Applications for withdrawals and refunds
Applications for withdrawals and refunds must be in writing using the QMS 327/06 – International Students - Withdrawal/Refund form available from International Student Programs or dowload the form. The completed form must be submitted to: The Manager, International Student Programs Chisholm Institute, PO Box 684, Dandenong VIC 3175 Australia.
Where an application for withdrawal/refund meets the policy requirements, a full refund of fees will be made to the student, less an administration fee of $250 within 20 working days of receipt of the Withdrawal/Refunds form.
If the application for withdrawal/refund is not made within the policy guidelines, supporting documentation must be submitted such as:
• Proof of student visa refusal by the Australian Government
• Proof of exceptional circumstances preventing commencement or continuation of the course.
Exceptional circumstances include but are not limited to:
• A major illness or disability affecting the student
• The death of the student or close family member (parent, sibling, spouse, partner or child)
• A political, civil or natural event in the student’s home country that prevents the student from continuing their study in Australia.
Refund requests based on exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis by the Manager, International Students Programs. The outcome will be communicated in writing. The student may appeal the decision as per Chisholm’s Complaints procedure.
Withdrawals/refunds for commencing students
For students commencing their first Chisholm course, the Withdrawal/Refunds form must be received by Chisholm more than 4 weeks prior to the commencement date. The commencement date is the date indicated for the Institute orientation program on the Letter of Offer. Students who apply or accept their offer of a place after the institute orientation program date are not eligible for a refund.
A full refund of all fees will be paid, less administration fee of A$250 where a student has had to withdraw because of visa refusal.
A full refund will be issued within 2 weeks, upon receipt of a written claim, if a course does not start on the day the course was scheduled to start or if the course ceases to be provided by Chisholm after it commences.
In the event of a program not being delivered, Chisholm may offer the student a place in an alternative Chisholm course. Where a student accepts in writing the alternative course offered, Chisholm is relieved of its liability to pay the refund.
Withdrawals/refunds for current students
Withdrawal/refund applications from current students must be received by 15 February for semester 1 and 15 June for semester 2.
Where a student does not meet these requirements, but submits a Withdrawal/Refund form by 15 April (semester 1) or 15 August (semester 2), the student will receive 50% refund of fees for the semester plus any other future fees paid.
Transfer or refund of ELICOS fees
In instances where a student has purchased 5 or more weeks of ELICOS in excess of the number of weeks actually required, Chisholm will transfer fees from ELICOS to a student’s
VCE/vocational/bachelor degree course or refund the fees.
Refunds – general information
Requests for refunds must be made within 6 months of the event occasioning the refund, as prescribed in this policy.
The funds covering fees must be clear (e.g. cheques must be cleared, telegraphic transfers received) at the time that the refund request is made by the student and all debts to Chisholm must be paid or the outstanding amounts will be deducted from the refund.
Refunds will be made in Australian dollars.
This policy applies to all international students irrespective of who pays the fees.
Chisholm reserves the right to retain the full fee paid where the offer was made on the basis of fraudulent documents.
Home stay and airport pick up payments are non refundable unless the student’s visa has been refused.
Where the materials fees are published separately from the tuition fee and the student has commenced study for the relevant period, the material fee is generally not refundable where the materials have been allocated to the student by the teaching department.
Refunds will only be processed once a student has returned to his/her home country and/or when Chisholm Institute is satisfied that the student’s visa has been cancelled.
Refunds must be paid to the same person or body from whom the payment was received on behalf of the student.
Fees will not be transferred to other educational institutions except in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Manager, International Students Programs.
A request for a refund to be paid to an educational institution must be included with QMS 327/06 - International Students – Withdrawal/Refund Form.
No refund of fees will be made where a student’s enrolment is cancelled because of breaching visa condition requirements.
Packaged offer
When applicants are required to complete a prerequisite course at Chisholm as a condition of entry into a higher level course at Chisholm or university, they will be offered a package comprising of the prerequisite course and the higher level course.
Where a student is required to satisfactorily complete an ELICOS program or other course as a condition of entry into a Chisholm vocational or degree, this refund policy will apply.
Where a student who has received a joint Letter of Offer, packaging a vocational course at
Chisholm and degree course at a university, the relevant university refund policy will apply to the university deposit (deposits paid are usually non refundable).
Change of intake
Students who wish to change to a later intake, must notify International
Student Programs in writing prior to the commencement date. A new Letter of Offer will be issued advising of the new program commencement date, subject to program availability.
A place may be defer="defer"red for a maximum of 6 months or the next intake for the relevant course.
Where a student changes intake, any monies paid to accept the program will be retained as a deposit. If after changing intake, a student gives written notice that they do not intend to take up their place, the refund provisions as outlined in this policy apply.
