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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON STUDENT VISA

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ENROLMENT AND REFUND POLICY

 

The following terms and conditions apply to all applications for study at the Australian Professional Skills Institute as an international student. They must be read, understood, and accepted by the applicant or any person acting on their behalf including the education agent or parent/guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age. All International students must be over 18 years of age before they can commence their studies at APSI. The applicant acknowledges all information and supporting documents provided in the application are complete, true, and accurate. By signing on this offer letter, the applicant agrees to enter an agreement with APSI with the following terms and conditions of enrolment including the refund Policy.

APSI reserves the right to vary the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment as may be necessary to comply with any laws or regulations of the Commonwealth or State Governments.

This agreement and the availability of the complaints and appeals processes do not remove the right to take further action under Australia’s consumer protection laws. APSI’s dispute resolution processes do not circumscribe the applicant’s right to pursue other legal remedies.

Course Fees and Other Fees Payable

  1. All fees and charges are payable in Australian dollars and GST exempt.
  2. All fees and charges are correct at the time of printing. APSI reserves the right to vary the fees at any time without prior notice.
  3. The Application / Registration Fee is a one-off payment and is non-refundable. Initial deposit for the CoE and deposits for all packaged CoEs, including ECU packages, are non-refundable.
  4. All fees must be paid in advance as per payment terms outlined in this offer letter. Refund or cancellation fees will be calculated based on fees paid in advance. If a student cancels the course without the full one-term fee being paid in advance, APSI reserves the right to collect the unpaid fees based on the refund and cancellation policy. The student may remain liable to pay other costs incurred by APSI in recovering any outstanding monies, including debt collection agency fees and legal costs, if applicable.
  5. Students may pay up to (but not more than) 50 percent of the total course fee upfront.
  6. Course fees do not cover other charges such as accommodation fees, living expenses, resource/material fees, tools kits, textbooks, stationery, equipment and government agency charges, and other incidental charges.
  7. Course instalment fees are due on the commencement date of the course and the start date of each term. Payment of fees is required by the due date on the invoice. Penalty fees will be applied to all late payments.
  8. Students are required to pay the fees during any public holidays, term/holiday breaks, or workplace training periods.
  9. All course fees are non-transferrable except in cases of documented ill health and may only be transferred to other courses within APSI or at the discretion of APSI’s management.
  10. APSI reserves the right to cancel any course before the commencement of the course should it deem necessary and a full refund of all payments will be given to the applicant.
  11. APSI will not issue any Qualification or Statement of Attainment to a student if the student has any outstanding fees owing to APSI, including any other courses completed with APSI.
  12. Miscellaneous fees and unit reassessment and re-enrolment fees may apply in addition to the course fee throughout the course enrolment – please refer to the miscellaneous fee schedule and unit reassessment fee schedules on APSI’s website: https://www.apsi.edu.au/student-services/student-fees/

 

International Student Refund and Cancellation Policy

If the student wants to cancel a course after a confirmation of enrolment (CoE) is issued, the following refund/cancellation calculation will apply regardless of whether a student visa has been granted.

This refund policy applies to all course fees and non-course fees paid to APSI and includes any fees paid to an education agent for APSI as per the Offer Letter. This policy applies to both commencing and continuing students.

  1. Any request for refund/cancellation must be submitted in writing via the APSI Course Cancellation Application form and submitted to the College via email to service@apsi.edu.au, addressed to the Student Support Officer.
  2. All applications for a refund/ cancellation due to student visa refusal must be accompanied by visa refusal advice from the Department of Home Affairs
  3. Notice is calculated based on receipt of the signed APSI Course Cancellation and Refund Application Form.
  4. The Cancellation Application form will not be processed where the signature on the form does not match the student’s signature as shown on other documents provided by the student for admission.
  5. Refund / Cancellation will not be processed if the supporting documentation is incomplete.
  6. Where a refund is due, the refund amount will be calculated as per the Refund and Cancellation Policy. Refunds will be paid to the student unless written authorization is given by the student in favour of another party.
  7. The processing time for the refund/ cancellation can be up to 20 working business days.
  8. APSI will not refund any money paid by an international student or intending international student in relation to a course if a student has been granted a bridging visa or temporary visa pending determination of permanent residency or has been granted permanent residency after the commencement of the course of studies or after Course fees have been paid. The student must complete the current study period on a full-fee basis and may apply to recommence the course in the next term as a domestic fee for service student.
  9. Student will receive a remittance advice when the refund is paid.
  10. If students pay their fees via an education agent, the refund calculation form and the refund will be sent to his/her agent first, and the agent will pass the refund onto the student.
  11. If student is transferring to another institution approved by APSI, APSI may choose to transfer the refund to the receiving institution. No refund will be paid to a third party unless it is indicated at the time the refund application is lodged.
  12. Other fees paid in advance such as accommodation fees, airport meeting fee, OSHC, will be refunded in full if that service has not been used.
  13. A notice of withdrawal due to illness or disability, death of a close family member, political or civil event that prevents acquittal may be accepted as grounds for either a total or partial refund of fees. Supporting documentary evidence must be provided at the time of application for refund and the amount of refund will be at the discretion of APSI management.
  14. The refund policy is subject to review as required.
  15. Students may lodge an internal appeal against refund calculation by completing a Refund Appeal Form which is available from Student Services. Students must allow 10 working days to process all appeals. APSI will provide a written response to the appeals. If students are not satisfied they may use the Institute’s external appeal process or include a third party of their choice as their own expense.
  16. All amounts referred to in the Refund Policy are in Australian Dollars (AUD). APSI is not liable for any loss incurred due to currency fluctuation.
  17. All bank charges incurred by APSI in issuing a refund will be met by the student.

 

Refund Calculations

Reason for Refund / Cancellation

Notification Period

Cancellation Penalty

Refund on course fee paid

Application for a visa is unsuccessful before course commencement date Proof of visa refusal letter from Department of Home Affairs Application fee $250

Full refund on all course fee paid less $250 application fee

Refer to Note 1

Application for a visa is unsuccessful after course commencement date Proof of visa refusal letter from Department of Home Affairs with a course cancellation notification Application fee $250 and pro-rata amount of course fees used calculated on a weekly basis Full refund on all course fee paid less $250 and any unused portion of the course fee
New and continuing student with a CoE withdraws before course commencement date More than 10 weeks before the course commencement date.

Application fee $250

And non-refundable deposit of $200 for each packaged CoE

Full refund of tuition fees paid in advance less $250 and $200 deposit for each packaged CoE
More than 4 weeks and up to 10 weeks before the course commencement date. Non-Refundable fees withheld + 40% of one term course tuition fee is payable 60% refund of tuition fees paid in advance
4 weeks or less before course commencement. Non-Refundable fees withheld + 70% of one term course tuition fee is payable 30% refund of tuition fees paid in advance

New and continuing student with a CoE withdraws after course commencement date

Refer to Note 2

 

After Course Commencement with one full term’s notice in advance Non-refundable application fee $250 and $300 course cancellation administration fee

No refund on current term fee.

Full refund on any course fees paid in advance for subsequent terms

After Course Commencement with less than one full term’s notice. Non-Refundable fees $250 and $300 course cancellation administration fee and one term course fee in lieu of notice period No refund of tuition fees paid in advance
Student enrolment is cancelled by APSI due to gross or serious misconduct by the student At all times Non-refundable fees and 100% of current term fee No refund
Continuing student who has been terminated as a result of unsatisfactory academic progress. The appeal is unsuccessful and the student is withdrawn from APSI After course commencement date and within Week 1-2 of current term

Non-refundable fees and

30% of current term fee

70% of current term fee paid in advance
APSI withdraws offer or fails to provide programs offered or terminates an Education Service Before the course commencement date N/A Full refund
After the course commencement date N/A

Refund on the unused portion of the pre-paid course fee and resource fee

Refer to Note 3

Note 1APSI is not required to provide a refund if the visa was refused for one or more of the following acts or omissions by the student that directly or indirectly caused the student to default:

Note 2 – At least one full term’s notice in writing is required of a student’s intention to withdraw from a course. If less than one term’s notice is given, in addition to the student receiving no refund of the course fees they have already paid, the student has an obligation to pay the following term’s fees in lieu of the required notice period

Note 3 – Refund on resource fee is calculated based on the unused portion of the resources fee.

Definition of Student Default

  • Student does not turn up on the agreed course start date as per international student written agreement and has not informed or communicated with APSI directly or via their agents
  • Student withdraws from the course either before or after the agreed course start date
  • Student breached a condition of his/her student visa or APSI’s student code of conduct
  • Non-payment of fees to APSI
  • Student failed to turn up in class for three consecutive scheduled class contact time

 

PROTECTION OF COURSE FEE PAID IN ADVANCE

Australian Professional Skills Institute adheres to the rules and regulations set under the ESOS Act 2000 and associated legislations, in particular, the ESOS Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Act 2012.

Payments made to APSI are protected by the Tuition Protection Service (TPS). APSI must be accountable for any payment you have made as long as you have a written receipt of payment as evidence.  If APSI is unable to offer a refund or place the student in an alternative course, the student will be referred to the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) administrator. TPS Administrator will place the student in a suitable alternative course or if a suitable alternative course cannot be offered, TPS Administrator will pay the student a refund as calculated by ESOS legislation. Further information about TPS is available from www.tps.gov.au.

Late Payment and Non-Payment of Fees

  1. All fees invoices are available for download via APSI’s student portal, MyWiseNET and it is the student’s responsibility to make sure fees are paid before the due date.
  2. 1st week after due date – APSI sends fees overdue warning letter with A$50 penalty fees per week.
  3. End of four weeks warning period – APSI issues Notification of Intention to Report notice and student needs to contact APSI within 20 workings days to appeal on the decision.
  4. After 20 working days, if the appeal is unsuccessful, APSI will cancel the CoE, report the student to Department of Home Affairs via PRISMS and issue a course cancellation letter to the student.
  5. APSI will not continue to offer any training including workplace training or assessments once a Notification of Intention to Report Notice has been issued. APSI will only provide attendance records and work undertaken for the period of time when the student’s enrolment with APSI is current.
  6. APSI reserves the right to collect any unpaid fees by using a debt collection agency or by recovering by action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Any costs incurred by APSI to recuperate outstanding fees will be charged to the student.

Miscellaneous Fees / Charges

Download APSI miscellaneous fee schedule:

Student Code of Conduct, Attendance and Dress Code

1) Attendance

Students must attend all classes, tests and assessments during the course and abide by the rules stipulated in the student handbook. APSI reserves the right to terminate a student’s enrolment at any stage if the student is non-compliant with college behaviour and code of conduct. Such information is available in APSI’s student handbook.

Attempts to forge doctor certificates for attendance records will result in suspension from studies and may lead to cancellation of enrolment.

2) Dress Code

  • All students must observe the dress code of APSI.
  • All business students must be dressed in acceptable office attire while attending class.
  • All Aged care students must wear APSI red Polo shirt, black trousers and closed flat black shoes with APSI trainee name badge while conducting workplace training in facilities.
  • All hospitality students must wear a white shirt/blouse, black trousers and closed flat black shoes.
  • All cookery students must wear a whole set of chef uniform(including hat and safety shoes) while doing any practical training in kitchen areas.

3) Others

Any student found to be involved in activities, which contravene Australian law will be automatically dismissed from their studies.

Please see the latest Student Code of Conduct and Rules HERE.

Personal Information and Privacy Notice

1. International students should be aware that some of the information collected may be forwarded to the Australian Government and designated authorities for their record keeping and visa monitoring, as well as the Tuition Protection Scheme (TPS) and the ESOS Assurance Fund Manager in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. This information includes personal and contact details, course enrolment details and the circumstances of any suspected breach of student visa conditions.

2. Information is collected on this form and during your enrolment in order to meet our obligations under the ESOS Framework including ESOS Act 2000 and the National Code 2018; to ensure student compliance with the conditions of your visa and your obligations under Australian Immigration laws generally. The authority to collect this information is contained in the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000, the Education Services for Overseas Students Regulations 2001 and the National Code 2018.

 

Privacy Notice

Under the Data Provision Requirements 2012, Australian Professional Skills Institute (APSI) is required to collect personal information about you and to disclose that personal information to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research Ltd (NCVER).Your personal information (including the personal information contained on this enrolment form), may be used or disclosed by APSI for statistical, administrative, regulatory and research purposes. APSI may disclose your personal information for these purposes to:• Commonwealth and State or Territory government departments and authorised agencies; and• NCVER.

Personal information that has been disclosed to NCVER may be used or disclosed by NCVER for the following purposes:• populating authenticated VET transcripts;• facilitating statistics and research relating to education, including surveys and data linkage;• pre-populating RTO student enrolment forms;• understanding how the VET market operates, for policy, workforce planning and consumer information; and• administering VET, including program administration, regulation, monitoring and evaluation.

You may receive a student survey which may be administered by a government department or NCVER employee, agent or third party contractor or other authorised agencies. Please note you may opt out of the survey at the time of being contacted.

NCVER will collect, hold, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the National VET Data Policy and all NCVER policies and protocols (including those published on NCVER’s website at www.ncver.edu.au).

Complaints,Grievance and Appeals Procedure

The process, including policies and procedures for internal and external complaints and appeals, can be downloaded from our website via this link https://apsi.edu.au/about-australian-professional-skills-institute/policies-and-procedures/

Change of Address

All students must supply the most current contact details including address, telephone numbers and email address to APSI during the enrolment. Student can login to student portal – Mywisenet via APSI’s home page to update such information or inform student services via email.  No responsibility will be taken by APSI for any information that students may not receive due to the change of address and telephone numbers.

 

Application for Course Credit

Applications for course credit based on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer (CT) or Mutual Recognition (MR) should be submitted at the time of application and at least 14 days before course commencement date and up to 2 weeks after course commencement. Exemptions will be granted based on skills and education that a student has already acquired from other appropriate courses in Australia or in other countries. Fees may apply for RPL applications.

A RPL application form with information pack is available for download from APSI’s website or from admissions office. All applications must be accompanied with a non-refundable application fee of A$200.

Course credit or exemptions will only to be granted where it can be shown that the student has successfully completed other studies that are either

–       Of a similar duration

–       Studied at a similar or higher level

–       Of similar content

Any reduction in course fees as a result of course credit will be credited towards the last semester payment. A notice of the result will be sent to the student’s internal email box.

English Language Requirements for International students

All International students (offshore or onshore) must meet the minimum English language requirements before enrolment is confirmed by Australian Professional Skills Institute. There are specific English language requirements for students from different countries, please view details of English Language requirements here.

If students do not have the official recognised English Language test result at the time of enrolment, they can sit for the following test to determine their current English level:

  1. Duolingo English Test  (Fees apply)
  2. English language test with partnered pathway ELICOS providers
  3. APSI’s English Proficiency Test and attend an interview

Complaints and Appeals Procedures

APSI’s complaints and appeal procedures are independent, easily and immediately accessible, inexpensive for the parties involved and are compliant with the National Code.

You can download a copy of the Standard here.

All students have the right to appeal decisions made by the Institute where reasonable grounds can be established. The areas in which a student may appeal a decision made by the Institute may include:

  • Assessments conducted
  • Reported breaches of academic performance or attendance requirements
  • Deferral, suspension, or cancellation decisions made in relation to the student’s enrolment
  • Or any other conclusion that is made after a complaint has been dealt with by the Institute in the first instance.

To activate the appeals process the student is to complete a complaint and appeal lodgment form which is to include a summary of the grounds the appeal is based upon. The reason the student feels the decision is unfair is to be clearly explained. The Student Services Department shall provide help and support with this process. This form is available to be downloaded from APSI’s student portal.

The Academic Director shall organise a meeting with all parties involved in the matter and attempt to seek resolution where appropriate.

The process for all formally lodged appeals will begin within 10 working days of the appeal being lodged.

Where an appeal has been lodged it will be classified as belonging to one of the following categories and the appropriate procedures followed:

  • General Appeals
  • Assessment Appeals
  • Appealing decisions to report breach of academic or attendance requirements
  • Appealing deferrals, suspension or cancellation of enrolment decisions

The compliant and appeals procedure does not diminish the right to take further action under Australia’s Consumer Protection Laws nor prevent the student from pursuing other legal remedies involving external dispute resolution organisations.

General Appeals

  • Where a student has appealed a decision or outcome of a formal complaint they are required to notify the Institute in writing within 20 working days of the grounds of their appeal. Any supporting documentation should also be attached to the appeal.
  • The appeal shall be lodged through student services and Student Services Manager shall ensure the details of the appeal are added to the ‘complaints and appeals register’.
  • The academic director shall be notified and shall seek details regarding the initial documentation of the complaint and shall make a decision based on the grounds of the appeal.
  • The student shall be notified in writing of the outcome and the ‘complaints and appeals register’ updated.

Assessment Appeals

Where a student wishes to appeal an assessment they are required to notify their assessor in the first instance. Where appropriate the assessor may decide to re-assess the student to ensure a fair and equitable decision is gained. The assessor shall complete a written report regarding the re-assessment outlining the reasons why assessment was or was not granted.

If the decision is not to the student’s satisfaction the student may formally lodge an appeal by submitting a written letter outlining their reasons for the appeal. The Academic Director will be notified and will seek details regarding the initial documentation of the breach and make a decision based on the grounds of the appeal.

The Academic Director will be notified and will seek details from the assessor involved and any other relevant parties. A decision will be made regarding the appeal either confirming the assessment decision or outlining details of a possible re-assessment by a third party. The third party shall be another assessor appointed by the Institute.

The student shall be notified in writing of the outcome and the Complaints Log Book/Register updated.

Appealing decisions to report breach of academic or attendance requirements

Where a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Institute to notify the Department of Immigration and Border Protection of a breach of academic or attendance requirements the student shall lodge, in writing, a letter outlining the details of their appeal. The student should outline any existing extenuating circumstances explaining the reason of breach of the requirements and must be able to provide evidence of these circumstances.

The appeal shall be lodged with the Student Services Department and the appeal shall be entered into the Complaints Log Book/Register.

The Academic Director will be notified and will seek details regarding the initial documentation of the breach and make a decision based on the grounds of the appeal.

The student shall be notified in writing of the outcome and the Complaints Log Book/Register updated.

Where a student has decided to access the appeals process in relation to a reportable breach, the Institute will not report the breach until the appeals process has been undertaken. The Institute is required to maintain all relevant responsibilities until the breach has been reported to DIAC via the Provider Registration and International Students Management System (PRISMS’).

Appealing deferrals, suspension or cancellation of enrolment decisions

Where a student wishes to appeal a decision relating to deferment, suspension, or cancellation of their enrolment they are required to lodge, in writing, a letter outlining the details of their appeal. The student should outline any existing extenuating circumstances explaining why they believe the decision should be reviewed and must be able to provide evidence of these circumstances.

The appeal shall be lodged with the Student Services Department and the appeal shall be entered into the Complaints Log Book/Register.

The Academic Director will be notified and will seek details regarding the initial documentation of the breach and make a decision based on the grounds of the appeal.

The student shall be notified in writing of the outcome and the Complaints Log Book/Register updated.

Where a student has decided to access the appeals process in relation to a reportable breach, the Institute will not report the breach until the appeals process has been undertaken. The Institute is required to maintain all relevant responsibilities until the breach has been reported to DIBP via PRISMS.

External Appeals through the Overseas Students Ombudsman

If the matter is still unresolved after the above procedures have been implemented and the internal appeals process exhausted, the student may seek assistance from the Overseas Students Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s services are free, independent and impartial. For more information, please refer to their website www.oso.gov.au or call 1300 362 072.

The decision of Overseas Students Ombudsman is final and any further action the student wishes to take is outside the Institute’s policies and procedures. The student shall be referred to the appropriate government agency, ie. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR’) and DIPB or the following agencies for further action:

Ombudsman Western Australia

Equal Opportunity Commission WA

Administration Appeals Tribunal

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