for Refund
A student whose application for a student visa has been unsuccessful must provide evidence of such decision in the form of a letter from the Australian High Commission or Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Payment of Refunds
All refunds will be made payable via Electronic Funds Transfer and in Australian dollars only.
If a refund is granted as per this policy the refund will be made within 28 working days of the application for a refund, with a statement of the refund and its itemised parts.
If a student is transferring to another recognised educational institution within Australia, then the applicable refund due may be transferred to that institution.
Refunds will be made payable to the student (if 18 years of age or older or their legal guardian/parent if under 18), unless SELMAR Institute of Education receives written advice from the student to the contrary. Written advice for payment of refund to person(s) other than the student must be submitted no later than 10 working days of the initial submission of the request for a refund.
All refunds will be made in the student’s home country, except in exceptional circumstances.
Any bank charges will be deducted from the applicable refund due.
