Withdrawals and Refunds

Withdrawal

If you have a VET Student Loan, or if you are a higher education student studying a HELP loan (FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP) approved course, please follow the appropriate link below for information about withdrawals and refunds:

• FEE-HELP
• VET Student Loans

Note - Fees owing are not reversed automatically and you should review the TAFE SA refund criteria outlined below.

1.     Drop classes

Log into your Self Service account and drop yourself from classes. 

If assistance is required download a PDF copy of the add or drop classes reference guide.

2.     Submit withdrawal form

Complete a student withdrawal and refund form. 

Types of supporting documentation:

• Medical certificate
• Written verification of change of employment commitment from your employer
• Details of exceptional circumstances

3.    Submit any supporting documentation with the withdrawal form within one week of completing the drop from your classes by email.

It is important you submit the Withdrawal Form - If you attend any component of a class (or in the case of flexible learning, have documented contact with the facilitator) but do not submit a withdrawal form, you may be resulted as a fail (F) and not be eligible for a refund or credit.

Refund Policy

There are limited circumstances where a refund may be applicable. This depends on your enrolment type as a student. The below information is relevant to domestic students. A separate policy applies for international students.

Subsidised fee students (students who's training is partly funded by the South Australian Government)

Student initiated refunds

Refunds will not be granted automatically. You are expected to be aware of your work and personal commitments before you enrol, and will need to demonstrate that the cause of withdrawal could not be reasonably anticipated before you enrolled.

A full refund will be given if you:

• withdraw before the date of commencement of the relevant class(es) or course
• produce a document that supports your successful application for RPL in parts of a course, where the full fees have been paid. This will only apply within the first 20% of the scheduled duration of the relevant class (unit of competency / CRN). After that time, all other elements of the refund policy apply if you withdraw as a result of being awarded RPL.

A 50% refund will be given if you withdraw for reasons of personal circumstances beyond your control, after the relevant class (unit of competency / CRN) has started, but before 20% of the classes scheduled duration.

Acceptable reasons may include:

• sickness (verified by a medical certificate)
• change of employment hours or location (verified by employer)
• other valid reason at the discretion of the delegate (exceptional circumstances), or
• If you complete an application for RPL within the first 20% of the scheduled duration of the relevant class (unit of competency / CRN), you will be charged the appropriate RPL fee and the difference will be refunded.

Acceptance of a place in a higher preference course offered through SATAC

A full refund will be given if you provide a copy of the letter of offer.

Full fee paying students (students who are not receiving funding from the South Australian Government for their training)

Refunds (or fee adjustments) are only available if:

• The student withdraws before the class commences
• Or when TAFE SA cancels the course

To withdraw from your course complete the withdrawal and refund form and submit PRIOR to the date the course commences. Refunds / Fee adjustments will not be given if submitted after the course has commenced.

TAFE SA initiated refunds

Where a refund results from a situation caused by TAFE SA, eg cancelled class, a full refund of the fees will be given.

International students

A separate policy applies for international students.