Refund policy
VISA
Where an application for a visa is rejected, Brisbane North Institute of TAFE (BNIT) will refund full fees after receiving a copy of the letter from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) regarding visa rejection.
The terms of this policy, with regard to withdrawal from study, also applies where:
- A student is granted Permanent Resident status during their ELICOS or formal program.
- BNIT excludes a student from continuing their ELICOS or formal program.
- An application for a visa extension is rejected or DIAC cancels the student's existing visa.
ELICOS Program
If a student withdraws from their ELICOS program for any reason, excluding visa rejection:
- More than 28 days before the Program begins: BNIT will refund tuition fees less an Administration Charge of 20% of tuition fees paid for the ELICOS offer.
- Less than 28 days before the program begins: BNIT will refund tuition fees less an amount equivalent to 12 weeks of ELICOS tuition.
- After the program begins: BNIT will not refund tuition fees.
If a student successfully meets the English language entry requirements and all other conditions for entry to a BNIT Formal Program during their ELICOS Program, they may apply to credit the balance of paid ELICOS tuition fees to their Formal Program. Such credit may be no less than 1 ELICOS week, is not transferable to another student, and will not be refunded.
If the student successfully meets the English language entry requirements and all other conditions for entry to a BNIT formal course during their ELICOS course, the student may apply to credit the balance of paid ELICOS tuition fees to their formal TAFE course. If the student defers their ELICOS course, BNIT will hold the tuition fees until the student resumes their course. The student cannot resume their course until a new Offer of Place has been issued. This agreement does not remove the right to take further action under Australia's consumer protection laws.
Formal program
If a student withdraws from their formal program for any reason, excluding visa rejection:
- More than 28 days before the program begins: BNIT will refund the first semester of their tuition fees, less an administration charge of 10% of this instalment.
- Less than 28 days before the program begins: BNIT will refund the first semester of their tuition fees, less an administration charge of 20% of this instalment.
- After the program begins: BNIT will not refund tuition fees.
Conditions of refund
- If a student 'fast tracks' and completes their Program in a shorter time than what is specified in the Offer of Place, they are not entitled to any refund of tuition fees.
- Tuition fees may be reduced or a refund issued if the student is granted sufficient Transfer Credits or Exemptions such that the Program is completed in a shorter than normal time.
- Approved refunds will be processed within 4 weeks of the Manager - International Business's decision on this matter.
- If a student completes their Program in a period less than that stated on the Offer of Place the instalment amounts will alter. If a period greater than that stated on the Offer of Place is required to complete the Program the student will be subject to additional fees.
- Students may, under exceptional circumstances, defer their studies providing notification is received within 2 weeks of the commencement of the semester. An Administration Charge of $150 applies, and fees may be held for up to one year only. If a student withdraws from their Program, tuition fees will not be refunded.
Payment of refund
- All requests for refunds or transfer credits are subject to the approval of the Manager - International Business, BNIT.
- All requests for refund of any monies must be made in writing to the Manager - International Business, BNIT.
- Approved refunds will be paid to the person who entered into this agreement.
- All refunds will be paid in the same currency in which they were collected.
- Students may appeal refund decisions by writing to the Director, BNIT within 14 days of receiving notification. The dispute resolution processes do not circumscribe the student's right to pursue other legal remedies.
- If BNIT defaults, as the registered provider, refunds cannot be covered by a written agreement between the provider and the student. Such situations are covered by the provisions of the ESOS Act 2000 and the ESOS Regulations 2001.
Refund if BNIT Defaults (sections 27 - 31 ESOS Act 2000)
BNIT will pay a full refund to the student within 2 weeks should:
- the course being offered not commence on the agreed starting day
- the course stops being provided after it starts and before it is completed, or
- the course is not provided fully to the student because of a sanction imposed on BNIT.
The student will be provided with a statement explaining how the refund amount has been calculated. In the event that a course stops being provided after it starts and before it is completed, BNIT will endeavour to arrange for another course, or part of a course, to be provided to the student as an alternative. Should the alternative course of study/program be acceptable to the student, no refund of fees for the original enrolment will be made by BNIT, nor will any additional fees be charged to the student for the alternative program.